JP4876541B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

The gaming machine, there is that to perform each time of the game by performing a predetermined game start operation with that inserts a game medium Jo Tokoro number. This type of gaming machine is known for example spheres using Ru with game balls used in pachinko machine as a game medium reel-game machine (e.g., see Patent Document 1). As a series of games in this ball-use spinning machine, first, a predetermined number of game balls are taken in, and the start lever is operated after the take-in operation. Thereby, a game is started and rotation of a plurality of reels to which a plurality of types of symbols are attached in the circumferential direction is started. Subsequently, the rotation of the reel is stopped by operating a stop switch provided for each reel. The payout, etc. of the game ball is performed appropriately in accordance with the display symbol when the reels stop.

As described above, in order to advance a game using a ball-carrying revolving game machine, it is necessary to repeatedly perform a series of operations such as a game ball take-in operation, a start lever operation, and a stop switch operation. fatigue of arms Ru can become substantial. Therefore, among players, in order to reduce the fatigue of the arm due to the series of operations, a finger (specifically, an index finger, a ring finger, and a little finger) is hung on the upper plate disposed above the stop switch, It is conceivable that there are some people who push the stop switch with other fingers (specifically, thumbs).

However, since the game balls are stored in the upper plate, if you try to hang your finger as described above, the game ball will not get in the way, or the game ball will hit your finger on the upper plate. Therefore, there may be a problem that makes the player feel uncomfortable. As a result, the player operates the stop switch without placing a finger on the upper plate, and therefore there is a possibility that the fatigue of the arm cannot be reduced.
JP 2004-344503 A

The present invention has been made in view of the above illustrated situation like, and an object thereof is to provide a Yu technique machine that can of contributing to reduction of fatigue according to stop operation.

Hereinafter, means for solving the above problems will be described.

The invention described in claim 1
A door covering the front of the gaming machine,
A pattern display device for variably displaying the pattern;
A ball receiving portion having a front side wall portion and a back side wall portion, and storing a game ball between the both wall portions;
A spherical entrance provided on the back side wall and opening forward;
Dispensing means for paying out the game ball to the ball tray through the ball entrance;
Taking-in means for taking in a game ball via the ball outlet of the ball tray portion;
An operation unit for taking-in which is operated to cause the taking-in of the game ball by the taking-in means;
A plurality of stop operation parts arranged side by side in the width direction of the ball tray part on the front side of the front side wall part and operated to stop variable display of the pattern,
When a predetermined number of game balls are taken in by the take-in means, the variable display of the picture is allowed to start, and the pay-out means pays out the game balls according to the stop picture after the variable display is stopped. In the gaming machine to perform,
The ball inlet is provided at a position that is closer to one side in the width direction of the ball tray part in the ball tray part, and the ball outlet is provided at a position that is closer to the other side in the width direction in the ball tray part,
An overhang part provided on the front side wall part, located on the side of the ball outlet from the ball inlet, and securing a region for arranging the operation part for taking in the front side wall part by projecting backward;
Provided to be lower than the upper surface of the front side wall portion in the ball tray portion, and has a predetermined width from the front side wall portion to the back and continuously extends from the overhang portion to the other, A horizontally long region in which the player can operate each stop operation part with his / her finger placed;
A step portion formed so as to partition the horizontally long region and the storage region on the back side thereof,
The horizontally long region is formed such that a rear end portion thereof is positioned forward of a rear end portion of the overhang portion.

This can contribute to the reduction of fatigue caused by the stop operation.

First, invention groups that can be extracted from the present embodiment are shown as means n (n = 1, 2, 3,...), And will be described while showing effects and the like as necessary. In the following, for ease of understanding, the corresponding configuration in the present embodiment is appropriately shown in parentheses, but is not limited to the specific configuration shown in parentheses.

Means 1. A door (door block 4) covering the front of the gaming machine;
A pattern display device (reel device 503) for variably displaying a pattern;
A ball tray (upper plate 151) for storing game balls;
A payout means (payout mechanism 602) for paying out game balls via the ball inlet (discharge port 165) of the ball receiving tray;
Taking-in means (take-in unit 16) for taking in game balls via the ball outlet (opening 164) of the ball tray;
A plurality of stop operation members (stop switches 35 to 37) provided on the front surface of the door body and operated to stop the variable display of the pattern;
When a predetermined number of game balls are taken in by the take-in means, the variable display of the picture is allowed to start, and the pay-out means pays out the game balls according to the stop picture after the variable display is stopped. In the gaming machine to perform,
The stop operation members are arranged side by side in the left-right direction in front of the front side wall portion (front side wall portion 162a) of the ball tray,
In the ball tray, a horizontally long region (guide portion 163) having a predetermined width from the near side wall portion toward the back is formed, and the horizontally long region and a storage region (reserving portion T) on the back side thereof are formed. A gaming machine characterized by partitioning a step portion by a step portion (step portion 163a).

  In the gaming machine of the means 1, when a predetermined number of game balls are taken in by the taking-in means, the variable display of the pattern is allowed, and according to the stop picture after the variable display is stopped, A payout is made.

  In the ball tray of the above gaming machine, a horizontally long region having a predetermined width from the front side wall portion toward the back is formed, and the horizontally long region and the storage region on the back side thereof are partitioned by a step portion. ing. Thereby, for example, the game ball paid out from the paying-out means through the ball entrance to the storage area on the back side collides with the stepped portion and becomes difficult to enter the horizontally long area. As a result, a finger (specifically, a finger other than the thumb) is hung on the front side wall, and each stop operation member arranged in front of the front side wall is operated with another finger (specifically, the thumb). In this case, it is possible to prevent the operation of putting a finger on the front side wall portion from being hindered by the game ball.

  Moreover, the finger | toe hung on the near side wall part can be set | placed on a horizontally long area | region. The stop operation members are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, and it is conceivable that the continuous operation of each stop operation member is performed by sliding a finger placed in the horizontally long region along the horizontally long region. In this case, the sliding motion can be prevented from being hindered by the game ball. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the player from feeling uncomfortable by hitting a finger placed on the front side wall with a game ball paid out from the ball entrance to the storage area on the back side.

  As described above, according to this configuration, when each stop operation member is operated, the finger can be hung on the front side wall portion of the ball tray without being interrupted by the game ball.

  Mean 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the step portion is formed so as to be substantially perpendicular to the storage area.

  According to the means 2, the step portion is formed substantially perpendicular to the storage area. Thereby, the game ball flowing toward the front side wall collides with the stepped portion. As a result, it is possible to suppress the game ball from exceeding the stepped portion.

Means 3. In the means 1 or 2, the storage area has a back area (areas R1, R2) and a front area (areas R3 to R5) on the near side and higher than the back area.
The back side region is formed so as to be inclined downward toward the ball exit, and a guide passage is arranged to guide the game ball to the ball exit by aligning the game balls,
A gaming machine characterized in that the step portion is formed in the front side region to partition the front side region and the horizontally long region.

  According to the means 3, the inner side region of the storage region is formed to be inclined downward toward the ball outlet, and serves as a guide passage for aligning the game balls and guiding them to the ball outlet. Therefore, the game balls paid out by the payout means and the game balls stored in the near side area are aligned in the back side area and guided to the ball exit. By forming a step portion in the near side region on the near side of the far side region, the near side region and the horizontally long region are partitioned. Thereby, in the storage area | region, the back side area | region used as a guide passage is securable.

Means 4. In the means 3, the ball entrance is provided at a site on the upstream side of the back side region in the back side wall portion (back side wall portion 162b) of the ball tray,
A gaming machine characterized in that a height dimension of at least a portion of the step portion on the ball entrance side is made larger than a radius dimension (radius dimension r) of a game ball.

  According to the means 4, the ball entrance is provided at the upstream side of the back side region in the back side wall. And the height dimension of the site | part which becomes the ball | bowl entrance side of the level | step-difference part is larger than the radial dimension of a game ball. A game ball paid out from the payout means through the ball entrance is paid out toward the front side wall and stored in the storage area. Therefore, by setting the height dimension of at least the ball entrance side of the stepped portion as described above, the game ball to be paid out becomes more difficult to exceed the stepped portion. Thereby, the effect of means 1 can be realized suitably.

  Means 5. In any one of the means 1 to 4, the horizontally long region is formed so as to be inclined downward from the front side wall portion toward the back thereof.

  According to the means 5, the horizontally long region is formed so as to be inclined downward from the front side wall portion toward the back thereof. Thereby, even if the game ball paid out to the storage area by the payout means collides with the stepped portion and further exceeds the stepped portion, the game ball hardly reaches the front side wall portion. As a result, a finger can be suitably hung on the near side wall.

  Means 6. A gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 5, wherein the horizontally long region is formed to be lower than an upper end of the front side wall portion.

  According to the means 6, the horizontally long region is formed to be lower than the upper end of the front side wall portion. This makes it possible to place a finger on the back surface of the front side wall portion (the back surface 167b of the front right side wall portion 167). As a result, the operation of the stop operation member can be performed by placing a finger on the back surface of the front side wall portion.

  Mean 7 In any one of the means 1 to 5, the horizontally long region is formed so as to be lower than the upper end of the front side wall portion, and a back surface of the front side wall portion is used as a finger hanging portion (finger hanging portion 167b). Gaming machine.

  According to the means 7, the horizontally long region is formed so as to be lower than the upper end of the front side wall portion, and the back surface of the front side wall portion is a finger-hanging portion. Therefore, when operating the stop operation member, a finger is placed on the finger-hanging portion, and the tip of the finger is placed in the horizontally long region. Thereby, the operativity of a stop operation member can be aimed at.

  Means 8. A gaming machine according to means 6 or 7, wherein a height dimension (height dimension L2) of the front side wall portion from the horizontally long region is made larger than a radial dimension of the game ball.

  According to the means 8, the height dimension from the horizontally long region in the front side wall is larger than the radial dimension of the game ball. Thereby, even if a game ball exists in the horizontally long region, it is possible to prevent the game ball from jumping out of the ball tray beyond the front side wall portion. As a result, the game ball overflowed in the storage area can be stored in the horizontally long area, and the horizontally long area can be used as an auxiliary storage area (auxiliary storage unit).

  Further, by adding this configuration to the configuration of the means 5 described above, when the horizontally long region is used as the auxiliary storage region, the number of game balls stored in the storage region decreases, and the horizontally long region (auxiliary storage region). The game balls stored in the game flow toward the storage area. As a result, the horizontally long region can be suitably used as the auxiliary storage region.

  In addition, when adding this structure to the means 7, "the height dimension from the horizontally long area | region in a near side wall part" becomes a height dimension of a finger hook part.

  Means 9. A gaming machine according to any one of means 6 to 8, wherein the distance between the rear surface of the front side wall portion and the stop operation member is substantially constant (dimension L3).

  According to the means 9, the space | interval of the back surface of a near side wall part and a stop operation member is substantially constant. Thereby, when a stop operation member is operated by putting a finger on the back surface of the front side wall portion, the operability can be improved.

  In addition, when adding this structure to the means 7, "the back of a near side wall part" turns into a finger hook part.

  Means 10. A gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 9, wherein the upper end part (upper end part 167a) of the front side wall part is chamfered.

  According to the means 10, when the finger is hung on the front side wall, the upper end of the front side wall is brought into contact. By chamfering and forming the upper end portion of the front side wall portion, when the finger is put on the front side wall portion or when the finger is slid, the upper end portion of the front side wall portion is prevented from being damaged. Can do. In addition, when adding this structure to the structure containing the means 7, the upper end part of a near side wall part turns into an upper end part of a finger hook part.

Means 11. In any one of the means 1 to 10, the stop operation member is disposed near the center in the left-right direction of the front side wall portion,
A gaming machine, wherein the horizontally long region is formed at least in a range from a leftmost stop operation member to a rightmost stop operation member.

  According to the means 11, the stop operation member is arranged near the center in the left-right direction of the front side wall. The horizontally long region is formed at least in the range from the left stop operation member to the right end stop operation member. Accordingly, when the stop operation member is operated with the finger placed on the front side wall portion, the finger can be placed in the horizontally long region in the operation of all the stop operation members. Therefore, the finger can be protected from the game ball.

  In addition, by forming the horizontally long region in the range where the stop operation member is arranged as described above, the minimum required horizontally long region is formed on the ball tray, and the storage region is prevented from being unnecessarily narrowed. be able to.

Means 12. In any one of the means 1 to 11, the take-in operation means (the bet switch 38) operated so as to take in the game ball by the take-in means on the front surface portion of the door body, and the pattern of the picture display device A start operation member (start lever 38) operated to start variable display;
A gaming machine, wherein a predetermined number of game balls are taken in by the take-in means by operation of the take-in means and the operation of the start-up means is validated.

  The present invention is preferably applied to a gaming machine including a take-in operation member, a start operation member, and a stop operation member that are actively operated by a player.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment relating to a revolving gaming machine using a gaming ball in which a game is played using a gaming ball as a gaming medium will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The gaming machine in the present embodiment requires taking in a game ball (for example, a game ball similar to a pachinko machine: a pachinko ball) as a predetermined number of game media (game value) in the game, and a predetermined condition is satisfied A plurality of game balls, and in some cases, a large number of game balls are paid out. This game machine is supplied with game balls from the same game ball supply system as the pachinko machine in the game hall, etc., and this game is installed in the existing island facility (pachinko island) where the pachinko machine is installed. It is possible to install a machine.

  First, the outline of the external configuration and internal structure of the gaming machine 1 will be described. Here, FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire gaming machine 1, FIG. 2 is a front view of the gaming machine 1, FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views showing an internal open state of the gaming machine 1, and FIG. FIG. In the following description, unless otherwise noted, directions such as left, right, up and down are described with reference to the state viewed from the front of the gaming machine 1.

  The gaming machine 1 has an outer frame 2 as a main body frame, and a gaming machine main part 3 attached to the outer frame 2 so as to be rotatable forward. The outer frame 2 is configured by connecting wooden plate members to four sides, and has a rectangular shape as a whole. When the gaming machine 1 is installed in the game hall, the outer frame 2 is attached and fixed to the island facility. The outer frame 2 can be made of a metal such as synthetic resin or aluminum. Although not shown in FIG. 3 or the like, the right side plate material among the four side plate materials constituting the outer frame 2 is provided with locking members provided on the door block 4 (described in detail below) at two upper and lower sides. A hook receiving metal for locking the metal fittings 125, 126) is provided.

  The gaming machine main part 3 includes a door block 4 that is a door body unit, a face changing block 5 that is a picture display unit, and a payout block 6 that is a payout unit for game balls. The door block 4 is provided with hinge metal fittings 8 at two upper and lower positions. The door metal block 4 (the main part 3 of the gaming machine) is externally connected by the hinge metal fitting 8 and the two upper and lower metal fittings 9 on the outer frame 2 side. The frame 2 is supported so as to be rotatable. In this case, the rotation axis is provided on the left side when the gaming machine 1 is viewed from the front, and the gaming machine main part 3 is opened with the right side as the rotation tip when viewed from the front. In a state where the gaming machine main part 3 is closed with respect to the outer frame 2, the rear surface of the outer peripheral edge of the door block 4 comes into contact with the front surface of the outer frame 2.

  The surface changing block 5 is attached to the back side of the door block 4, and the payout block 6 is attached so as to cover the surface changing block 5 from the back side. The surface changing block 5 and the payout block 6 are rotatably supported by a part of the door block 4, and can be rotated integrally with the door block 4 with respect to the outer frame 2. In contrast, each has a structure that can be individually rotated.

  Here, the relative positional relationship and the operation state of each of the members constituting the gaming machine main part 3 will be briefly described. FIG. 6 is a drawing schematically showing the gaming machine main part 3, (a) is a view of the gaming machine main part 3 as seen from the back side, and (b) and (c) are the surface changing blocks 5 for the door block 4. It is a figure which shows the open | release operation | movement condition of the payout block 6.

  As shown in (a), an axis AX1 for opening the surface changing block 5 and the payout block 6 with respect to the door block 4 is set on the right side (left side when viewed from the front). The axis AX1 serves as both an axis for supporting the surface changing block 5 and an axis for supporting the payout block 6. In this case, M11 and M12 shown in the figure are support means for supporting the surface changing block 5, and M21, M22 and M23 are support means for supporting the payout block 6. That is, the support means M11 and M12 for the surface changing block 5 are provided at the upper and lower positions so as to be coaxial, and the support means M21 to M23 for the payout block 6 are similarly provided at the upper and lower positions so as to be coaxial. The support means M11 and M12 are arranged so as to be sandwiched between the support means M21 and M22 for the payout block 6. In particular, the support means of the blocks 5 and 6 are all provided coaxially.

  With the above configuration, the operations (b) and (c) can be performed. In (b), the surface changing block 5 and the dispensing block 6 are integrally opened with respect to the door block 4. In (c), from the state of (b), the surface changing block 5 and the payout block 6 are separated, and the surface changing block 5 is rotated forward.

(Description of door block 4)
Next, the door block 4 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the door block 4 as viewed from the rear, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are exploded perspective views of the main structure of the door block 4 from the front and rear. In the following description of the door block 4, the above-described FIG. 1 and FIG.

  In the door block 4, the front door body 11 has substantially the same size (vertical dimension and horizontal dimension) as the outer frame 2, and an inner frame 12 is attached so as to overlap the back side. Both the front door body 11 and the inner frame 12 are formed of a synthetic resin material, and are joined by screwing at a plurality of locations from the back. However, in order to increase the rigidity of the door block 4, the inner frame 12 can be formed of a metal material (for example, formed by aluminum die casting).

  And the transparent panel 13 and the panel support member 14 are assembled | attached from the back side of the front door body 11 and the inner frame 12. As shown in FIG. Further, an upper plate unit 15 and a take-in unit 16 are mounted on the back side of the front door body 11 and the inner frame 12.

(Description of the front door 11)
The front door 11 stores a symbol visual recognition unit that enables visual recognition of a reel symbol, a liquid crystal symbol, and the like, which will be described later, an operation unit that is manually operated by a player when playing a game, and a game ball that is redundant in the upper plate part. A lower plate part is provided. Hereinafter, a detailed configuration of the front door body 11 will be described with reference to enlarged perspective views (FIG. 10 and FIG. 11) showing the front door body 11 and the inner frame 12.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 10 and the like, a visual recognition window 21 having a substantially trapezoidal shape as a symbol visual recognition portion is formed in the upper half portion of the front door body 11. A transparent panel 13 (see FIG. 8) made of a flat transparent plate and having substantially the same shape as that of the viewing window 21 is fitted into the viewing window 21, and the inside of the viewing window 21 is formed through the transparent panel 13. Is visible. The viewing window 21 is provided in a substantially upper half region of the front surface portion of the front door body 11, and according to the viewing window 21 configured to be relatively large, an image using a large liquid crystal display device is displayed. In addition to being able to give a great impact to the player by the display effect, the visibility of the symbol of the reel device as the main display device of the gaming machine 1 is good.

  Here, the transparent panel 13 is attached to the front door body 11 from the back side and is fixed by the panel support member 14. Specifically, the panel support member 14 is configured as a frame having openings having the same shape as the viewing window 21 and the transparent panel 13, and fixed support portions having screw holes and the like in the respective left and right and upper and lower frame portions. 14a is formed. In such a case, with the inner frame 12 assembled to the front door body 11, the transparent panel 13 and the panel support member 14 are mounted from the back side, and screw fixing or the like is performed at the fixed support portion 14a. The member 14 is fixed. Thereby, the peripheral part surrounding the visual recognition window 21 of the front door body 11 and the panel support member 14 sandwich the peripheral portion of the transparent panel 13, and the mounting of the transparent panel 13 to the front door body 11 is completed.

  On the front side of the front door 11, an enclosure 23 is provided on the left and right side portions and the upper portion of the viewing window 21, and the enclosure portion 23 has a central lamp portion 24 and a pair of left and right side lamp portions 25. And a speaker unit 26 is provided at the upper right corner and the upper left corner of the front door body 11. During the game, the lamp units 24 and 25 and the speaker unit 26 perform a lamp effect, a sound effect, and the like according to the game situation each time. In other words, the player is notified of the formation of the winning combination by appropriately changing the light emission color and light emission pattern by the lamp units 24 and 25 or by appropriately changing the sound pattern by the speaker unit 26. Further, it is possible to perform error notification or the like using the lamp units 24 and 25 and the speaker unit 26.

  Incidentally, the viewing window 21 is provided in a range excluding the surrounding portion 23 (left and right side lamp portions 25) with respect to the left and right width of the front door body 11, and thus the viewing window 21 is wide on the left and right. ing. In addition, the visual recognition window 21 is wider than the lateral width of a reel device or a liquid crystal device described later.

  Below the viewing window 21 is provided an operation unit 30 provided with various operation members operated by the player. The operation unit 30 has a front plate portion 31 which is horizontally long and slightly arcuate as a whole. The front plate portion 31 is provided with a start lever 33 and a stop switch 35 including a triple button. , 36, 37 are provided. In addition, at the upper end portion of the front plate portion 31, the bed switch mounting plate portion protrudes rearward from the front plate portion 31 at a position toward the left side (generally between the start lever 33 and the left stop switch 35). 32 is formed, and a button-like bed switch 38 is attached to the attachment plate portion 32.

  The bet switch 38 allows the player to set a bet (the number of bets), and a predetermined number of game balls stored in the upper plate 151 are taken in by the pushing operation. In the present embodiment, a so-called MAX bet switch is provided as the bet switch 38, and game balls equivalent to 3 bets (for 15 balls) are taken in by an effective one-time pressing operation. The bet switch 38 constitutes an input command means for instructing input of a game ball as an investment value. In addition to the bet switch 38 as the MAX bet switch, a configuration in which a 1-bet switch or a 2-bet switch is provided may be used. By the way, the 1-bet switch is a bet switch for taking in a game ball equivalent to 1 bet (for 5 balls) by one push operation, and the 2-bet switch is equivalent to 2 bets by a single push operation (10 This is a bet switch for taking in game balls.

  The start lever 33 is an operation member for starting rotation of each reel (rotating body) of the reel device 503 described later, and start operation means operated to start rotation of each reel, that is, to start variable display of symbols. Constitute.

  The stop switches 35 to 37 are provided side by side in the vicinity of the center of the front plate portion 31 of the operation unit 30 so as to correspond to the reels to be stopped (left, middle, and right three rows of reels). And a stop operation member that is operated to stop each rotating reel individually. Each of the stop switches 35 to 37 can be stopped when each reel is rotated at a constant speed, and is pressed in this state. Further, while a stop operation is possible, a lamp (not shown) is turned on to notify that the stop operation is possible, and is turned off when the rotation of each reel is stopped.

  A laterally long opening 41 having substantially the same length as the front plate 31 and opening upward is formed behind the operation unit 30. The opening 41 is an opening region for arranging the upper plate 151 when the upper plate unit 15 is mounted on the front door body 11, and the width dimension in the left-right direction of the opening 41 is the left-right direction of the upper plate 151. The width dimension of the opening 41 is generally shorter than the width dimension of the upper plate 151 in the front-rear direction.

  A cutout 42 is formed in the lower right portion of the front plate 31 of the operation unit 30 when viewed from the front. The notch 42 is an installation space for installing an operation lever 198 of a discharge operation transmission device 154 to be described later.

  A horizontally long window portion 50 extending in the left-right direction is provided between the viewing window 21 (transparent panel 13) and the operation unit 30. The horizontally long window portion 50 is located on the back side of the visual recognition window 21 (transparent panel 13), and the length in the left-right direction is substantially the same as the length in the horizontal direction of the visual recognition window 21. Two small holes 51 and 52 are provided on the right side of the horizontally long window portion 50. The small holes 51 and 52 are holes for exposing operation switches 518 and 519, which will be described later, so that they can be pushed.

  In the front door body 11, arc-shaped recess portions 61 are provided on the left and right side portions of the horizontally elongated window portion 50 so as to recede to the back side as compared with the surrounding enclosure portion 23. In the portion 61, a locking member for locking and unlocking the gaming machine main portion 3 (door block 4) with respect to the outer frame 2 (specifically, a key cylinder 137 provided on the inner frame 12 described later) is forwardly provided. A key cylinder installation hole 62 for exposure is formed.

  As can be seen in FIG. 1 and the like, the left and right recesses 61 are located immediately above the upper plate 151. Therefore, even when a game ball is lent to the upper plate 151 via a ball rental nozzle (so-called elephant nose) extending from the ball rental unit in the game hall, the interference between the ball rental nozzle and the front door body 11 Can be avoided. Therefore, it is a useful configuration even considering the installation situation in the game hall.

  Further, in the front door body 11, a bulging portion 70 is formed below the operation portion 30 so that the design shape is continuous with the surrounding portion 23 and the concave portion 61, and is surrounded by the bulging portion 70. Thus, the lower tray 71 and the ashtray 72 are formed. A lower dish discharge port 74 and a speaker hole 75 are formed in the back wall portion 73 surrounded by the bulging portion 70. When the game ball is fully stored in the upper plate 151 or its upstream passage and the game ball is paid out from the payout device, or for the game ball stored in the upper plate 151 When the ball removal operation is performed, the game ball is discharged to the lower plate 71 through the lower plate discharge port 74.

  An opening is formed in the bottom of the lower plate 71, and an opening / closing plate 76 is provided in the opening. In addition, a ball punching operation piece 77 for a lower dish is provided at a substantially central portion of the bulging portion 70. The ball removal operation piece 77 is an operation piece for discharging the game balls stored in the lower plate 71 to a ball storage box (a so-called dollar box) placed below the lower plate 71, from the normal position shown in the figure. By operating leftward, the opening / closing plate 76 slides to the open position, and the game balls in the lower plate 71 are discharged. In addition, lower plate lamp portions 78 are provided on the left and right sides of the lower plate 71 in the bulging portion 70.

  As shown in FIG. 11, as a configuration on the back side of the front door body 11, lamp accommodation portions 91 that accommodate the side lamp portions 25 are provided on both the left and right sides of the viewing window 21. The lamp housing portion 91 has a substantially prismatic shape, and when the transparent panel 13 is attached to the front door body 11, the panel support member 14 is mounted along the inner side surface of the lamp housing portion 91. Yes.

  A pair of left and right upper speakers 92 are provided at the upper position on the back side of the front door body 11. The upper speaker 92 is a sound source provided behind the speaker unit 26 provided on the front side of the front door body 11, and the sound of the upper speaker 92 is emitted from the speaker unit 26 to the front of the gaming machine.

  An upper plate accommodating portion 93 for accommodating the upper plate 151 of the upper plate unit 15 is provided below the horizontally long window portion 50 when viewed from the back side of the front door body 11. The upper plate accommodating portion 93 extends in the left-right direction, and is provided so as to communicate with the opening 41 (an opening region on the front surface side of the front door body 11) in front thereof.

(Description of inner frame 12)
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the inner frame 12 has a rectangular shape that is similar to the front door body 11, and has a left frame portion 101, a right frame portion 102, and an upper frame portion 103 having substantially the same narrow width. And a lower frame portion 104 wider than them. A portion surrounded by each of the frame portions 101 to 104 is a central opening portion 105, and the central opening portion 105 is formed on the back side of the inner frame 12 within a range excluding a part of the upper edge portion of the lower frame portion 104. A rib 106 having a constant height is formed so as to surround it. However, the left frame portion 101 is provided with shaft fittings 111 to 113, and the surface changing block 5 and the payout block 6 are supported by the shaft fittings 111 to 113. It is formed relatively thick to increase the rigidity.

  Further, on the front side of the inner frame 12, a lamp substrate 107 mounted with lamps serving as a light source of the central lamp unit 24 is attached to the upper frame portion 103, and an audio lamp relay substrate 108 is attached to the rear side thereof. It has been.

  Here, in a state where the inner frame 12 is assembled to the front door body 11, the lamp substrate 107 is hidden behind the central lamp portion 24 of the front door body 11, but in this embodiment, in particular, a part of the upper side of the front door body 11. The lamp board 107 and the upper speaker 92 behind the lamp board 107 and the like can be easily maintained. That is, as shown in FIG. 12, the front portion of the front door body 11 is divided and configured in a range including the central lamp portion 24 and the speaker portion 26, with respect to the front door body 11 (door block 4). The separable part is the upper cover body 94. As a fixing means for fixing the upper cover body 94, a plurality of screwing portions 109 are provided on the front door body 11 and the inner frame 12, and screw fastening is performed from the rear of the inner frame 12. Actually, screwing portions 109 are provided at a total of five locations, one on the top and two on the left and right. Note that reference numeral 107 a in FIG. 12 is an insertion hole for fixing the upper cover body 94. It is also possible to use this insertion hole 107a as a screw tightening hole.

  In the upper cover body 94, a colored transparent or translucent panel is incorporated in the central lamp portion 24, and light emission from the lamp substrate 107 can be confirmed in front of the gaming machine through the panel. In addition, a large number of slits are formed in the speaker unit 26, and sound from the upper speaker 92 can be confirmed in front of the gaming machine through the slits.

  According to this configuration, the lamp substrate 107 and the upper speaker 92 can be exposed by removing the upper cover body 94. In this case, the lamps on the lamp substrate 107 and the upper speaker 92 can be repaired or replaced without the door block 4 being left open.

  As described above, the gaming machine 1 has a configuration in which the rotation axis is provided on the left side when viewed from the front, and the hinge bracket 8 is attached to the upper frame portion 103 and the lower frame portion 104 at two upper and lower positions. It has been. At this time, the above-described upper speaker 92 is positioned in front of the hinge fitting 8, and the upper speaker 92 is provided on the front side. In such a configuration, since the upper cover body 94 can be removed in front, maintenance of the upper speaker 92 is facilitated. Also, since the left and right upper speakers 92 are provided at the corners, the lamp substrate 107 (central lamp portion 24) between them can be formed wide. Furthermore, since the left and right upper speakers 92 are respectively provided at the corners, the viewing window 21 can be enlarged, and the display area for symbols and the like can be expanded. When various displays are performed in a limited area, the above configuration is considered to be effective.

  In the left frame portion 101, shaft fittings 111, 112, and 113 are attached to the tip end portion of the rib 106 at three upper and lower portions at predetermined intervals. These shaft fittings 111 to 113 are fitting members for rotatably supporting the surface changing block 5 and the dispensing block 6. The shaft brackets 111 to 113 are all substantially U-shaped. The shaft bracket 111 has upper and lower bearing portions 111a and 111b, and the shaft bracket 112 has upper and lower bearing portions 112a and 112b. The metal fitting 113 is formed with bearing portions 113a and 113b in the vertical direction. A shaft hole is formed in each of the bearing portions 111a, 111b, 112a, 112b, 113a, and 113b of the shaft fittings 111 to 113, and all the shaft holes of the shaft fittings 111 to 113 are arranged on the same axis. It is being fixed to the rib 106 so that.

  In such a case, the lower bearing portion 111b of the shaft bracket 111 and the upper bearing portion 112a of the shaft bracket 112 correspond to a surface changing block support means for supporting the surface changing block 5, and the bearing on the upper side of the shaft bracket 111. The portion 111 a, the lower bearing portion 112 b of the shaft fitting 112, and the lower bearing portion 113 b of the shaft fitting 113 correspond to a dispensing block support means for supporting the dispensing block 6.

  Further, the right frame portion 102 is provided with a locking device 120 for holding the door block 4 and the payout block 6 in a locked state that cannot be opened. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a single structure of the locking device 120, and (a) and (b) of FIG. 13 are perspective views seen from two opposite directions.

  In FIG. 13, the locking device 120 has a long base frame 121 formed by bending a metal plate, and the base frame 121 is fixed to the back side of the right frame portion 102, thereby locking the lock. The device 120 is attached and fixed to the inner frame 12. A first interlocking rod 122 is provided on one side of the base frame 121 (on the outer side of the inner frame 12) so as to overlap, and on the other side (on the inner side of the inner frame 12) Two interlocking rods 123 are also provided so as to overlap. The first interlocking rod 122 is formed with slit portions 122a at two upper and lower portions. By arranging a pin member 121a provided on the base frame 121 in the slit portion 122a, the length of the slit portion 122a is provided. Only the first interlocking rod 122 is movable in the vertical direction. The second interlocking rod 123 is formed with slit portions 123a at three locations in the upper and lower sides (however, only one slit portion 123a is shown because of the angle shown in the figure), and a base frame is formed in the slit portion 123a. By arranging the pin member 121b provided in 121, the second interlocking rod 123 can move in the vertical direction by the length of the slit portion 123a.

  In the base frame 121, a pair of upper and lower hook metal fittings 125, 126 having a hook shape are provided on the first interlocking rod 122 side. The intermediate portions of the metal fittings 125 and 126 are pivotally supported by the base frame 121, and the tip hook portion moves downward when the first interlocking rod 122 moves upward. Coil springs 127 and 128 each having one end coupled to the base frame 121 are attached to the base end portions (parts opposite to the front end hook portion) of the metal fittings 125 and 126, and by the biasing force of the coil springs 127 and 128, At the same time, the base end portions of the metal fittings 125 and 126 are pulled down, and at the same time, the first interlocking rod 122 is pulled down and held in the initial state shown in the drawing.

  The first interlocking rod 122 is provided with an extending plate portion 129 above the lower metal fitting 126. The extension plate portion 129 is provided so as to close the flange recess 126a directly above the flange recess 126a of the flange fitting 126, and in terms of the positional relationship with the flange receiving bracket provided on the outer frame 2. An extending plate portion 129 is provided at a position directly above the flange receiving metal fitting. In this case, when the door block 4 is closed with respect to the outer frame 2, the hook receiving metal fitting on the outer frame 2 side is in the hook recess 126 a of the hook metal fitting 126, and the extension plate portion 129 is outside. The downward movement of the first interlocking rod 122 is inhibited by hitting the rod receiving bracket on the frame 2 side.

  The second interlocking rod 123 is formed with a pair of upper and lower hook metal parts 133 and 134 having a hook shape. In addition, the base frame 121 is formed with a pair of upper and lower protruding protrusions 131 and 132 so as to protrude toward the second interlocking rod 123 and overlap the metal fittings 133 and 134 of the second interlocking rod 123. . A coil spring 135 is provided between the base frame 121 and the second interlocking rod 123 so that the second interlocking rod 123 is pulled upward by the biasing force of the coil spring 135 and is held in the initial state shown in the drawing. It has become.

  In this case, in the initial state shown in the figure, the bottom side edges of the flange recesses 133a, 134a of the metal fitting parts 133, 134 are substantially the same height as the upper edge parts of the protruding protrusions 131, 132, Only the distal end flanges of the portions 133 and 134 are in a state of protruding upward from the upper edge portions of the protruding protrusions 131 and 132. Therefore, for the purpose of illegally releasing the coupling of the metal fitting parts 133 and 134 with the mating member (specifically, the payout block 6), the metal fitting parts are hooked with hooks or wires on the metal depressions 133a and 134a. Even if it is going to pull down 133,134, it cannot be pulled down by the protruding protrusions 131,132. As a result, unauthorized opening of the payout block 6 described later is prevented.

  An extension plate portion 132 a is provided on the lower protruding projecting portion 132 above the lower metal fitting portion 134. The extension plate portion 132a is provided so as to close the flange recess portion 134a just above the flange recess portion 134a of the metal fitting portion 134, and the extension plate portion 132a allows the hook receiving member to be placed in the flange recess portion 134a. In a state where the hook receiving portion (specifically, the hook receiving portion on the payout block 6 side) is restrained, the hook receiving member is not easily detached.

  The base frame 121 is provided with a key cylinder 137 as an unlocking operation unit. The key cylinder 137 is provided so as to extend in the front-rear direction. When the inner frame 12 is assembled to the front door body 11, the front surface of the cylinder (the side where the key insertion hole is installed) is provided on the front door body 11. It will be exposed from the installation hole 62. The key cylinder 137 may be configured to use Omlock (registered trademark) having a high function of preventing unauthorized unlocking.

  Next, the operation of the locking device 120 accompanying the rotation operation of the operation key will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. FIG. 14 shows a state in which the first interlocking rod 122 is moved up by the rotation operation of the operation key, and the metal fittings 125 and 126 are brought into the unlocked state accordingly. FIG. 15 also shows a state in which the second interlocking rod 123 is moved downward by the turning operation of the operation key, and the hook metal parts 133 and 134 are brought into the unlocked state accordingly.

  In FIG. 14, an operation key (not shown) is inserted into the key cylinder 137 and rotated in the clockwise direction. Then, the first claw 122 moves upward against the urging force of the coil springs 127 and 128 by the lower claw piece 137a that is interlocked with the rotation operation of the key cylinder 137, and accordingly, the metal fittings 125 and 126 The tip collar moves downward. In such a case, in the gaming machine 1, when the door block 4 is closed with respect to the outer frame 2, the hook metal 125, 126 and the hook receiving metal on the outer frame 2 side are locked (that is, locked). Thus, the door block 4 can be opened with respect to the outer frame 2. Thereafter, when the rotation operation of the operation key is released, the first interlocking rod 122 and the metal fittings 125, 126 are returned to the initial state by the urging force of the coil springs 127, 128.

  On the other hand, in FIG. 15, an operation key (not shown) is inserted into the key cylinder 137 and rotated counterclockwise. Then, the upper claw piece 137b interlocked with the turning operation of the key cylinder 137 moves the first interlocking rod 122 and the second interlocking rod 123 downward against the urging force of the coil spring 135, and accordingly, the metal fitting portion 133 and 134 move downward. In such a case, in the gaming machine 1, when the payout block 6 is closed with respect to the door block 4, the hook metal parts 133, 134 and the hook receiving part on the payout block 6 side are locked (that is, locked). ) Is canceled. Then, the payout block 6 can be opened with respect to the door block 4. Thereafter, when the rotation operation of the operation key is released, the second interlocking rod 123 returns to the initial state by the biasing force of the coil spring 135.

  When the door block 4 is closed with respect to the outer frame 2, the hook receiving metal fitting on the outer frame 2 side is in the hook recess 126 a of the metal fitting 126, and the hook receiving metal fitting on the outer frame 2 side. Accordingly, the downward movement of the first interlocking rod 122 is inhibited. As a result, the locked state (that is, the locked state) between the hook metal parts 133 and 134 and the hook receiving part on the payout block 6 side cannot be released.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the lower frame portion 104 is formed with an intake unit accommodating portion 141 for accommodating the intake unit 16. The take-in unit accommodating portion 141 is a unit holding portion that holds the take-in unit 16 so as to surround the back side (the front side in the case of the gaming machine 1) and the left and right sides. A ball discharge chamber 142 for discharging game balls taken in by the take-in unit 16 is formed at the bottom of the take-in unit accommodating portion 141, and the game balls collected in the ball discharge chamber 142 are not shown. It is discharged to the outside of the gaming machine (such as island facilities in the gaming hall) through the discharge passage. Further, on the left side (left side when viewed from the back side) of the take-in unit accommodating portion 141, a game ball that is once guided to the take-in unit 16 and then discharged to the lower plate 71 (that is, returned to the player). A discharge passage 143 for allowing a game ball to pass therethrough is formed, and the game ball flowing into the discharge passage 143 has an opening 144 opened on the front side of the inner frame 12 and a lower pan discharge of the front door body 11. It is discharged to the lower plate 71 via the outlet 74. Further, a lower plate communication path 145 leading to the lower plate 71 is formed on the right side (right side when viewed from the back side) of the take-in unit accommodating portion 141, and the game balls flowing into the lower plate communication path 145 are Similarly to the game ball flowing into the discharge passage 143, the game ball is discharged to the lower plate 71 through the opening 144 of the inner frame 12 and the lower plate discharge port 74 of the front door body 11.

  The lower frame portion 104 is provided with a speaker 146. The speaker 146 is exposed forward from the speaker hole 75 of the front door body 11, and thereby the sound is emitted forward.

  On the back side of the inner frame 12, metal fittings 147 and 148 are provided as fixing means for fixing the payout block 6 attached to the back side of the door block 4 at the upper right corner and the side of the speaker 146. ing.

(Description of the upper plate unit 15)
Next, the upper plate unit 15 will be described. 16 is a perspective view of the upper plate unit 15, FIG. 17 is a plan view of the upper plate unit 15 ((a) is a plan view seen from above, (b) is a plan view seen from below), and FIG. 18 is an upper plate. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a unit 15. FIG.

  The upper plate unit 15 has an upper plate 151 having a function of temporarily storing game balls that are sequentially taken in during the game, and a cover member 152 that covers the vicinity of the ball outlet portion on the upper surface side of the upper plate 151. And a horizontally long thin plate-like upper cover plate 157 is attached so as to cover a part of the upper plate 151. A ball rental operating device 153, a discharge operation transmitting device 154, and a ball retaining device 155 are attached to the lower surface side of the upper plate 151.

  As shown in FIG. 17A, on the upper surface side of the upper plate unit 15, an area near half of the upper plate 151 is covered with the upper cover plate 157, and the upper cover plate 157 further reduces the cover member 152. Half covered. Further, as shown in FIG. 17 (b), on the lower surface side of the upper plate unit 15, the lending operation device 153 and the discharge operation transmitting device 154 are arranged so as to overlap vertically, and these lending balls A ball retainer 155 is disposed on the rear side (lower side in the figure) of the operation device 153 and the discharge operation transmission device 154.

(Description of the upper plate 151)
Next, the configuration of the upper plate 151 will be described. FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the upper plate 151, and FIG. 20 is a plan view of the upper plate 151. FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a state where the ball rental operating device 153 is installed on the upper plate 151 and the cover member 152 is separated.

  The upper plate 151 constitutes a ball receiving plate member for temporarily storing game balls lent out from the ball lending device of the island facility and game balls paid out from the payout device. The upper plate 151 is formed in a horizontally long bowl shape by a bottom plate portion 161 and a peripheral wall portion 162 surrounding the peripheral edge portion. The upper plate 151 is formed with a guide portion 163 that extends from the bottom plate portion 161 to the front side wall portion 162a of the peripheral wall portion 162 through the step portion 163a. And the storage part T which stores the game ball surrounded by the baseplate part 161, the surrounding wall part 162, and the level | step-difference part 163a is formed.

  The bottom plate portion 161 includes rear regions R1 and R2 and front regions R3 to R5 that are on the front side and higher than the rear regions. The back region is formed in two steps on the left and right when the upper plate 151 is viewed from the front, and is inclined downward from the left region R1 toward the right region R2. An opening 164 is provided in the right region R2. In addition, a discharge port 165 is provided at a portion on the left region R1 side in the back side wall portion 162b of the peripheral wall portion 162. On the other hand, the front side region is formed in three steps on the left and right when the upper plate 151 is viewed from the front, and the front left region R3 and the front right region R4 are inclined downward toward the central region R5. The central region R5 is inclined downward toward the back region (left and right regions R1, R2). Accordingly, the game balls discharged from the discharge port 165 mainly flow toward the opening 164 through a route such as R1 region → R2 region or a route such as R1 region → R5 region → R2 region. The game balls stored in the front left region R3 and the front right region R4 of the front side region flow toward the central region R5.

  A concave portion 166 having a concave shape on the back side is formed in the front side wall portion 162a of the peripheral wall portion 162. When the upper plate unit 15 is assembled to the front door body 11, the bed switch mounting plate portion 32 is accommodated in the recess 166. Therefore, the recess 166 avoids interference between the bed switch mounting plate portion 32 and the upper plate 151.

  The guide part 163 is formed in the near side region of the bottom plate part 161 described above, and is formed along the near right side wall part 167 which is the right side of the recess 166 in the near side wall part 162a when the upper plate 151 is viewed from the front. . When the gaming machine 1 is viewed from the front, the guide part 163 is formed so as to extend rightward from the vicinity of the left stop switch 35 provided in the operation part 30 of the front door body 11 to the right. The guide part 163 is formed lower than the upper end part 167a of the front right side wall part 167, and the reference numeral 167b in FIG. Further, the guide portion 163 is inclined downward from the near right side wall portion 167 toward the back thereof.

  The step portion 163a is formed to be substantially perpendicular to the bottom plate portion 161. As described above, the front right region R4 (see FIG. 20) of the bottom plate portion 161 is inclined downward toward the central region R5. For this reason, the height dimension of the stepped portion 163a that forms the guide portion 163 in a stepped shape from the bottom plate portion 161 is gradually reduced from the central region R5 toward the front right region R4. For example, the height dimension L1 of the stepped portion 163a at the position of the AA line in FIG. 20 is given by assuming that the radius of the game ball is r as shown in FIG. 22 (AA line cross-sectional view in FIG. 20). It is approximately the same size as the diameter dimension 2r. Accordingly, the height dimension of the stepped portion 163a gradually increases from the diameter dimension 2r of the game ball toward the left from the line AA in FIG. 20, that is, toward the discharge port 165 side. In addition, the height dimension of the stepped portion 163a gradually decreases from the diameter dimension 2r as it goes to the right of the line AA in FIG. 20, and the height dimension of the stepped portion 163a serving as the right end portion of the guide portion 163 is the smallest. Become. The height dimension of the smallest stepped portion 163a is approximately a quarter of the diameter dimension 2r of the game ball. Thus, by setting the height dimension of the stepped portion 163a, the game balls lent out from the ball lending device of the island facility and the game balls discharged from the discharge port 165 collide with the stepped portion 163a. This makes it difficult for the game ball to enter the guide portion 163. In the present embodiment, the height of the stepped portion 163a closest to the discharge port 165 is larger than the diameter dimension 2r of the game ball, but may be at least larger than the radius dimension r of the game ball.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the height dimension L2 of the back surface 167b of the front right side wall 167 is set to be larger than the radius dimension r of the game ball (L2> r). Further, the front side wall portion 162a including the front right side wall portion 167 is bent forward from the upper portion thereof, and the bent portion of the front right side wall portion 167 is an upper end portion 167a. The upper end 167a of the front right wall 167 is chamfered. Further, when the upper plate unit 15 is assembled to the front door body 11, the upper end portion 167 a of the front right side wall portion 167 is positioned above the operation unit 30.

  Here, the pressing operation of the stop switches 35 to 37 will be described. As can be seen in FIG. 2 and the like, the stop switches 35 to 37 are arranged side by side along the front side of the right side wall 167 in front of the upper plate 151. FIG. A stop switch 36 corresponding to the position of line A is shown. In the present embodiment, the distance L3 between the stop switches 35 to 37 and the back surface 167b of the front right wall 167 is substantially constant. It is conceivable that the stop switch 36 is operated with the thumb by placing a finger other than the thumb on the back surface 167b of the right side wall 167 in front of the upper plate 151. Therefore, hereinafter, the back surface 167b of the front right wall portion 167 is also referred to as a finger hook portion 167b. In this case, the tip of the finger hung on the finger hanger 167b can be placed on the guide 163. Further, it is conceivable that the other stop switches 35 and 37 are operated by placing a finger on the finger hooking portion 167b in the same manner as the operation of the stop switch 36 described above. This can be performed by sliding the finger placed on the portion 163 in the horizontal direction.

  In the upper plate 151, as described above, the height dimension L2 of the finger hook portion 167b is set, and the guide portion 163 is inclined to form a game ball even if it exists in the guide portion 163. The game ball can be prevented from jumping out of the upper plate 151 beyond the right side wall portion 167, and the game ball flows down to the storage portion T along the inclination of the guide portion 163. Therefore, it is possible to store the game ball overflowed in the storage unit T in the guide unit 163, and the guide unit 163 can be used as an auxiliary storage unit.

  Two partition portions 168 and 169 that protrude from the bottom plate portion 161 are provided at the most downstream portion of the upper plate 151, and the three guide passages 171, 172, and 173 are partitioned by the partition portions 168 and 169. Is formed. Each of these guide passages 171 to 173 is provided so as to communicate with the opening 164, and constitutes an alignment passage portion for aligning the game balls in each row.

  On the front side of the three rows of guide passages 171 to 173, a ball rental operating device installation unit 175 for installing the ball rental operating device 153 and the like is provided. The ball lending operation device installation portion 175 is formed with two left and right circular concave portions 176 and 177 and a rectangular window portion 178.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the ball rental operating device 153 includes an operating device substrate 181 and a base plate 182 for installing the operating device substrate 181, and the operating device substrate 181 is installed on the base plate 182. As a result, a ball rental operating device 153 is configured.

  Here, the ball lending operation device 153 performs the ball lending operation in a state where, for example, bills or cards are inserted into a vertically long card unit (ball lending unit) arranged on the side (for example, the left side) of the gaming machine 1. The card return operation and the effective frequency are confirmed. A ball lending button 183, a return button 184, and a frequency display unit 185 are integrally arranged in parallel on the operation device substrate 181. In this case, the ball lending button 183 is operated to obtain a lending ball based on information recorded on a card (recording medium) or the like, and the lending ball is paid out as long as the remaining amount exists on the card or the like. . The return button 184 is operated when requesting the return of a card or the like inserted into the card unit. The frequency display portion 185 displays the remaining amount information of the card, the amount of money inserted, and the like.

  In a state where the ball rental operating device 153 is installed in the ball rental operating device installation unit 175, the frequency display unit 185 can be visually recognized from the window 178 of the ball rental operating device installation unit 175 as shown in FIG. FIG. 21 shows a state where push button members 186 and 187 each having a hemispherical shape are attached to the circular concave portions 176 and 177 of the ball lending operation device installation portion 175, and the push button members 186 and 187 are pushed. Accordingly, the ball lending button 183 and the return button 184 are indirectly pressed, and accordingly, the lending of game balls, the return of cards and the like are appropriately performed.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the cover member 152 includes a cover main body 188 and a lower cover body 189 that is assembled on the lower surface side of the cover main body 188. Both the cover main body 188 and the lower cover body 189 are formed of a transparent synthetic resin material. Circular holes 188a and 189a are formed in the cover main body 188 and the lower cover body 189, respectively. When the cover member 152 is attached to the upper plate 151 in a state where these two members are overlapped with each other, the holes 188a and 189a are provided. The push button members 186 and 187 are exposed through the. Thereby, the push operation of the push button members 186 and 187 is possible. Further, since the cover main body 188 and the lower cover body 189 are each formed of a transparent body, even if the cover member 152 is put on the frequency display portion 185, the frequency display and the like can be visually recognized. Reference numeral 190 denotes a fixing hook portion for fixing the cover member 152 to the upper plate 151.

  The cover member 152 is attached to the upper plate 151 so as to cover the opening 164, a part of each of the guide passages 171 to 173 and the rental ball operating device installation unit 175 from above, and at that time, the cover member 152 The guide passages 171 to 173 also function as passage height regulating members for regulating the dimension in the height direction to approximately one game ball. That is, by attaching the cover member 152 to the upper plate 151, one game ball is taken in each of the guide passages 171 to 173. At this time, since the cover member 152 is made of a transparent body, the lower game balls (game balls passing through the guide passages 171 to 173) are visible.

  The upper cover plate 157 is attached to the upper plate 151 as described above. In this case, according to the upper cover plate 157, an upper lid is provided on a part of the back side of the upper plate 151 (see FIG. 16 and the like). The covered portion of the upper plate 151 by the upper cover plate 157 corresponds to a portion where the upper plate 151 is hidden inside the door block 4 when the upper plate unit 15 is mounted on the door block 4. That is, in the state where the upper plate unit 15 is mounted on the door block 4, the width dimension (A) in the front-rear direction of the opening 41 provided in the door block 4 (front door body 11) and the width in the front-rear direction of the upper plate 151. Since the dimension (B) is A <B (A and B are dimension comparisons at the same place in the left-right direction), a part of the back side of the upper plate 151 is immersed inside the door block 4. In this case, if the portion of the upper plate 151 that has entered the inside of the door block 4 remains open upward, fingers or unauthorized tools placed from the front side of the upper plate 151 to the back side will open upward on the back side of the upper plate 151. There is a concern that it will be inserted into the gaming machine through the part and illegal activities will be performed inside the gaming machine. In this regard, by providing the upper cover plate 157 as described above, it is possible to suppress an illegal act caused by inserting a finger, an unauthorized tool, or the like into the gaming machine through the upper plate 151. In short, the upper cover plate 157 is a shielding member that shields between the upper plate 151 and the space inside the gaming machine (the inner region of the door block 4).

  The upper cover plate 157 is made of a transparent plate. Therefore, even if a part of the upper plate 151 is hidden by the upper cover plate 157, it is easy to confirm the inside of the upper plate 151 (including confirmation of dirt, damage, etc.).

(Description of discharge operation transmission device 154)
Next, the discharge operation transmission device 154 will be described. This discharge operation transmission device 154 is a ball removal operation device for operating a discharge gate member 340 of the take-in unit 16 described later to discharge the stored balls in the upper plate 151 to the lower plate 71, and its detailed configuration Are shown in FIGS.

  As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, in the discharge operation transmission device 154, the case body 191 is provided with two shaft portions 192 and 193, and the shaft portions 192 and 193 have first link pieces 194 and 194, respectively. A second link piece 195 is rotatably supported. The first and second link pieces 194 and 195 are partially connected to each other, and the second link piece 195 rotates in conjunction with the first link piece 194. The first link piece 194 is provided with a tension spring 196, and the first link piece 194 is always biased in the same direction (counterclockwise direction in the figure) by the spring force of the tension spring 196. In addition, an operation lever 198 that is movable in the left-right direction is provided on the front side end surface of the case body 191, and a support column 198 a provided integrally with the operation lever 198 is provided on the first link piece 194. It is inserted through the hole 194a. Therefore, the first link piece 194 rotates around the shaft portion 192 as the operating lever 198 is slid.

  In the discharging operation transmission device 154 configured as described above, the first link piece 194 is a spring of the tension spring 196 when the player or the like slides the operation lever 198 to the left (P1 direction in FIG. 24). The second link piece 195 rotates counterclockwise (P3 direction in FIG. 24) while rotating in the clockwise direction (P2 direction in FIG. 24) against the force. Thereby, the rotation front-end | tip part of the 2nd link piece 195 moves to the back side (P4 direction of FIG. 24). When the operation lever 198 is released, the first link piece 194 is rotated counterclockwise by the spring force of the tension spring 196 and the second link piece 195 is rotated clockwise. To do. Thereby, the discharge operation transmission device 154 returns to the original state. By such an operation of the discharge operation transmission device 154, a discharge gate member 340 of the take-in unit 16 described later is operated, and game balls are discharged through the take-in unit 16 (actually, the game balls are discharged to the lower plate 71). ) Is to be performed.

(Description of the ball stopper device 155)
Next, the ball retainer 155 will be described. This ball stopper device 155 is a game ball fall prevention device for preventing a game ball from spilling down from the upper plate 151 when the take-in unit 16 installed below the upper plate 151 is removed. A detailed configuration will be described below. 25 is an exploded perspective view of the ball-clamping device 155, FIG. 26 is a plan view showing a single structure of the ball-clamping device 155, and FIG. 27 is a rear view showing a state in which the take-in unit 16 is mounted below and separated from the upper plate 151. It is a rear view shown from the side. In addition, as an operation state of the ball stopper device 155, FIG. 26 (a) corresponds to FIG. 27 (a), and FIG. 26 (b) corresponds to FIG. 27 (b).

  The ball retainer 155 includes a main body 211 fixed to the lower surface of the upper plate 151, a movable part 212 mounted on the main body 211 and capable of reciprocating in the vertical direction in FIG. And an operation lever 213 that is rotated to reciprocate in the direction. And this ball-clamping device 155 is assembled to the upper plate 151 so that the operation lever 213 is located behind the gaming machine.

  Three arms 214, 215, and 216 are formed on the movable portion 212 so as to be aligned in the same direction. Each of the arm portions 214 to 216 is bifurcated, and two rising portions 217, 218, and 219 are formed at the tip of the arm portions 214 to 216 so as to be bent upward (front side in FIG. 26). ing. The intervals between the arm portions 214 to 216 formed in the movable portion 212 are matched with the three guide passages 171 to 173 formed in the upper plate 151, and the standing portions 217 to 219 of the arm portions 214 to 216 are The upper plate 151 emerges from the opening 164 leading to the guide passages 171 to 173. Further, a groove portion 220 extending in the same direction as the operation lever 213 is formed on the lower surface side of the movable portion 212.

  The operation lever 213 has a shaft portion 221 supported by the main body portion 211, and can be rotated within an angle range of approximately 90 degrees. Projection pieces 222 a and 222 b extending radially from the shaft center at an angle of 90 degrees are formed on the shaft portion 221, and the protrusion pieces 222 a and 222 b are accommodated in a groove portion 220 formed in the movable portion 212. Yes. The width in the left-right direction of the groove part 220 is substantially the same as the diameter of the shaft part 221 and the length of the protruding piece 222a or 222b. In this case, in the state shown in FIGS. 26 (a) and 27 (a), the tip of one projection piece 222a hits the inner wall of the groove 220, and the operation lever 213 is rotated to rotate the operation lever 213 in FIGS. When the state shifts to the state (b), the tip of the other projection piece 222b comes into contact with the inner wall of the groove portion 220 (for convenience, the projection pieces 222a and 222b are provided with point hatches in FIGS. 26 and 27). As a result, the movable portion 212 moves in the left-right direction. In FIG. 26, due to the movement of the movable portion 212 in the left-right direction, the protruding amounts of the tips of the arm portions 214 to 216 of the movable portion 212 are different between (a) and (b). In (a), the tip protrusion amount = L1, whereas in (b), the tip protrusion amount = L2 (L1 <L2).

  The operation lever 213 is provided with a holding plate piece 224 for holding the take-in unit 16 in a state of being mounted on the door block 4 (specifically, the inner frame 12). The hold plate piece 224 has a tongue shape extending from the axial center of the shaft portion 221, and when the operation lever 213 is rotated, the hold plate piece 224 is moved to the position shown in FIGS. Are operated at the positions shown in FIG.

  Here, the mutual relationship between the operation position of the operation lever 213 and the capture unit 16 will be described. When the operation lever 213 is in the state shown in FIG. 27A, the rotating tip of the holding plate piece 224 provided integrally with the operation lever 213 is in contact with the back surface of the capture unit 16. This is the take-in unit holding position (lock position). In this state, the take-in unit 16 is held in a state where it is attached to the door block 4 (specifically, the inner frame 12), and the take-in unit 16 cannot be removed. On the other hand, when the operation lever 213 shifts to the state shown in FIG. 27B, the state in which the rotating tip of the holding plate piece 224 hits the back surface of the take-in unit 16 is released. This is the take-in unit removal position (unlock position). Thereby, the take-in unit 16 can be removed (the state where the take-in unit 16 is removed is shown in FIG. 27B).

  FIG. 28 shows the relationship between the operation state of the ball retainer 155 and the flow of the game ball. In FIG. 28, (a) shows a normal gaming state, and this state corresponds to the state of (a) of FIG. 26 and the state of (a) of FIG. Further, (b) and (c) show the removable state and the post-removed state of the take-in unit 16, which correspond to the states of FIG. 26 (b) and FIG. 27 (b). ing.

  In the state of FIG. 28 (a), as shown in FIG. 26 (a), the protruding amount of the tip of each arm part 214-216 of the movable part 212 is relatively small. The flow of game balls supplied from 173 is not blocked. Therefore, game balls are successively sent to the take-in unit 16 side.

  On the other hand, in the state of FIG. 28 (b), as shown in FIG. 26 (b), the protruding amount of the tip of each arm part 214 to 216 of the movable part 212 is relatively large. The flow of the game ball supplied from the guide passages 171 to 173 is blocked by the tip portions (standing portions 217 to 219) of the arm portions 214 to 216. In this state, since the game ball is not sent to the take-in unit 16 side, as shown in (c), even if the take-in unit 16 is removed, the game ball in the upper plate 151 may fall. Is prevented.

(Description of capture unit 16)
The take-in unit 16 constitutes a take-in means for taking in a predetermined number of game balls based on an operation by the player. Each take-in unit 16 takes in a predetermined number of game balls. The (game) start condition is satisfied, and preparations for starting the game are made.

  29 is a perspective view of the capture unit 16 as viewed from the front side, FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the capture unit 16 as viewed from the rear side, and FIG. 31 is an exploded perspective view of the capture unit 16. The take-in unit 16 is provided with three take-in devices 301, 302, and 303 so as to overlap each other, and the take-up unit 16 has a substantially cubic shape as a whole. In the following description, in FIG. 29, the capture device 301 located on the front side is referred to as “first capture device”, the capture device 302 located in the center is referred to as “second capture device”, and the capture device located on the back side. The device 303 is also referred to as a “third capture device”.

  On the upper surface of each of the capture devices 301 to 303, inlet passages 305, 306, and 307 are formed in three rows so as to be opened upward and exposed to the outside. These entrance passages 305 to 307 constitute a game ball entrance portion in the take-in unit 16, and in the completed state as the door block 4, the game balls supplied from the upper plate 151 are first entered into the entrance passages 305 to 307. And then sequentially taken in a line. In the completed state, the inlet passages 305 to 307 are visible from above through an opening 164 (see FIG. 20) provided in the upper plate 151. A coupling case member 308 for coupling them is attached to the side surfaces of the respective capture devices 301 to 303. In the coupling case member 308, a take-in unit relay board 309 that collects the electrical wiring and the like in the take-in unit 16 at a time and can be electrically connected to the main control device or the like is accommodated.

(Description of capture devices 301-303)
Next, the configuration of each of the capture devices 301 to 303 will be described. However, since each of the capture devices 301 to 303 has substantially the same configuration, the third capture device 303 is basically described as an example here. FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the capture device 303, and FIG. 33 is an exploded perspective view showing the capture device 303. In the following description, for the sake of convenience, the vertical and horizontal directions are described in the state shown in FIG.

  The take-in device 303 includes a pair of front and back housing members 311 and 312 made of a synthetic resin molded product. These two housings 311 and 312 are connected by screws or the like to form a substantially square box-shaped housing, and a game ball passage to be described later is formed in the internal space, and an opening / closing gate for opening and closing the passage The mechanism is accommodated. Each housing 311, 312 is molded from a black resin material containing carbon. For convenience of explanation, the housing member 311 is also referred to as a “first housing”, and the housing member 312 is also referred to as a “second housing”.

  Incidentally, each housing 311 and 312 may be formed of a transparent resin material. By making each housing 311, 312 transparent, it is possible to visually recognize game balls stored in the passage in addition to the game ball passage and the open / close gate mechanism inside the take-in device, without disconnecting the housings 311, 312. Will be able to.

  Passage walls 313 and 314 are respectively formed on the upper surface portions of the first housing 311 and the second housing 312, and the housings 311 and 312 are coupled to each other so that the passage walls 313 and 314 are opposed to each other. An inlet passage 307 is formed. The bottom surface of the entrance passage 307 is slightly inclined downward toward the left side of FIG.

  The intake device 303 is provided with an intake passage 315 and a discharge passage 316 so as to be surrounded by the first housing 311 and the second housing 312 on the downstream side of the inlet passage 307. Similar to the entrance passage 307, the intake passage 315 and the discharge passage 316 have passage widths sufficient to allow the game balls to pass in a row. The intake passage 315 is provided continuously to the inlet passage 307 and is formed to bend in the vertical direction in the middle thereof. When a predetermined game start operation is performed by the player, a predetermined number of game balls, which are conditions for starting each game, are taken in through the take-in passage 315. Further, the discharge passage 316 is provided so as to be branched from the bent portion (corner portion) of the intake passage 315 from the intake passage 315. At the time of payment at the end of the game, the game balls remaining on the take-in device 303 and the upper plate 151 are returned to the player through the discharge passage 316 (ie, the upper plate 151 and the like are removed). )

  The first housing 311 and the second housing 312 have different thickness dimensions, and most of the inlet passage 307, the intake passage 315, and the discharge passage 316 are formed on the first housing 311 side. It has come to be. As a result, the path where the game balls actually come into contact with each other is a part deviated from the boundary part (joint part) between the housings 311 and 312, and the flow of the game ball is obstructed by dust, dust, etc. accumulated in the boundary part. Inconvenience is to be avoided.

  Further, the first and second housings 311 and 312 are provided with a straight protrusion 317 along the inlet passage 307 and the intake passage 315. The protruding portion 317 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the game ball passing through the inlet passage 307 and the intake passage 315 (in the inlet passage 307, the central portion in the vertical width direction, the intake portion). In the passage 315, it is provided in the central portion in the left-right width direction. The height of the protrusion 317 (projecting dimension to the inside of the passage) is about 0.5 mm, so that the passage widths of the inlet passage 307 and the intake passage 315 are narrowed. That is, the entrance passage 307 and the intake passage 315 basically have a passage width of about 12 mm, but the provision of the protrusion 317 narrows the substantial passage width to about 11.5 mm. Thereby, the clearance gap (play) between the inner wall of the entrance passage 307 and the intake passage 315 and the game ball can be reduced, and the game ball flows down in a stable state. In particular, in the take-in passage 315, game ball detection, which will be described later, is performed, so that detection errors can be reduced. However, the protrusion 317 may be configured to be provided only on one of the first and second housings 311 and 312. Installation of the protrusion 317 in the rectifying unit is arbitrary.

  A take-in gate member 320 is provided on the side of the take-in passage 315 in the housing internal space so as to follow the vertical direction portion of the take-in passage 315. The take-in gate member 320 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 321, and the claw portion 320 a provided at the distal end portion of the take-in gate member 320 is taken in by turning about the support shaft 321. Invade with respect to the passage 315. At this time, a passage notch 322 is formed in the passage wall of the take-in passage 315, and the claw portion 320 a of the take-in gate member 320 goes in and out through the passage notch 322. When the claw portion 320a of the take-in gate member 320 protrudes from the take-in passage 315, the game ball is prevented from passing through the take-in passage 315. Further, when the claw portion 320a of the take-in gate member 320 is immersed in the take-in passage 315, the game ball is allowed to pass through the take-in passage 315.

  In such a case, since the protruding and retracting position of the claw portion 320a of the intake gate member 320 is a position immediately downstream of the corner portion in the intake passage 315, in other words, the passage notch portion 322 is immediately downstream of the corner portion in the intake passage 315. Therefore, in the state where the claw portion 320a of the intake gate member 320 protrudes into the passage (passage prevention state), the game ball flowing to the corner portion of the intake passage 315 is in the intake passage 315. It has a configuration that does not flow into the vertical part.

  A solenoid 325 is disposed in the housing internal space as a drive source for the take-in gate member 320. The solenoid 325 has an output shaft 325a that moves in the expansion / contraction direction when energized. The solenoid 325 is disposed so that the output shaft 325a protrudes downward on the right side of the take-in gate member 320. The output shaft 325a of the solenoid 325 is provided with a coil spring 326 for holding the output shaft 325a in an extended state. The solenoid 325 is fixed to the first housing 311 by a solenoid cover 327.

  A guide 331 is attached to the tip of the solenoid output shaft 325a. A part of the rotating piece 332 is engaged with the guide 331, and the other part of the rotating piece 332 is drivingly connected to the rear end portion of the take-in gate member 320. Reference numeral 333 is a support shaft that is provided substantially at the center of the rotating piece 332 and rotatably supports the rotating piece 332.

  According to this configuration, when the solenoid 325 is not energized, the output shaft 325a is held in an extended state by the urging force of the coil spring 326 as shown, and the claw portion 320a of the take-in gate member 320 is taken in the take-in passage. It is in a state of protruding into 315. Thereby, the intake passage 315 is closed. On the other hand, when the solenoid 325 is energized, the output shaft 325a moves in the contracting direction against the urging force of the coil spring 326. Accordingly, the take-in gate member 320 is turned through the guide 331 and the turning piece 332 (turned in the clockwise direction in FIG. 32), and the claw portion 320a of the take-in gate member 320 is outside the take-in passage 315. Retracted. Thereby, the intake passage 315 is opened. When the energization of the solenoid 325 is stopped, the output shaft 325 a is extended by the urging force of the coil spring 326, and the claw portion 320 a of the take-in gate member 320 returns to the state in which it protrudes into the take-in passage 315.

  On the other hand, through holes 337 and 338 are respectively provided at the inlet positions of the discharge passage 316 in the first and second housings 311 and 312, and the discharge gates pass through the through holes 337 and 338 in the front-rear direction. A member 340 is provided. The discharge gate member 340 is not provided individually to the capture devices 301 to 303 but is provided in common to all the capture devices 301 to 303. Depending on the operating state of the discharge gate member 340, each In the take-in devices 301 to 303, the discharge (ball removal) of the game balls is allowed or prevented at the same time.

  Here, details of the discharge gate member 340 will be described with reference to FIG. The discharge gate member 340 has a substantially rectangular shape as a whole, and substantially square openings 341, 342, 343 are formed at three locations. These openings 341 to 343 respectively correspond to the discharge passages 316 provided in the respective intake devices 301 to 303, and are provided at regular intervals. The openings 341 to 343 constitute a part of the discharge passage 316. In this case, when the discharge gate member 340 moves in the longitudinal direction (the front-rear direction of the take-in unit 153), the discharge passage 316 is closed or opened. That is, when the discharge gate member 340 is in the initial position, the discharge passage 316 of each of the capture devices 301 to 303 is closed by the wall plate portion of the discharge gate member 340, and the discharge of the game ball through the passage 316 is prevented. . Further, when the discharge gate member 340 moves in the longitudinal direction, the discharge passages 316 of the intake devices 301 to 303 are simultaneously opened by the openings 341 to 343 of the discharge gate member 340, and the game balls passing through the passages 316 are opened. Discharge is allowed.

  Ball guide protrusions 344, 345, and 346 are formed below the openings 341 to 343, respectively. The upper surfaces of the ball guide protrusions 344 to 346 are continuously provided at the same angle as the upper surfaces of the bottoms of the openings 341 to 343, and the angle matches the inclination angle of the inlet portion of the discharge passage 316. . Accordingly, when the game ball flows into the discharge passage 316 through the openings 341 to 343, the game ball passes while rolling on the ball guide protrusions 344 to 346, and the game ball flows into the discharge passage 316. Will be performed smoothly.

  A spring receiving portion 347 is formed at one end of the discharge gate member 340, and a rod portion 348 is formed at the other end. In this case, as shown in FIG. 31 and the like, a cover member 351 is provided outside the third take-in device 303, and a coil spring 352 is incorporated between the cover member 351 and the spring receiving portion 347 of the discharge gate member 340. . Reference numeral 353 denotes a spring accommodating portion for accommodating the coil spring 352.

  The discharge gate member 340 is always urged in one direction by the urging force of the coil spring 352. At this time, the discharge gate member 340 is held at the initial position (position where the discharge passage 316 is closed) by the biasing force of the coil spring 352, and when a force is applied from the rod portion 348, the discharge gate member 340 resists the biasing force of the coil spring 352. 316 shifts to the open position.

  As shown in FIG. 29 and the like, the rod unit 348 protrudes on the first capture device 301 side in the capture unit 16 so that the rod portion 348 is pushed by the discharge operation transmission device 154 described above. It has become. As shown in FIG. 34 and the like, a protruding portion 355 extending in the longitudinal direction of the discharge gate member 340 is formed below the spring receiving portion 347 at one end portion of the discharge gate member 340. On the other hand, a discharge gate detection sensor 356 is provided on the cover member 351 provided on one end side of the discharge gate member 340. In this configuration, when the discharge gate member 340 is operated in accordance with the operation of the discharge operation transmission device 154, the operation state is sequentially detected by the discharge gate detection sensor 356. Details thereof will be described with reference to FIG. 35A shows an initial state before the rod portion 348 (discharge gate member 340) is pushed in, and FIG. 35B shows a state where the rod portion 348 (discharge gate member 340) is pushed.

  As shown in FIG. 35, a discharge operation transmission device 154 is provided on the side of the take-in unit 16 (the front side in this gaming machine 1), and the tip of the rod portion 348 is the second link of the discharge operation transmission device 154. Opposite the rotating tip of the piece 195. In this case, in FIG. 35A, since the discharge gate member 340 is in the initial position, the inlet of the discharge passage 316 is closed and the flow of the game ball into the discharge passage 316 is prevented. In this state, the protrusion 355 of the discharge gate member 340 does not protrude outward from the capture device 303, and the protrusion 355 is not detected by the discharge gate detection sensor 356.

  On the other hand, in FIG. 35B, the link pieces 194 and 195 are rotated by the operation of the operation lever 198 in the discharge operation transmission device 154, and the operation is transmitted to the rod portion 348. Thereby, the discharge gate member 340 moves to a position where the discharge passage 316 is opened, and the flow of the game ball into the discharge passage 316 is allowed. In this state, the protruding portion 355 of the discharge gate member 340 protrudes outward from the capture device 303, and accordingly, the protruding portion 355 is detected by the discharge gate detection sensor 356. The discharge gate detection sensor 356 constitutes a discharge operation detection means for detecting the operation state (operation position) of the discharge gate member 340.

  A detection signal from the discharge gate detection sensor 356 is output to a main controller 505 described later. In this case, the main controller 505 detects the open / close state of the discharge passage 316 based on the detection signal of the discharge gate detection sensor 356, and when the discharge passage 316 is in the open state, the game ball take-in operation (take-in) Processing such as prohibiting the operation of the insertion gate member 320 is performed. By prohibiting the taking-in operation of the game ball when the discharge passage 316 is opened, inconveniences such as an unstable take-in state of the game ball and a decrease in detection accuracy of the taken game ball are eliminated. .

  As shown in FIGS. 32 and 33, the take-in device 303 is provided with a sensor unit 370 that detects the passage of a game ball in the take-in passage 315. This sensor unit 370 constitutes a game ball counting means for counting the number of game balls passing through the take-in passage 315, and includes a known optical sensor composed of a light emitting element and a light receiving element.

  The sensor unit 370 has a substantially U-shape and is assembled so as to straddle the first and second housings 311 and 312. Specifically, the sensor unit 370 includes a sensor body 371 extending in the thickness direction of the take-in device 303, and both ends of the sensor body 371 along the outer wall surfaces of the housings 311 and 312 toward the take-in passage 315. And extending arm portions 372 and 373. A sensor circuit board (not shown) is accommodated in the sensor body 371, and a connector hole 371a for exposing a connector terminal 374 provided on the sensor circuit board to the outside is provided on the back surface of the sensor body 371. Is formed.

  A light emitting element is accommodated in one of the arm portions 372 and 373, and a light receiving element is accommodated in the other. In addition, a pair of upper and lower sensor detection holes 376 are formed at the distal ends of the arm portions 372 and 373 at portions that are inside each other. In this case, two light emitting elements and two light receiving elements are accommodated in the arm portions 372 and 373, respectively, and each of these elements emits and receives light through the sensor detection hole 376. A pair of upper and lower through holes 378 are formed in the first and second housings 311 and 312. When the sensor unit 370 is assembled to each housing 311 and 312 in the housing joined state, each arm portion 372. , 373 are arranged such that the position of the sensor detection hole 376 provided at the front end portion of the housing 311 matches the position of the through hole 378 of each housing 311, 312.

  As shown in FIG. 32, the through hole 378 is provided in the intake passage 315 at a position slightly offset from the center inside the housing. The position of the through hole 378 is a game ball detection position by the sensor unit 370. In this case, in particular, the through hole 378 is provided at a position directly below the claw portion 320a formed at the distal end portion of the intake gate member 320 (a right offset position of the intake passage 315 in FIG. 32). A game ball is not detected by the sensor unit 370 unless the claw portion 320a of 320 moves to the immersive side. If it is assumed that the through hole 378 is provided on the opposite side of the intake passage 315 (the left offset position of the intake passage 315 in FIG. 32), the claw portion 320a of the intake gate member 320 is in the protruding position. In order to prevent erroneous detection of the game ball in the state (including erroneous detection of the game ball when discharging the game ball through the discharge passage 316), it is necessary to lower the position of the through hole 378 below the illustrated position. According to the above configuration of the gaming machine 1, the through hole 378 can be disposed in the vicinity of the claw portion 320 a of the take-in gate member 320. Therefore, it is possible to quickly detect a game ball that flows down due to the opening of the intake gate member 320.

  When a game ball is taken in with the take-in gate member 320 opened, in the upper and lower sensor elements (light emitting element + light receiving element) in the sensor unit 370, the game ball is first detected by the upstream sensor element, Thereafter, the game ball is detected by the sensor element on the downstream side. Detection signals from these sensor elements are sequentially output to a main controller 505 described later that manages the taking-in of game balls. In this case, main controller 505 determines whether or not a game ball has been normally taken in based on a game ball detection signal from each sensor element. Specifically, it is determined that the game ball has been normally taken in only when the game ball is detected in the order of the upstream sensor element → the downstream sensor element within a predetermined specified time. The

  If the required time from the detection of the game ball by the upstream sensor element to the detection of the game ball by the downstream sensor element is longer than the specified time, or contrary to normal, the downstream sensor element → the upstream sensor When the game balls are detected in the order of the elements, it is regarded as abnormal, the fact is notified, and the subsequent games are stopped. Therefore, for example, by attaching a string or the like to a game ball or other dummy object to be moved up and down, it is possible to prevent cheating as if a plurality of game balls were taken in.

  As described above, in the sensor unit 370, one of the arm portions 372 and 373 is a light emitting portion and the other is a light receiving portion, and the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion are provided integrally. Thereby, the alignment precision of a light emitting element and a light receiving element can be raised, and the detection precision of a game ball can be made favorable. In addition, a sensor circuit board is provided in the sensor main body 371 that connects the arm parts 372 and 373, and the connector terminal 374 provided on the sensor circuit board enables electrical connection to an external board. In addition, the signal lines connected to the light receiving element can be integrated and integrated, and the wiring can be easily connected to the external substrate.

  Further, a downstream side intake sensor 380 is provided at the most downstream portion of the intake passage 315 for detecting the game ball that has passed through the intake gate member 320 by the sensor unit 370 and then detecting the game ball again. ing. This downstream side intake sensor 380 is configured by a magnetic detection type proximity sensor, and detects the passage of the game ball by the change of the magnetic field accompanying the passage of the game ball. That is, the plate-shaped sensor main body 381 is provided with a through hole 381a, and the sensor main body 381 detects a change in magnetic field when a game ball passes through the through hole 381a and outputs it as an electrical signal. The through hole 381 a has a substantially perfect circle shape, and its diameter substantially matches the width dimension of the intake passage 315. A connector terminal 382 is provided on the sensor main body 381.

  Similar to the detection signal of the sensor unit 370, the detection signal from the downstream intake sensor 380 is output to the main controller 505 described later. In this case, the main controller 505 detects the current game ball uptake detection result (result of uptake determination by the sensor unit 370) based on the detection signal of the sensor unit 370 and the detection signal of the downstream uptake sensor 380. Is determined to be legitimate, i.e., not fraudulent. Specifically, the ball game ball count number by the sensor unit 370 (for example, the game ball count number by the detection result of one sensor element) is compared with the game ball count number by the downstream side intake sensor 380, and each count When the numbers match, it is determined that the detection result of the current game ball uptake (result of the uptake determination by the sensor unit 370) is normal. On the other hand, when the count numbers do not match, it is determined that the detection result of the current game ball capture (the result of the capture determination by the sensor unit 370) is not a regular one but is due to an illegal act. .

  As a fraudulent act with respect to the take-in unit 16, it is conceivable to attach a fraudulent device that emits light so as to cause the sensor unit 370 to erroneously detect the passage of a game ball. For example, a fraudulent device comprising two light emitters that blinks regardless of actual game ball take-in is attached to the take-in unit 16, and these light emitters are blinked in a predetermined order to play game balls. Make sure that the passage is falsely detected. When such an illegal act is performed, it is difficult to avoid erroneous detection of the game ball due to the illegal act only by the detection of the game ball by the sensor unit 370. In this regard, it is possible to avoid erroneous detection of a game ball due to fraudulent action by fraud confirmation based on the detection signal of the downstream intake sensor 380 as described above.

  Since two sensor devices (sensor unit 370 and downstream side intake sensor 380) having different detection methods are provided in the intake passage 315, it is difficult to erroneously detect a game ball in any of the sensor devices. It will be something. Therefore, countermeasures against fraud in the capture unit 16 are desirable.

  Each component of the intake device 303 described above (excluding the discharge gate member 340, the intake gate member 320, the gate drive mechanism including the solenoid 325, the sensor unit 370, etc.) is a corner between the inlet passage 307 and the intake passage 315. It is arranged in a concentrated manner in the inner region of the part. Thereby, each structural member can be efficiently arrange | positioned in the limited area | region, As a result, size reduction (including thickness reduction) of the capture device 303 can be implement | achieved.

  In the main take-in unit 16 in which the take-in devices 301 to 303 having the above-described configuration are provided in triplicate, game balls are supplied from the guide passages 171 to 173 of the upper plate 151 to the take-in devices 301 to 303, respectively. In accordance with the operation of the front bet switch 38, each of the take-in devices 301 to 303 takes in a game ball. Specifically, for example, when 15 (maximum bet) game balls are taken in, the take-in gate member 320 is simultaneously operated to the open position in all the take-in devices 301 to 303, and the take-in of game balls is performed all at once. To begin. At this time, each of the take-in devices 301 to 303 takes in five game balls.

  However, if any of the three capture devices 301 to 303 is not filled with a game ball, or if any of the capture devices does not operate normally due to a malfunction of the solenoid 325, etc. The game balls are taken in by the remaining take-in devices that can perform normal take-in operations. For example, when the first take-in device 301 is not filled with a game ball or when the solenoid 325 or the like of the take-in device 301 is out of order, a take-in device other than the first take-in device 301 (second, second, 15 game balls are taken in by the 3 take-in devices 302 and 303).

  On the other hand, when the game balls remaining on the take-in devices 301 to 303 and the upper plate 151 are discharged to the lower plate 71, the discharge gate member 340 is operated in accordance with the operation of the operation lever 198 on the front side of the gaming machine, and each take-off is performed. The game balls are discharged all at once by the insertion devices 301 to 303.

(Explanation of the replacement block 5)
Next, the surface changing block 5 will be described. FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the surface changing block 5 as seen from the oblique front, FIG. 37 is a perspective view of the surface changing block 5 as seen from the oblique rear, and FIG. 38 is a front view of the surface changing block 5. 39 and 40 are exploded perspective views of the surface changing block 5. FIG.

  The main part of the surface changing block 5 is a synthetic resin front frame 501, a reel device 503 as a symbol display device, a liquid crystal display device 504 as an auxiliary effect device, and a main control unit that performs various main controls relating to the game. A control device 505, a display control device 506 for performing subordinate display control based on a command from the main control device 505, a pedestal base 507 for the main control device for mounting the main control device 505, and a display control device 506 And a display control device base base 508. In the present embodiment, the face change block 5 is configured to include all the main parts that determine the game content of the gaming machine 1, and this face change block is used when changing the model in a game hall or the like. The model can be changed by replacing 5 with the new model. That is, the surface changing block 5 is an exchange unit at the time of model change.

(Description of front frame 501)
Details of the front frame 501 will be described with reference to FIG. 41A is a perspective view of the front frame 501 viewed from the front, and FIG. 41B is a perspective view of the front frame 501 viewed from the rear.

  The front frame 501 has a substantially square shape when viewed from the front, and a portion of the front surface framed in a substantially trapezoidal shape has a shape and a size that substantially coincide with the viewing window 21 of the front door body 11. In this case, in a state where the surface changing block 5 is attached to the door block 4, almost the entire front frame 501 is visible from the viewing window 21 of the front door body 11.

  A display window 511 having a horizontally long rectangular shape is provided on the front surface of the front frame 501, and a display window 512 having a horizontally long rectangular shape is also provided above the display window 511. In the following description, the lower display window 511 is referred to as “lower display window 511”, and the upper display window 512 is referred to as “upper display window 512”. The lower display window 511 corresponds to a reel symbol display unit for displaying the reel symbol attached to the outer periphery of the reel device 503, and the upper display window 512 is a liquid crystal for displaying a display image by the liquid crystal display device 504. It corresponds to an image display unit.

  Each of the display windows 511 and 512 is provided at a substantially central portion in the left-right direction on the front surface portion of the front frame 501 and has substantially the same horizontal dimension (the height dimension is slightly larger in the upper display window 512). However, the size (absolute size) of each display window 511, 512, the relative size when comparing each display window 511, 512, and the shape of each display window 511, 512 can be arbitrarily changed. For example, the upper display window 512 may be more horizontally long, or the upper display window 512 may be smaller than the lower display window 511. In the front portion of the front frame 501, the peripheral portions of the display windows 511 and 512 are substantially flat surfaces.

  A protruding portion 513 is provided on the peripheral edge of the lower display window 511 so as to protrude forward. When the reel device 503 is attached to the back side of the front frame 501, a part of the reel device 503 protrudes forward from the front surface portion (flat portion around the display window) of the front frame 501. The protruding portion of the reel device 503 is surrounded. In this case, the upper and lower overhang portions 513 can clearly divide the reel symbol range that is visible / invisible (or difficult to view) from the outside at the front protruding portion of the reel device 503. Further, according to the left and right overhang portions 513, it is possible to suppress the inside of the reel device 503 from being seen from the outside.

  In a state where the surface changing block 5 is mounted on the door block 4, the peripheral portion of the front frame 501 (A portion in FIG. 41) abuts on the panel support member 14 (see FIG. 7) of the door block 4. At this time, in the front frame 501, the peripheral portion (portion A in FIG. 41) and the other central portion are substantially flush. Therefore, a gap is formed between the central portion of the front frame 501 and the transparent panel 13 in the mounted state.

  In the gaming machine 1, when the front frame 501 is viewed through the viewing window 21 (transparent panel 13) of the door block 4, a wide area including the display windows 511 and 512 can be viewed. Therefore, if various information (model information, dividend table, etc.) and decorations related to the gaming machine 1 are given to the front area of the front frame 501, the various information and decorations can be played through the visual window 21 (transparent panel 13). Visible from the front of the machine. In this case, as described above, the portions other than the display windows 511 and 512 in the front surface portion of the front frame 501 are generally flat surfaces, and therefore it is possible to affix a seal or the like to which various information or the like is applied to the front region. .

  As shown in FIG. 38, an information display substrate 514 is provided on the right side of the lower display window 511 of the front frame 501. On this information display board 514, the number of acquired balls displayed when the small role is established, and the number of games for displaying, for example, the number of remaining games in a special game state such as a big bonus or a regular bonus A display unit is provided. These display units are composed of a 7-segment display, but it is naturally possible to replace them with a liquid crystal display or the like.

  A lower panel portion 516 is provided below the lower display window 511 on the front side of the front frame 501. The lower panel portion 516 is a portion that is visible from the front of the gaming machine through the horizontally long window portion 50 provided in the front door body 11 in a state in which the surface changing block 5 is attached to the door block 4. Various information related to the gaming machine 1 (model information, payout table, etc.), decoration, and the like are given to the back side of the transparent panel that constitutes. It is also possible to attach a stamp or the like on the back side of the lower panel portion 516 (transparent panel). An illumination device 517 (see FIG. 38) made of a fluorescent tube, a cold cathode tube, or the like is provided on the back side of the lower panel portion 516, and the visibility of various information and the like is enhanced by illumination light of the illumination device. It has become.

  The illumination device 517 provided on the back side of the lower panel portion 516 can irradiate light below the surface change block 5. In this case, in the state where the surface changing block 5 is mounted on the door block 4, the lighting device 517 is positioned above the upper cover plate 157 provided on the upper plate 151 (see FIGS. 7 and 16). ). Therefore, when the illumination device 517 emits illumination light, the light is applied to the rear region of the upper plate 151 through the upper cover plate 157. As a result, the rear area of the upper plate 151 is brightly illuminated, and the game balls existing in the area can be easily confirmed.

  A pair of upper and lower operation switches 518 and 519 are provided on the right side of the lower panel portion 516. The operation switches 518 and 519 are, for example, push button type switch members used for the operation of the information menu. By pressing the operation switches 518 and 519, the number of jackpots, the total number of games, the probability of jackpot occurrence, the number of balls played (throwing in) Various information such as the difference between the number of game balls and the number of payout game balls) is appropriately displayed on the liquid crystal display device 504 or the like. The information menu includes a description of a special game in the gaming machine 1 and the like.

  On the other hand, on the back side of the front frame 501, a length for attaching the reel device 503 to the opening edge between the upper and lower display windows 511 and 512 and the lower opening edge of the lower display window 511, respectively. Scale-shaped reel mounting brackets 521 and 522 are provided.

  A support metal fitting 524 is attached to the right side portion of the front frame 501 on the back side. The support metal fitting 524 is provided with a pair of upper and lower support shafts 525 and 526. The support shafts 525 and 526 of the support fitting 524 constitute support means for rotatably supporting the surface changing block 5 on the door block 4. The support shafts 525 and 526 are provided on the door block 4. The shaft fittings 111 and 112 are inserted into the shaft holes (see FIG. 11 and the like) of the bearing portions 111b and 112a. The bearing portions 111b and 112a on the door block 4 side and the support shafts 525 and 526 on the surface changing block 5 correspond to the “support means M11 and M12 for the surface changing block 5” shown in FIG.

  Similarly, a pedestal base mounting means for mounting a pedestal base 507 for the main controller is provided on the left side of the front frame 501 on the left side. In this case, the main controller pedestal base 507 (main controller 505) is vertically mounted on the left side of the rear surface of the front frame 501, and serves as a pedestal base mounting means. A substantially U-shaped support fitting 527 for supporting the lower end portion of 507 and a fastener 528 for supporting the upper end portion of the main control device 505 are provided.

  Further, on the back side of the front frame 501, coupling hook members 531 and 532 for coupling with the payout block 6 attached to the back side of the surface changing block 5 are provided at the upper left corner and the lower left corner. Yes. The coupling hook members 531 and 532 are provided on the rotational tip side opposite to the rotational axis of the main surface changing block 5, and the surface changing block 5 and the payout block 6 are operated by being operated to the coupling position. The combined state of is maintained. Further, when the coupling hook members 531 and 532 are operated to the coupling release position, the coupling of the chamfering block 5 and the payout block 6 is released, and the chamfering block 5 can be rotated so as to be separated from the payout block 6. It is supposed to be.

(Description of reel device 503)
FIG. 42 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the reel device 503. The reel device 503 includes a metal case member 540 and three reels 541, 542, and 543 on the left, middle, and right that are accommodated in the case member 540. The case member 540 has three reels 541 to 543 rotatably accommodated therein, and a part of the reels 541 to 543 appears forward. In the case member 540, a support fixing portion 545 formed by bending upward is provided at the front end portion of the upper surface portion, and a support fixing portion 546 formed by bending downward is provided at the front end portion of the lower surface portion. It has been. These support fixing portions 545 and 546 constitute attachment means for attaching the reel device 503 to the front frame 501, and the reel device 503 is supported and fixed to the reel mounting brackets 521 and 522 provided on the front frame 501. The reel device 503 is mounted on the back side of the front frame 501 by fixing the portions 545 and 546 with screws or the like.

  The upper support fixing portion 545 has a shape having protrusions 545a at both left and right end portions. Both the protrusions 545a are formed by cutting out the central portion of the support fixing portion 545, and the liquid crystal display device 504 is attached to and detached from the front frame 501 by reducing the height of the central portion. Interference at the time can be avoided.

  On the upper part of the case member 540, a reel relay board 548 is provided for electrical connection between the reel device 503 and a control system such as the main controller 505.

  Since the configuration of each of the reels 541 to 543 is well known, detailed illustration is omitted here, and the configuration will be briefly described. Each of the reels 541 to 543 includes a cylindrical skeleton member that forms a cylindrical cage, and a belt-like belt wound around the outer periphery thereof. On the outer peripheral surface of the belt, a number of symbols as identification information are printed at equal intervals (for example, 21 symbols). A stepping motor as a drive source is provided at the center of each of the reels 541 to 543, and the reels 541 to 543 are driven to rotate individually, that is, independently, by driving the stepping motor. The reel device 503 is provided with a reel index sensor (rotational position detection sensor) for detecting the rotational position of each of the reels 541 to 543 as another configuration. Further, a backlight (rear light emitting means) made of a fluorescent lamp or the like is provided on the inner peripheral side of each reel 541 to 543, and each symbol attached to the outer peripheral surface of the reel is brighter than the rear by this backlight. Illuminated. By the light emission of the backlight, it is possible to improve the visibility of each symbol attached to the outer peripheral surface of the reel and to diversify the auxiliary effects in the game.

(Description of main controller 505, etc.)
Next, the configuration of the main controller 505, the display controller 506, etc. will be described with reference to FIG.

  The main controller 505 includes a main control board 561 on which electronic components such as a CPU and a memory are mounted, and a substantially rectangular parallelepiped case member (the front case 562 and the back case 563) for housing the main control board 561. It is configured. The front case 562 and the back case 563 are formed of a transparent synthetic resin material, and the main control board 561 inside thereof can be visually recognized by the transparent front case 562 and the back case 563.

  The main controller pedestal base 507 is a pedestal member on which the main controller 505 is slidably mounted in one direction. In this embodiment, the main controller 505 is slid upward with respect to the pedestal base 507. The main controller 505 can be detached from the pedestal base 507.

  Near the lower corner portion of the main controller base base 507, a supported portion 507a that is rotatably supported by a support fitting 527 provided on the front frame 501 is provided. In this case, when the supported portion 507a is supported by the support fitting 527, the main controller base base 507 (main control device 505) can be rotated with respect to the front frame 501 with the supported portion 507a as a fulcrum ( In other words, it can tilt backward).

  The front case 562, the back case 563, and the main controller base base 507 are provided with sealing portions f1, f2, and f3 (so-called caulking portions) as sealing means for connecting these members. The sealing parts f1 to f3 are capable of opening the case member due to breakage and the like, and the member that has been broken remains as the opening history after opening, so the opening fact can be confirmed by the opening history It has become. Thereby, in the case where the case member is illegally opened, for example, it is possible to find an illegal act by checking the sealing portions f1 to f3.

  On the other hand, the display control device 506 includes a display control board 571 on which electronic components such as a CPU and a memory are mounted, and a substantially rectangular parallelepiped case member (a front case 572 and a back case 573) for housing the display control board 571. It consists of and. The front case 572 and the back case 573 are formed of a transparent synthetic resin material, and the display control board 571 inside thereof can be visually recognized by the transparent front case 572 and the back case 573. The back case 573 is provided with a triangular leg 573a. The display control device 506 is attached to the back surface of the front frame 501 while being fixed on the display control device base 508. At this time, the display control device 506 is attached in an inclined state by the leg portion 573a provided in the back case 573. An external terminal board 575 is attached to the display control device base 508.

  In the above configuration, the electronic component mounting surface of the main control board 561 is arranged to face outward in the main control device 505, and the electronic component mounting surface of the display control board 571 in the display control device 506 is obliquely upward on the rear side. It is arranged to face. Such an arrangement facilitates fraud confirmation with respect to the main control board 561 and the display control board 571.

  The liquid crystal display device 504 includes a liquid crystal panel 581 and a liquid crystal driver 582 that drives the liquid crystal panel 581.

(Explanation of completed state as reshuffling block 5)
The completed state of the surface changing block 5 will be described again with reference to FIGS. As the face change block 5, a reel device 503 is attached to the back side of the front frame 501, and a liquid crystal display device 504 is attached above the reel device 503. A main control device 505 is attached to the side of the reel device 503, and a display control device 506 is attached above the reel device 503 via a base base 507.

  The entire panel surface of the liquid crystal panel 581 can be visually recognized from the upper display window 512 of the front frame 501 on the front side of the face change block 5. In addition, a part of each reel 541 to 543 of the reel device 503 can be seen from the lower display window 511 of the front frame 501. At this time, out of many symbols (21 in this embodiment) attached to the outer circumference of each of the reels 541 to 543, three symbols for each reel can be visually recognized through the lower display window 511. Yes.

(Description of payout block 6)
Next, the payout block 6 will be described. 43 and 44 are perspective views of the dispensing block 6, FIG. 45 is a rear view of the dispensing block 6, FIG. 46 is a perspective view showing the dispensing device 618 and the like separated from the dispensing block 6, and FIG. FIG. 48 is a rear view showing a state in which the control devices are removed from the payout block 6. In FIG. 48, the game ball passage formed in the payout block 6 is indicated by a dotted line.

  The payout block 6 includes a back cover member 601 integrally formed of a synthetic resin material, a payout mechanism 602 for paying out game balls, a payout control device 603 that controls payout control, and a power supply voltage generated from an external power supply. It has a power supply device 604 that supplies various control devices and actuators, and is configured by integrating them.

  The back cover member 601 includes a base portion 611 having a substantially flat shape, and a protective cover portion 612 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape protruding rearward (rearward of the gaming machine 1). The protective cover portion 612 has a shape in which the left and right surfaces and the upper and lower surfaces and the rear surface are closed, and is large enough to accommodate at least the reel device 503, the main control device 505, and the display control device 506 of the surface changing block 5. Have Although illustration is omitted, a large number of air holes can be provided on the back surface of the protective cover portion 612. The base portion 611 and the protective cover portion 612 may be integrally formed as described above, or may be formed separately and integrated with screws or the like.

  The payout mechanism 602 is attached to the base portion 611 of the back cover member 601 so as to bypass the protective cover portion 612. That is, as the payout mechanism 602, a tank 615 opened upward is provided at the uppermost portion of the back cover member 601, and the game balls supplied from the island facilities of the game hall are sequentially replenished to the tank 615. Below the tank 615, for example, tank rails 616 that have four rows (four strips) of ball paths in the front-rear direction and are gently inclined toward the downstream side are connected. The tank rail 616 extends in the vertical direction downstream of the tank rail 616. Case rails 617 are connected.

  A payout device 618 for paying out game balls is provided at the most downstream portion of the case rail 617. As shown in FIG. 48, the payout device 618 includes a payout motor 619 and a payout gate member 620 driven by the payout motor 619, and the payout motor 619 is driven by a control signal from the payout control device 603. Then, with the driving of the payout motor 619, the payout gate member 620 moves to the passage opening position. Thereby, the required number of game balls are paid out as appropriate.

  The payout device 618 has a game ball discharge function for discharging game balls staying on the case rail 617 and the like to the outside in addition to a game ball payout function performed in accordance with winnings during a game. When the game ball is discharged, the passage switching lever 621 is switched from the payout execution position to the discharge execution position, and the payout motor 619 is driven to discharge the game ball to the outside.

  As with the tank rail 616, the case rails 617 are provided in four rows in the front-rear direction, and the payout devices 618 are provided in four rows accordingly. In this case, as shown in FIG. 46, the base plate 611 of the back cover member 601 is provided with a metal plate 625 in an overlapping manner, and two metal boss members so as to stand on the metal plate 625. 626 is provided. In FIG. 44, reference numeral 627 denotes a metal plate for fixing the base end portion of the boss member 626. That is, the base end of the boss member 626 is firmly fixed by the two front and back metal plates 625 and 627. Then, with the boss member 626 inserted, four rows of payout devices 618 are fixed together.

  On the downstream side of the payout device 618, a passage forming member 630 for forming four rows of game ball passages is also provided. The passage forming member 630 has a payout passage 631 and a discharge passage 632 therein, and the game balls are paid out to the upper plate 151 and the like by passing through the payout passage 631. In addition, the game ball is discharged outside by passing through the discharge passage 632. The passage forming member 630 is fixed by two support members 633 provided on the metal plate 625.

  The passage forming member 630 is provided with a payout relay board 635 that relays a payout command signal from the payout control device 603 to the payout device 618. Although not shown, a tank ball absence sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a game ball supplied from the tank 615 or the tank rail 616 is provided upstream of the case rail 617. Also, the payout device 618 is provided with a payout rotation sensor that detects the rotation of the payout motor 619 and a payout count switch that counts the number of game balls to be paid out.

  Both the tank and the passage members in the dispensing mechanism 602 are formed of a conductive synthetic resin material such as a conductive polycarbonate resin, and are grounded at a part thereof. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the noise by charging of a game ball is suppressed.

  A game ball distribution unit 640 for distributing game balls flowing down from the payout mechanism 602 is provided on the downstream side of the passage forming member 630 in the base unit 611. As shown in FIG. 46, the game ball distribution unit 640 is provided with three passage openings 641, 642, 643, of which the passage opening 641 communicates with the upper plate 151, and the passage opening 642 has The passage opening 643 communicates with the lower plate 71 and is configured to communicate with a game ball discharge unit connected to the outside of the gaming machine.

  Here, the game ball passage on the downstream side of the game ball distributor 640 will be described with reference to FIG. In the back cover member 601, an upper plate guide passage 651 communicating with the passage opening 641 of the game ball distribution portion 640 is provided below the protective cover portion 612. The upper plate guide passage 651 is open on the front side of the back cover member 601, and when the dispensing block 6 is mounted on the door block 4, the front-side opening of the upper plate guide passage 651 is disposed on the upper plate unit 15. It is configured to communicate with the outlet 165 (see FIG. 7 and the like).

  The back cover member 601 has a lower plate guide passage 652 communicating with the passage opening 642 of the game ball distribution unit 640 and an external discharge passage 653 communicating with the passage opening 643 of the game ball distribution unit 640 in parallel. Is provided. The lower plate guide passage 652 is opened to the front side of the back cover member 601, and when the dispensing block 6 is attached to the door block 4, the front side opening of the lower plate guide passage 652 is connected to the lower plate of the inner frame 12. It is the structure which communicates with the channel | path 145 (refer FIG. 7 etc.). In addition, the code | symbol 655 in a figure is a lower tray full tank switch for detecting when the lower ball | bowl 71 becomes full and the game ball overflows to the upstream side.

  In this case, the game balls that have flowed down the payout passage 631 of the passage forming member 630 basically flow into the passage opening 641 as they are, and then are discharged to the upper plate 151 through the upper plate guide passage 651. However, when the game balls that have become surplus as the upper plate 151 becomes full are overflowing through the upper plate guide passage 651, the excess game balls flow into the passage opening 642, and then the lower plate guide passage It is discharged to the lower plate 71 through 652. The game balls that have flowed down the discharge passage 632 of the passage forming member 630 are discharged to the outside of the gaming machine (island facility of the game hall) through the external discharge passage 653.

  When the payout block 6 is attached to the door block 4, the payout block 6 surrounds the back and the periphery of the take-in unit 16 provided in the door block 4. In this case, in particular, the base portion 611 of the back cover member 601 is provided with a lever insertion hole 657 that matches the shape of the operation lever 213 of the ball retaining device 155, and the lever insertion hole 657 has an operation of the ball retaining device 155. A lever 213 is inserted. The lever insertion hole 657 has a shape and a size that allow the operation lever 213 to be inserted only when the operation lever 213 is in the take-in unit holding position (the hold plate piece 224 is in contact with the back surface of the take-in unit 16). If the operation lever 213 is in the take-in unit removal position (the hold plate piece 224 is not in contact with the back surface of the take-in unit 16), the payout block with respect to the door block 4 is provided. 6, the operation lever 213 cannot be inserted into the lever insertion hole 657, so that it cannot be mounted.

  Accordingly, it is possible to avoid a work mistake such as forgetting to operate the operation lever 213 of the ball retainer 155 to the take-in unit holding position after attaching the take-in unit 16 to the door block 4. it can. Further, at this time, the operation lever 213 is surely operated to the take-in unit holding position, so that the flow of the game ball from the upper plate 151 to the take-in unit 16 is unexpectedly obstructed during the game. Can be avoided.

  A support fitting 661 is attached to the left end portion of the back cover member 601 when viewed from the inner surface side (front side). The support metal fitting 661 is provided with a pair of upper and lower support shafts 662 and 663. A support fitting 665 having a support shaft 666 is attached below the support fitting 661. The support shafts 662, 663, 666 of these support fittings 661, 665 constitute support means for rotatably supporting the payout block 6 on the door block 4, and these support shafts 662, 663, 666. Is inserted into the shaft holes (see FIG. 7 and the like) of the bearing portions 111a, 112b, and 113b of the shaft fittings 111, 112, and 113 provided in the door block 4. The bearing portions 111a, 112b, 113b on the door block 4 side and the support shafts 662, 663, 666 on the payout block 6 side correspond to the “support means M21 to M23 for the payout block 6” shown in FIG.

  On the inner surface side of the back cover member 601, metal locking pieces 671, 672 that are locked by two coupling hook members 531, 532 provided on the surface changing block 5 at the upper and lower portions of the protective cover portion 612. Is attached. By operating the coupling hook members 531 and 532 of the surface changing block 5 to the locking position in a state where the surface changing block 5 and the payout block 6 are overlapped, the blocks 5 and 6 are connected to each other. , 532 are operated to the unlocking position so that both blocks 5 and 6 can be separated.

  In this case, the operation of the coupling hook members 531 and 532 can be performed only on the front side of the back cover member 601 of the dispensing block 6, and if the front side of the dispensing block 6 is not opened, the engagement of the coupling hook members 531 and 532 is possible. Stop release operation is impossible. In other words, in a state where the integrated body of the surface changing block 5 and the payout block 6 is attached to the door block 4 (the state shown in FIG. 3), the coupling hook members 531 and 532 are hidden inside, and the coupling hook members 531 and 532 The opening operation of the surface changing block 5 and the payout block 6 by manual operation is impossible.

  Similarly, on the inner surface side of the back cover member 601, the locking device 120 provided on the door block 4 is provided on the opposite side of the support fitting 661 and above and below the protective cover portion 612. Metal locking pieces 673 and 674 to be locked to the metal fittings 133 and 134 are attached. In a state where the dispensing block 6 is closed with respect to the door block 4, the locking pieces 673 and 674 are locked by the metal fittings 133 and 134 of the locking device 120, and the dispensing block 6 cannot be opened. When the metal fittings 133 and 134 are moved to the unlocking position in accordance with the unlocking operation by the operation key, the locking of the locking pieces 673 and 674 is released, and the payout block 6 can be opened.

  In particular, the protective cover portion 612 is provided with shielding covers 675 and 676 so as to surround the locking pieces 673 and 674. The shielding covers 675 and 676 have a box shape opened only in the front, and a finger, a tool, or the like cannot be inserted from the rear. Therefore, when the dispensing block 6 is closed with respect to the door block 4 (the state shown in FIG. 3), the locking state of the locking device 120 (the locked state between the metal fittings 133 and 134 and the locking pieces 673 and 674) is obtained. Is not released illegally, and an illegal deterrent effect is obtained.

  In addition, the back cover member 601 is provided with lock members 678 and 679 for fixing the payout block 6 in a state of being attached to the door block 4. The lock members 678 and 679 are provided at positions corresponding to the metal fittings 147 and 148 (see FIG. 11) of the inner frame 12, and have locking pieces to be engaged with the metal fittings 147 and 148, respectively. ing. In this case, the payout block 6 is fixed to the door block 4 by bringing the locking pieces of the lock members 678 and 679 into the locked state with respect to the metal fittings 147 and 148. Further, after the locking by the locking device 120 is released, the payout block 6 can be removed from the door block 4 by releasing the locking state of the lock members 678 and 679.

(Description of payout control device 603 and power supply device 604)
Next, the dispensing control device 603 and the power supply device 604 attached to the back side of the back cover member 601 will be described based on FIG.

  The payout control device 603 includes a payout control board 681 on which electronic components such as a CPU and a memory are mounted, and a board box 682 that accommodates the payout control board 681, similarly to the main control device 505. The substrate box 682 is formed of a transparent synthetic resin material, and the dispensing control substrate 681 inside the substrate box 682 can be visually recognized by the transparent substrate box 682. The board box 682 is provided with a sealing part 683 (so-called caulking part) as sealing means for connecting the front and back side case members constituting the box 682. The sealing part 683 allows the substrate box 682 to be opened by breaking or the like, and since the member that has been broken remains as the opening history after opening, the opening history can be confirmed by the opening history. It has become. Thereby, in the case where the substrate box 682 is illegally opened, an illegal act can be found by checking the sealing part 683.

  The board box 682 of the payout control device 603 is provided with fixtures 684 and 685 made of Nylatch (registered trademark) or the like, and on the other hand, on the base portion 611 of the back cover member 601 to which the payout control device 603 is attached. Are provided with attached holes 686 and 687 (see FIG. 47). In this case, the payout control device 603 is arranged at a predetermined mounting position, and the fixtures 684 and 685 are set in a fixed operation state with respect to the attached hole portions 686 and 687, whereby the payout control device 603 for the back cover member 601 is set. Installation is complete.

  On the other hand, the power supply device 604 includes a power supply board 691 and a board box 692 that houses the power supply board 691. The board box 692 is formed of a transparent synthetic resin material, and the power board 691 inside the board box 692 can be visually recognized by the transparent board box 692. The power supply device 604 includes a power switch 694 for starting the gaming machine 1, a reset switch 695 for resetting various states of the gaming machine 1, and a hall manager and the like for adjusting the payout of the game balls to be paid out. A setting key switch 696 is provided. This gaming machine 10 has a backup function for various data, and maintains the state at the time of power failure even in the event of a power failure, and returns to the state at the time of power failure upon recovery from power failure (recovery) It can be done. In this case, for example, when the power supply is shut down by a normal procedure, such as when the game hall is closed, the state before shutting down is stored and retained. It has come to be. Further, when the reset switch 695 is pressed while the power switch 694 is turned on, the error state is reset. Further, the setting state of the gaming machine 1 is changed in multiple stages by operating the setting key switch 696 by operating the setting key by a hall manager or the like. At this time, for example, the setting is changed in six stages from “setting 1” to “setting 6”, and the winning probability is changed along with the setting change. The power supply device 604 is fixed to the base portion 611 of the back cover member 601 with screws or the like.

  In addition, the base portion 611 of the back cover member 601 is provided with a ball lending unit connection board 698 that manages payout of game balls lent out from the ball lending unit.

(Explanation of replacement work of the surface changing unit 5)
As described above, the replacement block 5 is a replaceable unit. Here, the replacement operation of the replacement block 5 at the time of model change in the game hall will be described.

  First, a predetermined operation key is inserted into the key cylinder 137 of the locking device 120 and rotated in a predetermined direction (clockwise direction) to release the locked state of the door block 4 with respect to the outer frame 2. Then, the door block 4 is opened to the front side. At this time, the surface changing block 5 and the payout block 6 are integrally operated together with the door block 4. This is the state shown in FIG.

  Next, similarly, the operation key is rotated in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction (counterclockwise direction) to release the locked state of the dispensing block 6 with respect to the door block 4. Further, the lock members 678 and 679 provided on the back cover member 601 of the payout block 6 are operated to be unlocked with a finger or the like. Thereby, the integrated body of the surface changing block 5 and the payout block 6 can be rotated (opening operation is possible) with respect to the door block 4, and the integrated body of the surface changing block 5 and the payout block 6 is rotated backward. Further, when the coupling hook members 531 and 532 provided on the surface changing block 5 are operated to the coupling release position and the surface changing block 5 is rotated forward, the state shown in FIG. 4 is obtained. In this state, electrical wiring between the blocks is removed as appropriate.

  Then, in the state of FIG. 4, the surface changing block 5 is removed from the door block 4 so as to be lifted upward. At this time, the support shafts 525 and 526 provided on the surface changing block 5 side are pulled out from the bearing portions 111 b and 112 a of the shaft fittings 111 and 112 provided on the door block 4 side, and the surface changing block 5 is removed from the door block 4. To be separated.

  Thereafter, the new surface changing block 5 is mounted in the reverse operation procedure from that for removal. That is, a new surface changing block 5 is attached to the door block 4 and electrical wiring or the like is appropriately connected. Then, the coupling hook members 531 and 532 are operated to the coupling position in a state where the surface changing block 5 and the payout block 6 are overlapped, and then the integrated body of the surface changing block 5 and the payout block 6 is turned to the door block 4 side. Move them so that they overlap. At this time, the payout block 6 is locked to the door block 4. Thereafter, the lock members 678 and 679 of the payout block 6 are operated to be locked with a finger or the like. Finally, when the door block 4 is closed with respect to the outer frame 2, the replacement work of the gaming machine 1 is completed.

  When exchanging the surface changing block 5, no special tools or the like are required except for unlocking the door block 4 with an operation key, and the exchanging operation is facilitated.

  Here, the removal operation of the upper cover body 94 provided on the front side of the door block 4 will be described with reference to the unlocking operation of the locking device 120.

  First, an operation key is inserted into the key cylinder 137 of the locking device 120 and rotated in a predetermined direction (clockwise direction) to release the locked state of the door block 4 with respect to the outer frame 2 (this is referred to as “first unlocking operation”). ”). Then, the door block 4, the surface changing block 5, and the payout block 6 are integrally opened with respect to the outer frame 2, and the state shown in FIG. 3 is obtained. At this time, it is possible to remove the upper cover body 94 from the door block 4 by removing the screw fastening of the screwing portion 109 (see FIG. 3). After the upper cover body 94 is removed, the lamp substrate 107 and the upper speaker 92 are removed. Maintenance is performed. It is not necessary to leave the door block 4 or the like in an open state at the time of this maintenance or the like, and the work can be performed with the door block 4 or the like closed.

  By the way, during maintenance of the reel device 503 or the like, or during inspection of the main control device 505 or the like, the door block 4, the surface changing block 5 and the payout block 6 are opened and then the door is moved by rotating the operation key. The locked state of the payout block 6 with respect to the block 4 is released (this corresponds to the “second unlocking operation”). Further, the locking members 678 and 679 and the coupling hook members 531 and 532 are operated to release the coupling, thereby separating the surface changing block 5 and the dispensing block 6 (state shown in FIG. 4). In this state, maintenance of the reel device 503 or the like, inspection of the main control device 505 or the like is performed.

  When the maintenance of the lamp substrate 107 and the upper speaker 92 is performed as described above, unlike the maintenance of the reel device 503 and the inspection of the main control device 505, the second unlocking operation and the subsequent surface changing block 5 are performed. And the separation block 6 need not be separated, and the workability such as maintenance is improved.

(Explanation of electrical configuration)
Next, the electrical configuration of the gaming machine 1 will be described based on the block diagram of FIG. In FIG. 49, each electrical component is divided into a door block 4, a surface changing block 5, and a payout block 6. In addition, a supply line of power supplied from the power supply device 604 is indicated by a double line arrow, and a signal line is indicated by a solid line arrow.

  49, the main control device 505, the display control device 506, and the payout control device 603 are all configured by a logical operation device having a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and the CPU of each control device is a ROM. Various controls relating to the game are executed based on a calculation program stored in advance. Each of these control devices is connected via a signal line, a relay board, and the like, and in the game, the game progresses by exchanging commands and the like between the control devices.

  Specifically, in the surface changing block 5, the main controller 505 is connected to the reel device 503 and the external terminal plate 575 via the reel relay substrate 548, and the display control device 506 via the sub relay substrate 701. It is connected. In the reel device 503, the rotation of each reel 541 to 543 is controlled based on a command from the main control device 505. The external terminal board 575 is a relay device connected to a hall management device (so-called hall computer) installed in a game hall or the like. Through this external terminal board 575, the game situation (number of games, number of games, etc.) is changed to the hall. Output to the management device. The display control device 506 receives various commands related to the auxiliary effects of each game from the main control device 505, and performs the auxiliary effects by the liquid crystal display device 504 according to the commands, and the door upper relay board provided in the door block 4 The driving of speakers and lamps is controlled via 703 (corresponding to the audio lamp relay board 108).

  Although description by illustration etc. was abbreviate | omitted, this game machine 1 is provided with the door switch for detecting that the game machine main part 3 (door block 4) was open | released with respect to the outer frame 2, This door switch detection signal is input to the main controller 505 via the reel relay board 548.

  In the main controller 505, a part of the RAM is provided with a backup area in which a backup voltage is supplied from the power supply device 604 and data can be retained (backup) even after the gaming machine 1 is powered off. ing. Therefore, when the power is shut down due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, the various data at the time of power shut-off are stored and retained in the RAM backup area, and the gaming machine 1 at the next power-on (including power-on due to power failure cancellation). Can be restored to the state before the power was shut off.

  In addition, the payout block 6 is provided with a payout block relay board 702, and the main control device 505 of the surface changing block 5, the payout control device 603 of the main payout block 6, and the pick-up block 6 are connected via the payout block relay board 702. Plug-in unit 16 is connected. In addition, the main controller 505 of the surface changing block 5 and the door block relay board 704 of the door block 4 are connected via a payout block relay board 702.

  In this case, when various operation members (the bet switch 38, the start lever 33, and the stop switches 35 to 37) of the door block 4 are operated by the player, the operation is detected by the operation detection unit built in these operation members. Each operation detection signal is input to the main controller 505 via the door block relay board 704 and the payout block relay board 702. For example, when an operation detection signal associated with the operation of the bet switch 38 is input to the main control device 505, the main control device 505 outputs an acquisition control signal to the acquisition unit 16 via the payout block relay board 702. By this take-in control signal, the solenoid 325 in each take-in device 301 to 303 of the take-in unit 16 is driven, and game balls are taken in sequentially. Detection signals from the game ball take-in detection sensors (sensor unit 370 and downstream take-in sensor 380) at the time of taking in the game balls are also input to the main controller 505 via the payout block relay board 702.

  In addition, a stop symbol (three upper and lower symbols visible from the visual window 21 of the door block 4 and a combination of the symbols) of each reel of the reel device 503 is a predetermined game ball paying combination (small role symbol, bonus symbol). If it matches, the main control device 505 sets the number of game balls to be paid out according to each winning combination, and issues a payout control signal corresponding to the payout number via the payout block relay board 702. To 603. As a result, the payout control device 603 drives the payout device 618 (the payout motor 619) to pay out the game ball.

  In the payout control device 603, a part of the RAM retains data by supplying a backup voltage from the power supply device 604 even after the game machine 1 is turned off, like the RAM of the main control device 505. There is a backup area that can be used. Therefore, when the power is shut down due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, the various data at the time of power shut-off are stored and retained in the RAM backup area, and the gaming machine 1 at the next power-on (including power-on due to power failure cancellation). Can be restored to the state before the power was shut off.

  Although not shown, the payout control device 603 is connected to a ball rental unit that manages the information display board 514 provided on the front frame 501 of the face change block 5 and the payout of game balls lent out from the ball rental unit. A substrate 698 and the like are connected.

  The power supply device 604 takes in AC 24 volt power supplied from the outside, generates + 12V power for driving various switches, motors, etc., + 5V power for logic, backup power for RAM backup, and the like. + 5V power and backup power are supplied to the main controller 505, the payout controller 603, and the like.

(Outline explanation of the game)
Next, an outline of the game performed by the player for the gaming machine 1 configured as described above will be briefly described.

  At the start of the game, when the player presses the bet switch 38 in a situation where there are enough game balls on the upper plate 151, the game balls are taken in by the take-in devices 301 to 303 of the take-in unit 16. Done. When the start lever 33 is operated after a predetermined number (for example, 15) of game balls corresponding to the number of bets has been taken in, the reels 541 to 543 of the reel device 503 are simultaneously or in a predetermined order. Start spinning. When the start lever 33 is operated, the main control unit 505 performs an internal lottery regarding a small role, replay (replay), bonus game, and the like. When the reels 541 to 543 are rotated, the symbols attached to the outer peripheral surface thereof are visually recognized in such a manner as to move from top to bottom through the viewing window 21.

  Thereafter, when the player operates the stop switches 35 to 37 in an arbitrary order, the rotation of the corresponding reels 541 to 543 is stopped in accordance with the operation timing of each of the stop switches 35 to 37. At this time, when the reels 541 to 543 are stopped, pull-in stop control for stopping a predetermined symbol at a specific position is appropriately performed. For example, when a small combination is established by an internal lottery, the stop symbols can be slid up to 4 symbols from the operation timing of the stop switches 35 to 37 so that the combination of the stop symbols in which the small combination is established (Stop symbol sliding is performed). Incidentally, after the start of the rotation of the reels 541 to 543, when the specified time elapses without the stop switches 35 to 37 being operated, the rotation of the reels 541 to 543 is stopped at that time.

  When the reels 541 to 543 are stopped (when the symbols are stopped), when the stopped symbols and the combinations thereof match the small role symbols and bonus symbols, the number of game balls corresponding to the winning combination at that time is paid out. In this case, the game ball is paid out to the upper plate 151 by driving the payout device 618.

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

  In the present embodiment, in the upper plate 151, the guide portion 163 extending from the bottom plate portion 161 to the front right side wall portion 167 through the step portion 163a is formed. Thereby, the game ball paid out to the storage part T from the payout mechanism 602 via the discharge port 165 does not easily enter the guide part 163 by colliding with the step part 163a. As a result, when the stop switches 35 to 37 are operated, the finger can be placed on the right side wall 167 and the finger can be placed on the guide 163 without being interrupted by the game ball. Further, when the stop switches 35 to 37 are continuously operated, the finger placed on the guide portion 163 can be slid without being interrupted by the game ball. Further, it is possible to prevent a game ball paid out from the payout mechanism 602 from hitting a finger hung on the front right side wall portion 167, and thus to prevent the player from feeling uncomfortable.

  In the present embodiment, the stepped portion 163a is formed to be substantially perpendicular to the bottom plate portion 161. Thereby, the game ball flowing toward the front right wall portion 167 collides with the step portion 163a. As a result, the game ball can be prevented from exceeding the stepped portion 163a.

  In the present embodiment, in the upper plate 151, the bottom plate portion 161 is formed in the back region (regions R1, R2) and the near region (regions R3 to R4). The back area is inclined downward toward the opening 164 and functions as a guide passage for guiding the game ball toward the opening 164. The guide part 163 was formed in the near side area | region which is the near side of this back area | region via the level | step-difference part 163a. Thereby, in the baseplate part 161, the back side area | region made to function as a guide passage is securable.

  In the present embodiment, in the height dimension from the bottom plate portion 161 of the stepped portion 163a, the height dimension of the portion on the side of the discharge port 165 formed in the back side wall portion 162b is at least the radial dimension (radial dimension r of the game ball). ) Larger. A game ball paid out from the payout mechanism 602 through the discharge port 165 is paid out toward the front side wall portion 162a and stored in the storage portion T. Therefore, by setting the height dimension of at least the discharge port 165 side of the stepped portion 163a as described above, it is possible to prevent the game ball to be paid out from exceeding the stepped portion 163a. Thereby, a finger can be suitably hung on the near right side wall part 167.

  In the present embodiment, the guide portion 163 is inclined downward from the near right side wall portion 167 toward the back thereof. Thereby, even if the game ball paid out from the payout mechanism 602 to the storage portion T collides with the stepped portion 163a and further exceeds the stepped portion 163a, it is difficult for the game ball to reach the front side wall portion. be able to. As a result, a finger can be suitably hung on the front right side wall portion 167.

  In the present embodiment, the guide portion 163 is formed to be lower than the upper end portion 167a of the front right wall portion 167. Thereby, when operating the stop switches 35 to 37, the back surface 167b of the right side wall portion 167 on the near side can be used as the finger hanging portion 167b, and the tip of the finger hung on the finger hanging portion 167b can be placed on the guide portion 163. . As a result, the operability of the stop switches 35 to 37 can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the height dimension L2 of the back surface (finger part) 167b of the front right side wall part 167 is made larger than the radius dimension r of the game ball. Thereby, even if a game ball is present in the guide portion 163, the game ball can be prevented from jumping out of the upper plate 151 beyond the right side wall portion 167. Thereby, it becomes possible to make the guide part 163 store the game ball overflowed in the storage part T, and the guide part 163 can be used as an auxiliary storage part.

  Further, as described above, the guide portion 163 is inclined downward from the front right side wall portion 167 toward the back thereof. Thereby, when using the guide part 163 as an auxiliary storage part, the stored game ball flows down to the storage part T along the inclination of the guide part 163. Thereby, guide part 163 can be used suitably as an auxiliary storage part.

  In the present embodiment, the upper right end 167a of the front right side wall 167 is chamfered. Thereby, when a finger is put on the front right side wall part 167 or when the finger is slid along the guide part 163, it is possible to prevent the finger from being damaged by the upper end part 167 a of the front right side wall part 167. . Further, when the upper plate unit 15 is attached to the front door body 11, the upper end portion 167 a of the front right side wall portion 167 overlaps the upper portion of the operation unit 30. Thereby, since the finger | toe hung on the near right side wall part 167 does not touch the boundary of the upper plate 151 and the operation part 30, it can prevent hurting a finger | toe at the said boundary.

  In the present embodiment, the distance L3 between the stop switches 35 to 37 and the back surface 167b of the front right wall 167 is substantially constant. Thereby, it is possible to improve the operability when the stop switches 35 to 37 are operated by placing a finger on the right side wall portion 167 on the front side.

  In the present embodiment, the guide portion 163 is formed to extend from the left stop switch 35 to the right of the right stop switch 37. Thereby, in all the operations of the stop switches 35 to 37, the tip of the finger hung on the front right side wall portion 167 can be placed on the guide portion 163, and the finger can be protected from the game ball. Moreover, since the guide part 163 is not formed on the left side of the left stop switch 35, it is possible to prevent the storage part T from being narrowed unnecessarily.

  In addition to the embodiment described above, for example, the following may be implemented.

  (1) Changes from the upper plate 151 of the above embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 50A to 50C are longitudinal sectional views of the upper plates 1000, 1100, and 1200 similar to the longitudinal sectional view of the upper plate 151 shown in FIG. The upper plate 1000 in FIG. 50A, the upper plate 1100 in FIG. 50B, and the upper plate 1200 in FIG. 50C are provided with bottom plate portions 1001, 1101, and 1201 similar to the upper plate 151, respectively. FIGS. 50A to 50C show the stop switch 36 in the above embodiment.

  First, in the above embodiment, the guide portion 163 reaching the front right side wall portion 167 via the step portion 163a which is substantially perpendicular to the bottom plate portion 161 is formed, as shown in FIG. Alternatively, a guide portion 1002 that reaches the near right side wall portion 1003 via a stepped portion 1002a inclined with respect to the bottom plate portion 1001 may be formed. Even in this case, the game ball flowing toward the front right wall portion 1003 collides with the stepped portion 1002a. Therefore, when a finger is put on the back surface (finger holding portion) 1003a of the front right side wall portion 1003 and the tip of the finger is placed on the guide portion 1002 and the stop switch 36 is operated, the finger is moved from the game ball as in the above embodiment. Can be protected.

  Next, in the above embodiment, the upper portion of the front side wall portion 162a including the front right side wall portion 167 is bent forward, and the upper end portion 167a serving as a bent portion of the front right side wall portion 167 is chamfered. As shown in b), the upper end 1103a may be chamfered without bending the front right wall 1103. In this case, when operating the stop switch 36 by placing a finger on the back surface (finger holding portion) 1103b of the front right side wall portion 1103, or when placing the finger on the guide portion 1102 and sliding the finger, the upper end portion 1103a It can be prevented from hurting.

  In the above embodiment, the back surface (finger portion) 167b of the front right wall portion 167 is formed as a flat surface. However, as shown in FIG. 50C, the back surface of the front right wall portion 1203 is changed. A (groove) 1203a may be formed with a groove 1204 extending in the left-right direction. Thereby, when a finger is hung on the back surface 1203 a of the front right wall 1203, the tip of the finger is accommodated in the concave groove 1204. As a result, the operability of each stop switch can be improved. Further, in this case, since the guide portion 1202 is formed from the bottom plate portion 1201 through the step portion 1202a to the front right wall portion 1203, the finger hung on the back surface 1203a of the front right wall portion 1203 is implemented from the game ball. It can be protected in the same manner as the above.

  (2) In the above embodiment, in the upper plate 151, the guide portion 163 is inclined downward from the front right side wall portion 167 toward the back, but this is changed to form the guide portion on a flat surface. Also good. Even in this case, the game ball flowing toward the front right wall portion 167 collides with the stepped portion 163a, so that the game ball can be prevented from reaching the front right wall portion 167. As a result, the finger hung on the back surface 167b of the front right wall 167 can be protected from the game ball. However, paying attention to the use of the guide portion as an auxiliary storage portion, it is preferable that the guide portion is formed to be inclined downward from the near right side wall portion 167 toward the back, similarly to the above embodiment.

  (3) In the above embodiment, in the upper plate 151, the height dimension L2 of the back surface 167b of the front right side wall portion 167 is made larger than the radius dimension of the game ball, but this is changed to change the height dimension L to the radius. You may set smaller than a dimension. Even in this case, the guide part 163 can be used as an auxiliary storage part. However, in order to prevent the game ball from jumping out of the upper plate 151 beyond the right side wall portion 167, the above embodiment is preferable.

  (4) In the above embodiment, in the upper plate 151, the guide portion 163 is formed to extend rightward from the left stop switch 35 to the right stop switch 37. However, this is changed and the left stop switch 35 is changed. The guide portion 163 may be formed in a range from the right stop switch 37 to the right side. Even when the guide portion 163 is formed in this way, the tip of the finger hung on the front right wall portion 167 can be placed on the guide portion 163 in all operations of the stop switches 35 to 37. Therefore, the finger hung on the front right wall 167 can be protected from the game ball.

  (5) The number of game balls inserted per bet, the maximum number of games inserted, the number of payouts, etc. of the game balls in the above embodiment are merely examples, and are not particularly limited to the above numerical values.

  (6) The ball-use type spinning cylinder machine 1 in the above embodiment does not necessarily have to be installed on Pachinko Island. In this case, the outer frame may not be a requirement, and the gaming machine main unit 3 may be supported by a housing or the like. Further, the game ball is not limited to a pachinko ball, and may be a metal ball other than a pachinko standard. Other than the metal sphere, for example, a ceramic sphere may be used.

It is a perspective view showing the whole gaming machine in one embodiment. It is a front view of a gaming machine. It is a perspective view which shows the internal open state of a gaming machine. It is a perspective view which shows the internal open state of a gaming machine. It is a rear view of a gaming machine. It is a figure which shows typically the outline | summary of the game machine main part and its opening / closing operation | movement. It is the perspective view which looked at the door block from back. It is a perspective view which decomposes | disassembles and shows the main structures of a door block. It is a perspective view which decomposes | disassembles and shows the main structures of a door block. It is a perspective view which isolate | separates and shows a front door body and an inner frame. It is a perspective view which isolate | separates and shows a front door body and an inner frame. It is a perspective view which isolate | separates and shows an upper cover part in a door block. It is a perspective view which shows the detailed structure of a locking device. It is a perspective view which shows the detailed structure of a locking device. It is a perspective view which shows the detailed structure of a locking device. It is a perspective view of an upper plate unit. (A) is the top view seen from the upper direction of the upper plate unit, (b) is the top view seen from the lower side of the upper plate unit. It is a disassembled perspective view of an upper plate unit. It is a perspective view of an upper plate. It is a top view of an upper plate. It is a perspective view which shows an upper plate and the cover member provided in this upper plate. It is the sectional view on the AA line in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a discharge operation transmission apparatus. It is a top view which shows the structure of the discharge operation transmission apparatus. It is a disassembled perspective view of a ball stopper. It is a top view which shows the structure of a ball stopper. It is a rear view which shows the state with which the intake unit was mounted | worn under the upper plate, and the state isolate | separated from the back side. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the operation state of a ball stopper and the flow of a game ball. It is a perspective view of an intake unit. It is a perspective view of an intake unit. It is a disassembled perspective view of an intake unit. It is sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of a taking-in apparatus. It is a disassembled perspective view of a taking-in apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a discharge gate member. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of a discharge gate member. It is a perspective view of a surface change block. It is a perspective view of a surface change block. It is a front view of a surface change block. It is a disassembled perspective view of a surface change block. It is a disassembled perspective view of a surface change block. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a front frame. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a reel apparatus. It is a perspective view of a payout block. It is a perspective view of a payout block. It is a rear view of a payout block. It is a perspective view which isolate | separates and shows a payout apparatus etc. from the payout block. It is a perspective view which shows the state which removed control devices from the payout block. It is a rear view which shows the state which removed control devices from the payout block. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the electrical structure of a game machine. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the top plate of three another structures.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Game machine, 4 ... Door block as a door body, 16 ... Taking-in unit as taking-in means, 33 ... Start lever as starting operation member, 35-37 ... Stop switch as stopping operation member, 38 ... Taking Bet switch as a loading operation member, 151... Upper plate as a ball receiving tray, 162 a... Side wall portion in front, 163. As a discharge port, 503... Reel device as a picture display device, 602.

Claims (1)

A door covering the front of the gaming machine,
A pattern display device for variably displaying the pattern;
A ball receiving portion having a front side wall portion and a back side wall portion, and storing a game ball between the both wall portions;
A spherical entrance provided on the back side wall and opening forward;
Dispensing means for paying out the game ball to the ball tray through the ball entrance;
Taking-in means for taking in a game ball via the ball outlet of the ball tray portion;
An operation unit for taking-in which is operated to cause the taking-in of the game ball by the taking-in means;
A plurality of stop operation parts arranged side by side in the width direction of the ball tray part on the front side of the front side wall part and operated to stop variable display of the pattern,
When a predetermined number of game balls are taken in by the take-in means, the variable display of the picture is allowed to start, and the pay-out means pays out the game balls according to the stop picture after the variable display is stopped. In the gaming machine to perform,
The ball inlet is provided at a position that is closer to one side in the width direction of the ball tray part in the ball tray part, and the ball outlet is provided at a position that is closer to the other side in the width direction in the ball tray part,
An overhang part provided on the front side wall part, located on the side of the ball outlet from the ball inlet, and securing a region for arranging the operation part for taking in the front side wall part by projecting backward;
Provided to be lower than the upper surface of the front side wall portion in the ball tray portion, and has a predetermined width from the front side wall portion to the back and continuously extends from the overhang portion to the other, A horizontally long region in which the player can operate each stop operation part with his / her finger placed;
A step portion formed so as to partition the horizontally long region and the storage region on the back side thereof,
The horizontally long region is formed such that a rear end portion thereof is positioned forward of a rear end portion of the overhang portion.

Images