JP6604693B1 - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A gaming machine with improved detection sensitivity of start lever operation is provided. A start lever is moved from an initial position that is a non-operating position to a maximum position that is a position where an operation amount with respect to the initial position is maximized via a detection position that is a position where an operation is detected. The tilt angle of the shaft 992 from the initial position to the detection position is 20% or more and 48% or less with respect to the tilt angle of the shaft 992 from the initial position to the maximum position. The distance from the tilting fulcrum to the tip of the start lever 990 is longer than the distance from the fulcrum to the rear end of the shaft 992. [Selection] Figure 15

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

  As a gaming machine, a slot machine including a plurality of reels in which a plurality of symbols are arranged, a start lever, a stop switch, and the like is known. The slot machine starts rotation of a plurality of reels when it is detected that the start lever has been operated after the game medium is inserted. Further, when the slot machine detects that a stop switch provided corresponding to each reel is operated, the rotation of the reel corresponding to the stop switch is stopped.

  As an example of the start lever, one disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. The start lever disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a reflecting portion at the tip of the shaft, and when the start lever is tilted, the direction of the reflecting portion changes. When the start lever is in a neutral state, the light from the light emitting element is reflected by the reflecting portion and enters the light receiving element, and the light receiving element outputs a signal (light receiving signal) indicating that the light is received. At this time, the control device that has acquired the light reception signal performs control to wait without starting the game. On the other hand, when the start lever is tilted, the light from the light emitting element is reflected in a direction different from the light receiving element side, and the light receiving element outputs a signal (non-light receiving signal) indicating that light is no longer received. . At this time, the control device that has acquired the non-light-receiving signal performs control to start the game.

JP 2005-21434 A

  When the start lever disclosed in Patent Document 1 is tilted, the start lever stops when an arbitrary portion of the start lever comes into contact with an arbitrary portion (referred to as a mechanical end) of the mounting counterpart member. However, if the start lever is not tilted to the position where it contacts the mechanical end (referred to as the maximum position), the non-light receiving signal is not output from the light receiving element, and the game is not started. In other words, the position (detection position) where it is detected that the start lever is tilted is substantially equal to the maximum position. For this reason, the player must operate the start lever to the maximum position (full stroke) when starting the game, and the response of the start lever is not good, that is, the detection sensitivity of the start lever operation is not good. I felt it.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine with improved detection sensitivity of start lever operation.

In order to achieve the above object, a gaming machine according to the present invention includes:
A gaming machine with a start lever having a shaft,
The start lever can be tilted from an initial position that is a non-operating position to a maximum position that is a position where an operation amount with respect to the initial position is maximized via a detection position that is a position where an operation is detected. ,
The tilt angle of the shaft from the initial position to the detection position is a value of 20% to 48% with respect to the tilt angle of the shaft from the initial position to the maximum position,
The distance from the fulcrum of tilting of the shaft to the tip of the start lever is longer than the distance from the fulcrum to the rear end of the shaft.

  According to such a configuration, the tilt angle of the shaft from the initial position to the detection position is 20% or more and 48% or less with respect to the tilt angle of the shaft from the initial position to the maximum position. Since the detection sensitivity of the lever is improved, the gameability of the gaming machine can be improved.

  According to the present invention, the detection sensitivity of the start lever operation can be improved.

An example of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention is shown and is a perspective view seen from the front side. FIG. 2 shows a reel unit, where (a) is a perspective view seen from the front side, (b) is a perspective view seen from the front side with the reel removed, and (c) is a state with the reel tape removed. It is the perspective view seen from the front side. It is a figure which shows an example of an excitation pattern similarly. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing details of the reel, as seen from the front side. FIG. 4 shows details of the reel tape, where (a) is a perspective view seen from the front side, (b) is an explanatory diagram of a symbol, and (c) is an explanatory diagram of a symbol region. FIG. 2 shows a backlight device, wherein (a) is a perspective view of the backlight device attached to the reel as viewed from the front side, and (b) is a diagram of the reflector as viewed from the front side. FIG. 3 is an axial sectional view of the reel with the backlight device attached thereto. FIG. 2 shows a reflector, wherein (a) is a vertical sectional view of the reflector attached to the reel, and (b) is a horizontal sectional view of the reflector attached to the reel. FIG. 3 is an axial sectional view of the reel with the backlight device attached thereto. FIG. 3 is an axial sectional view of the reel with the backlight device attached thereto. 1 shows a reel unit of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a view seen from the front side. FIG. 3 is an axial sectional view of the start lever unit. FIG. 3 is an axial sectional view of the start lever unit in a state where the start lever is tilted downward. FIG. 6 is an axial sectional view for explaining detection of the operation of the start lever. FIG. 6 is an axial sectional view for explaining the characteristics of the operation of the start lever. FIG. 6 is an axial sectional view for explaining the characteristics of the operation of the start lever. It is a figure which shows the tilt distance and tilt angle of an operation part similarly. FIG. 3 is an axial sectional view of the MAX bet button. It is an axial sectional view of the stop button. It is a figure which shows the operation load of a start lever, a MAX bet button, and a stop button. The medal insertion unit is shown, and is an exploded perspective view from the left front side. In the gaming machine of Embodiment 1 of this invention, the medal insertion part is shown and it is the perspective view seen from the lower back. The rail rear member and the sensor unit are shown, and are perspective views seen from the front side. The rail rear member and the sensor unit are shown, and are perspective views seen from the rear side. The rail front member is shown and is a perspective view seen from the rear side. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a medal insertion portion, a rail rear member, a rail front member, and a sensor unit, as viewed from the lower front side. The rail rear member, the rail front member, and the selector are shown and are perspective views seen from the rear side. FIG. 4 is a perspective view seen from the front side for explaining a state in which a large diameter medal is hung on a medal slot. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view seen from the side for explaining a state where a large-diameter medal is hung on a medal slot. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The reel of the game machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention is shown, (a) is a part of axial sectional drawing, (b) is a figure which shows the state which attached the reel tape to the reel tape support part.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, a slot machine which is one of the gaming machines will be described. However, the gaming machine according to the present invention is not limited to a slot machine and may be other gaming machines such as a pachinko gaming machine. In the following description, “front and back” basically means that when there is a player on the front side of the slot machine, the player side is “front”, the slot machine side is “rear”, and “up and down” Means the top side of the slot machine is “up”, the bottom side is “down”, “left and right” means the left hand side of the player who plays the slot machine means “left”, and the right hand side means “right” To do.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a slot machine (game machine) 10 according to the present invention includes a box-shaped housing 11 having a front surface that is a surface facing the player side, and a front-side opening of the housing 11. The front door 12 is provided. The casing 11 houses a reel unit 100 in which the first reel 60, the second reel 70, and the third reel 80 that are rotatable are unitized, a hopper device that pays out medals, and the like. The front door 12 is divided into an upper door 12a and a lower door 12b. The upper door 12a and the lower door 12b can be opened and closed with respect to the housing 11, respectively.

  The upper door 12 a is provided with a production device such as a liquid crystal display 13 and a speaker 14, and a display window 16. The liquid crystal display 13 displays various effect images (moving images, still images). The speaker 14 outputs sounds for various effects (music, sound effects, voice, etc.). In addition to the liquid crystal display and the speaker, a lighting device such as a lamp (LED), a movable accessory that can be operated by an actuator, or the like may be provided as an effect device.

  Behind the display window 16, the reel unit 100 is disposed so that a part of the reel unit 100 is visible from the outside of the display window 16. Although details will be described later, a plurality of types of symbols are arranged in a line along the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of each reel 60, 70, 80, and when each reel 60, 70, 80 stops, the display window 16 3 consecutive symbol areas (upper symbol area, middle symbol area and lower symbol area) per reel are displayed. One symbol is displayed within the range of each symbol region. The display window 16 is provided with an upper stage, a middle stage, and a lower stage as display positions for visually recognizing the symbols of the reels 60, 70, and 80. Depending on the combination of the display positions of the reels 60, 70, and 80, An active line is set. In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, an effective line is configured by the middle stage of the first reel 60, the middle stage of the second reel 70, and the middle stage of the third reel 80. Further, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the number of medals required for one game (specified number) is set to three, and when the specified number of medals are inserted, the effective line is activated. It has come to be.

  In the slot machine 10, the reels 60, 70, and 80 start rotating as the game starts, and a winning combination lottery is executed to determine a winning combination or a loss (unwinning) of the winning combination. Next, when each reel 60, 70, 80 is stopped, if the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination won in the winning combination lottery is displayed on the active line, the winning combination is won and the winning combination corresponding to the winning combination is displayed. The process (winning process) is performed.

  The lower door 12b has a medal slot 821 for inserting medals, a MAX bet button (bet button) 23 for betting credited medals, and a start lever 990 that is operated when starting a game. A stop button 26 (stop button 26a, stop button 26b and stop button 26c) for stopping each reel 60, 70, 80, a payout port 27 for paying out medals by the hopper device, and a medal paid out from the payout port 27 A medal receiving tray 28 and the like are provided. In addition, a medal sensor that detects passage of medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 821 is provided behind the medal insertion slot 821.

  Inside the slot machine 10, a main control board (main control apparatus) and a sub control board (sub control apparatus) are provided. The main control board receives input signals from the input means such as the MAX bet button 23, the start lever 990, the stop buttons 26a to 26c, and the medal sensor, performs various calculations for executing the game, and based on the calculation results Control of output means such as the reel unit 100 and the hopper device is performed. The sub-control board receives signals sent from the main control board, performs various calculations for performing effects, and controls the apparatus for effects such as the liquid crystal display 13 and the speaker 14 based on the calculation results. I do.

  In addition, the main control board and the sub control board are electrically connected, and various information (signals) such as information indicating a gaming state can be transmitted from the main control board to the sub control board. Information cannot be transmitted from the control board to the main control board. The functions of each board such as the main control board and the sub control board are stored in advance in various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), IC, hardware such as information storage media such as ROM and RAM, ROM, and the like. It is realized by software consisting of a predetermined program.

  The main control board validates the operation of the start lever 990 when a medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot 821 or when the MAX bet button 23 is operated and a prescribed number of medals are bet. When the activated start lever 990 is operated, the game is started. When the activated start lever 990 is operated, the main control board drives the stepping motors SM1 to SM3 (see FIG. 2) to start the rotation of the reels 60, 70, and 80, and uses the random number value. Draw an internal lottery. In addition, the main control board sets the stop buttons 26a to 26c on the condition that the rotational speed of each reel 60, 70, 80 has increased to a predetermined speed (about 80 rpm: a rotational speed of about 80 revolutions per minute). Enable the push operation. When the stop buttons 26a to 26c are pressed, the stop switches incorporated in the stop buttons 26a to 26c are turned on, and the reel stop signal input to the main control board changes from the off state to the on state. When the pressing operation of the stop buttons 26a to 26c is released, the stop switch is turned off, and the reel stop signal input to the main control board changes from the on state to the off state. Based on the change of the reel stop signal from the OFF state to the ON state, the main control board determines the reel stop position corresponding to the pressing operation according to the result of the internal lottery (the lottery flag setting state). Control is performed to stop the reel at a stop position (designated predetermined stop position). At this time, each reel 60, 70, 80 is designed to stop at a designed stop position (that is, an appropriate stop position) unless a stop position shift due to a software problem or the like occurs.

  Next, the reel unit 100 accommodated in the housing 11 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2A, the reel unit 100 includes a first reel 60, a second reel 70, a third reel 80, a support frame 90, and the like. As shown in FIG. 2B, the support frame 90 includes an upper frame 91, a lower frame 92, a left frame 93, a right frame 94, motor frames 95a, 95b, and 95c, a back cover 96, and the like.

  The upper frame 91 and the lower frame 92 are formed in a long bar shape or a long plate shape, and are arranged inside the housing 11 in a state where the longitudinal direction is aligned with the left-right direction. The left frame 93 is formed in a rod shape, and connects the left end of the upper frame 91 and the left end of the lower frame 92. The right frame 94 is formed in a rod shape, and connects the right end of the upper frame 91 and the right end of the lower frame 92.

  The motor frames 95a to 95c are formed in a substantially circular plate shape, and are arranged side by side with their axial directions coinciding with the left-right direction and spaced apart by a predetermined interval. The motor frames 95 a to 95 c have upper ends connected to the upper frame 91 and lower ends connected to the lower frame 92. A stepping motor SM1 is fixed to the central portion of the motor frame 95a. A stepping motor SM2 is fixed at the center of the motor frame 95b. A stepping motor SM3 is fixed at the center of the motor frame 95c. The back cover 96 has a shape that covers the back side of each reel 60, 70, 80, and has an upper end connected to the upper frame 91 and a lower end connected to the lower frame 92.

  As shown in FIG. 2C, the shaft of the stepping motor SM <b> 1 is connected to a hub 61 that is the central portion of the first reel 60. As a result, the first reel 60 is rotationally driven by the stepping motor SM1. Further, the shaft of the stepping motor SM <b> 2 is connected to the hub 71 that is the central portion of the second reel 70. As a result, the second reel 70 is driven to rotate by the stepping motor SM2. Further, the shaft of the stepping motor SM3 is coupled to a hub 81 that is the central portion of the third reel 80. As a result, the third reel 80 is rotationally driven by the stepping motor SM3.

  Stepping motors SM1 to SM3 are four-phase stepping motors. Each of the stepping motors SM1 to SM3 includes a rotor and a stator having a first phase coil, a second phase coil, a third phase coil, and a fourth phase coil. Stepping motors SM1 to SM3 alternately repeat a step of supplying a one-phase excitation pulse for turning on one coil and a step of supplying a two-phase excitation pulse for turning on one coil and another adjacent coil. With 1-2 phase excitation, each step 60, 70, 80 is displaced by 504 step update (displacement of 252 step angle) by displacing by half step angle (1 step angle by 2 step update) by 1 step update of excitation pulse. It is rotated once. The stepping motors SM1 to SM3 have a step angle of about 1.43 ° and an interruption time t for updating the excitation pulse by one step is 1.49 ms.

  The reels 60, 70, and 80 are normally rotated by updating the excitation patterns of the stepping motors SM1 to SM3 in the order of the circles shown in FIG. Further, when each reel 60, 70, 80 is stopped, all coils of the first phase to the fourth phase are excited (all phase excitation), and after the reels 60, 70, 80 are stopped, the first Stop excitation for all coils in phase to phase 4.

  The excitation patterns may be updated in an order other than that shown in FIG. For example, the reels 60, 70, 80 can be reversed (reversed) by updating the excitation pattern in the reverse order to that shown in FIG. The excitation method, the number of phases of the stepping motor, and the number of steps are not limited to those in the present embodiment. The present invention can be applied by appropriately reading according to the excitation method, the number of phases of the stepping motor, the number of steps, and the like.

Next, details of the reels 60, 70, and 80 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The first reel 60 has a hub 61 that is a central portion thereof, a rim 62 that is a peripheral (outer peripheral) portion, a spoke 63 that extends radially from the hub 61 and connects the hub 61 and the rim 62, and is shown in FIG. And a reel tape 64. The rim 62 includes two rings 62a and 62a that are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the left-right direction, and a connecting piece 62b that extends in the left-right direction and connects them to each other. A reel tape 64 shown in FIG. 5 is wound around the outer periphery of the rim 62.
The second reel 70 includes a hub 71 that is a central portion thereof, a rim 72 that is a peripheral (outer peripheral) portion, a spoke 73 that extends radially from the hub 71 and connects the hub 71 and the rim 72, and FIG. And a reel tape 74. The rim 72 includes two rings 72a and 72a that are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the left-right direction, and a connecting piece 72b that extends in the left-right direction and connects them. A reel tape 74 shown in FIG. 5 is wound around the outer periphery of the rim 72.
The third reel 80 includes a hub 81 that is a central portion thereof, a rim 82 that is a peripheral (peripheral) portion, a spoke 83 that extends radially from the hub 81 and connects the hub 81 and the rim 82, and is shown in FIG. And a reel tape 84. The rim 82 includes two rings 82a and 82a that are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the left-right direction, and a connecting piece 82b that extends in the left-right direction and connects them. A reel tape 84 shown in FIG. 5 is wound around the outer periphery of the rim 82.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the reel tapes 64, 74, and 84 are translucent belt-like sheet members, and a plurality of types of symbols are printed by printing or the like along the longitudinal direction (circumferential direction). ing. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5B, a case where 21 symbols are written on the reel tapes 64, 74, and 84 will be described. The symbol area, which is an area including one symbol, is defined by dividing the peripheral surface of the reel tape by the number of symbols. 24 steps (12 step angles) of the stepping motors SM1 to SM3 are equally allocated to each symbol area (one frame). As shown in FIG. 5C, when the reels 60, 70, 80 are stopped, three symbol areas are visually recognized for each reel through the display window 16. The symbol area that appears at the upper display position when each reel stops is called the upper symbol area, the symbol area that appears at the middle display position is called the middle symbol area, and the symbol area that appears at the lower display position is called the lower symbol area. In FIG. 5C, blue 7, replay, and bell as an example of a predetermined upper symbol are displayed in the upper symbol region, and red 7 as an example of a predetermined middle symbol is displayed in the middle symbol region. In the symbol area, a watermelon blue 7 as an example of a predetermined lower symbol is displayed.

  Note that the reel tapes 64, 74, and 84 may be reels (20-frame reels) in a 20 symbol area. In this case, a symbol area to which 26 steps (13 step angles) are assigned and a symbol area to which 24 steps (12 step angles) are assigned are provided.

  Next, referring to FIGS. 6 to 8, when each reel 60, 70, 80 is stopped, light is emitted to the upper symbol area, the middle symbol area, and the lower symbol area of each reel 60, 70, 80. The light device 150 will be described. The backlight device 150 is provided at a position on the inner side (back side) in the radial direction of three symbol regions (upper symbol region, middle symbol region, and lower symbol region) of each reel 60, 70, 80. Hereinafter, the backlight device 150 provided on the inner peripheral side of the first reel 60 will be described, but the same applies to the backlight device 150 provided on the inner peripheral side of the second reel 70 and the third reel 80. It is a configuration.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the backlight device 150 includes an LED (light source) 200, an LED substrate (light source substrate) 210, and a reflector 220 that regulates a range of light emitted from the LED 200. The LED 200 is mounted on the LED substrate 210. The LED substrate 210 is held by the reflector 220. This holding is realized, for example, by providing a claw portion on the back side of the reflector 220 and engaging the LED substrate 210 with the claw portion. The reflector 220 (that is, the backlight device 150) holding the LED board 210 is connected to the motor frame 52a shown in FIG. For this connection, for example, as shown in FIG. 6A, a plate-like connecting portion 220a is provided on one side (right side) of the reflector 220, and the connecting portion 220a and the motor frame 52a are tightened with screws. Realized by fixing.

  The LED substrate 210 is a rectangular plate-like member, and is held by the reflector 220 in such a posture that its longitudinal direction substantially coincides with the vertical direction. The LED substrate 210 is disposed at a position on the radially inner side of the first reel 60 via the reflector 220. In other words, the reflector 220 is disposed between the outer peripheral side (reel tape 64) of the first reel 60 and the LED substrate 210. Here, as shown in FIG. 7, when the tangent at the center of the middle symbol area on the outer periphery of the first reel 60 is a tangent S and the straight line perpendicular to the tangent S is a straight line T, the LED board 210 is mounted The surface U is arranged so as to be substantially orthogonal to the straight line T. In other words, the tangent line S and the mounting surface U are substantially parallel.

  Returning to FIG. The LED 200 includes an upper LED (upper light source) 201 disposed at a position on the back side of the upper symbol area, a middle LED (middle light source) 202 disposed at a position on the rear side of the middle symbol area, and a lower symbol. There is a lower LED (lower light source) 203 arranged at a position on the back side of the region. In other words, the upper LED 201, the middle LED 202, and the lower LED 203 are arranged on the LED substrate 210 at predetermined intervals along the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, the upper LED 201, the middle LED 202, and the lower LED 203 are arranged in such a manner that three LEDs are arranged in a line in the left-right direction. However, even if the number of LEDs is two or less, four LEDs are used. It may be more than one. Moreover, LED may be arranged in 2 or more rows.

  The reflector 220 has a room (space) 229 surrounded by a wall portion extending from the radially inner side (the LED substrate 210 side) of the first reel 60 toward the radially outer side (the outer peripheral surface side) of the first reel 60. Three of the first reels 60 are continuously arranged along the circumferential direction. As shown in FIG. 6B, the reflector 220 has, as a wall portion, a left wall portion 221 that extends along the circumferential direction of the first reel 60 and is spaced apart in the axial direction of the first reel 60, and A right wall 222, an upper wall 223, an upper partition 225, and a lower partition that extend along the axial direction (left-right direction) of the first reel 60 and are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the first reel 60. 226 and a lower wall portion 224. The reflector 220 has a rectangular outer shape when viewed from the front, and is arranged in such a posture that its longitudinal direction substantially coincides with the vertical direction. In addition, an edge of the reflector 220 on the outer periphery side of the first reel 60 has an arc shape along the outer periphery of the first reel 60.

  The left wall portion 221 and the right wall portion 222 are formed so that their base end portions (base end portions on the radially inner side of the first reel 60) are parallel to each other. The one reel 60 is formed so as to be separated toward the outer side in the radial direction.

  The upper partition 225 has a first partition 225a and a second partition 225b. The lower partition 226 has a third partition 226a and a fourth partition 226b. The upper wall portion 223 and the first partition wall portion 225a are formed so that their base end portions (base end portions on the inner side in the radial direction of the first reel 60) are parallel to each other. The one reel 60 is formed so as to be separated toward the outer side in the radial direction. The second partition wall portion 225b and the third partition wall portion 226a are formed so that their base end portions (base end portions on the radially inner side of the first reel 60) are parallel to each other. The first reel 60 is formed so as to be separated toward the outer side in the radial direction. The fourth partition wall portion 226b and the lower wall portion 224 are formed so that their base ends (base ends on the inner side in the radial direction of the first reel 60) are parallel to each other. The one reel 60 is formed so as to be separated toward the outer side in the radial direction. The base end portions of the upper wall portion 223, the lower wall portion 224, the first partition wall portion 225a, the second partition wall portion 225b, the third partition wall portion 226a, and the fourth partition wall portion 226b are parallel to each other. Moreover, the upper wall part 223, the lower wall part 224, the 1st partition part 225a, the 2nd partition part 225b, the 3rd partition part 226a, and the front-end | tip part of the 4th partition part 226b are mutually parallel.

  The first partition wall 225a and the second partition wall 225b are closer in distance from the radially inner side of the first reel 60 toward the radially outer side of the first reel 60, and on the outer peripheral side of the first reel 60, the upper partition wall The top of the part 225 is formed. Further, the third partition wall portion 226a and the fourth partition wall portion 226b are closer in distance from the radially inner side of the first reel 60 toward the radially outer side of the first reel 60, and on the outer peripheral side of the first reel 60, The top part of the lower partition part 226 is formed.

  In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the left wall portion 221, the right wall portion 222, the upper wall portion 223, the lower wall portion 224, the first partition wall portion 225a, the second partition wall portion 225b, and the third partition wall portion 226a. The fourth partition wall portion 226b has a shape that extends in a straight line from the radially inner side to the outer side of the first reel 60, but is not limited to such a shape. For example, each wall portion may have a shape such that the room 229 expands stepwise in a plurality of stages from the radially inner side to the outer side of the first reel 60, or may have a curved surface shape. .

  As shown in FIG. 7, in each room 229, the openings (outer peripheral side upper stage opening 228 a, outer peripheral side middle stage opening 228 b, and outer peripheral side lower stage opening 228 c) located on the radially outer side of the first reel 60 are The openings are larger than the openings located on the radially inner side (the inner peripheral side upper stage opening 227a, the inner peripheral side middle stage opening 227b, and the inner peripheral side lower stage opening 227c). Further, the upper LED 201 is exposed from the inner peripheral upper opening 227a, the middle LED 202 is exposed from the inner peripheral middle opening 227b, and the lower LED 203 is exposed from the inner peripheral lower opening 227c.

  The reflector 220 has three rooms 229, and divides the light emitted from the LEDs 200 (upper LED 201, middle LED 202 and lower LED 203) into an upper irradiation range, a middle irradiation range, and a lower irradiation range, and The light guides the light to the inner peripheral surface (rear surface) of the reel tape 64.

  In principle, the light in the upper irradiation range irradiates the upper symbol area. In addition, a part (lower end side) of light in the upper stage irradiation range may irradiate a part (upper end side) of the middle stage design area. In addition, the light in the middle stage irradiation range, as a rule, irradiates the middle stage design area. In addition, a part (upper end side or lower end side) of light in the middle stage irradiation range may irradiate a part (lower end side) of the upper design area or a part (upper end side) of the lower design area. In addition, the light in the lower irradiation range irradiates the lower symbol area in principle. In addition, a part (upper end side) of light in the lower irradiation range may irradiate a part (lower end side) of the middle symbol area.

  Returning to FIG. The room 229 located in the upper stage determines the range of light emitted from the upper LED 201 (upper irradiation range). The room 229 includes a left wall portion 221 that restricts the left end of the upper irradiation range, a right wall portion 222 that restricts the right end of the upper irradiation range, an upper wall portion 223 that restricts the upper end of the upper irradiation range, and an upper irradiation range. It is comprised so that it may be enclosed by the 1st partition part 225a which regulates the lower end of this.

  The room 229 located in the middle stage determines the range of light emitted from the middle stage LED 202 (middle stage irradiation range). The room 229a includes a left wall part 221 that regulates the left end of the middle stage irradiation range, a right wall part 222 that regulates the right end of the middle stage irradiation range, a second partition wall part 225b that regulates the upper end of the middle stage irradiation range, and a middle stage irradiation. It is comprised so that it may be enclosed by the 3rd partition part 226a which controls the lower end of a range.

  The room 229 located in the lower stage determines the range of light emitted from the lower LED 203 (lower stage irradiation range). The room 229 includes a left wall 221 that regulates the left end of the lower irradiation range, a right wall 222 that regulates the right end of the lower irradiation range, a fourth partition wall 226b that regulates the upper end of the lower irradiation range, and lower irradiation. It is comprised so that it may be enclosed by the lower wall part 224 which controls the lower end of a range.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, a straight line that passes through the base end side (LED substrate 210 side) end of the left wall 221 and is orthogonal to the mounting surface of the LED substrate 210 is defined as a straight line L1. The left wall portion 221 is inclined leftward with respect to the straight line L1 from the radially inner side of the first reel 60 toward the radially outer side of the first reel 60. Further, a straight line passing through the end of the right wall 222 on the base end side (LED substrate 210 side) and orthogonal to the mounting surface of the LED substrate 210 is defined as a straight line L2. The right wall 222 is inclined rightward with respect to the straight line L2 from the radially inner side of the first reel 60 toward the radially outer side of the first reel 60.

  The inclination angle θ1 of the left wall portion 221 with respect to the straight line L1 determines the left end of the upper stage irradiation range, the middle stage irradiation range, and the lower stage irradiation range. That is, the inclination angle θ1 is an angle at which light emitted from the upper LED 201, the middle LED 202, and the lower LED 203 is guided to the left end of the upper symbol area, the middle symbol area, and the lower symbol area of the first reel 60. In other words, the inclination angle θ1 is an angle that regulates the left end of the light emitted from the LED 200. For example, when three LEDs are arranged in a line in the left-right direction, the inclination angle θ1 regulates the left end of the light emitted from the leftmost LED and the light emitted from the centrally located LED. It is an angle.

  The inclination angle θ2 of the right wall portion 222 with respect to the straight line L2 determines the right end of the upper stage irradiation range, the middle stage irradiation range, and the lower stage irradiation range. That is, the inclination angle θ2 is an angle at which light emitted from the upper LED 201, the middle LED 202, and the lower LED 203 is guided to the right end of the upper symbol area, the middle symbol area, and the lower symbol area of the first reel 60. In other words, the inclination angle θ2 is an angle that regulates the right end of the light emitted from the LED 200. For example, when three LEDs are arranged in a line in the left-right direction, the inclination angle θ2 regulates the right end of the light emitted from the rightmost LED and the light emitted from the centrally located LED. It is an angle.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, a straight line that passes through the end of the upper wall 223 on the base end side (the LED substrate 210 side) and is orthogonal to the mounting surface of the LED substrate 210 is defined as a straight line L3. The upper wall portion 223 is inclined upward with respect to the straight line L3 from the radially inner side of the first reel 60 toward the radially outer side of the first reel 60. In addition, a straight line that passes through the end of the first partition 225a on the base end side (the LED substrate 210 side) and is orthogonal to the LED substrate 210 is defined as a straight line L4. The first partition wall 225a is inclined downward with respect to the straight line L4 from the radial inner side of the first reel 60 toward the radial outer side of the first reel 60.

  A straight line passing through the end of the second partition wall 225b on the base end side (LED substrate 210 side) and orthogonal to the mounting surface of the LED substrate 210 is defined as a straight line L5. The second partition wall 225b is inclined upward with respect to the straight line L5 from the radially inner side of the first reel 60 toward the radially outer side of the first reel 60. Further, a straight line passing through the end of the third partition wall portion 226a on the base end side (LED substrate 210 side) and orthogonal to the mounting surface of the LED substrate 210 is defined as a straight line L6. The third partition wall 226a is inclined downward with respect to the straight line L6 from the radially inner side of the first reel 60 toward the radially outer side of the first reel 60.

  A straight line passing through the end of the fourth partition wall portion 226b on the base end side (LED substrate 210 side) and orthogonal to the mounting surface of the LED substrate 210 is defined as a straight line L7. The fourth partition wall 226b is inclined upward with respect to the straight line L7 from the radially inner side of the first reel 60 toward the radially outer side of the first reel 60. In addition, a straight line that passes through the end of the lower wall portion 224 on the base end side (the LED substrate 210 side) and is orthogonal to the mounting surface of the LED substrate 210 is defined as a straight line L8. The lower wall portion 224 is inclined downward with respect to the straight line L8 from the radially inner side of the first reel 60 toward the radially outer side of the first reel 60.

  The inclination angle θ3 of the upper wall portion 223 with respect to the straight line L3 determines the upper end of the upper stage irradiation range. The inclination angle θ3 is equal to the upper LED 201 even when the first reel 60 stops by one step angle (about 1.43 °) with respect to the designed stop position and deviates from the reverse direction of the first reel 60. Is an angle at which the light emitted from is guided to the upper end of the upper symbol area. At this time, the straight line connecting the position of the upper LED 201 and the end of the upper wall 223 on the outer peripheral side of the first reel 60 is defined as a straight line P1, and the first reel 60 is rotated in the reverse direction with respect to the designed stop position. When the position of the upper end of the upper symbol area when rotated by one step angle is Q1, Q1 is on the straight line P1 or below the straight line P1. In the above description, the light reaches the upper end of the upper symbol area. However, any light may be used as long as it reaches the upper end of a predetermined upper symbol that can be displayed in the upper symbol area. The predetermined upper symbol is, for example, the symbol having the largest area (the largest dimension in the vertical direction) among all symbols that can be displayed in the upper column, but the light transmittance of all symbols that can be displayed in the upper column. May be a symbol that is conspicuous when it is relatively high and part of it is not shining.

  The inclination angle θ4 of the first partition wall 225a with respect to the straight line L4 determines the lower end of the upper stage irradiation range. In addition, the inclination angle θ5 of the second partition wall portion 225b with respect to the straight line L5 determines the upper end of the middle stage irradiation range. The inclination angles θ4 and θ5 are such that the lower end of the upper irradiation range coincides with the upper end of the middle irradiation range, or that the lower end of the upper irradiation range and the upper end of the middle irradiation range slightly overlap. The angle is such that the light emitted from the middle LED 202 is guided. This is to prevent the luminance from decreasing at the boundary between the upper symbol area and the middle symbol area.

  The inclination angle θ6 of the third partition wall portion 226a with respect to the straight line L6 determines the lower end of the middle stage irradiation range. In addition, the inclination angle θ7 of the fourth partition wall portion 226b with respect to the straight line L7 determines the upper end of the lower irradiation range. The inclination angles θ6 and θ7 are set so that the lower end of the middle irradiation range coincides with the upper end of the lower irradiation range, or the middle LED 202 and the upper end of the lower irradiation range slightly overlap with each other. The angle is such that light emitted from the lower LED 203 is guided. This is to prevent the luminance from decreasing at the boundary between the middle symbol region and the lower symbol region.

  The inclination angle θ8 of the lower wall portion 224 with respect to the straight line L8 determines the lower end of the lower irradiation range. This inclination angle θ8 is lower even when the first reel 60 stops by one step angle (about 1.43 °) with respect to the designed stop position and deviates from the normal rotation direction of the first reel 60. The angle is such that the light emitted from the LED 203 is guided to the lower end of the lower symbol area. At this time, a straight line connecting the position of the lower LED 203 and the outer peripheral end of the first reel 60 in the lower wall portion 224 is defined as a straight line P2, and the first reel 60 is rotated in the forward direction with respect to the designed stop position. When the position of the lower end of the lower symbol area when rotated by one step angle is Q2, Q2 is on the straight line P2 or above the straight line P2. In the above description, the light reaches the lower end of the lower symbol area. However, any light may be used as long as the light reaches the lower end of a predetermined lower symbol that can be displayed in the lower symbol area. The predetermined lower symbol is, for example, the symbol having the largest area (the largest vertical dimension) among all symbols that can be displayed in the lower column, but the light transmittance of all symbols that can be displayed in the lower column. It may be a symbol or the like that is conspicuous when the is relatively high and part of it is not shining.

Here, the end portion on the radially outer side (outer peripheral side) of the lower wall portion 224 is defined as a lower tip portion 224a. The lower tip 224a regulates the lower end of the light irradiation range (lower irradiation range). Further, an end portion on the radially outer side (outer peripheral side) of the upper wall portion 223 is referred to as an upper tip portion 223a. The upper tip 223a regulates the upper end of the light irradiation range (upper irradiation range).
Even when the reel (first reel 60) stops by shifting by one step angle in the forward rotation direction with respect to the designed stop position, the lower LED 203 (light source) and the lower tip 224a are connected, and the first reel 60 The light traveling on the straight line leading to reaches the lower end of the predetermined lower symbol. For this reason, it can prevent that the visibility of a lower stage design falls. At this time, the light that travels on the straight line that connects the upper LED 201 (light source) and the upper tip 223a and reaches the first reel 60 does not reach the lower end of the symbol adjacent to the upper portion of the upper symbol. As a result, the visibility of the lower symbol can be prevented from lowering, and the lower end of the symbol that should not be illuminated (that is, the symbol adjacent to the upper portion of the upper symbol) is irradiated with light, thereby preventing the player from misidentifying it. .
Further, even when the reel (first reel 60) stops in the reverse rotation direction by one step angle with respect to the designed stop position, the upper LED 201 (light source) and the upper tip 223a are connected to each other, and the first reel Light traveling on a straight line reaching 60 reaches the upper end of a predetermined upper symbol. For this reason, it can prevent that the visibility of an upper stage design falls. At this time, the light that travels on a straight line that connects the lower LED 203 (light source) and the lower tip 224a and reaches the first reel 60 does not reach the upper end of the symbol adjacent to the lower portion of the lower symbol. As a result, the visibility of the upper symbol can be prevented from being lowered, and the upper end of the symbol that should not be illuminated (that is, the symbol adjacent to the lower symbol) is irradiated with light, thereby preventing the player from misidentifying it. it can.

  Further, when the first reel 60 is configured to stop at the lower end of the lower symbol area when the first reel 60 stops in the forward rotation direction by one step angle with respect to the designed stop position, When one reel 60 is configured to be shifted to the reverse direction by one step angle with respect to the designed stop position and stop when light reaches the upper end of the upper symbol area, it is displayed in one symbol area. The area of the symbol can be increased, the visibility of the symbol can be improved, and the symbol is always illuminated if it is placed within the symbol area, so the symbol is placed on the reel tape. When drawing, it is possible to save the trouble of examining how far the light reaches, and it is easy to design and increases the degree of freedom of design.

  The angles θ3 and θ8 shown in FIG. 8B are larger than the angles θ4 to θ7. Further, when the first reel 60 is stopped by being shifted by 2 to 3 step angles with respect to the designed stop position with respect to the reverse rotation direction of the first reel 60, the upper LED 201 irradiates the inclination angle θ3. It may be an angle at which light is guided to the upper end of the upper symbol area. Further, when the first reel 60 is stopped by being shifted from the designed stop position by 2 to 3 step angles with respect to the normal rotation direction of the first reel 60, the lower LED 203 emits the inclination angle θ8. The angle at which the light to be guided to the lower end of the lower symbol area may be set.

  Even when the reels 60, 70, 80 are stopped by being shifted by N step angles (N is an integer of 1 to 3) on the forward rotation side (forward direction) or the reverse rotation side (reverse direction) with respect to the designed stop position. Since the light of the LED 200 illuminates to the upper end of the upper symbol and the lower end of the lower symbol, the visibility of the symbol is reduced even when the reels 60, 70, 80 are displaced and stopped. Can be prevented.

Even when the reels 60, 70, and 80 are stopped by shifting by one step angle in the forward direction, the lower end of the predetermined lower symbol can be prevented from being lowered by being illuminated to the lower end of the predetermined lower symbol. . Also, at this time, the light does not reach the lower end of the symbol adjacent to the upper part of the upper symbol, so that the light does not reach the symbol that should not be illuminated and prevents the player from misidentifying it. it can.
Further, even when the reels 60, 70, and 80 are stopped by being shifted by one step angle in the reverse direction, the visibility of the upper symbol is reduced by illuminating the upper end of the predetermined upper symbol. Can be prevented. Also, at this time, the light does not reach the upper end of the symbol adjacent to the lower part of the lower symbol, so that the light does not reach the symbol that should not be illuminated and prevents the player from misidentifying it. it can.

As described above, the effect of the present invention can be sufficiently exerted if it is illuminated to the lower end of the lower symbol when stopped in the positive direction by one step angle, but the reels 60, 70, 80 Even when stopped in the positive direction by two step angles, the lower end of the predetermined lower symbol is illuminated to prevent the lower symbol from being reduced in many cases. it can. In addition, at this time, the light does not reach the lower end of the symbol adjacent above the upper symbol, so that in many cases where the deviation occurs, the light reaches the symbol that should not be illuminated, It can prevent the player from misidentifying.
Further, when the light beam is stopped by being shifted by one step angle in the reverse direction, the effect of the present invention can be sufficiently exerted if the upper end of the upper symbol is illuminated. However, the reels 60, 70, and 80 are in the reverse direction. In the case of stopping by shifting by two step angles, the upper end of the predetermined upper symbol is illuminated so that the visibility of the upper symbol can be prevented from being lowered in many cases where the deviation occurs. In addition, at this time, the light does not reach the upper end of the design adjacent to the lower part of the lower design, so that in many cases where the deviation occurs, the light reaches the design that should not be illuminated, It can prevent the player from misidentifying.

Further, even when the reels 60, 70, 80 are stopped by shifting by a step angle of 3 steps in the forward direction, the lower stage of the predetermined lower stage symbol is illuminated so that in almost all cases where deviation occurs, the lower stage It can prevent that the visibility of a design falls.
In addition, when the reels 60, 70, and 80 are stopped by being shifted by 3 step angles in the reverse direction, the upper symbols are illuminated in many cases because the upper end of the predetermined upper symbols is illuminated. It is possible to prevent a decrease in the visibility.
In addition, the case where any larger than the 3 step angle is not considered in the range where the slot machine 10 is operating normally, and if a too wide range is illuminated, the design above the upper design In addition, since there is a possibility of illuminating even a symbol lower than the lower symbol, it is preferable that the angle is not more than three step angles.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the upper stage irradiation range, the middle stage irradiation range, and the lower stage irradiation range according to the present embodiment. When the reels 60, 70, 80 are stopped at the designed stop position, the upper irradiation range is defined by β (β is a long length in the circumferential direction of the reel tapes 64, 74, 84 in addition to the entire upper symbol area. The reel tapes 64, 74, and 84 can be illuminated up to the range of (a). That is, the upper irradiation range can illuminate the reel tapes 64, 74, and 84 in the circumferential direction of the reel tapes 64, 74, and 84 up to the range of the circumferential length of one symbol region + β. In addition, the lower irradiation range corresponds to β (β in addition to the entire lower symbol area in the circumferential direction of the reel tapes 64, 74, 84 when the reels 60, 70, 80 are stopped at the designed stop positions. The reel tapes 64, 74, and 84 can be illuminated up to the range of (length). That is, the lower irradiation range can illuminate the reel tapes 64, 74, and 84 in the circumferential direction of the reel tapes 64, 74, and 84 up to the range of the circumferential length of one symbol region + β. Further, the middle stage irradiation range is such that when the reels 60, 70, 80 are stopped at the designed stop positions, in the circumferential direction of the reel tapes 64, 74, 84, in addition to the whole middle stage symbol area, α / 2 is formed on the upper side. The reel tapes 64, 74, and 84 can be illuminated up to a range of α / 2 (α is a length) on the lower side. That is, the middle stage irradiation range can illuminate the reel tapes 64, 74, and 84 in the circumferential direction of the reel tapes 64, 74, and 84 up to the range of the circumferential length of one symbol region + α. Here, α is set to be less than β (α <β). In other words, the middle irradiation range is set narrower than the upper irradiation range and the lower irradiation range. As described above, since each irradiation range is set, the upper irradiation range and the middle irradiation range overlap by α / 2 at the lower end portion of the upper symbol area, and at the upper end portion of the lower symbol region. The lower irradiation range and the middle irradiation range overlap each other by α / 2. However, because α is set to be smaller than β, the illumination is too bright (brightness is high) at the boundary between the upper symbol area and the middle symbol area and at the boundary between the middle symbol area and the lower symbol area. Can be prevented. As is clear from the description so far, β is an N step angle (N is an integer of 1 to 3) on the forward rotation side or the reverse rotation side of the reels 60, 70, 80 with respect to the designed stop position. ) Even when it stops by shifting, the length is set such that the light of the LED 200 can illuminate the upper end of the upper symbol area and the lower end of the lower symbol area.

Next, the dimensional relationship of the first reel 60 will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the second reel 70 and the third reel 80 are the same as the first reel 60, and thus redundant description is omitted. The first reel 60 has a diameter of about φ231 mm. The minimum distance from the center of the reel to the LED substrate 210 is about 66.1 mm.
In addition to the straight lines L3 to L8 described in FIG. 8B, a straight line passing through the center of the upper LED 201 and perpendicular to the mounting surface of the LED substrate 210 is defined as a straight line M1, and the mounting surface of the LED substrate 210 passing through the center of the middle LED 202. A straight line perpendicular to the straight line M2 is defined as a straight line M2, and a straight line passing through the center of the lower LED 203 and perpendicular to the mounting surface of the LED substrate 210 is defined as a straight line M3. The distance (dimension) between the straight line M1 and the straight line L3 is larger than the distance (dimension) between the straight line M1 and the straight line L4. In other words, the upper LED 201 is arranged on the lower side (middle LED 202 side) than the center in the vertical direction of the substrate side opening of the reflector 220. Further, the distance (dimension) between the straight line M2 and the straight line L5 is substantially equal to the distance (dimension) between the straight line M2 and the straight line L6. In other words, the middle-stage LED 202 is positioned at the substantially vertical center of the substrate-side opening of the reflector 220. The distance (dimension) between the straight line M3 and the straight line L7 is smaller than the distance (dimension) between the straight line M4 and the straight line L8. In other words, the lower LED 203 is disposed on the upper side (middle LED 202 side) from the center in the vertical direction of the substrate side opening of the reflector 220.

  In the present embodiment, the stepping motors SM1 to SM3 rotate each reel 60, 70, 80 once in 504 steps (252 step angles). However, the number of steps (step angles) of the stepping motors SM1 to SM3 The number is not limited to this. For example, the reel may be rotated once by a displacement of 336 steps (168 step angles). In this case, the 21-frame reel has 8 step angles per symbol. Further, the reel may be rotated once by a displacement of 420 steps (210 step angles). In this case, the 21-frame reel has 10 step angles per figure side.

  As shown in FIG. 30 (a), the pair of rings 62a, 62a constituting the first reel 60 is a pair of reel tape support portions 65 having a shape protruding toward the opposite ring 62a side (that is, inside). 65. Referring to FIG. 4, the hub 61, the rim 62 having a pair of rings 62a and 62a and a connecting piece 63b, and the spoke 63 constitute a reel drum (frame body). The rings 62a and 62a include a pair of reel tape support portions 65 and 65 shown in FIG. The pair of reel tape support portions 65, 65 have a predetermined width (about 5 mm) in the axial direction (left-right direction). The pair of reel tape support portions 65 and 65 are provided to support portions (approximately 5 mm width) at both ends in the left and right direction (width direction) of the reel tape 64. The reel tape 64 is, for example, attached by reel tape. It is fixed to the support part 65. In other words, the left and right end portions on the back side of the reel tape 64 are supported by the reel tape support portions 65 and 65 (rings 62a and 62a). In other words, the reel tape support portions 65 and 65 are interposed between the LED 200 (see FIG. 6A) and the left and right end portions on the back side of the reel tape 64. The second reel 70 and the third reel 80 are also provided with the same configuration.

FIG. 30B shows a state where the reel tape 64 is attached to the reel tape support portion 65. The reel tape 64 is provided with special symbols 301 (blue 7, white 7, BAR, etc.) that are longer in the left-right direction than other symbols (replay, bell, etc.). This special symbol 301 is formed on the outer periphery of the symbol, and is formed on the inside of the non-translucent part 311 (low light-transmitting part) (high light-shielding part) and the non-translucent part 311 having low light transmittance. A translucent part 312 (highly translucent part) (low light-shielding part). The non-translucent portion 311 is colored and opaque, for example, black or the like. The translucent part 312 is, for example, colored and transparent, such as red. The non-light-transmitting portion 311 only needs to have a relatively low transmittance compared to the light-transmitting portion 312 and does not necessarily block light completely. It is desirable that the transmittance is as low as it is felt that it does not substantially have translucency.
Here, for the sake of explanation, a line approximately 5 mm inside (right side) from the left end of the reel tape 64 is defined as a line V1, and a line approximately 5 mm inside (left side) from the right end of the reel tape 64 is defined as a line V2.
The translucent part 312 is provided so that the end parts (left end and right end) (corner part) are inside the lines V1 and V2. In other words, the translucent part 312 is positioned so that its end parts (left end and right end) (corner part) do not overlap with the reel tape support part 65 in the radial direction (that is, in the front-rear direction as viewed from the player side). Is provided. Thereby, the light from the LED 200 is blocked by the reel tape support portion 65, and the end portions (left end and right end) (corner portions) of the light transmitting portion 312 are shaded, thereby preventing visibility from being lowered.
On the other hand, the non-translucent portion 311 is provided so that the end portions (left end and right end) (corner portions) thereof are outside the lines V1 and V2. In other words, the non-light-transmitting portion 311 is positioned so that its end portions (left end and right end) (corner portions) overlap with the reel tape support portion 65 in the radial direction (that is, in the front-rear direction as viewed from the player side). Is provided. Note that either one of the left and right end portions (left end and right end) (corner portion) of the non-light transmitting portion 311 may be provided so as to overlap the reel tape support portion 65.
By configuring in this way, the special symbol 301 whose visibility is to be improved from the viewpoint of improving game play can be displayed as large as possible, and in the special symbol 301 where illumination is required (that is, the translucent part 312). Can surely reach the light and prevent the visibility of the special symbol 301 from being lowered.

  The reel tape support portion 65 is made of resin in the same manner as the reel drum constituting the first reel 60, that is, the hub 61 (see FIG. 4), the rim 62 (see FIG. 4), and the spoke 63 (see FIG. 4). . When the resin is opaque such as black (having no translucency), light from the inside is blocked by the reel tape support portion 65, so that the light transmission portion 312 does not overlap the reel tape support portion 65. It is particularly effective to provide it. Even if the resin is transparent (colorless and transparent or colored and transparent) (having translucency), the light transmission amount is reduced by the reel tape support portion 65. It is effective to provide at a position that does not overlap the tape support portion 65.

  As shown in FIG. 11, an identification code 205 for identifying each LED 200 is written on the LED board 210 in the vicinity of each LED 200 provided on the LED board 210. Hereinafter, description will be given using the LED substrate 210 provided on the first reel 60. A plurality of LEDs 200 are mounted on the LED substrate 210 so as to face the bottom side openings of the respective rooms 229 arranged continuously in the circumferential direction of the first reel 60. Each room 229 faces 2 to 9 LEDs 200, and 6 to 27 LEDs 200 are mounted on one LED substrate 210. FIG. 11 shows a case where nine LEDs 200 are mounted on one LED substrate 210, but the number of LEDs 200 is not limited to this. For example, nine LEDs 200 may face each of the bottom side openings of the rooms 229 of the reflector 220. In this case, 27 LEDs 200 are provided (mounted) on one LED substrate 210.

  When nine LEDs 200 are mounted on one LED substrate 210, serial numbers from 1 to 9 are assigned to the respective LEDs 200. In the vicinity of each LED 200, characters “LED1” to “LED9” are written as identification codes 205, respectively. When n (natural number) LEDs 200 are mounted on one LED substrate 210, serial numbers from 1 to n are assigned to the respective LEDs 200. In the vicinity of each LED 200, characters “LED1” to “LEDn” are written as identification codes 205, respectively.

  The serial number is determined by the designer of the gaming machine (LED board 210). For example, when one of the nine LEDs 200 stops lighting, the identification code of the LED 200 that has stopped lighting. By confirming 205, it becomes possible to determine the serial number of the LED 200 that is no longer lit, and by following the circuit diagram of the LED board 210 from the identification code 205 of the LED 200 that is no longer lit, the failure of the LED board 210 It becomes possible to analyze the location and the like.

  The identification code 205 is provided at a position where each LED 200 can be identified even when the reflector 220 is disposed on the front side of the LED substrate 210. That is, the reflector 220 is disposed in front of the LED substrate 210 so as to cover at least a part of the surface of the LED substrate 210 on which the LED 200 is mounted. It faces the surface of the substrate 210, and an identification code 205 is written in the vicinity of the LED 200 so as to face this bottom side opening. Therefore, even when the reflector 220 is disposed, the serial number of each LED 200 can be known through the bottom surface side opening (room 229) of the reflector 220. At this time, the identification code 205 does not have to be visible as a whole, and only needs to be in a state where each LED 200 can be identified. For example, even if some of the characters from “LED1” to “LEDn” are hidden by the reflector 220, if each of the LEDs 200 is visible to the extent that the numerical portions “1” to “n” can be distinguished, Can be identified.

Note that the numerical portions “1” to “9” of the characters “LED1” to “LED9” as the identification code 205 are the room from the front side when the reflector 220 is arranged on the front side of the LED substrate 210. All of them are visible through 229. Therefore, all the LEDs 200 provided on the front side of the LED substrate 210 are in a state that can be identified by the identification code 205.
Further, all the identification codes 205 provided on the front surface of the LED substrate 210 are provided on the same side of the LED 200 (the lower side of the LED 200 in FIG. 11). In addition, all the identification codes 205 are aligned in the mark direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, all identification codes 205 are written so as to be read from left to right.
Further, here, the reflector 220 and the LED substrate 210 of the backlight device 150 have been described as an example, but the reflector and the LED substrate used in other illumination devices such as a lighting device for production are similarly provided with reflectors. The identification code 205 may be configured to be distinguishable in a state where In addition, here, as an example, a case where a reflector 220 that reflects light (for example, a white partition member) is used as a partition member that partitions adjacent rooms 229 and blocks light from the adjacent rooms 229 has been described. Instead of the reflector 220, one that does not reflect light (for example, a black partition member) may be used.

  Next, the start lever unit 900 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the start lever unit 900. The start lever unit 900 includes a start lever 990, a housing 901, a holder 902, a cap 903, a sleeve 904, a spring 905, a push nut 906, a mask 907, a sensor 908, and the like. FIG. 12 shows a state where the start lever 990 is not operated.

  The start lever 990 includes a spherical operation unit 991 and a rod-shaped shaft 992 connected to the operation unit 991. The start lever 990 is disposed so that the shaft 992 is perpendicular to the installation surface F (see FIG. 1) of the start lever 990. The installation surface F is a surface perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The operation unit 991 is made of resin, for example. The shaft 992 is made of stainless steel, for example. As shown in FIG. 12, the shaft 992 includes a large diameter portion 993 and a small diameter portion 994, and a stepped portion 995 is formed at a portion that becomes a boundary between the large diameter portion 993 and the small diameter portion 994. . The step portion 995 is a surface perpendicular to the axial direction of the shaft 992.

  The housing 901 is a member formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and is formed of, for example, resin. A through hole 901b for inserting the small diameter portion 994 of the shaft 992 is provided in the bottom portion 901a of the housing 901. The holder 902 is a member formed in a cylindrical shape, and is formed of, for example, resin. A housing 901 is attached to one end side (front side) of the holder 902, and a cap 903 described later is attached to the other end side (rear side) of the holder 902. Attachment of the housing 901 and the cap 903 to the holder 902 is, for example, claw fitting.

  The shaft 992 has a small-diameter portion 994 inserted through the through-hole 901b, a part of the small-diameter portion 994 protrudes rearward from the through-hole 901b, and the protruding portion is accommodated inside the holder 902. At this time, the stepped portion 995 comes into contact with the bottom portion 901a of the housing 901 (the front surface of the bottom portion 901a). A sleeve 904, a spring 905, and a push nut 906, which will be described later, are inserted into and attached to a portion of the small diameter portion 994 that protrudes rearward from the through hole 901b.

  The sleeve 904 is a receiving member that receives the urging force of the spring 905, and is formed of, for example, resin. The sleeve 904 has a flat surface portion 904 a that is a surface perpendicular to the axial direction of the shaft 992 on the side opposite to the surface in contact with the spring 905. A flat surface portion 904a of the sleeve 904 comes into contact with a rear surface of the bottom portion 901a (referred to as a back surface portion 901c of the bottom portion 901a). The spring 905 is a spring, and is formed of, for example, stainless steel. The push nut 906 is a receiving member that receives the urging force of the spring 905, and is formed of, for example, resin.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the shaft 992 is formed with a retaining portion 996 that plays the role of retaining the push nut 906. The retaining portion 996 is a portion having a larger diameter than other portions of the small diameter portion 994. One end of the push nut 906 abuts against the retaining portion 996, whereby the sleeve 904, the spring 905, and the push nut 906 are held in a state of being inserted through the small diameter portion 994.

In the state shown in FIG. 12, the flat surface portion 904a of the sleeve 904 and the back surface portion 901c of the bottom portion 901a are brought into surface contact by the urging force of the spring 905. Thereby, the start lever 990 maintains a posture in which the shaft 992 is horizontal with respect to the front-rear direction, that is, a posture (neutral state) in which the shaft 992 is perpendicular to the installation surface F. In addition, when the installation surface F of the front door 12 is an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the vertical direction or the horizontal direction, the posture perpendicular to the inclined surface may be a neutral state of the start lever 990. In addition, when the front door 12 itself is inclined with respect to the vertical direction (vertical direction), the posture perpendicular to the front door 12 may be a neutral state of the start lever 990.
Hereinafter, the posture when the start lever 990 is not operated is referred to as an initial position. Further, the axis of the shaft 992 at the initial position is set as a reference axis X. In a state where the start lever 990 is in the initial position, the player can tilt the start lever 990 with respect to all directions. Note that the start lever 990 may be operable in the front-rear direction. That is, the start lever 990 may be operable in a pulling direction or a pushing direction.

  Next, a case where the start lever 990 is operated and tilted will be described. FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the start lever unit 900 in a state where the start lever 990 is tilted downward. In this state, one side (upper side) of the flat surface portion 904a of the sleeve 904 is in contact with the back surface portion 901c of the bottom portion 901a, and the other side (lower side) of the flat surface portion 904a is separated from the back surface portion 901c of the bottom portion 901a. The spring 905 is bent by a predetermined length. Further, the force required to bend the spring 905 when tilting the start lever 990 is a force necessary to operate the start lever 990. In other words, the operating force of the start lever 990 is realized by the elastic force of the spring 905.

  In the state shown in FIG. 13, when the player removes his / her finger from the start lever 990, the flat portion 904a of the sleeve 904 comes into surface contact with the back surface portion 901c of the bottom portion 901a again as the spring 905 is deformed. It is supposed to be. As a result, the start lever 990 returns to the state (initial position) shown in FIG.

  Next, detection of the operation of the start lever 990 will be described. The following description shows an example of detection of the operation of the start lever 990, and the detection method is not limited to this, and other methods may be used. As shown in FIG. 14A, the end surface of the small diameter portion 994 of the shaft 992 is a reflection surface 997. The reflection surface 997 is a surface capable of reflecting light projected from a sensor 908 described later. The cap 903 is a lid-like member attached to the rear end side of the holder 902, and is made of resin. The cap 903 is attached to the holder 902 while holding the mask 907, the sensor 908, and the like.

  The mask 907 is a plate-like member having a small-diameter hole 907a formed at a position substantially coaxial with the shaft 992 at the initial position. The hole 907a is provided to allow light emitted by a sensor 908 described later to pass through the shaft 992 side. The sensor 908 includes a light projecting / receiving unit (not shown) formed at a position substantially coaxial with the shaft 992 at the initial position. The sensor 908, for example, projects light from the light projecting / receiving unit based on a signal from a control unit (not shown), and a signal corresponding to the condition based on whether reflected light of the projected light is received. Is output.

  In the present embodiment, as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 14A, when the sensor 908 receives the reflected light reflected by the reflecting surface 997, a signal indicating that the start lever 990 is in the initial position, That is, a signal (OFF signal) indicating that the operation of the start lever 990 has not been detected is output. Further, as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 14B, when the sensor 908 does not receive the reflected light reflected by the reflecting surface 997, a signal indicating that the start lever 990 is not in the initial position, that is, the start A signal (ON signal) indicating that the operation of the lever 990 has been detected is output.

  Next, the operation characteristics of the start lever 990 will be described in detail with reference to the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 15 and 16. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the operating characteristics of the start lever 990 in a predetermined model (referred to as the first model). FIG. 15A shows a state where the start lever 990 is in the initial position. FIG. 15B shows a state where the start lever 990 is in the detection position. The detection position is a position where an operation of the start lever 990 is detected. In other words, the detection position is the position of the start lever 990 when the ON signal is output from the sensor 908. FIG. 15C shows a state where the start lever 990 is at the maximum position. The maximum position is a position where the tilt distance or tilt angle of the operation unit 991 in the start lever 990 is maximized. The tilt distance and tilt angle of the operation unit 991 will be described later. The tilt of the start lever 990 is stopped when an arbitrary portion of the start lever 990 abuts on a mechanical end formed on the housing 901, the holder 902, or the like. The mechanical end may be a single location or a plurality of locations. When the start lever 990 contacts the mechanical end, the tilt distance or tilt angle of the operation unit 991 is maximized, that is, the position of the start lever 990 is the maximum position.

Next, the tilt distance of the operation unit 991 will be described. As shown in FIG. 15A, the tip of the start lever 990 is a tip A (vertex A). In the present embodiment, the end of the operation unit 991 opposite to the shaft 992 connection side, that is, the player side end (end point) is the tip A (vertex A). Of the end portions of the shaft 992, the end portion (end surface) on the side where the operation portion 991 is not provided is defined as the rear end B of the shaft 992. In the present embodiment, the reflecting surface 997 is the rear end B. The rear end B of the shaft 992 is an end portion of a portion that tilts in the direction opposite to the direction of tilting when the operating portion 991 on the front side is tilted.
The tilt distance of the operation unit 991 is the minimum distance between the vertex A of the start lever 990 and the reference axis X. In the initial position shown in FIG. 15A, the tilt distance of the operation unit 991 is 0 mm. On the other hand, at the detection position shown in FIG. 15B, the tilt distance of the operation unit 991 is about 4.0 mm.

  Next, the tilt angle of the operation unit 991 (shaft 992) will be described. When the axis of the shaft 992 is the axis Z, the tilt angle of the shaft 992 is an angle formed by the axis Z and the reference axis X on the operation unit 991 side. In the initial position shown in FIG. 15A, the reference axis X and the axis Z coincide with each other, so that the tilt angle of the shaft 992 is 0 °. On the other hand, at the detection position shown in FIG. 15B, the tilt angle of the shaft 992 is about 3.9 °.

  As shown to Fig.15 (a), in the 1st model, the distance from the rotation center G of the shaft 992 to the front-end | tip A is 60.2 mm. Further, the distance (distance S) from the rotation center G of the shaft 992 to the rear end B (reflection surface 997) is 21.3 mm. The distance from the rotation center G to the front end A is longer than the distance from the rotation center G to the rear end B. In other words, the distance from the tilting fulcrum of the shaft 992 to the tip A of the start lever 990 is longer than the distance from the tilting fulcrum of the shaft 992 to the rear end B of the shaft 992. The spring 905 (see FIG. 13) is bent with less force by making the distance from the fulcrum of tilting of the shaft 992 to the force point (tip A) longer than the distance from the fulcrum to the action point (rear end B). Will be able to. The distance between the reflecting surface 997 and the mask 907 arranged on the light projecting / receiving surface side of the sensor 908 is 4.2 mm. Each dimension is a median value and each has a predetermined tolerance.

  As shown in FIG. 15B, when the start lever 990 is tilted from the initial position to the detection position, the tilt distance of the operation unit 991 is approximately 4.0 mm, and the tilt angle of the shaft 992 is approximately 3.9 °. It has become. At this time, the tilt distance of the center point of the reflecting surface 997 when the start lever 990 is tilted from the initial position to the detection position is about 1.7 mm.

  As shown in FIG. 15 (c), when the start lever 990 is tilted from the initial position to the maximum position, the tilt distance of the operation unit 991 is approximately 8.4 mm, and the tilt angle of the shaft 992 is approximately 8.0 °. It has become. At this time, when the start lever 990 is tilted from the initial position to the maximum position, the tilt distance of the center point of the reflecting surface 997 is about 2.9 mm.

  FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the operating characteristics of the start lever 990 in a predetermined model (referred to as a second model). As shown to Fig.16 (a), in the 2nd model, the distance from the rotation center G of the shaft 992 to the front-end | tip A is 60.2 mm. Further, the distance (distance S) from the rotation center G of the shaft 992 to the rear end B (reflection surface 997) is 31.3 mm. The distance from the rotation center G to the front end A is longer than the distance from the rotation center G to the rear end B. In other words, the distance from the tilting fulcrum of the shaft 992 to the tip A of the start lever 990 is longer than the distance from the tilting fulcrum of the shaft 992 to the rear end B of the shaft 992. The distance between the reflecting surface 997 and the mask 907 arranged on the light projecting / receiving surface side of the sensor 908 is 4.2 mm. Each dimension is a median value and each has a predetermined tolerance.

  FIG. 16A shows a state where the start lever 990 is in the initial position. In the initial position, the tilt distance of the operation unit 991 is 0 mm, and the tilt angle of the shaft 992 is 0 °.

  FIG. 16B shows a state where the start lever 990 is at the detection position. When the start lever 990 is tilted from the initial position to the detection position, the tilt distance of the operation unit 991 is approximately 3.6 mm, and the tilt angle of the shaft 992 is approximately 3.4 °. At this time, the tilt distance of the center point of the reflecting surface 997 when the start lever 990 is tilted from the initial position to the detection position is about 1.7 mm.

  FIG. 16C shows a state where the start lever 990 is at the maximum position. When the start lever 990 is tilted from the initial position to the maximum position, the tilt distance of the operation unit 991 is approximately 8.4 mm, and the tilt angle of the shaft 992 is approximately 8.0 °. At this time, when the start lever 990 is tilted from the initial position to the maximum position, the tilt distance of the center point of the reflecting surface 997 is about 4.3 mm.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating the tilt distance of the operation unit 991 and the tilt angle of the shaft 992 for each model. In the first model, the tilting distance (approximately 4.0 mm) of the operation unit 991 from the initial position to the detection position is 50% or less of the tilting distance (approximately 8.4 mm) of the operation unit 991 from the initial position to the maximum position. It is the value of. Further, in the first model, the tilt angle (about 3.9 °) of the shaft 992 from the initial position to the detection position is 50, which is the tilt angle (about 8.0 °) of the shaft 992 from the initial position to the maximum position. % Or less. However, the tilt distance and tilt angle from the initial position to the detection position are assumed to be values exceeding zero.

  In the second model, the tilting distance (approximately 3.6 mm) of the operation unit 991 from the initial position to the detection position is 50% or less of the tilting distance (approximately 8.4 mm) of the operation unit 991 from the initial position to the maximum position. It is the value of. Further, in the second model, the tilt angle (about 3.4 °) of the shaft 992 from the initial position to the detection position is 50, which is the tilt angle (about 8.0 °) of the shaft 992 from the initial position to the maximum position. % Or less. However, the tilt distance and tilt angle from the initial position to the detection position are assumed to be values exceeding zero.

  Note that the values of the tilt distance and tilt angle vary, but even if the values vary, the tilt distance and tilt angle from the initial position to the detection position are different from the initial position to the maximum position. The tilt distance and tilt angle are 50% or less.

As described above, the gaming machine according to the present embodiment includes the start lever 990 having the shaft 992 and the operation portion 991 formed on the distal end side of the shaft 992, and the start lever 990 is in a non-operating position. It is possible to tilt from the initial position to the maximum position where the operation amount of the start lever 990 with respect to the initial position becomes the maximum via the detection position where the operation of the start lever 990 is detected. The tilt distance of the operation unit 991 from the initial position to the detection position is a value exceeding 0 and a value of 50% or less with respect to the tilt distance of the operation unit 991 from the initial position to the maximum position. Further, the tilt angle of the shaft 992 from the initial position to the detection position is a value exceeding 0 and 50% or less with respect to the tilt angle of the shaft 992 from the initial position to the maximum position.
For this reason, it is detected that the start lever 990 has been operated with an operation amount of 50% or less of the operation amount necessary to tilt the operation portion 991 of the start lever 990 to the maximum position. Thereby, the sensitivity with which the operation of the start lever 990 is detected can be improved. Further, a gaming machine with improved response of the start lever 990 can be provided. In addition, according to the gaming machine according to the present embodiment, although the start lever 990 is operated, the operation is not detected due to insufficient tilting, and the troublesomeness that the start lever 990 has to be operated again is eliminated. . For this reason, the game nature of a gaming machine can be improved.

From the viewpoint of further improving the detection sensitivity, the tilt distance of the operation unit 991 from the initial position to the detection position or the tilt distance of the shaft 992 with respect to the tilt distance of the operation unit 991 from the initial position to the maximum position or the tilt angle of the shaft 992. The tilt angle is preferably less than 50%, more preferably less than 48%, and even more preferably less than 45%. The tilt distance of the operation unit 991 from the initial position to the detection position or the tilt angle of the shaft 992 with respect to the tilt distance of the operation unit 991 from the initial position to the maximum position or the tilt angle of the shaft 992 has a value of 20% or more. More preferred. This is because erroneous detection can be suppressed. The start lever 990 can be tilted with respect to all directions, but the shaft 992 from the initial position to the detection position can be tilted in any two directions having different directions. The tilt angle of the shaft 992 from the initial position to the maximum position is a value exceeding 0 and preferably less than 50%, and a value of 20% or more and 48% or less. It is more preferable. Arbitrary two directions having different directions are, for example, two directions of upward and downward directions, and two directions of rightward and leftward directions, but are not necessarily symmetrical with respect to the neutral position. There may be two directions, that is, a lower direction and a lower left direction.
Even when the tilt distance of the operation unit 991 from the initial position to the detection position or the tilt angle of the shaft 992 is a value exceeding 0 and the tolerance is maximum (variation is maximum), the distance from the initial position to the maximum position. It is more preferable that the value is less than 50% with respect to the tilt distance of the operation unit 991 or the tilt angle of the shaft 992. The maximum tolerance (maximum variation) means that the operation unit 991 from the initial position to the maximum position is varied such that the tilt distance of the operation unit 991 or the tilt angle of the shaft 992 is maximized, and the operation unit 991 from the initial position to the maximum position. The tilt distance of the shaft or the tilt angle of the shaft 992 is varied so as to be minimized. Thus, the tilt distance or tilt from the initial position to the maximum position can be reduced by setting the tilt distance or tilt angle from the initial position to the detected position to be less than 50% of the tilt distance or tilt angle from the initial position to the maximum position. The angle is set to at least twice the tilt distance or tilt angle from the initial position to the detection position, and the detection sensitivity of the operation of the start lever 990 is improved, and the start lever 990 is further operated after the operation of the start lever 990 is detected. It is possible to secure a sufficient range that can be performed (tilted). Thereby, the improvement of detection sensitivity and the contradictory effect of providing a pressing operational feeling can be achieved.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 16, the second model is changed so that only the distance S is larger than the first model. Thus, by increasing only the distance S without changing the configuration of the start lever 990, the operation of the start lever 990 can be detected with a smaller amount of operation, and the response of the start lever 990 is improves.

  FIG. 16 shows the case where the diameter of the reflecting surface 997 is 3.6 mm, but the sensitivity at which the operation of the start lever 990 is detected can also be improved by reducing the diameter. . For example, in FIG. 16B, when the diameter of the reflecting surface 997 is further reduced, the tilt distance of the operation unit 991 from the initial position to the detection position can be about 2.5 mm.

  In the above description, the tilt distance of the operation unit 991 from the initial position to the detection position or the tilt angle of the shaft 992 is a value that is 50% or less of the tilt distance of the operation unit 991 from the initial position to the maximum position or the tilt angle of the shaft 992. Explained when to do. On the other hand, for example, the tilt distance of the operation unit 991 from the initial position to the detection position or the tilt angle of the shaft 992 is 20% to the tilt distance of the operation unit 991 from the initial position to the maximum position or the tilt angle of the shaft 992. When the value is 50%, in addition to the above-described effects, erroneous detection of the operation of the start lever 990 can be suppressed. The erroneous detection includes, for example, vibration caused by hitting the periphery of the start lever 990 in the slot machine.

  Next, operation loads on the start lever 990, the MAX bet button 23, and the stop button 26 will be described. Hereinafter, an operation load required to tilt the start lever 990 from the initial position to the detection position is referred to as a detection load of the start lever 990. Further, the operation load required to tilt the start lever 990 from the initial position to the maximum position is referred to as the maximum load of the start lever 990. The detected load of the start lever 990 is about 1.5N. The maximum load of the start lever 990 is about 3.0N.

  FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the MAX bet button 23. The MAX bet button 23 is a button operated to be pushed downward from above. The MAX bet button 23 includes a pressing portion 981, a spring 982, a sensor 983, and the like. The pressing portion 981 is a component operated by a player's finger or the like, and is formed of, for example, resin. The spring 982 biases the pressing portion 981 upward, and is elastically deformed and bent when the pressing portion 981 is pressed. The sensor 983 is, for example, a photo sensor. The sensor 983 outputs an ON signal when detecting that the light traveling from the light emitting element to the light receiving element has been changed by, for example, a detection object that is moved by pressing the pressing portion 981.

  Here, the pressing portion 981 is pushed in, the spring 982 is elastically deformed, and the pressing portion 981 is required to move to a position where an ON signal (a signal indicating that the MAX bet button 23 has been operated) is output from the sensor 983. The load is the detected load of the MAX bet button 23. The detected load of the MAX bet button 23 is about 0.8N. Note that the amount of movement (ON stroke) from the initial position of the pressing portion 981 to the detection position is about 1.0 mm.

  When the pressing portion 981 is operated with a load larger than the detected load, the pressing portion 981 is further pushed in while elastically deforming the spring 982. And the press part 981 contacts the mechanical stopper (mechanical end) provided in arbitrary places, and stops. Here, the load required to move the pressing portion 981 until the pressing portion 981 is pushed in, the spring 982 is elastically deformed, and comes into contact with the mechanical stopper is defined as the maximum load of the MAX bet button 23. The maximum load of the MAX bet button 23 is about 1.6N. Note that the amount of movement (full stroke) from the initial position of the pressing portion 981 to contact with the mechanical stopper is about 2.0 mm. The full stroke of the MAX bet button 23 may be about 3.0 mm, for example, and the ON stroke may be about 1.5 mm. However, the full stroke of the MAX bet button 23 is preferably greater than or equal to the full stroke of the stop button 26 described later.

  FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the stop button 26. The stop button 26 is a button operated so as to be pushed backward from the front. The stop button 26 includes a pressing portion 984, a spring 985, a sensor 986, and the like. The pressing portion 984, the spring 985, and the sensor 986 have the same functions as those of the pressing portion 981, the spring 982, and the sensor 983 shown in FIG.

  The detected load of the stop button 26 is about 0.7N. Note that the ON stroke of the stop button 26 is about 1.0 mm. Further, the maximum load of the stop button 26 is about 1.4N. The full stroke of the stop button 26 is about 2.0 mm. However, when the full stroke of the MAX bet button 23 is about 3.0 mm, the full stroke of the stop button 26 may be less than that, for example, about 3.0 mm. In this case, the ON stroke of the stop button 26 is preferably about 1.5 mm which is equal to or less than the ON stroke of the MAX bet button 23.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating operation loads of the start lever 990, the MAX bet button 23, and the stop button 26. In the gaming machine according to the present embodiment, the operation load of each button is set so that the operation load is relatively suitable for the player. An operation load (detected load of the start lever 990: about 1.5 N) required to move the start lever 990 from the initial position that is a non-operating position to a detection position that is a position where the operation is detected (first load) 1 detection load) is larger than the operation load required to move the stop button 26 from the initial position to the detection position (detection load of the stop button 26: about 0.7 N) (third detection load). . In other words, the first detection load that is an operation load required to move the start lever 990 from the initial position that is the non-operating position to the detection position that is the position where the operation is detected is that the stop button 26 is It is larger than the third detection load, which is an operation load necessary for moving from the initial position to the detection position. Further, the third detection load is 50% or less of the first detection load.

  In addition, an operation load (maximum load of the start lever 990: about the maximum load required to move the start lever 990 from the initial position, which is the non-operating position, to the maximum position where the operation amount with respect to the initial position is maximized). 3.0N) (first maximum load) is obtained from an operation load (maximum load of the stop button 26: about 1.4 N) (third maximum load) required to move the stop button 26 from the initial position to the maximum position. It is a large value. In other words, the first maximum load, which is the operation load necessary to move the start lever 990 from the initial position that is the non-operating position to the maximum position that is the position where the operation amount with respect to the initial position is the maximum, This is larger than the third maximum load, which is the operation load necessary to move the stop button 26 from the initial position to the maximum position. The third maximum load is 50% or less of the first maximum load.

  The start lever 990 is operated when performing the role lottery, and the player may operate strongly with expectation. For this reason, by giving the start lever 990 a feeling of operation that is heavier than that of the stop button 26, it is possible to provide a player with a comfortable operation feeling with a pressing feeling. Thereby, the feeling of operation of the start lever 990 becomes suitable for the player, and the game performance is improved. Further, when the stop button 26 is operated, a light and comfortable operation feeling can be provided to the player.

Further, the detected load (about 1.5 N) (first detected load) of the start lever 990 is larger than the detected load (about 0.8 N) (second detected load) of the MAX bet button 23. Further, the maximum load (about 3.0 N) (first maximum load) of the start lever 990 is larger than the maximum load (about 1.6 N) (second maximum load) of the MAX bet button 23. In this way, by giving the start lever 990 a feeling of operation that is heavier than that of the MAX bet button 23, it is possible to provide a player with a comfortable operation feeling with a pressing feeling. Thereby, the feeling of operation of the start lever 990 becomes suitable for the player, and the game performance is improved.
Note that the first detection load, the second detection load, and the third detection load are preset operation loads that cannot be changed. The first maximum load, the second maximum load, and the third maximum load are preset operation loads that cannot be changed.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the operation load (detected load and maximum load) of the stop button 26 is smaller than the operation load (detected load and maximum load) of the MAX bet button 23. The stop button 26 is a button that must be operated in accordance with the number of rotating reels for each game. Since the operation load of the stop button 26 is set to be smaller than the operation load of the MAX bet button 23, the player can obtain a light and comfortable operation feeling with respect to the operation of the stop button 26, and all with a good tempo. The stop button 26 can be pressed. Thereby, the player can play the game comfortably, and the game performance is improved. In addition, since the operation load of the stop button 26 that is frequently used is set to be small, accumulation of the player's fatigue is reduced, and the game performance is improved.

  Further, the MAX bet button 23 is a button used for an operation for starting a game, and is a button that is often operated with a strong force because it can be operated by hitting it from above. Since the operation load of the MAX bet button 23 is set to be larger than the operation load of the stop button 26, the player can obtain an operation feeling that is moderately pressed, and the game performance is improved.

  Further, although illustration is omitted in FIG. 1, an effect button may be provided at an arbitrary position of the front door 12. The effect button is a button formed so as to be pushed from the front toward the rear. Whether the operation load (detected load and maximum load) of the effect button is larger than the operation load (detected load and maximum load) of the stop button 26 and larger than the operation load (detected load and maximum load) of the MAX bet button 23; Or it is equivalent. For example, the effect button has a detected load of about 3.0 N and a maximum load of about 6.0 N. The production buttons are operated less frequently than the stop button 26 and the MAX bet button 23. In addition, when the announcement button informs the player that it is pleasing to the player, or when it is a game place for the player, the pressing operation for changing the aspect of the effect is in an effective state. There is a tendency to be operated with strong force by an uplifted player. Therefore, the player has a heavy and solid operation feeling because the operation load of the effect button is set to be larger than the operation load of the stop button 26 and larger than the operation load of the MAX bet button 23. Can be obtained, and the playability is improved. Further, the effect button may be a button (vertical direction effect button) formed so as to be pushed downward from above. In the up / down direction effect button, the operation load (detected load and maximum load) is set smaller than that of the MAX bet button 23 having the same operation direction, and the operation load is equal to the stop button 26 or the stop button. The value is smaller than 26. For example, the up / down direction effect button has a detected load of about 0.6 N and a maximum load of about 1.2 N. The up / down direction effect button is set to have a small operation load so that repeated hitting is easy because it may be hit repeatedly by the player when it is an opportunity to improve interest. In addition, the operation in the up / down direction is easier to perform in a continuous manner than in the front / rear direction, and therefore, the operation is performed in the up / down direction.

In the start lever 990 according to the present embodiment, the tilt distance of the operation unit 991 from the initial position to the detection position or the tilt angle of the shaft 992 is the tilt distance of the operation unit 991 from the initial position to the maximum position or the tilt of the shaft 992. The value is 50% or less of the angle. Further, the detected load of the start lever 990 is 50% or less of the maximum load. With this configuration, it is possible to improve the sensitivity at which an operation is detected, and to provide a player with a feeling of operation that is pressed when the operation is further performed after the operation is detected. That is, it is possible to achieve both a contradictory effect of improving the detection sensitivity and providing a pressing operational feeling. Thereby, gameability improves.
Further, from the viewpoint of suppressing erroneous detection, the tilt distance of the operation unit 991 from the initial position to the detection position or the tilt angle of the shaft 992 is set to the tilt distance of the operation unit 991 from the initial position to the maximum position or the tilt angle of the shaft 992. More preferably, the value is 20% to 50%, and the detected load of the start lever 990 is 20% to 50% of the maximum load. In order to further improve the detection sensitivity, the tilt distance of the operation unit 991 from the initial position to the detection position or the tilt of the shaft 992 with respect to the tilt distance of the operation unit 991 or the tilt angle of the shaft 992 from the initial position to the maximum position. The detected load with respect to the angle and the maximum load of the start lever 990 may be a value of 20% to 48%, and may be a value of 25% to 45%.

In the stop button 26 according to the present embodiment, the ON stroke is 50% or less of the full stroke, and the detected load is 50% or less of the maximum load. In the MAX bet button 23 according to the present embodiment, the ON stroke is 50% or less of the full stroke, and the detected load is 50% or less of the maximum load. For this reason, the stop button 26 and the MAX bet button 23 also improve the sensitivity with which an operation is detected, and provide a player with a feeling of pressing when the operation is further performed after the operation is detected. it can. Thereby, gameability improves.
From the viewpoint of suppressing false detection, the ON stroke of the stop button 26 is set to a value of 20% to 50% of the full stroke, and the detected load of the stop button 26 is set to a value of 20% to 50% of the maximum load. desirable. In order to further improve the detection sensitivity, the ON stroke with respect to the full stroke of the stop button 26 and the detected load with respect to the maximum load of the stop button 26 may be 20% to 48%, and further 20% to 45%. It may be a value of%.
Further, from the viewpoint of suppressing erroneous detection, the ON stroke of the MAX bet button 23 is set to a value of 20% to 50% of the full stroke, and the detected load of the MAX bet button 23 is set to a value of 20% to 50% of the maximum load. Is more desirable. In order to further improve the detection sensitivity, the ON stroke with respect to the full stroke of the MAX bet button 23 and the detection load with respect to the maximum load of the MAX bet button 23 may be 20% to 48%, and further 20% It is good also as a value of -45%.

In the slot machine of the present embodiment, a regular medal that can be used in a game is assumed to be φ25 (diameter: about 25 mm) and thickness: about 1.6 mm. Further, in the following description, when simply saying “medal”, it basically means a regular medal. Further, medals that can be used in games in other slot machines and have a diameter larger than the regular medals that can be used in the slot machine of the present embodiment are assumed to be φ30 (diameter approximately 30 mm). . In the following description, “large-diameter medal” basically means a medal having a diameter of φ30 and a thickness of about 1.7 mm.
In the present invention, the regular medal and the large diameter medal are not necessarily φ25 and φ30, respectively, and the present invention can be applied as long as the large medal is larger than the regular medal. It is.

A medal insertion unit 800 including a medal insertion slot 821 (medal insertion slot) will be described. As shown in FIG. 21, the medal insertion unit 800 includes a medal insertion unit 811, a selector 813 for selecting medals, a medal passage 815 for guiding medals inserted from the medal insertion unit 811 to the selector 813, and a sensor unit 817. , R chute 819.
The medal is inserted from the medal insertion port 821 of the medal insertion unit 811, passes through the medal passage 815, and reaches the selector 813. The selector 813 selects medals. Specifically, when the medal is a regular medal, the medal is flowed toward the R chute 819 and reaches the hopper unit through the R chute 819. On the other hand, medals with a size different from the predetermined size, such as medals smaller than a prescribed size, or medals inserted at an inappropriate timing, are regarded as non-regular medals from the medal payout opening. 28 to be discharged.

  The medal insertion portion 811 includes a medal insertion port 821, a medal stop wall 822 (wall portion), and a medal guide portion 823, and is integrally formed of metal (for example, stainless steel). The medal guide portion 823 is a portion for guiding the medal to the medal insertion slot 821 and is a groove having an arcuate cross section extending forward and backward toward the medal insertion slot 821. Further, the medal stop wall 822 collides with the medal moved along the medal guide portion 823, stops the movement of the medal in the front-rear direction, and guides the medal to be inserted from the medal insertion slot 821. The wall surface faces the medal slot 821 side. Further, the medal stop wall 822 is disposed slightly away from the rear end of the medal guide portion 823 than the thickness of one medal. The medal slot 821 is a slit-like hole (hole) that is formed between the medal guide portion 823 and the medal stop wall 822 and that is long on the left and right. Then, the player moves the medal along the medal guide portion 823 toward the medal stop wall 822, and releases the medal while the medal is in contact with the medal stop wall 822, so that the medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot 821. It has come to be.

  The medal slot 821 has a rectangular shape in plan view, and the length (depth) of the short side (front-rear direction) is slightly longer than the thickness of one regular medal, and the long side ( The length (width) in the left-right direction is slightly longer than the diameter of the regular medal. Further, the length of the short side of the medal slot 821 is shorter than the thickness of two regular medals. The medal slot 821 has a short side slightly longer than the thickness of one large medal and a long side shorter than the diameter of one large medal. ing. In addition, the length of the short side of the medal slot 821 is shorter than the thickness of two large-diameter medals. In other words, the width of the medal slot 821 is longer than the diameter of the regular medal and shorter than the diameter of the large medal. Specifically, for example, it is about 28 mm to 29 mm.

The medal stop wall 822 constitutes the rear surface of the insertion slot side medal path 825 that guides the medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 821 to the medal path 815 (see FIG. 3). The wall surface of the medal stop wall 822 and the rear surface of the insertion port side medal passage 825 are flush with each other. Further, the upper part of the medal stop wall 822 extends upward from the rear part of the medal insertion slot 821. In addition, the upper edge of the medal stop wall 822 is positioned above the medal guide portion 823 so that the wall surface of the medal stop wall 822 can be seen behind the medal guide portion 823 in a front view. In addition, the upper edge of the medal stop wall 822 has a mountain shape in which the portion corresponding to the center portion of the medal insertion slot 821 is convex upward in the left-right direction.
The wall surface of the medal stop wall 822 may not be flush with the rear surface of the insertion port side medal passage 825. For example, the wall surface of the medal stop wall 822 is behind the rear surface of the insertion port side medal passage 825. It may be formed so that it may be located in. The medal stop wall 822 and the rear surface of the insertion port side medal passage 825 may be formed by separate members.

The medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 821 pass through the insertion slot side medal path 825 and reach the medal path 815.
In the following description, the length of the long side direction (direction corresponding to the radial direction of the medal) of the cross section of the passage through which medals pass, such as the medal passage 815 and the insertion port side medal passage 825, is referred to as “width”. The length in the short side direction (direction corresponding to the thickness direction of the medal) is referred to as “height”. In addition, regarding the passage through which medals pass, the surface facing the rear surface of the medals (the surface facing the rear side of the medals passing through the medal passage 815, the same applies hereinafter) is called the rear surface, and the front surface of the medals (medals passing through the medal passage 815) The surface facing the front side in the case (hereinafter the same) is called the front surface, and the surface facing the side surface of the medal (the surface connecting the front surface and the rear surface of the passage) is called the side surface.

  As shown in FIGS. 22 and 29, the insertion slot side medal passage 825 has a straight line shape extending from the upper side to the lower side so that the medal flows straight from the upper side to the lower side. In addition, the insertion-side medal passage 825 has a width that decreases from an upper entrance to a lower exit and a height that decreases. Specifically, since the entrance of the insertion slot side medal passage 825 corresponds to the medal insertion slot 821, the width thereof is about 28 mm to 29 mm as described above. The width of the exit of the insertion port side medal passage 825 is about 26 mm. Note that the insertion-side medal passage 825 may be formed so that the width is narrowed substantially linearly from the entrance to the exit, and the width is wide only in the vicinity of the entrance, and the width is about other portions. It may be a constant straight line at 26 mm. Also, the height of the insertion-side medal passage 825 is longer than the thickness of one large-diameter medal and shorter than the thickness of two regular medals in any part from the highest part to the lowest part. ing.

  A lower portion of the insertion slot side medal passage 825 is formed by a rectangular tubular projecting portion 827 that projects downward from the lower surface of the medal inserting portion 811. In addition, bosses 828 and 828 that protrude downward from the lower surface of the medal insertion portion 811 are provided on the left front side and the right rear side of the rectangular tubular protrusion 827, respectively. The bosses 828 and 828 have screw holes. Further, a rectangular plate-like locking piece 829 is provided so as to protrude downward from the right front portion of the lower end surface of the rectangular tube-shaped protruding portion 827.

  The medal passage 815 is formed by a rail rear member 830 and a rail front member 831 (see FIGS. 21, 26, and 29). The rail rear member 830 forms a rear surface and both side surfaces of the medal passage 815. Further, the rail front member 831 constitutes the front surface of the medal passage 815.

  The medal passage 815 has an entrance facing upward and an exit facing downward. As shown in FIG. 23, the medal passage 815 includes a first music portion 815a that guides a medal that has entered from the entrance to the left as it goes downward, and a medal that emerges from the first music portion 815a. Is provided with a second music portion 815b that leads downward toward the left and a straight portion 815c that guides medals coming out of the second music portion 815b downward. Thus, the medal passage 815 has a crank shape. Further, the entrance and exit of the medal passage 815 are arranged so as to be shifted by one or more medals in the left-right direction of the medal passage 815. Since the medal passage 815 has a crank shape, foreign objects are prevented from being inserted from the medal insertion slot 821 to the deep portion of the medal passage 815 and the selector 813, and the goto action is prevented.

  The rail front member 831 is formed of a transparent synthetic resin. As shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, the rail front member 831 has a plate shape, and its outer shape substantially matches the outer shape of the rail rear member 830 in a front view. A protrusion 835 that protrudes forward is provided on the left side of the upper end of the rail front member 831. The projecting portion 835 includes a notch portion that is notched from the front to the rear, and the notch is a screw insertion portion 835a through which a screw is inserted from below to above. Further, on the right side of the upper end portion of the rail front member 831, a notch portion 836 that is notched in a rectangular cross section from the front to the rear is formed. In addition, screw insertion holes 837 and 837 for inserting screws and protrusions 838 and 838 protruding rearward are provided at the left and right ends of the lower end portion of the rail front member 831, respectively. Moreover, the back surface of the rail front member 831 has a planar shape.

  As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the rail rear member 830 includes a back plate 840 that forms the rear surface of the medal passage 815, a right wall 841 that forms the right side surface of the medal passage 815, and a left side surface of the medal passage 815. The left side wall 842 to be formed, and flange portions 844 and 844 that protrude outward in the left-right direction from the lower end portion of the right side wall 841 or the left side wall 842 are provided. The rail rear member 830 is integrally formed of metal (for example, stainless steel). The back plate 840 has a plate shape and is in a state where the plate surface is directed in the front-rear direction. Further, the back plate 840 has a shape along the shape of the medal passage 815 (first curved portion 815a, second curved portion 815b, straight portion 815c) in a front view. The right side wall 841 and the left side wall 842 are formed so as to protrude forward along the right end edge or the left end edge of the back plate 840. Further, the flange portions 844 and 844 are formed integrally with the lower end portion of the right side wall 841 or the left side wall 842. The front surfaces of the flange portions 844 and 844, the front end surface of the right side wall 841, and the front end surface of the left side wall 842 are flush with each other. The left and right flange portions 844 and 844 are provided with screw insertion holes 845 and 845 for inserting screws and protrusion insertion holes 846 and 846 into which the protrusion portion 838 of the rail front member 831 is inserted, respectively. .

  In the rail rear member 830 and the rail front member 831, the rear surface of the rail front member 831 is in contact with the front surfaces of the flange portions 844 and 844 of the rail rear member 830, the front end surface of the right side wall 841, and the front end surface of the left side wall 842. The protrusions 838 and 838 are integrated by screwing, which will be described later, in a state where the protrusions 838 and 838 are inserted into the protrusion insertion holes 844 and 846. A medal passage 815 is formed as a space surrounded by the back plate 840 of the rail rear member 830, the right side wall 841, the left side wall 842, and the rail front member 831.

  Further, on both side portions of the back plate 840, convex portions 850 and 850 protruding forward are formed along the extending direction of the medal passage 815. The medal flowing down the medal passage 815 flows down the medal passage 815 in a state where it can always contact both the left and right convex portions 850 and 850. In other words, the medal flowing down the medal passage 815 does not come into contact with the concave portion formed between the left and right convex portions 850 and 850.

  The back plate 840 of the rail rear member 830 is provided with a rectangular opening 860 that is long on the left and right. A boss 864 that protrudes rearward is provided on the back surface of the back plate 840 of the rail rear member 830 and above the opening 860. The boss 864 has a screw hole. In addition, a protrusion 866 that protrudes rearward is provided on the right side of the back upper end of the back plate 840. The projecting portion 866 includes a cutout portion cut out from the rear to the front, and the cutout portion serves as a screw insertion portion 866a through which a screw is inserted from below to above. Further, an L-shaped locking portion 868 in a plan view is provided at the upper end portion of the left side wall 842 of the rail rear member 830 so as to protrude forward.

As shown in FIG. 26, the rail rear member 830 and the rail front member 831 include a screw inserted through the screw insertion portion 866a of the rail rear member 830 and a screw inserted through the screw insertion portion 835a of the rail front member 831. The medal insertion portion 811 is integrated with the medal insertion portion 811 by being screwed into the respective screw holes of the two bosses 828 and 828. In addition, the locking portion 868 of the rear rail member 830 is locked to the side surface of the rectangular tubular protrusion 827 of the medal insertion portion 811, and the locking piece 829 of the medal insertion portion 811 is cut off of the rail front member 831. The rail rear member 830 and the rail front member 831 are positioned with respect to the medal insertion portion 811 by being locked to the notch portion 836. Further, the upper end surfaces of the rail rear member 830 and the rail front member 831 are in contact with the lower end surfaces of the rectangular cylindrical protrusions 827 of the medal insertion portion 811. As a result, the insertion slot side medal passage 825 and the medal passage 815 are in communication with each other.
Note that the upper end surfaces of the rail rear member 830 and the rail front member 831 and the lower end surface of the medal insertion portion 811 do not necessarily abut, and a predetermined gap is provided between both end surfaces. May be in close proximity.

The length from the exit of the insertion slot side medal passage 825 to the upper end of the medal stop wall 822 is shorter than the diameter (25 mm) of one medal. In other words, the length from the boundary between the insertion slot side medal passage 825 formed in the medal insertion portion 811 and the medal passage 815 formed by other members to the upper end of the medal stop wall 822 is larger than the diameter of one medal. It is getting shorter. That is, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the medal is not caught at the joint between the medal passage 815 and the insertion slot side medal passage 825, but the medal can be caught at the joint. Even so, when a medal is caught at the joint, the upper end of the medal is positioned above the upper edge of the medal stop wall 822 so that the player can touch the rear surface of the medal. . As a result, when a medal is caught, it can be easily grasped and pulled out.
Note that the rear surface or the front surface of the medal passage 815 is not necessarily formed by a member separate from the medal insertion portion 811. That is, for example, the rail rear member 830 or the rail front member 831 is formed integrally with the medal insertion portion 811, and the medal path 815 is attached by attaching the rail front member 831 or the rail rear member 830 as a cover member to this. May be formed. Further, the medal path 815 (the rail rear member 830 and the rail front member 831) may not exist, and the insertion slot side medal path 825 may be directly connected to the selector 813.

  As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the sensor unit 817 includes a sensor 880 and a movable piece 881 (movable member) (see FIG. 21). The sensor 880 is an electronic circuit whose main element is a photo interrupter. The sensor 880 detects the operation of the movable piece 881 and outputs a detection signal.

  The movable piece 881 includes a medal contact portion 882 that comes into contact with a medal, and is formed of a black synthetic resin. The sensor 880 is fixed to the rail rear member 830 by screws, and the movable piece 881 is biased by a spring (elastic member) so that the medal contact portion 882 of the movable piece 881 protrudes from the opening 860 to the medal passage 815. Has been. The movable piece 881 is pressed by the medal or the like that contacts the medal contact portion 882 when the medal or the like passes through the medal passage 815, and when the pressing by the medal or the like is released, the urging force of the spring The medal contact portion 882 returns to the state where it protrudes into the medal passage 815. The movable piece 881 includes a light shielding plate protruding rearward. When the movable piece 881 is pressed, the sensor 880 detects the movement of the light shielding plate, and the detection indicating that the movable piece 881 is pressed. The sensor 880 emits a signal.

  The detection signal from the sensor 880 is sent to the above-described board unit (main control board) via wiring connected to the sensor 880. Then, the substrate unit determines that there is a possibility that the go-to action is performed when a detection signal is continuously sent for a predetermined time (for example, about 1 second), and emits a sound through a speaker or the like. In such a case, an abnormality is reported. Note that the sensor unit 817 does not detect an abnormality such as a gotting action, and may be, for example, a unit that counts the number of medals passing through the medal passage 815. The sensor 880 may be a sensor other than a photo interrupter as long as the operation of the movable piece 881 can be detected.

  As shown in FIG. 27, the rail rear member 830, the rail front member 831, and the selector 813 are screws inserted into the screw insertion holes 845 and 845 of the rail rear member 830 and the screw insertion holes 837 and 837 of the rail front member 831. 883 and 883 are integrated by being screwed into a screw hole (not shown) provided in the upper part of the selector.

  The selector 813 includes a medal sorting unit 885 that sorts medals and a selector side medal passage 886 that guides medals to the medal sorting unit 885. The selector side medal passage 886 is a passage through which medals pass. The selector side medal passage 886 is a passage that is curved in the height direction (the medal thickness direction), but the height of the entrance portion is slightly higher, and the height of the entire passage excluding the entrance portion is high. Is constant. Further, the selector side medal passage 886 has a height less than the thickness of two medals in any part. Further, the height of the selector side medal passage 886 is higher than the height of the medal passage 815 that communicates. Specifically, the height of the medal passage 815 is about 2.3 mm, while the height of the selector side medal passage 886 is about 3.1 mm. Further, the width of the selector side medal passage 886 is slightly longer than the diameter of the regular medal at any part, and is shorter than the diameter of the large medal. In other words, the selector side medal passage 886 has such a width that a large diameter medal cannot flow down. That is, the selector 813 cannot select and play large-diameter medals.

  The medal sorting unit 885 includes a medal sorting mechanism 888 and a medal discharge unit 889 disposed on the rear side of the medal sorting mechanism 888. The medal sorting mechanism 888 is a predetermined medal and supports a medal inserted at an appropriate timing so as not to fall from the medal discharge unit 889 and guides it toward the hopper unit. On the other hand, the medal sorting mechanism 888 drops a medal of a size different from a predetermined size or an irregular medal such as a medal inserted at an improper timing toward the medal discharging unit 889. . The medals dropped from the medal discharge unit 889 are discharged from the medal payout opening to the medal tray 28. Note that a mechanism for selecting medals in this manner may be a conventional selector.

Next, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, a case where a φ30 large-diameter medal M is inserted into the medal insertion slot 821 will be described with reference to FIGS. 29 is a view in which a rail rear member 830 and a rail front member 831 are added to the cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.
Since the width of the medal insertion slot 821 is shorter than the diameter of the large diameter medal M, the large diameter medal M is caught by the medal insertion slot 821. Specifically, the left and right ends (portions indicated by points P and Q in FIG. 28) of the lower portion of the side surface of the large-diameter medal M are in contact with the edge (short side) of the medal insertion slot 821, thereby M is caught on the medal slot 821. In other words, the medal slot 821 is formed in a size that prevents a medal of a size that cannot be selected by the selector 813 from being caught and flows into the gaming machine.

Further, the large diameter medal M is inserted into the medal insertion slot 821 in a state where it is engaged with the medal insertion slot 821, and the lower end of the front surface of the large diameter medal M is from the front edge of the medal insertion slot 821. Is also located below. In other words, the lower end of the front surface of the large-diameter medal M is positioned below the upper end edge of the front surface of the insertion-port-side medal passage 825, and the lower end portion of the front surface of the large-diameter medal M is the insertion-port-side medal passage 825. It is in a state covered with the front of. Specifically, the distance T1 from the lower end of the large-diameter medal M to the front edge (medal guide portion 823) of the medal insertion slot 821 is 1.5 mm or more. It is located 1.5 mm or more below the front edge of the medal slot 821. A region 1.5 mm from the lower end of the large-diameter medal M is covered by the front surface of the insertion slot side medal passage 825.
As described above, since the lower end portion of the large-diameter medal M is inserted into the medal insertion slot 821, it is possible to prevent the large-diameter medal M in a state of being hung on the medal insertion slot 821 from falling down. The large diameter medal M is stably supported. In the above example, T1 is 1.5 mm or more, but preferably 0.5 mm or more and 5.0 mm or less.

  Further, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the large-diameter medal M that is hung on the medal slot 821 is in the vicinity of the portion indicated by points P and Q in FIG. It is in contact with the front surface. In other words, the side surface of the large-diameter medal M abuts on the medal insertion slot 821 at points P and Q, and the front surface thereof can abut on the medal insertion slot 821 near the points P and Q. ing. In other words, the large-diameter medal M has two sides spaced apart from each other (separated in the direction of the medal's surface), and the side surface abuts on the medal slot 821, and the front surface of the medal is in the vicinity of each of the two points. It is in a state where it is in contact with the mouth 821 portion, or in a state where it can approach and come into contact. In other words, the large-diameter medal M is in a state in which two points separated from each other on the left and right are inserted into a notch portion having an upper U-shape formed on the left and right sides of the medal insertion slot 821. Yes. With this configuration, the side surface and front surface of the large-diameter medal M inserted into the medal slot 821 can be stably supported, and the large-diameter medal M can be more reliably prevented from falling.

  In this way, by inserting the lower end portion of the large-diameter medal M into the medal insertion slot 821, the large-diameter medal M is caught on the medal insertion slot 821 in a standing state. In other words, the large-diameter medal M is placed on the medal slot 821 with both sides thereof directed in the front-rear direction. At this time, the rear surface of the large-diameter medal M is in a state of being in proximity to or in contact with the medal stop wall 822.

  In addition, the medal guide portion 823 has a curvature at the rear end portion that is equal to or greater than the curvature of the large-diameter medal M. Therefore, the large diameter medal M having the lower end inserted into the medal insertion slot 821 has the lower end on the front side firmly supported along the circumferential direction of the large diameter medal M, and in a stable state to the medal insertion slot 821. It is supposed to be caught.

  Further, the large diameter medal M is positioned above the lower end of the insertion slot side medal passage 825 when the large diameter medal M is hooked on the medal insertion slot 821. In other words, the lower end of the large-diameter medal M does not reach the boundary (connecting portion) between the insertion-port-side medal passage 825 formed in the medal insertion portion 811 and the medal passage 815 communicating therewith. In this way, the large-diameter medal M is prevented from reaching the boundary between the medal insertion portion 811 having the insertion-port-side medal passage 825 and other members forming the medal passage 815. Is inserted into the medal insertion slot 821, the large-diameter medal M does not float on the border and is surely caught on the edge of the medal insertion slot 821. Therefore, since the large-diameter medals M that are erroneously or intentionally inserted are stably supported, the large-diameter medals can be easily taken out.

  The large-diameter medal M is positioned above the sensor for detecting medals such as the sensor 880 and the sensor provided in the selector 813 in the state where the large-diameter medal M is placed on the medal insertion slot 821. The large diameter medal M is prevented from reaching these sensors. Therefore, when the large-diameter medal M is erroneously inserted and hits the medal insertion slot 821, the sensor 880 reacts and it is erroneously determined that a got action is being performed, or a medal is inserted. It is possible to prevent mistaken judgments.

As described above, the medal stop wall 822 extends upward from the rear portion of the medal insertion slot 821. Therefore, the large-diameter medal M is in a state where at least a part of its rear surface is covered with the medal stop wall 822 in a state where the large-diameter medal M is hooked on the medal insertion slot 821. Further, the upper end of the medal stop wall 822 is positioned above the center of the rear surface of the large-diameter medal M that is hung on the medal insertion slot 821 (the center in the vertical direction: indicated by a dashed line C in FIG. 28). Is formed. In other words, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the medal stop wall 822 covers an area of 15 mm or more from the lower end of the rear surface of the large-diameter medal M. In this way, when the upper end of the medal stop wall 822 is formed so as to be positioned above the center in the vertical direction of the large-diameter medal M, the large-diameter medal M is likely to tilt backward. Since the upper side of the large-diameter medal M above the center in the vertical direction is supported by the medal stop wall 822, the large-diameter medal M is prevented from falling backward, and the large-diameter medal M is stably supported. Therefore, the posture of the large-diameter medal M is stabilized, and the large-diameter medal M can be easily taken out.
Note that the upper end of the medal stop wall 822 may not be formed so as to be positioned strictly above the center of the rear surface of the large-diameter medal M. That is, for example, the position of the upper end of the medal stop wall 822 in the vertical direction may be formed within ± 1.5 mm from the center of the large-diameter medal M in the vertical direction. In other words, the position of the upper end of the medal stop wall 822 in the vertical direction may be formed so as to be the position of the central portion in the vertical direction of the large-diameter medal M. Even with such a configuration, the posture of the large-diameter medal M can be stabilized.

The medal stop wall 822 is formed so that the upper end of the medal stop wall 822 is positioned below the upper end of the large diameter medal M when the large diameter medal M is hooked on the medal insertion slot 821. Thereby, in this state, the player can touch the rear surface of the large-diameter medal M. In other words, the large-diameter medal M is in a state where a part of the rear surface of the large-diameter medal M is exposed when viewed from the back side of the medal stop wall 822 in a state where the large-diameter medal M is hooked on the medal insertion slot 821. As described above, since it is possible to touch the rear surface of the large-diameter medal M, the large-diameter medal M can be pinched by touching the front surface and the rear surface of the large-diameter medal M hung on the medal slot 821. Can be taken out easily. In addition, since it is possible to pinch the large-diameter medal M if it is possible to touch the rear surface of the large-diameter medal M, the upper end of the medal stop wall 822 is not necessarily the large diameter that is hung on the medal slot 821. It may not be formed so as to be positioned below the upper end of the medal M. However, the protruding amount T2 from the upper end of the medal stop wall 822 at the upper end of the large-diameter medal M in the state where it is hung on the medal slot 821 is preferably 3 mm or more, and preferably 6 mm or more. Further preferred. According to such a configuration, it becomes easy to pinch the large diameter medal M, and the large diameter medal M can be taken out more easily.
Note that the positions of the upper end of the large-diameter medal M and the upper end of the medal stop wall 822 in the left-right direction do not have to match. Further, the positions in the left-right direction of the lower end of the large-diameter medal M and the lower end (the bottommost portion of the groove) at the rear end portion of the medal guide portion 823 do not have to match.

990 Start lever 992 Shaft

Claims (1)

A gaming machine with a start lever having a shaft,
The start lever can be tilted from an initial position that is a non-operating position to a maximum position that is a position where an operation amount with respect to the initial position is maximized via a detection position that is a position where an operation is detected. ,
The tilt angle of the shaft from the initial position to the detection position is greater than 0 and less than 50% with respect to the tilt angle of the shaft from the initial position to the maximum position. And
The distance from the fulcrum of the tilt of the shaft to the tip of the start lever is longer than the distance from the fulcrum to the rear end of the shaft ,
It further includes a bet button and a stop button that can be pressed,
The operation load necessary to move the start lever from the initial position to the maximum position is a first maximum load,
The operation load necessary to move the bet button from the initial position to the maximum position is a second maximum load,
When the operation load necessary to move the stop button from the initial position to the maximum position is a third maximum load,
The gaming machine, wherein the first maximum load is larger than the second maximum load, and the second maximum load is larger than the third maximum load .

Images