JP7107575B2 - game machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to gaming machines.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a game machine (a reel-type game machine, a slot machine) having a plurality of reels with patterns arranged on the outer peripheral surface thereof is known. This type of gaming machine imparts a certain game value to game media such as medals and pachinko balls, and performs games to acquire such game media. In addition, this type of gaming machine performs an internal lottery and starts the rotation of a plurality of reels when the player operates the start lever to start the internal lottery, and when the player operates the stop button to stop the internal lottery. Control is performed to stop a plurality of reels in a mode according to the results. The result of the game is determined by the combination of symbols displayed on the winning determination line when the plurality of reels are stopped, and medals or the like are paid out according to the result of the game.

In this type of game machine, there is disclosed a configuration in which a reel configured by winding a reel tape having a plurality of patterns printed on a rotating body rotated by a motor is illuminated from the inside with a back lamp (Patent Document 1). In general, a game machine as shown in Patent Document 1 is arranged such that a background formed around a pattern overlaps the joint between one end and the other end of the reel tape, and a back lamp is projected from the joint of the reel tape. It prevents light from leaking out.

JP 2007-037579 A

However, since it is difficult for the light from the backlight to pass through the part where the background of the reel tape overlaps compared to the part where the background does not overlap, the part where the background overlaps due to the difference in the ease of light transmission. There is a risk that the visibility of the patterns arranged around them may deteriorate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine capable of improving the visibility of symbols on reels.

One aspect of the present invention is a gaming machine comprising a plurality of reels (e.g., first reel R1 to third reel R3) and a backlight (e.g., reel backlight board BL) that illuminates the plurality of reels ( For example, in slot machine 1) ,
Each of the plurality of reels includes a reel tape (eg, reel tape T1 to reel tape T3) in which an image is printed on a transparent substrate (eg, substrate 60) , and one end side (eg, one side) of the reel tape. a frame (e.g., reel frame FR) wound so that the other end (e.g., the other end T12) of the reel tape covers the other end T11) of the reel tape; and an adhesive member (for example, an adhesive member 66) that adheres to
The image of the reel tape includes a pattern image including a specific pattern image (for example, the second pattern P1 (pattern "cherry") of the reel tape T1) and a background image (for example, the background portion H) ,
The reel tape is divided in order from the other end side (for example, the other end T1b side of the reel tape T1) to the one end side (for example, the one end T1a side of the reel tape T1) .
a first area (for example, an area corresponding to the other end T12 of the reel tape T1) in which the specific pattern image and the background image are present;
a second region (for example, a region other than the other end T12 and the one end T11 of the reel tape T1) having the pattern image other than the specific pattern image and the background image;
a third area without the pattern image but with the background image (for example, an area corresponding to the distance d portion of one end T11) ;
including a fourth area (for example, an area corresponding to the portion of distance a of T11) where the pattern image and the background image are absent,
When the reel tape is correctly wound around the frame,
the first region covers the third region, the fourth region, and the adhesive member;
The gaming machine is characterized in that the specific pattern image in the first area overlaps the fourth area and the adhesive member, but does not overlap the third area.

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the visibility of the symbols on the reels.

1 is a front view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine according to this embodiment; FIG. 1 is a side view showing an external configuration of a gaming machine according to this embodiment; FIG. It is a rear view showing the configuration of the front door of the gaming machine according to the present embodiment. It is a front view showing the configuration inside the housing of the gaming machine according to the present embodiment. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 1 showing the start lever unit of the gaming machine according to the present embodiment; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 1 showing the mounting structure of the start lever unit of the gaming machine according to the present embodiment; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD of FIG. 2 showing the stop button unit of the gaming machine according to the present embodiment; FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing the stop button unit of the gaming machine according to this embodiment; FIG. It is a CC cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 showing the stop button unit of the gaming machine according to the present embodiment. It is a perspective view showing the first reel of the gaming machine according to the present embodiment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure which shows the reel tape of the gaming machine which concerns on this embodiment, (a) is the figure seen from the front surface, (b) is the figure seen from the back surface. It is an enlarged view showing the first reel around the overlapping area of the gaming machine according to the present embodiment. It is an enlarged view of Fig.11 (a) which shows the reel tape of the gaming machine which concerns on this embodiment. It is an enlarged view showing the identification display of the gaming machine according to the present embodiment.

An embodiment according to the present invention will be described below. It should be noted that the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. Moreover, not all the configurations described in the present embodiment are essential constituent elements of the present invention. Also, in the following description, there are explanations of "parallel" and "perpendicular", but due to dimensional errors (design errors, manufacturing errors), etc., it is practically impossible to strictly define them as "parallel" and "perpendicular". is difficult, and "parallel" and "perpendicular" shall include "substantially parallel" and "substantially orthogonal", respectively.

[Overview of configuration of game machine]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing the external configuration of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a side view showing the external configuration of the slot machine 1. As shown in FIG. The slot machine 1 of the present embodiment is a so-called reel-type gaming machine, and is a type of gaming machine in which games are played using medals as game media. In the following description, the player's direction (front) is referred to as "forward", and the opposite direction is referred to as "rear". The top, bottom, left, and right sides of the gaming machine are defined with reference to the front view of FIG.

The slot machine 1 of this embodiment has a box-shaped housing BX in which an opening BXa (see FIG. 4) is formed on the front side (front side) facing the player, and is supported by the housing BX so as to be openable and closable. A reel unit 310 having a first reel R1 to a third reel R3 as a plurality of reels arranged side by side in the left-right direction in the housing BX is accommodated. . The opening BXa of the housing BX is formed along an inclined surface S1 in which the lower portion is forward than the upper portion. The housing BX has a lower surface BXb that comes into contact with the floor surface of the game arcade when the slot machine 1 is installed in the game arcade. Note that the lower surface BXb is not limited to being formed in a planar shape. The bottom surface BXb may be formed so that the slot machine 1 can be placed stably by coming into contact with the floor surface of the game arcade, and may have a plurality of irregularities, for example. Since the housing BX is formed along the inclined surface S1, the force that tends to fall forward when the front door FD is opened is relieved. A hopper unit 320 (see FIG. 4) as a medal dispensing device is housed under the reel unit 310 in the housing BX. In addition, a control board 10 (see FIG. 4) for controlling the operation of the slot machine 1 is equipped with a CPU, a ROM (an example of an information storage medium), a RAM, etc., in the housing BX of the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment. is also included.

A first reel R1 arranged on the leftmost side, a second reel R2 arranged on the right side of the first reel R1, and a third reel R3 arranged on the right side of the second reel R2 each have an outer circumference. The surface is divided into 20 areas (each area is hereinafter referred to as a "frame") at regular intervals, and each frame has one of a plurality of patterns arranged therein. Further, the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 are pivotally supported by a stepping motor M (see FIG. 4) as reel driving means, and are driven to rotate about the axis of the stepping motor M, thereby driving the stepping motor M. By controlling the pulse number, pulse width, etc. of the pulse, it can be stopped in frame units (predetermined rotation angle units, predetermined rotation amount units).

The front door FD can be opened and closed individually, and is divided into an upper front door UD capable of closing the upper half of the opening BXa and a lower front door DD capable of closing the lower half of the opening BXa. It is divided into upper and lower parts in the part DV. A front upper door UD is provided with a display window DW for observing the rotation state and stop state of the first to third reels R1 to R3. In the stopped state of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, the plurality of types of symbols arranged at regular intervals on the outer peripheral surface of each of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 are continuously arranged on the outer peripheral surface. The three patterns (upper pattern, middle pattern, and lower pattern) displayed in the slot machine 1 can be observed from the front of the slot machine 1 through the display window DW.

In addition, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, as display positions for observing symbols through the display window DW, each reel is provided with an upper stage, a middle stage, and a lower stage. is set. In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the number of medals required for one game, the so-called prescribed number of inserted medals, is set to three in any game state, and the number of medals corresponding to the prescribed number of inserted medals is set to three. When the coin is thrown, the activated line L1 formed by the middle stages of the first to third reels R1 to R3 is activated.

The game result is determined by the symbol combination stopped and displayed on the activated line L1 in the display window DW. Medals are paid out from the hopper unit 320 assuming that the winning combination has been won.

A game information display section DS is provided on the upper front door UD. The game information display unit DS is composed of LEDs, lamps, 7-segment displays, etc., and includes the number of credits for medals, the number of paid-out or won medals in one game, and the total number of paid-out or won medals in a bonus state. , information on the winning combination in the current game, information indicating how to press the stop buttons B1 to B3 related to payout of medals, and other various game information are displayed.

The game information display unit DS includes a main control display device 500 composed of a 7-segment display device. When a notification display, which is a display corresponding to a winning command, which is a control signal created based on winning information, which is information on a winning combination, is displayed, and the first to third reels R1 to R3 are stopped after the display of the notification display. , the number of medals to be paid out or the number of medals to be won is displayed as soon as the notification display ends. In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, a notification display is executed in which each segment of the main control display device 500 lights up and goes out in a display mode according to the winning command.

Also, on the main control display device 500, there is a dot of a 7-segment display, which lights up when an advantageous period is started by advantageous period control means (not shown), and indicates that the advantageous period has not started, that is, a non-advantageous period. An advantageous period notification unit 500A is provided that notifies whether or not the advantageous period has started by turning off the light when the period has started.

In addition, the slot machine 1 is provided with an effect device 300 capable of executing a game-related effect such as assisting the game or enlivening the game. The production device 300 includes a display device 330, a movable accessory device 350, and a plurality of illumination devices 360 provided on the upper front door UD, and a plurality of illumination devices 370 provided on the lower front door. be The display device 330 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display, and executes an effect of displaying various videos and images in accordance with the progress of the game. The movable accessory device 350 is arranged, for example, in front of the display device 330, and moves according to the progress of the game by driving means such as a motor or a solenoid to cover or expose the screen of the display device 330. perform the performance. The illumination devices 360 and 370 execute an effect of emitting light according to the progress of the game. The production device 300 also includes a plurality of sound devices 380 and 390 provided on the front upper door UD and the front lower door DD. The audio devices 380 and 390 execute an effect of outputting various sounds according to the progress of the game.

The lower front door DD has substantially the same size as the lower front door DD when viewed from the front, and has a lower door base DB made of synthetic resin to which the illumination device 370, the sound device 390, the medal tray MP, etc. are attached. The lower door base DB is integrally formed with an operating portion CP to which various operating means are attached. The operation part CP has an operation part upper surface CPa facing upward and an operation part front surface CPb facing forward. On the upper surface CPa of the operation unit, there is a medal insertion slot MI through which the player inserts medals one by one, and in a state in which the medals are credited (stored), the credited medals are inserted by a single operation. A max bet button MB (bet button) is attached as a throwing operation means for accepting a throwing operation for throwing in a number of medals.

On the front face CPb of the operation part, there are a single bet button BT as a throwing operation means, a start lever unit LU having a start lever SL as a start operation means, and a plurality of stop buttons as stop buttons B1 to B3 as stop operation means. , a button cover BC covering the front side of the stop button unit BU, and a settlement button BS for settlement of credited medals. The single bet button BT accepts an insertion operation of inserting one of the credited medals while the medals are credited. The start lever SL receives a start operation that triggers the rotation of the first to third reels R1 to R3. The stop button B1 to stop button B3 accept a stop operation that serves as a trigger to stop each of the first reel R1 to third reel R3 rotationally driven by the stepping motor M (see FIG. 4). The credited medals are stored (stored) in the control board 10 as storage means.

In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the player inserts medals into the medal insertion slot MI, or when the number of medals credited exceeds the prescribed number of inserted medals, the single bet button BT is pushed backward the same number of times as the prescribed number of inserted medals. By performing a single bet operation (throwing-in operation) by pushing the max bet button MB downwards (throwing-in operation) or a max bet operation (throwing-in operation) by pushing the max bet button MB downward, the specified number of medals to be put is set to the put-in state, and the first reel is set to the put-in state. A ready state is set in which rotation control of R1 to third reel R3 can be started. Then, when the player executes a start operation (tilting operation) for tilting the start lever SL with respect to the start lever SL, the control board 10 causes the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 to start rotating by driving the stepping motor M. At the same time, an internal lottery using random numbers is performed, and on the condition that the rotation speed of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 rises to a predetermined speed and becomes a steady rotation, the stop button B1 to stop button B3 is pressed. The operation is permitted, that is, the stop operation by the stop buttons B1 to B3 is validated.

The slot machine 1 of the present embodiment sets a standby time (about 4.1 seconds) called a wait (or wait time) when the first to third reels R1 to R3 are started to rotate. is configured as Then, when the start operation is performed again within a period from setting the waiting time until the waiting time elapses, the slot machine 1 starts rotating the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 after the waiting time elapses. It is configured to allow

After that, when the player presses the stop buttons B1 to B3 toward the rear at any timing (hereinafter referred to as "pressing timing"), the stop buttons B1 to B3 are built in, respectively. The stop switch 35 (see FIG. 8) serving as stop signal output means is turned ON, and the reel stop signal output to the control board 10 is changed from the OFF state to the ON state.

Further, when the player releases the pressed stop button B1 to stop button B3 at an arbitrary timing, the stop switches corresponding to the stop buttons B1 to B3 are turned off, and the reels output to the control board 10. The stop signal is changed from the ON state to the OFF state. Then, the control board 10 determines the result of the internal lottery based on the change from the OFF state to the ON state of the reel stop signal whose signal state changes according to the pressing timing and releasing timing of the stop buttons B1 to B3. The first to third reels R1 to R3 are stopped at the stopped position.

In addition, a medal payout opening MO and a medal receiving tray MP are provided on the lower plate front surface 51 of the lower front door DD, and the number of medals according to the game result is transferred from the medal paying opening MO to the medal receiving tray MP. It is supposed to be paid out. Further, when the settlement button BS is pressed while credited medals are stored in the control board 10, a medal settlement switch (not shown) built in the settlement button BS is accompanied by the depression of the settlement button BS. performs an ON operation, and changes the medal settlement signal output to the control board 10 from the OFF state to the ON state. The control board 10 operates the hopper unit 320 only when the first to third reels R1 to R3 are not rotating and medals are not bet in accordance with the change of the medal settlement signal from the OFF state to the ON state. , the number of medals corresponding to the number of credits (the number of credited medals) is paid out, and the medals are paid out from the medal payout opening MO to the medal receiving tray MP.

On the left and right of the medal payout opening MO on the front surface of the lower plate 51, there are certificate stamps (certificate stamps certifying compliance with tests by public institutions, certificate stamps certifying licensing of patent rights, etc., individual information of each game machine (model information and manufacturing information) ) are recorded with codes, numbers, etc., identification labels, nameplates, etc.) are arranged respectively. The certificate stamp placement portions 52L and 52R can be composed of, for example, recesses for accommodating certificate stamps and a transparent cover covering them. Alternatively, the certificate stamp placement portions 52L and 52R may simply be flat portions for affixing or adhering certificate stamps (certificate stamps, nameplates, etc.). The sound devices 390, 390 are arranged behind the lower plate front surface 51 and on the left and right outsides of the certificate stamp placement portions 52L, 52R. Apertures 53, 53 consisting of a large number of apertures for outputting sound from 390, 390 forward are arranged.

The lower plate front surface 51 is formed so as to be parallel to a mating surface DDa that faces the inclined surface S1 of the front lower door DD, which will be described later, and the front edge MOa of the opening of the medal payout port MO is also parallel to the mating surface DDa. is formed to be Further, the openings of the openings 53, 53 are formed so as to be perpendicular to the mating surface DDa. This makes it possible to simplify the shape of the front lower door DD and reduce the production cost. In addition, the opening of the opening may have a shape that can be demolded in a direction orthogonal to the mating surface DDa in injection molding. The draft angle of the holes need not be constant in one hole. Further, the plane portions of the certificate stamp placement portions 52L and 52R on which the certificate stamps are pasted are formed so as to be parallel to the mating surface DDa. That is, the certificate stamps placed in the certificate stamps placing portions 52L and 52R are inclined such that the lower part is forward than the upper part. As a result, when a worker, a player, or the like visually confirms the information on the certificate stamps, the certificate stamps can be visually recognized more easily from above the certificate stamps arrangement portions 52L and 52R, and the workability in confirming the certificate stamps is improved. We are trying to

[Configuration related to opening and closing of front upper door and front lower door]
Next, a configuration relating to opening and closing of the front door FD will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the front door FD is supported by the housing BX via hinges HN (see FIG. 4) provided on the left side of each of the front upper door UD and the front lower door DD. The right side of the housing BX can be opened and closed. The front upper door UD has an upper locking unit (not shown), and the front lower door DD has a lower locking unit DL.

The upper locking unit is provided on the right side of the upper front door UD. The upper locking unit UL is tiltably supported with respect to the upper locking base ULa attached to the lower door base DB, and with respect to the upper locking base ULa. An upper engaging portion ULb movable between an engaging position and a non-engaging position, an engaging operating portion ULc for operating the movement of the upper engaging portion, and connecting the upper engaging portion and the engaging operating portion ULc It has an upper connection (not shown). The front upper door UD is locked in a closed state by engaging the upper engaging portion ULb of the upper locking unit with the upper engaged portion BXc. The bottom locking unit DL is provided on the right side of the front bottom door DD. The lower locking unit DL is tiltably supported with respect to the lower locking base DLa attached to the lower door base DB, and is supported by the lower engaged portion BXd (see FIG. 4) provided in the housing BX. A lower engaging portion DLb movable between an engaging position and a non-engaging position, a cylinder lock CY for operating the movement of the lower engaging portion by key operation, and connecting the lower engaging portion DLb and the cylinder lock CY. It has a lower connection portion DLd. The lower front door DD is locked in a closed state by engaging the lower engaging portion DLb of the lower locking unit DL with the lower engaged portion BXd. The front door FD closes the opening BXa by locking the front upper door UD and the front lower door DD.

The front upper door UD has a mating surface UDa facing the inclined surface S1 when the front door FD closes the opening BXa, and the front lower door DD is inclined when the front door FD closes the opening BXa. It has a mating surface DDa facing the surface S1. Further, the front upper door UD has a lower end front surface UDb (see FIG. 5) that is arranged at the lower end of the front upper door UD and formed to face forward. The front lower door DD is arranged at the upper end of the front lower door DD and formed to face rearward, and has an upper rear surface DDb (see FIG. 5) that faces the lower front surface UDb and can contact the lower front surface UDb. is doing.

The front upper door UD is restricted from moving in the opening direction with respect to the front lower door DD by the upper end rear surface DDb coming into contact with the lower end front surface UDb. Therefore, the front upper door UD is in a state in which the lower engaging portion of the lower locking unit DL of the front lower door DD is not engaged with the lower engaged portion BXd (the front lower door DD is unlocked and opened). state) and can be opened and closed. Further, the lower front door DD is in a state where the upper engaging portion of the upper locking unit of the upper front door UD is engaged with the upper engaged portion BXc (the upper front door UD is closed and locked). It can be opened and closed independently of the lower front door DD.

The engagement operation portion ULc of the upper locking unit UL is arranged so as to be operably exposed when the front lower door DD is open. The upper engaging portion ULb is moved to a position where it does not engage with the upper engaged portion BXc. The cylinder lock CY of the lower locking unit DL is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in a direction orthogonal to the mating surface DDa, and extends from a cylinder through hole DBc (see FIG. 1) formed in the front lower door DD to a front end portion CYa. (See FIG. 1) is exposed forward, and the lower engaging portion DLb of the lower locking unit DL is engaged with the lower engaging portion DLb of the lower locking unit DL via the lower connecting portion by performing a key operation to rotate the inserted key. It is moved to a position where it does not engage with the portion BXd.

The lower front door DD has a cylinder through hole DBc formed in a direction orthogonal to the mating surface DDa. Further, the front lower door DD has a cylinder peripheral surface DBd formed around the front end side opening of the cylinder through hole DBc, and the cylinder peripheral surface DBd is formed so as to be parallel to the mating surface DDa. ing. This makes it possible to simplify the shape of the front lower door DD and reduce the production cost. The cylinder through-hole may have any shape as long as it can be demolded in the direction orthogonal to the mating surface DDa in injection molding. The draft angle of may not be constant in one hole.

Further, the front upper door UD has an upper door lower end surface UDc, which is a dividing surface of the dividing portion D, arranged at the lower end portion of the front upper door UD and directed downward. The lower front door DD is arranged at the upper end of the lower front door DD and is formed to face upward. It has a lower door upper end surface DDc which is a dividing surface. The upper door lower end surface UDc and the lower door upper end surface DDc are inclined forward and upward with respect to a virtual plane S2 perpendicular to the mating surfaces UDa and DDa.

As a result, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the operator opens the upper front door UD with the lower front door DD open, the upper front door UD is opened with the right end side of the upper front door UD lowered by its own weight. is configured to guide the upper door lower end surface UDc along the lower door upper end surface DDc. Further, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the operator closes the lower front door DD while the upper front door UD is closed, even if the operator closes the lower front door DD while lifting it, the upper door is closed. The door lower end surface UDc is configured to be guided along the lower door upper end surface DDc.

With such a configuration, the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment allows the worker to open and close the front upper door UD and the front lower door DD independently of each other, and the operator can open and close the upper end of the front lower door DD. The corner and the front corner of the lower end portion of the front upper door UD are less likely to collide, and the operability in opening and closing the front upper door UD and the front lower door DD is improved. Also, the rear corner of the upper end of the lower front door DD and the front corner of the lower end of the upper front door UD are prevented from colliding and being damaged. Furthermore, when the upper door lower end surface UDc and the lower door upper end surface DDc slide, the pressure at which the upper door lower end surface UDc and the lower door upper end surface DDc contact is reduced, and the upper door lower end surface UDc and the lower door upper end surface UDc This is intended to suppress scratches due to sliding with the end face DDc.

[Details of front lower door and start lever unit]
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the lower door base DB has a lever mounting surface DBj on which the start lever unit LU is mounted, and a plurality of lever mounting surfaces into which screws for mounting the start lever unit LU to the lower door base DB are inserted. Injection using a mold that has a hole DBk, a lever through hole DBm into which the start lever unit LU is inserted, and a lever peripheral surface DBn, and whose opening direction (extraction direction) is the direction perpendicular to the mating surface DDa. It is formed by molding.

The lever mounting surface DBj is formed so as to face rearward and parallel to the mating surface DDa, and is in contact with the start lever unit LU. The plurality of lever mounting holes DBk extend forward from the lever mounting surface DBj and are formed along a direction perpendicular to the mating surface DDa. The lever through-hole DBm extends forward from the lever mounting surface DBj and is formed along a direction orthogonal to the mating surface DDa. That is, the center line DBKL of the plurality of lever mounting holes DBk and the center line DBmL of the lever through hole DBm are perpendicular to the mating surface DDa.

Further, the lever peripheral surface DBn is formed around the front end side opening of the lever through hole DBm so as to be parallel to the mating surface DDa. Note that the lever peripheral surface DBn may be formed on the lower door base DB as the same surface as the operation portion front surface CPb. The start lever unit LU is attached to the operation portion CP of the lower door base DB from the rear and screwed, and the front end side passes through the lever through-hole DBm and is exposed forward from the operation portion CP.

The start lever unit LU performs a start operation based on tilting of a holding portion 41 attached to the lower door base DB, a start lever SL, a return spring 43 as an urging means, and a shaft portion 42 from an initial position in the vertical and horizontal directions. It has a tilt sensor 45 for detecting. The start lever SL has a shaft portion 42 held by the holding portion 41 so as to be able to swing (tilt), and a spherical grip 44 attached to the front end portion of the shaft portion 42 .

The holding portion 41 has a cylindrical portion 41a to be inserted into the lever through-hole DBm, and a plurality of screw through-holes 41b through which screws for attachment to the lower door base DB pass, and is perpendicular to the mating surface DDa. It is formed by injection molding using a mold whose direction is the opening direction (extraction direction). The cylindrical portion 41a and the plurality of screw through holes 41b are formed to extend in a direction perpendicular to the mating surface DDa when attached to the lower door base DB. That is, the center line 41aL of the cylindrical portion 41a and the center line 41bL of the plurality of screw through holes 41b are perpendicular to the mating surface DDa.

The shaft portion 42 extends forward from the operation portion front surface CPb in a direction orthogonal to the mating surface DDa in the initial position, that is, in a state in which no operation is performed by the player. The return spring 43 is arranged between the shaft portion 42 and the holding portion 41 and biases the shaft portion 42 toward the initial position. When the shaft portion 42 tilts in the vertical and horizontal directions from the initial position, the detection signal output from the tilt sensor 45 to the control board 10 (see FIG. 4) changes from the OFF state to the ON state. The shaft portion 42 is not limited to extending in a direction strictly perpendicular to the mating surface DDa in the initial position. For example, the shaft portion may have its front end lowered by its own weight and may be inclined by about 0 to 3° with respect to the direction orthogonal to the mating surface.

[Details of the lower front door, checkout button and single bet button]
The lower door base DB extends in a direction orthogonal to the mating surface DDa and is formed on the front surface CPb of the operating portion. and a single bet button through hole (not shown) into which the single bet button BT is inserted. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the lower door base DB includes a checkout button peripheral surface DBp formed around the front end side opening of the checkout button through hole so as to be parallel to the matching surface DDa, and a single bet button. a single bet button peripheral surface DBq formed around the front end side opening of the through hole so as to be parallel to the mating surface DDa.

[Details of front lower door and stop button unit]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7 to 9, the lower door base DB has a button unit mounting surface DBe on which the stop button unit BU is mounted, and a screw for mounting the stop button unit BU to the lower door base DB. It has a plurality of button unit mounting holes DBf. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 1 cut at the center of stop button B2. Illustration of the stop button B3 is omitted.

The button unit mounting surface DBe is formed so as to face forward and parallel to the mating surface DDa, and is in contact with the stop button unit BU. The plurality of button unit mounting holes DBf extend rearward from the button unit mounting surface DBe and are formed along a direction orthogonal to the mating surface DDa. That is, the center line DBfL of the plurality of button unit mounting holes DBf is orthogonal to the mating surface DDa.

The stop button unit BU is attached to the operation portion CP of the lower door base DB from the front and screwed, and the front side around the stop buttons B1 to B3 is covered with a button cover attached to the operation portion CP. . The button cover BC has a mating surface DDa around the button through holes BCa through which the stop buttons B1 to B3 pass, and the front end side openings of the button through holes BCa of the stop buttons B1 to B3. It has through-hole peripheral surfaces BCb formed in parallel and is made of a synthetic resin. When attached to the lower door base DB, the button through hole BCa is formed to extend parallel to the center line 32aL of the guide hole 32a, which will be described later. That is, the center line BCaL of the button through hole BCa is parallel to the center line 32aL of the guide hole 32a. Moreover, the through-hole surrounding surface BCb is formed so as to be perpendicular to the center line BCaL.

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the stop button unit BU has a button base 31 attached to the lower door base DB, stop buttons B1 to B3, and a button guide 32. B3 has a button spring 33 and a stop switch 35, which is a transmissive optical sensor that detects a stop operation based on the movement of the stop buttons B1 to B3.

The button base 31 includes a contact surface 31a that contacts the button unit mounting surface DBe of the lower door base DB, a plurality of screw through holes 31b through which screws for mounting to the lower door base DB pass, and a plurality of screw holes 31b that hold the button guides 32. It has a button guide holding portion 31c and a switch mounting portion 31d to which the stop switch 35 is mounted, and is formed by injection molding using a mold whose opening direction (extraction direction) is perpendicular to the mating surface DDa. The contact surface 31a is formed so as to be parallel to the mating surface DDa when the stop button unit BU is attached to the lower door base DB. A plurality of screw through holes 31b are formed to extend in a direction orthogonal to the mating surface DDa in a state where the stop button unit BU is attached to the lower door base DB. That is, the center line 31bL of the screw through hole 31b is orthogonal to the mating surface DDa. The button base 31 holds the button guide 32 with a plurality of button guide holding portions 31c in a state where the stop switch 35 is accommodated between the button guide 32 and the button guide 32 .

The button guide 32 is formed corresponding to each of the stop buttons B1 to B3, has a guide hole 32a as a button guide hole for guiding movement of the stop buttons B1 to B3, and is orthogonal to the mating surface DDa. It is formed by injection molding using a mold whose opening direction (extraction direction) is the direction in which it is drawn. The button guide 32 also includes a front restricting surface 32b that restricts the forward movement of the stop buttons B1 to B3, a rear restricting surface 32c that restricts the rearward movement of the stop buttons B1 to B3, and a button periphery. It has a surface 32d.

When the stop button unit BU is attached to the lower door base DB, the guide hole 32a is open at the front end side and extends so that the front side faces upward in a direction orthogonal to the mating surface DDa. It guides movement of the stop buttons B1 to B3 in a direction inclined with respect to the direction orthogonal to DDa. That is, the center line 32aL of the guide hole 32a is inclined so that the front side faces upward with respect to the direction perpendicular to the mating surface DDa. The front restricting surface 32b and the rear restricting surface 32c are formed orthogonal to the center line 32aL. The button peripheral surface 32d is formed around the front end side openings of the guide holes 32a of the stop buttons B1 to B3 so as to be perpendicular to the center line 32aL.

The stop buttons B1 to B3 have a pressing surface Ba as a pressing portion that the player can press, a front contacting surface Bb that can contact the front restricting surface 32b, and a rear contacting surface that can contact the rear restricting surface 32c. It has a contact surface Bd and an index Be for shielding the optical axis of the stop switch 35 . The stop buttons B1 to B3 are guided by the guide hole 32a and are positioned between the position where the front contact surface Bb contacts the front restricting surface 32b and the position where the rear contact surface Bd contacts the rear restricting surface 32c. , and is movable along the center line 32aL. The button spring 33 is arranged between the stop buttons B1 to B3 and the button guide 32, and biases the stop buttons B1 to B3 forward.

The pressing surfaces Ba of the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed backward by the player against the biasing force of the button spring 33, and the index Be moves to a position where the optical axis of the stop switch 35 is blocked. As a result, the reel stop signal output from the stop switch 35 to the control board 10 is changed from the OFF state to the ON state. When the player releases the pressing surface Ba, the stop buttons B1 to B3 are moved forward by the biasing force of the button spring 33, and the index Be moves to a position where the optical axis of the stop switch 35 is not blocked. As a result, the reel stop signal output from the stop switch 35 to the control board 10 is changed from the ON state to the OFF state.

[Press surface of stop button]
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, in the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the pressing surface Ba is formed in a spherical shape with a large curvature (for example, a spherical shape with a radius of 100 mm or more) that bulges forward. , and is installed at an angle so as to face upward from the mating surface DDa in a state where it is positioned at an initial position in which it is not pressed. Specifically, the pressing surface Ba is installed at an angle such that the perpendicular direction (perpendicular direction) A at the center (central portion) Bf faces upward from the direction orthogonal to the mating surface DDa. there is More specifically, the pressing surface Ba is installed so that the perpendicular direction A is the direction along the center line 32aL of the guide hole 32a, that is, the pressing direction of the pressing surface Ba (parallel to the center line 32aL). It is In recent years, there has been a tendency for the stop button to be positioned downward as display devices have become larger and reels have become larger. This enables the player to press the stop buttons B1 to B3 slightly downward, thereby improving the operability of the stop buttons B1 to B3.

Desirably, the pressing surface Ba is installed to be inclined in the range of 75° to 86° with respect to the lower surface BXb of the housing BX. More desirably, the pressing surface Ba is installed so as to be inclined in the range of 78° to 82° with respect to the lower surface BXb of the housing BX. As a result, a player who is accustomed to operating a conventional machine does not feel uncomfortable with the operation, and when a player of an average physique operates the slot machine 1 installed at a general height, It is possible to configure the stop buttons B1 to B3 so as to move in an easy-to-operate direction, which makes it possible to obtain high operability.

Further, in the present embodiment, the perpendicular direction A of the pressing surface Ba is upward in front of the direction (axial direction) of the center line 42L of the shaft portion 42 of the start lever SL positioned at the initial position. It is installed at a slant. That is, the pressing surface Ba is installed so as to be inclined upward with respect to the imaginary plane S3 perpendicular to the axial direction of the shaft portion 42 positioned at the initial position. That is, the perpendicular direction A of the pressing surface Ba is inclined so that the front side faces upward with respect to the imaginary plane S2 (see FIG. 2) orthogonal to the mating surface DDa.

Desirably, the perpendicular direction A of the pressing surface Ba is inclined in the range of 1° to 10° with respect to the direction of the center line 42L of the shaft portion 42 of the start lever SL positioned at the initial position. More preferably, the vertical direction A of the pressing surface Ba is inclined in the range of 3° to 7° with respect to the direction of the center line 42L of the shaft portion 42 of the start lever SL located at the initial position. . As a result, the stop buttons B1 to B3 can be installed in directions that are easy to operate, regardless of the direction of the shaft portion 42 of the start lever SL, the direction of removing the mold of the lower door base DB, the direction of the mating surface DDa, and the like. is possible, and it is possible to improve the operability. In addition, since the start lever SL and the pressing surface Ba are set at such an angle, after the tilting operation of tilting the start lever SL downward from above, the stop buttons B1 to B3 can be pressed from slightly above. It is possible to operate the stop buttons B1 to B3 from the start lever SL so that the stop buttons B1 to B3 can be operated in a flowing manner, thereby improving the operability.

The position of the vertical center Bf (see FIG. 9) of the pressing surface Ba is slightly higher than the vertical position of 44c (44a, which is the front end of the grip 44, see FIG. 5) which is the center of the grip 44 of the start lever SL. placed above. As a result, when the player performs the stop operation of the stop buttons B1 to B3 after performing the start operation of the start lever SL from the top to the bottom, the amount of movement of the hand in the vertical direction can be reduced. The operability of the stop button B1 to stop button B3 is improved.

In the front door FD of this embodiment, the button unit mounting surface DBe, the lever mounting surface DBj, and the lever peripheral surface DBn are formed parallel to the mating surface DDa, that is, perpendicular to the mold opening direction. As a result, the lower door base DB, the button base 31, and the button guide 32 can be simplified in shape compared to the case where the respective surfaces are formed so as to intersect the mating surface DDa. , it is possible to reduce design costs and improve dimensional accuracy in designing parts, thereby improving product yields and reducing production costs.

Further, the front door FD of this embodiment is formed such that a plurality of button unit mounting holes DBf, a plurality of lever mounting holes DBk, and lever through holes DBm extend in a direction perpendicular to the mating surface DDa. Accordingly, the shapes of the lower door base DB, the button base 31, the button guide 32, and the holding portion 41 can be simplified compared to the case where the respective surfaces are formed so as to intersect the mating surface DDa. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the design cost and improve the dimensional accuracy.

Note that the center lines of the plurality of button unit mounting holes DBf, the plurality of lever mounting holes DBk, and the lever through-holes DBm are not limited to being formed so as to be strictly perpendicular to the mating surface DDa. Multiple lock unit mounting holes, cylinder through-holes, multiple button unit mounting holes, multiple lever mounting holes, lever through-holes, checkout button through-holes and single bed button through-holes are not used as mating surfaces during injection molding. Any shape may be used as long as it can be punched out in an orthogonal direction. Further, for example, a plurality of button unit mounting holes, a plurality of lever mounting holes, and a lever through hole may be formed with a draft angle of about 0 to 3° on the inner surface with respect to the direction orthogonal to the mating surface. , the draft angle of each hole may not be constant in one hole.

[Details of reel unit]
Next, details of the reel unit 310 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the housing BX has left and right side plates BXe and BXf arranged laterally. Between the side plates BXe and BXf, an upper frame 11 and a middle frame 12 are vertically spaced apart and spanned.

The reel unit 310 is held by the reel base BA screwed to the upper frame 11 and the middle frame 12, and the reel base BA, and is provided on each of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 to rotate each reel. The stepping motor M, the first to third reels R1 to R3 supported by the drive shaft of each stepping motor M, and the rotational positions of the respective reels provided corresponding to the first to third reels R1 to R3. and a reel sensor 26 (see FIG. 10) which is a transmissive optical sensor for detecting. In addition, the reel unit 310 is held by the reel base BA, and has a plurality of LEDs provided on each of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 to illuminate each reel forward from the inside. It has a backlight substrate BL and a reflector RL that reflects light from the reel backlight substrate BL and guides it forward.

As shown in FIG. 10, each of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 includes a reel frame FR and thin belt-shaped reel tapes (T1, T2, T3) on which a plurality of patterns are arranged along the longitudinal direction. , and an index portion 27 . The index portion 27 is held by the reel frame FR so as to be able to shield the optical axis of the reel sensor 26, and causes the reel sensor 26 to detect the rotational position of each reel according to the timing of shielding and transmission of the optical axis of the reel sensor 26.

The reel frame FR includes a hub portion 24 attached to the rotating shaft of the stepping motor M, a first rim portion 21 as a first annular portion (annular portion), and a second rim portion 21 as a second annular portion (annular portion). It has two rim portions 22, a plurality of connection portions 23 connecting between the first and second rim portions 21 and 22, and a plurality of spoke portions 25, and has high translucency (this embodiment is integrally formed of synthetic resin.

The first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22 are formed in an annular shape concentric with the rotating shaft of the stepping motor M, and are arranged in the lateral direction (the transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction B of the reel tapes T1 to T3). width direction)C. A plurality of connection portions 23 are provided at different positions on the circumference of the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22, and extend in the lateral direction so as to bridge between the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22. C and connects the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22 .

The reel frame does not have a connecting portion, and the first rim portion and the second rim portion are formed independently, and the first rim portion and the second rim portion are connected by the reel tape. may be configured to Further, the reel frame may be made of a colored synthetic resin, and in the case of being made of a colored synthetic resin (for example, a black synthetic resin), the index portion is integrally formed with the reel frame. It becomes possible to

A plurality of spoke portions 25 are provided at different positions on the circumference of the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22, and connect either the first rim portion 21 or the second rim portion 22 to the hub portion 24. , the rotational force of the stepping motor is transmitted from the hub portion 24 to the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22 . In this embodiment, the spoke portion 25 connects the hub portion 24 and the first rim portion 21 .

Each outer periphery of the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22 is formed to have a predetermined width (for example, about 3.5 mm to 6.5 mm) in the left-right direction, and the inner surface (back surface) of the reel tape RT is formed. Cylindrical end support surfaces 21a and 22a are formed to abut against and support the right and left ends of the reel tape RT in the radial direction of the reel. In addition, the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22 have flange portions 21b and 22b that are capable of coming into contact with the ends of the reel tape RT in the lateral direction outside the end support surfaces 21a and 22a in the left-right direction. is doing. The flange portions 21b and 22b are formed, for example, so as to have a width of about 0.7 mm to 1.5 mm in the left-right direction, and regulate the position of the reel tape RT in the left-right direction. The connection portion 23 is continuous with the end support surfaces 21a and 22a of the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22, and the reel tape RT is connected to the reel diameter between the first rim portion 21 and the second rim portion 22. A connection support surface 23a is formed for supporting in the direction. The end support surfaces 21a and 22a and the connection support surface 23a form a support surface FRa that supports the reel tapes T1 to T3 in the radial direction of the reel.

[Details of reel tape]
The patterns of the reel tapes T1 to T3 are printed on the back surface of the transparent synthetic resin base material 60 by, for example, multiple layers of screen printing or the like so that the arrangement of the patterns (the order in which the patterns are arranged) is different. It is wound around the supporting surface FRa of the reel frame FR so as to be cylindrical (endless). The reel tapes T1 to T3 differ in pattern arrangement and an identification display 70, which will be described later, but have the same other configurations. are omitted.

FIG. 11(a) is a view of the reel tape T1 viewed from the front side, and FIG. 11(b) is a view of the reel tape T1 viewed from the back side. As shown in FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b), the reel tape T1 is printed to form a plurality of patterns on a transparent base material 60 in order from the side closest to the back surface, and the patterns are printed around the pattern when viewed from the front surface. A background print 61 for forming a background portion H, a light shielding print 62 for shielding the light from the reel backlight board BL, and a diffusion print 64 for diffusing the light from the reel backlight board BL are laminated. ing.

The reel tape T1 is wound around the reel frame FR in such a manner that the end portion T12 on the other side overlaps the end portion T11 on the one side from the outside. As for the other end of the reel tape T1, printing is performed up to the end (hereinafter referred to as the other end) T1b, but as for the end T11 on one side, the end of the reel tape T1 (hereinafter referred to as the one end) is printed. Printing ends before T1a.

For this reason, a transparent portion 63 is formed on one end portion T11 of the reel tape T1, where the pattern printing, the background printing 61, and the light shielding printing 62 are not performed. In addition, the plurality of patterns formed on the reel tape T1 are arranged in a line along the longitudinal direction B of the reel tape T1 so as to be visible from the surface (outer surface) when attached to the reel frame FR. The plurality of symbols are arranged, and the first symbol P1 (symbol "7"), the second symbol P2 (symbol "cherry"), the third symbol P3 (symbol "watermelon"), and the fourth symbol P4. (symbol "replay") and the fifth pattern P5 (symbol "bell"). The patterns arranged on the reel tapes T1 to T3 are composed of numbers, character strings, fruits, characters, etc., which are designed uniquely to the model, or a combination thereof. Further, in the following description, the pattern formed at one end of the plurality of patterns is also referred to as the 0th pattern, and the pattern formed at the other end is also referred to as the 1st pattern. A plurality of the first to fifth symbols may be arranged on the reel tape, or may be arranged one by one.

The first symbol P1 (symbol "7") is formed larger than the other symbols at least in the lateral direction C, and is a highly visible symbol during rotation of the reels. In addition, the first pattern P1 is composed of a light-transmitting portion P1b made of a first paint that easily transmits light from the reel backlight substrate BL, and a light-transmitting portion P1b made of a second paint different from the first paint. and an edge P1a formed around the The first paint is, for example, a paint through which light from the reel backlight substrate BL can pass. The second paint is, for example, a paint such as black, dark gray, or navy blue, through which light is less likely to pass than the first paint, or a paint having metallic luster.
Further, like the first pattern P1, the second pattern P2 (the pattern “cherry”) is also formed of the first paint, and the light-transmitting portion P2b through which the light from the reel backlight substrate BL is easily transmitted; It has an edge P2a formed around the translucent portion P2b with a second paint different from the paint, and an interior P2c formed between the edge P2a and the translucent portion P2b. Light from the reel backlight board BL is easier to pass through the translucent portion P1b of the first pattern P1, the translucent portion P2b of the second pattern P2, and the interior P2c of the second pattern P2 than the background portion H. , Visibility is high because it looks shiny when visually recognized. In the present embodiment, a pattern having a transparent portion with high visibility, such as the first and second patterns P1 and P2, is called a specific pattern. Note that the edge P1a and the edge P2a are not limited to being formed of paint, and may be formed of a metal film such as plating or aluminum vapor deposition, for example.

The background print 61 is a part of the pattern (a light-transmitting portion P1b of the first pattern P1 and a light-transmitting portion P2b of the second pattern P2) that is coated with a coating material through which light from the reel backlight substrate BL can pass. This is done in a range excluding the thickness direction of T1 (the radial direction of the reel in the state of being wound around the reel frame FR) and the transparent portion 63, and the background portion visible from the surface around the pattern. forming an H.

The light-shielding print 62 is formed by coating a part of the pattern (the third pattern P3, the translucent part P1b of the first pattern P1, the inside P2c of the second pattern P2 and the second This is done in a range excluding the transparent portion 63 and the range overlapping the transparent portion P2b of the pattern P2 in the thickness direction of the reel tape T1.

The inside P2c of the second pattern P2 (symbol "cherry") and the third pattern P3 (symbol "watermelon") are on the effective line or when the stop button is operated at a predetermined timing according to the result of the internal lottery. The symbols that can be displayed in the display window DW constitute part of the symbol combination of a chance role that triggers a lottery that is advantageous to the player and the symbol combination that triggers a privilege that is advantageous to the player. there is The inside P2c of the second pattern P2 and the third pattern P3 are not covered with the light-shielding printing 62 in the range overlapping in the thickness direction of the reel tape T1. H, the fourth pattern P4, the fifth pattern P5, the edge P1a of the first pattern P1, the edge P2a of the second pattern P2, and the like, the light from the reel backlight board BL is more easily transmitted. This improves the visibility of the second pattern P2 and the third pattern P3 while the reels are rotating. The inside P2c of the second pattern and the third pattern P3 and the light-shielding print may partially overlap in the thickness direction of the reel tape T1.

In addition, the light-transmitting portion P1b of the first pattern P1 and the light-transmitting portion P2b of the second pattern P2 are transparent because the background printing 61 and the light-shielding printing 62 are not performed in the range overlapping in the thickness direction of the reel tape T1. A portion where the background printing 61 or the light shielding printing 62 is performed in a range where the light from the reel backlight substrate BL is less likely to pass than the portion 63 and overlaps in the thickness direction of the reel tape T1, for example, the background portion H, The light from the reel backlight board BL is easier to pass through than the third pattern P3 to the fifth pattern P5, the edge P1a of the first pattern P1, the edge P2a of the second pattern P2, and the inside P2c of the second pattern P2. ing. This improves the visibility of the light-transmitting portion P1b and the light-transmitting portion P2b during rotation of the reel. The first pattern P1 is a pattern that can be displayed on the effective line or in the display window DW when the stop button is operated to stop at a predetermined timing according to the result of the internal lottery, etc., and is advantageous to the player. For example, it constitutes a part of the symbol combination that triggers the transition to the bonus state or AT state (assist state).

Further, the edge portion P1a of the first pattern P1 and the edge portion P2a of the second pattern P2 have more pattern printing than the background portion H where the background printing 61 and the light-shielding printing 62 are overlapped. light is difficult to pass through. As a result, the difference in brightness between the edge P1a and the light-transmitting portion P1b, the edge P2a and the inside P2c, and the edge P2a and the light-transmitting portion P2b during rotation of the reel is increased, and the light-transmitting portion P1b and the inside P2c And the visibility of the translucent part P2b is improved.

In this way, the reel tape T1 in the present embodiment has a transparent portion 63>(light-transmitting portion P1b, light-transmitting portion P2b)>(inside P2c, third pattern P3)>background portion H>(fourth pattern P4, third The light from the reel backlight substrate BL is more easily transmitted in the order of the five patterns P5, the edge P1a, and the edge P2a).

Note that the edge P1a of the first pattern P1 is not limited to being formed adjacent to the translucent portion P1b. Further, the edge portion P1a is not limited to a portion through which light is less likely to pass than the background portion H. FIG. One of a plurality of specific patterns has a translucent part through which light from the backlight can pass more easily than the background part, and a translucent part formed around the translucent part so that the light from the backlight passes through more than the translucent part. For example, a light-transmitting portion through which light from the backlight is more likely to pass than the background portion in a part of the region formed inside the edge portion of the first pattern. may have Also, the edge portion may or may not transmit light more easily than the background portion.

The diffusion printing 64 is applied at least in a range overlapping with the translucent portion P1b of the first pattern P1 and the translucent portion P2b of the second pattern P2. Diffusion printing 64 is a so-called chijimi printing, in which a UV-curable transparent curing material coating is applied thickly, and the coating is cured and shrunk by irradiation with UV rays to form fine irregularities on the surface. . As a result, when the light from the reel backlight board BL is transmitted through the area where the diffusion printing 64 is applied, it is possible to refract and reflect the light irregularly and diffuse it. This is intended to prevent the player from being dazzled by the light transmitted through the transparent portion P2b. In addition, the diffusion printing 64 may be performed in a range overlapping in the thickness direction of the reel tape T1 with portions other than the light-transmitting portions P1b and P2b.

[Mounting structure of reel tape]
Next, the mounting structure of the reel tapes T1 to T3 will be described with reference to FIGS. Since the mounting structures of the reel tapes T1 to T3 are the same, the mounting structure of the reel tape T1 will be described below as an example, and the details of the mounting structures of the reel tapes T2 and T3 will be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11(a), on the back surfaces of both ends of the reel tape T1 in the transverse direction C, end support surfaces 21a of the first rim portion 21 and end support surfaces of the second rim portion 22 are provided. Adhesive for adhering the reel tape T1 is applied to the surface 22a. This adhesive is formed in a range of a distance b inward from one end T1c in the transverse direction C of the reel tape T1 and a range of a distance b inward from the other end T1d in the transverse direction C of the reel tape T1. It is applied to the adhesion area 65 . For example, the distance b is set to a distance in the range of 4 mm to 6 mm, and is larger than the end support surfaces 21a and 22a by about 1 mm (for example, 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm) in the lateral direction (lateral direction C). preferably formed.

The reel tape T1 wound around the reel frame FR is held by the reel frame FR by bonding the inner surface (back surface) and the end support surfaces 21a and 22a with the adhesive applied to the adhesive area 65. FIG. Note that the adhesive applied to the adhesive region 65 is not limited to one that is uniformly applied to the adhesive region 65. For example, the adhesive is applied in a predetermined length (eg, about 4 mm) in the longitudinal direction. may be applied so as to be repeatedly arranged with a predetermined gap (for example, about 1 mm to 5 mm).

Further, as described above, the reel tape T1 is formed such that the length in the longitudinal direction B is longer than the circumferential length of the end support surfaces 21a and 22a, and the end portion on one side in the longitudinal direction B The end portion T12 on the other side of T11 is wound around the reel frame FR so as to overlap from the outside in the radial direction of the reel. When the reel tape T1 is wound around the reel frame FR, the transparent portion 63 and the second pattern P2, which is the first pattern, overlap in the radial direction of the reel.

In addition to the adhesive applied to the adhesive region 65, the reel tape T1 is provided with an adhesive member 66 (see FIG. 1) for adhering the other end T12 of the reel tape T1 to the one end T11. 11(b) hatched portion). The adhesive member 66 extends inward from the other end T1b within the range of the distance c along the lateral direction C, and is, for example, white, milky white, transparent, or the like, through which the light from the reel backlight substrate BL is transmitted. It is composed of a double-sided tape made of a material that is easy to handle, an adhesive applied to the back surface of the reel tape T1, or the like. The reel tape T1 maintains a state in which the other end T12 and the one end T11 are in close contact with each other by means of an adhesive member 66 extending in the transverse direction on the back surface of the other end T12 of the reel tape T1. It is possible to In addition, the distance c is set to a distance in the range of 8 mm to 12 mm, for example.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, in the longitudinal direction B, the distance e1 from the other end (the other end of the background portion H) T1b of the reel tape T1 to the first pattern P2 is It is smaller than the distance c to one end of the adhesive member 66 . Further, in the present embodiment, the reel tape T1 is separated from the other end H12 of the background portion H (the other end T12 of the reel tape T1) and one side of the background portion H within the range of the distance d. overlaps in the longitudinal direction B (hatched portion in FIG. 12). For example, the distance d is set to a distance ranging from 1 mm to 6 mm. As a result, variations in the length of the reel tape T1 in the longitudinal direction B and the circumferential length of the end support surfaces 21a and 22a are absorbed, and the distance between the other side edge and the one side edge of the background portion H is reduced. The light from the reel backlight board BL is prevented from leaking from the joint of the reel backlight board BL. The overlapping region 68 where the other end H12 and the one end H11 of the background portion H overlap is arranged so as not to overlap the connecting portion 23 (see FIG. 10) when viewed from the inside to the outside in the radial direction of the reel. should be placed in

[Details of arrangement of patterns, etc.]
Next, with reference to FIGS. 11(a), 11(b), 12 and 13, the details of the arrangement of the patterns on the reel tape T1 will be described. Even if the background print 61 and the light shielding print 62 overlap each other, the background portion H slightly transmits the light from the reel backlight board BL. Therefore, the overlap region 68 (hatched portion in FIG. 12) shown in FIG. 12 where the end portion H11 on one side of the background portion H overlaps with the end portion T12 on the other side of the reel tape T1 when viewed in the radial direction of the reel. , the light from the reel backlight substrate BL is less likely to pass through than the non-overlapping region, and the region looks darker than the non-overlapping region.

For this reason, depending on the positional relationship between the overlapping area 68 and the patterns arranged around it, there is a possibility that the visibility of the pattern may be reduced due to the difference in the ease with which light passes through, or the brightness of the overlapping area 68 and the non-overlapping area may be reduced. There is a risk that the player may misunderstand that the difference in height is part of the design of the pattern. In the reel tape T1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the second pattern P2, which is the first pattern, is arranged so as not to overlap one end H11 of the background portion H when viewed from the radial direction of the reel. It is This improves the visibility of the number 1 pattern arranged at the end of the other side of the reel tape T1.

The portion with the adhesive member 66 is less likely to transmit light from the reel backlight substrate BL than the portion without the adhesive member 66 and looks slightly darker than the portion without the adhesive member 66 . However, the position of one end of the bonding member 66 in the longitudinal direction B (the lower end of the bonding member 66 in FIG. 12) is on one side of the one end of the overlapping region 68 in the longitudinal direction B (one end T1e of the background portion H). (lower side in FIG. 12). Therefore, if the second pattern P2, which is the first pattern, is arranged so as not to overlap the adhesive member 66 when viewed from the radial direction of the reel, the length of the area in the longitudinal direction B where the first pattern can be arranged is decrease greatly.

In the reel tape T1 of this embodiment, the second pattern P2, which is the first pattern, is arranged so that the translucent portion P2b and the adhesive member 66 do not overlap when viewed from the radial direction of the reel. Since the adhesive member 66 easily transmits light from the reel backlight substrate BL, the edge portion P2a, which is less likely to transmit light than the light-transmitting portion P2b, has a portion with the adhesive member 66 and a portion without the adhesive member 66. The difference in light transmittance is small, and the effect on the visibility of the pattern is small. Therefore, in the reel tape T1 of the present embodiment, the second pattern P2, which is the first pattern, is arranged such that a part of the edge P2a overlaps the adhesive member 66 when viewed from the radial direction of the reel.

By arranging the patterns in this way, it becomes possible to increase the size of the pattern (number 1 pattern) arranged at the other end of the reel tape T1, and the light transmitted through the translucent portion P2b is adhered. This prevents the member 66 from blocking the pattern, thereby improving the visibility of the pattern and improving the design. Since the inside of the first pattern is more difficult for light to pass through than the light-transmitting portion, the first pattern may be arranged so that a part of the inside and the adhesive member overlap when viewed from the radial direction of the reel. .

Also, in the state where the reel tape T1 is wound around the reel frame FR, the distance d, which is the length of the overlapping region 68 in the longitudinal direction B, the second pattern P2, which is the first pattern, and the other end of the reel tape T1. The distance e2 (for example, a distance from 1 mm to 6 mm) to T1b and the distance e1 (for example, a distance from 1 mm to 6 mm) between the other end T1b of the reel tape T1 and the fifth pattern P5, which is the 0th pattern, are They are approximately the same size. Specifically, it is desirable that the difference between the distances is 1.5 mm or less.

By arranging the symbols in this way, it becomes possible to enlarge the symbol (number 1 symbol) arranged at the other end of the reel tape T1, and the light passing through the number 1 symbol overlaps with the area 68. Blocking is prevented, and the position of the other end T1b of the reel tape T1 is positioned substantially in the center between the 1st pattern and the 0th pattern in the longitudinal direction B, so that the visibility of the pattern is improved. It is possible to improve the appearance of the reel.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11(a), in a state in which the reel tape T1 is wound around the reel frame FR, a predetermined combination of patterns arranged adjacent to one side in the longitudinal direction B at a plurality of locations, For example, the fourth pattern P4 and the fifth pattern P5 have a distance f (for example, a distance in the range of 4 mm to 8 mm) that is approximately the same size. Specifically, it is desirable that the difference in distance between adjacent symbols of the same combination is 1.5 mm or less. By arranging the symbols in this manner, the distance between the symbols of the same combination becomes a common distance, so that the visibility of the symbols and the appearance of each reel are improved. The symbols adjacent to each other while being wound around the reel frame FR include a combination of the 0th symbol and the 1st symbol. Also, the combination of symbols is not limited to the combination of the fourth symbol P4 and the fifth symbol P5, and other symbols may be used. The tapes may have approximately the same size.

When viewed from the inside to the outside in the radial direction of the reel, the overlapping portion of the reel tape T1 and the reel frame FR (supporting surface FRa) is less likely to transmit light from the reel backlight substrate BL than the non-overlapping portion. It looks darker than the non-overlapping part. For this reason, depending on the positional relationship between the pattern and the portion where the reel tape T1 and the reel frame FR overlap, there is a risk that the visibility of the pattern will be reduced due to the difference in the ease with which light can pass through. There is a risk that the player will mistakenly perceive that the difference in appearance (brightness) from the part not covered is part of the design of the pattern.

In the reel tape T1 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the translucent portion P1b of the first pattern P1 is arranged so as not to overlap the reel frame FR when viewed from the inside to the outside in the radial direction of the reel. By arranging the symbols in this manner, it is possible to prevent the reel frame FR from blocking the light transmitted through the translucent portion P1b, thereby improving the visibility of the symbols. Among the patterns arranged on the reel tape T1 to reel tape T3, when the reel tape T1 to reel tape T3 are wound around the reel frame FR, the reel backlight board BL is projected from the background portion H. Any of the light-transmitting portions that easily transmit light (for example, the light-transmitting portion P2b of the second pattern P2, etc.) is arranged so as not to overlap the reel frame FR when viewed from the inside to the outside in the radial direction of the reel. is desirable.

Further, the edge P1a of the first pattern P1 is less likely to transmit the light from the reel backlight board BL than the translucent portion P1b of the first pattern P1, and the edge P2a of the second pattern P2 is the second pattern P2. The light from the reel backlight substrate BL is less likely to pass through than the light transmitting portion P2b. Therefore, even if the edge portion P1a of the first symbol P1 and the edge portion P2a of the second symbol P2 overlap the reel frame FR (support surface FRa) when viewed from the radially inner side of the reel to the outer side, the first symbol The edge P1a of P1 and the edge P2a of the second pattern P2 have little effect on the appearance. In the reel tape T1 of the present embodiment, the edge portion P1a of the first pattern P1 is the first rim portion 21 (end support surface 21a), the second rim portion 22 (end 22a) and the connecting portion 23 (connection supporting surface 23a). By arranging the patterns in this way, it becomes possible to enlarge the first pattern P1 in the longitudinal direction B and the lateral direction C, thereby improving the visibility of the pattern and improving the design.

It should be noted that the edge portion P2a and the inner portion P2c of the second pattern P2 may be arranged so as to partially overlap the reel frame FR when viewed from the radially inner side of the reel to the outer side, or may be arranged so as to overlap the reel frame FR more than the background portion. Another pattern having a light-transmitting portion that easily transmits light from the light substrate is arranged so as to overlap the connection portion, the first annular portion, and the second annular portion in a portion that is less likely to transmit light than the light-transmitting portion. may have been

[Identification display]
Next, the identification display 70 provided on the transparent portion 63 will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, the transparent portion 63 includes one end T1a of the reel tape T1, one end T1e of the background portion H, and one end T1e of the background portion H within a range of a distance a along the longitudinal direction B from the one end T1a of the reel tape T1. An identification display 70 is printed on the transparent portion 63 for identifying which reel tape among the first reel R1 to the third reel R3. Specifically, the identification display 70 consists of symbols, character strings, etc. specific to the printed contents of the reel tape, and is for identifying the reel tape. For example, the identification display 70 has a revision identification portion 71 , a model identification portion 72 and a reel identification portion 73 . The identification display 70 is arranged on the transparent portion 63 in a region overlapping the end support surface 21a of the first rim portion 21 and the adhesive region 65 when viewed in the radial direction of the reel.

The revision identifying section 71 is composed of, for example, symbols corresponding to the progress of revision of the printed contents of the reel tapes T1 to T3, such as symbols such as circles, stars, and polygons, numbers, characters, etc. Information relating to the revision progress of the reel tapes T1 to T3 can be identified. The model identification section 72 is composed of, for example, a character string unique to the model for which the reel tape T1 to reel tape T3 is used, including a plurality of characters, for example, a character string indicating an abbreviation of the model name. It is possible to identify information related to the model in which the is used.

The reel identification portion 73, for example, consists of any one of the values "1" to "3" corresponding to the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 to be attached, and any one of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3. It is possible to identify whether it is a reel tape of. As a result, in a single state before the reel tape T1 to the reel tape T3 are wound around the reel frame FR, the reel tape revision information, model information, and any reel tape among the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 are displayed. The worker can identify whether there is any. Further, when the reel tape T1 to the reel tape T3 are wound around the reel frame FR, the identification display 70 is positioned within the region overlapping the adhesion region 65 and the support surface FRa, through which the light from the reel backlight substrate BL is difficult to pass. The arrangement makes the identification display 70 inconspicuous.

At least a portion of the identification mark may overlap the end support surface or the adhesive region. 22, or may be arranged on both sides of the reel tape in the lateral direction. In addition, the identification display may have at least one of the revision identification portion, the model identification portion, and the reel identification portion, and may be only a symbol or only a number, or may be Japanese characters or Latin characters. , or a combination thereof.

As shown in FIG. 14, the identification display 70 is configured by dot printing in which a plurality of dot portions 75 are regularly arranged such that a plurality of gaps 76 are formed inside characters, symbols, etc. The light from the reel backlight substrate BL can be transmitted through the gap 76 of . Further, the identification display 70 is a paint that allows the light from the reel backlight board BL to pass more easily than the paint used for the background print 61 (see FIG. 13), and is used for one of the plurality of patterns. It is printed on the back surface of the base material 60 with paint. Specifically, the identification display 70 is preferably printed with yellow paint.

As a result, when viewed in the radial direction of the reel, the difference in appearance (brightness) between the portions where the reel tapes T1 to T3 and the identification display 70 overlap and the portions where they do not overlap is reduced, and the tape is wound around the reel frame FR. The identification display 70 is made inconspicuous while being rotated. The color of the identification display 70 may be white or a light color that is easy to transmit light, or may be the same color as the background printing paint, or if the reel frame is made of colored synthetic resin, the color of the reel frame may be the same. Similar colors may be used. Specifically, when the background print is white, the identification display may be printed with white paint, and when the reel frame is black, the identification display may be printed with black paint. By doing so, it is also possible to make the identification display inconspicuous.

Further, the identification display may be color-coded for each reel tape so that it is possible to identify which of the reel tapes from the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 is based on the color. Further, the dot portion 75, which is the portion to which the paint adheres, is not limited to a circular shape, and may have other shapes such as a substantially elliptical shape, a substantially square shape, a substantially rectangular shape, a substantially hexagonal shape, and the like. Adjacent dot portions may be arranged so as to be in contact with each other, or may be arranged so as to be separated from each other.

[Summary of this embodiment]
The gaming machine (1) according to the present embodiment is
Belt-shaped reel tapes (T1, T2, T3) and ends (T12) on the other side with respect to ends (T11) on one side in the longitudinal direction (B) of the reel tapes (T1, T2, T3) reels (R1, R2, R3) having a frame (FR) around which the reel tapes (T1, T2, T3) are wound so as to overlap from the outside;
a backlight (BL) that illuminates from the inside the reel tapes (T1, T2, T3) wound around the frame (FR);
The reel tape (T1, T2, T3) includes a plurality of patterns (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5) arranged along the longitudinal direction (B), and the plurality of patterns (P1, P2, P3 , P4, P5) and a background portion (H) formed around the reel tapes (T1, T2, T3) extending in the lateral direction (C) and extending in the other side (T12) of the reel tapes (T1, T2, T3). and an adhesive member (66) that adheres to the end (T11) of the background portion (H), and the end of the background portion (H) on the other side in the longitudinal direction (B) is attached to the background portion (H). is wound around the frame (FR) so as to overlap one end (H11) in the longitudinal direction (B) of the
Of the plurality of symbols (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5), the pattern (P2) arranged on the othermost side in the longitudinal direction (B) is the background portion ( H) is arranged so as not to overlap with one end (H11) of H) and overlap with the adhesive member (66).

As a result, the portion in which one end H11 of the background portion H and the other end T12 of the reel tapes T1 to T3 (the other end H12 of the background portion H) overlaps the longitudinal direction B. It is possible to prevent the light from the reel backlight board BL passing through the second pattern P2, which is the pattern arranged on the farthest side, from being blocked, and to increase the size of the second pattern P2 in the longitudinal direction B. , it is possible to improve the visibility of the pattern.

In addition, the game machine (1)
Of the plurality of patterns (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5), the pattern (P2) arranged on the othermost side in the longitudinal direction (B) is positioned closer to the backlight (BL) than the background portion (H). ) has a light-transmitting portion (P2b) through which light from the
The translucent part (P2b) is characterized in that it is arranged so as not to overlap with any of the adhesive members (66) when viewed from the radial direction of the reels (R1, R2, R3).

This prevents the adhesive member 66 from blocking the light from the reel backlight board BL passing through the translucent portion P2b of the second pattern P2, which is the pattern arranged on the othermost side in the longitudinal direction B. As a result, the visibility of the pattern can be improved.

[Possibility of other embodiments]
In the present embodiment, the reel tapes T1 to T3 are printed with a background print 61 and a light shielding print 62 for shielding the light from the reel backlight board BL in the background portion H. Not limited. The background portion only needs to be more difficult for the light from the backlight to pass through than the translucent portion. For example, the background portion may be formed only by printing the background.

In the present embodiment, the second pattern P2, which is the pattern "cherry", is arranged as the first pattern on the reel tape T1, but the present invention is not limited to this. The shape and arrangement of the symbols described above are only examples, and other various shapes and arrangements of the symbols are conceivable. For example, the pattern arranged on the farthest other end side may be the first pattern, which is the pattern "7", or may not have a portion through which light is more likely to pass than the background portion. A wide variety of other shapes and pattern arrangements are conceivable, which may be printed such that either or both of the background print and the shading print are superimposed over the entire printed area.

In addition, in the present embodiment, one end T1e of the background portion H in the longitudinal direction B, that is, the boundary between the background portion H and the transparent portion 63 is formed linearly, but the present invention is not limited to this. One end in the longitudinal direction B of the background portion H may be formed closer to the one end side than the other end of the reel tape while being wound around the reel frame. may be partially offset to one or the other longitudinal side, or may be curved.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the printing of each pattern (especially the portions excluding the edges P1a and P2a) and the background printing 61 are performed with paint that transmits light from the reel backlight board BL, but this is not the only option. not. It is sufficient if the light from the backlight can pass through the area where each pattern and background printing are performed. It may be printing performed by a set of

1 Gaming machine (slot machine)
66 Adhesive member B Longitudinal direction C Width direction BL Backlight (reel backlight substrate)
FR frame (reel frame)
H Background portion H11 End portion P1 on one side Design (first design)
P2 Design (2nd design)
P2b Translucent part P3 Design (third design)
P4 Design (4th design)
P5 Design (5th design)
R1 reel (1st reel)
R2 reel (second reel)
R3 reel (third reel)
T1 reel tape (first reel tape)
T2 reel tape (second reel tape)
T3 reel tape (third reel tape)
T11 One end T12 The other end

Claims (1)

In a gaming machine comprising a plurality of reels and a backlight that illuminates the plurality of reels,
Each of the plurality of reels includes a reel tape having an image printed on a transparent base material, a frame wound around one end of the reel tape so that the other end of the reel tape covers the other end of the reel tape, and the one end of the reel tape. and an adhesive member that adheres the other end side,
The image of the reel tape includes a pattern image including a specific pattern image and a background image,
The reel tape is divided in order from the other end side to the one end side,
a first area having the specific pattern image and the background image;
a second area having a pattern image other than the specific pattern image and the background image;
a third area without the pattern image and with the background image;
a fourth area without the pattern image and the background image,
When the reel tape is correctly wound around the frame,
the first region covers the third region, the fourth region, and the adhesive member;
The specific pattern image in the first area overlaps the fourth area and the adhesive member and does not overlap the third area,
A gaming machine characterized by:

Images