JP7493279B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to gaming machines such as pachinko gaming machines (commonly referred to as "pachinko machines").

A gaming machine has been proposed that includes a decorative unit having a performance board on which multiple LEDs are mounted, behind a transparent front body formed into a predetermined decorative shape (for example, Patent Document 1) .

However, the technology in Patent Document 1 has room for improvement, and there is a risk that the effects produced by the presentation board may not be fully executed, which may result in the player being unable to enjoy the game and thus reducing the player's interest.

JP 2017-074434 A

Therefore, in consideration of the above-mentioned situation, the present invention aims to provide a gaming machine that can fully execute the presentation using the presentation board and prevent a decline in the player's interest .

Claim 1 of the present invention is as follows:
"In a gaming machine that draws a lottery based on a predetermined trigger and awards a player a benefit based on the result of the lottery,
The gaming machine includes an electronic component related to the performance mounted thereon, and a performance board having a copper foil pattern to which the electronic component is connected;
The performance board has an outer periphery formed in a predetermined shape, and the outer periphery of the copper foil pattern is provided within a predetermined copper foil recess distance from the cut edge of the outer periphery of the performance board;
The performance board has a white solder resist applied to almost the entire board surface,
The performance board has a specific area where the white solder resist is not provided,
The specific area is an area formed by providing the white solder resist within a predetermined resist recess distance from the cut edge of the performance board,
When comparing the copper foil recess distance and the resist recess distance, the copper foil recess distance is longer, and the edge of the white solder resist is provided between the cut edge of the performance board and the outer periphery of the copper foil pattern,
The positional relationship between the copper foil and the white solder resist based on the copper foil recess distance and the resist recess distance is provided not only on the front side of the performance board but also on the back side,
The performance board is provided with an arc-shaped cutout, and the edge of the white solder resist is provided concentrically at a predetermined distance from the cutout,
The edge of the copper foil is also disposed concentrically at a specific distance greater than the predetermined distance from the notch.
"The gaming machine is characterized by the above.
In addition, the following means are exemplified as inventions other than the present invention.
Means 1: In the gaming machine,
"In a gaming machine equipped with a gaming board having a gaming panel in which a gaming area in which gaming balls can flow is formed,
The game board is
A center frame is attached from the front to an opening formed in the game panel;
a decorative body attached to the center frame and having a predetermined decoration;
Equipped with
The decorative body is
A rear decorative portion extending within the center frame and provided forward of a rear end of the center frame;
and a front decorative portion arranged to overlap at least a portion of the front of the rear decorative portion.

Here, examples of "game panel" include "opaque panels such as plywood," "panel boards made of transparent resin," and "those composed of a panel board made of transparent resin and a frame-shaped panel holder that holds the outer edge of the panel board."

Examples of "center frames" include "those having a flat flange portion capable of contacting the front surface of the gaming panel, and an inflow restriction portion extending forward from the flange portion to restrict gaming balls flowing down the gaming area from flowing into the opening of the gaming panel," and "those having an insertion portion that is inserted into the opening of the gaming panel and is provided along the inner peripheral surface of the opening, a flat flange portion that extends from the front end of the insertion portion in a direction along the surface of the gaming panel and is capable of contacting the front surface of the gaming panel, and an inflow restriction portion that extends forward beyond the flange portion to restrict gaming balls flowing down the gaming area from flowing into the opening of the gaming panel."

Examples of "decorative objects" include "objects decorated with patterns printed or painted on," "objects decorated with three-dimensionally shaped decorations," "objects decorated with a metallic luster such as plating," etc.

Further examples of "decorative objects" include "those that are illuminated by the light emitted by LEDs mounted on an LED board", "those that have opaque sections to make the wiring of the electronic components (e.g., LED board, relay board, ball sensor, magnetic sensor, display (display with special design), solenoid, etc.) located at the rear difficult to see from the front", and "those that have electronic components (e.g., LED board, relay board, ball sensor, magnetic sensor, display (display with special design), solenoid, etc.) that protrude rearward beyond the rear end of the center frame".

In addition, the relationship between the rear decorative part and the front decorative part that make up the decorative body can be exemplified by "a rear decorative part that is decorated in a way that coordinates with the decoration of the front decorative part", "a rear decorative part that is decorated in the same way as the decoration of the front decorative part so as to coordinate with it", "a rear decorative part that is decorated in a way that differs from the decoration of the front decorative part", "a front decorative part decoration (front decoration) has a transparent part through which the decoration of the rear decorative part to the rear (rear decoration) is visible", "a front decorative part decoration (front decoration) has a transparent part through which the decoration of the rear decorative part to the rear (rear decoration) is visible, and a plurality of dots that are provided in the transparent part and decorated as part of the front decoration", etc.

According to the configuration of the first means, in a gaming machine equipped with a gaming board having a gaming panel in which a gaming area is formed in which gaming balls can flow down, the gaming board is equipped with a frame-shaped center frame that is attached from the front to an opening formed in the gaming panel, and a decorative body that is attached to the center frame and is decorated with a predetermined decoration, and the decorative body extends within the frame of the center frame and has a rear decorative part that is provided forward of the rear end of the center frame, and a front decorative part that is provided so as to overlap at least a part of the front of the rear decorative part. (In [Form for carrying out the invention], see the chapter [13-1. Center gimmick of the first embodiment] and the description of Figures 121 to 124, etc.)

As a result, a decorative body consisting of a rear decorative part provided forward of the rear end of the center frame and a front decorative part provided so as to overlap at least a portion of the front of the rear decorative part is provided on the center frame attached to the game panel of the game board, so that the front decorative part and the rear decorative part of the decorative body can show a player a decoration with depth. In this case, since a portion of the rear decorative part overlaps with the front decorative part, it is possible to make it difficult to distinguish the boundary between the decoration of the front decorative part and the decoration of the rear decorative part when viewed from the front (front), and a large decoration made by the front decorative part and the rear decorative part can be shown to the player, and the rear decorative part and the front decorative part can form a large decorative body with depth and high decorative effect. Therefore, since a decorative body with high decorative effect can be provided on the center frame, the decorative body can strongly attract the interest of the player and make it difficult for the player to get bored, and a gaming machine that can suppress a decline in the player's interest can be provided.

In addition, since the rear decorative portion is located forward of the rear end of the center frame, and there are no parts that would get in the way during the manufacture of the gaming machine by protruding rearward from the center frame, the machine can be easily handled during manufacture, and the increased workability can suppress increases in manufacturing costs. Specifically, for example, when the center frame is placed with the rear end side facing down on a workbench, the center frame does not wobble. Also, when the center frame is handled during assembly work, transportation work, etc., since no part of the decorative body protrudes rearward from the rear end of the center frame, there is no risk of the protruding part from the center frame coming into contact with other parts, etc., and being scratched or damaged. For this reason, there is no need to work with the utmost caution, and workability can be improved.

Furthermore, because the rear decorative part that constitutes the decorative body extends within the framework of the center frame, the rear decorative part does not narrow the playing area on the front of the playing panel or make it difficult to see the playing balls flowing down the playing area, allowing players to enjoy playing with the playing balls in the playing area in good conditions.

In addition, since the rear decorative part that constitutes the decorative body extends within the framework of the center frame, if a performance display device, movable decorative body, decorative body, etc. are provided behind the gaming panel, the rear decorative part can decorate the area around the performance display device (display screen) or work together with the decorative body (movable decorative body) to create a more decorative (performance) effect, providing a highly appealing gaming machine that can strongly attract the interest of players.

It is desirable to apply a decoration to the rear decorative portion that coordinates with the decoration of the front decorative portion. This allows the player to see one large decoration made up of the decorations of the rear decorative portion and the front decorative portion, thereby further enhancing the decorative effect of the decorative body.

It is also desirable to make the center frame transparent. This makes it difficult for players to see the center frame and makes it less noticeable, while making the decorative body (front decorative part and rear decorative part) stand out in comparison, further enhancing the decorative effect of the decorative body.

The decorative body may also have an opaque section that makes it difficult to see the wiring of the electronic components attached to the center frame from the front. This makes it difficult to see the wiring of the electronic components from the front due to the opaque section of the decorative body, and the wiring can be hidden by the opaque section, preventing the wiring from being visible and causing a poor appearance, making it easier to bring out the decorative effect of the decorative body.

Furthermore, the rear decorative part is provided with a rear decoration that is the same as the part of the front decoration of the front decorative part that overlaps in front of it when viewed from the front, and the front decorative part may have a transparent part that allows the rear decoration and the game balls flowing through the ball passage to be visible from the front, in a part in front of the ball passage through which the game balls flow, which is provided at least in a part of the front decorative part between the front decorative part and the rear decorative part. As a result, when game balls are not flowing through the ball passage provided between the front decorative part and the rear decorative part, the rear decoration of the rear decorative part provided at the rear can be seen through the transparent part provided in the part in front of the ball passage in the front decoration of the front decorative part. At this time, since the rear decoration of the rear decorative part is the same as the front decoration of the front decorative part, the rear decoration of the rear decorative part complements the transparent part in the front decoration of the front decorative part, so that the original decoration can be shown to the player as if there was no transparent part in the front decoration of the front decorative part, and the decorative effect of the decorative body can be reliably exerted. On the other hand, when game balls are flowing through the ball passage provided between the front and rear decorative parts, the game balls can be seen through the transparent part in the front decoration of the front decorative part, so it is possible to avoid causing distrust or anxiety to the player by making the game balls invisible, even if only temporarily, and it is possible to enjoy playing with game balls and prevent a decline in interest.

In addition, as described above, when a transparent portion is provided in the front decoration of the front decoration part in a portion in front of the ball passage, and the same rear decoration as the front decoration is provided on the rear decoration part behind the transparent portion, the front decoration part may have a plurality of dot portions provided in the transparent portion and decorated with decorations that are smaller than the game ball and form part of the front decoration. In this way, even if the decoration of the rear decoration part visible through the transparent portion of the front decoration of the front decoration part is blocked by the game ball flowing through the ball passage provided between the front decoration part and the rear decoration part and becomes invisible, the decoration of the plurality of dot portions provided in the transparent portion in front of the game ball can be seen, allowing the player to see the game ball in the ball passage while avoiding the appearance of the decoration body being impaired, and allowing the decorative effect of the decoration body to be fully exerted.

The decorative body may also be provided in front of the LED board on which the LEDs are mounted. This allows the decorative body (decoration) to hide the LED board, which avoids the poor appearance caused by the LED board being visible, making it easier to achieve the decorative effect of the decorative body.

A display device capable of displaying the results of a lottery for a special symbol drawn by the starting ball entry of a gaming ball in the gaming area may also be attached to the center frame. In this way, since the display device for displaying the special symbol is attached to the center frame, the display device can be attached to the gaming panel together with the center frame, and the effort required for assembling the gaming machine can be reduced compared to when the display device is attached separately.

Means 2: In the configuration of Means 1,
"The rear decorative portion is decorated in a manner that is in harmony with the decoration of the front decorative portion."
The present invention is characterized in that

Here, examples of "coordinating decoration" include "decorations in which the decoration of the front decorative part and the decoration of the back decorative part form a single decoration (pattern)", "decorations in which the decoration of the front decorative part and the decoration of the back decorative part are continuous with each other in a pattern (figure)", "decorations in which the decoration of the front decorative part or the decoration of the back decorative part complement (emphasize) the decoration of the back decorative part or the decoration of the front decorative part", etc.

According to the configuration of means 2, the rear decorative part is decorated in a way that coordinates with the decoration of the front decorative part. (See the description of decorative body 2570 and decorative body 2570A in [Form for carrying out the invention].)

This allows the rear decorative part to be decorated in a way that coordinates with the decoration of the front decorative part, so that the decoration of the rear decorative part and the decoration of the front decorative part combine to form one large decoration for the player, further enhancing the decorative effect of the decorative body.

Means 3: In the configuration of means 1 or means 2,
"The center frame is formed to be transparent."
The present invention is characterized in that

According to the configuration of the third aspect, the center frame is made transparent. In other words, the center frame is made of a transparent material. (See the description of the center frame 2511 in the [Description of the Invention].)

As a result, because the center frame is transparent, it is difficult for players to see the center frame and it is difficult to stand out, which makes the decorative body (front decorative part and rear decorative part) stand out in comparison, further enhancing the decorative effect of the decorative body.

In addition, because the center frame is transparent, if the game panel is also made transparent and a decoration or performance display device is provided behind the game panel, the center frame becomes less noticeable, making the decoration or performance image visible through the transparent game panel more noticeable, and providing a gaming machine that provides more enjoyment to players.

Means 4: In any one of the configurations of means 1 to 3,
"The decorative body is
It has an opaque section that makes it difficult to see the wiring of the electronic components attached to the center frame from the front.
The present invention is characterized in that

Here, "electronic components" include "LED boards," "relay boards," "ball sensors that detect game balls," "magnetic sensors," "displays for displaying special patterns," "solenoids for opening and closing the variable winning openings," and "solenoids or drive motors for moving the movable decorative bodies," etc.

According to the configuration of means 4, the decorative body has an opaque portion that makes it difficult to see the wiring of the electronic components attached to the center frame from the front. (See the description of decorative body 2570 and decorative body 2570A in [Form for carrying out the invention].)

As a result, the opaque parts of the decorative body make it difficult to see the wiring of the electronic components from the front, and the opaque parts allow the wiring to be hidden, preventing the wiring from being visible and spoiling the appearance, making it easier to bring out the decorative effect of the decorative body.

Means 5: In any one of the configurations of means 1 to 4,
"The rear decorative part is provided with a rear decoration having the same decoration as the part of the front decorative part that overlaps the front decoration of the front decorative part in a front view,
The front decoration has a transparent portion in a portion in front of the ball passage through which the game balls flow, which is provided in at least a portion between the front decoration and the rear decoration, through which the game balls flow. The transparent portion allows the game balls flowing through the rear decoration and the ball passage to be seen from the front.
The present invention is characterized in that

Here, examples of "transparent parts" include "colorless transparent parts", "colored transparent parts", "through-hole parts", etc.

According to the configuration of means 5, the rear decoration is decorated with the same decoration as the part of the front decoration that overlaps the front of the front decoration when viewed from the front, and the front decoration has a transparent part that allows the rear decoration and the game balls flowing through the ball passage to be visible from the front, in the part in front of the ball passage through which the game balls flow, which is provided in at least a part of the front decoration between the front decoration and the rear decoration. (See the description of the decoration 2570 in [Form for carrying out the invention].)

As a result, when game balls are not flowing through the ball passage provided between the front decorative portion and the rear decorative portion, the rear decoration of the rear decorative portion provided at the rear can be seen through the transparent portion provided in the front portion of the ball passage in the front decoration of the front decorative portion. At this time, since the rear decoration of the rear decorative portion is the same decoration as the front decoration of the front decorative portion, the rear decoration of the rear decorative portion complements the transparent portion in the front decoration of the front decorative portion, allowing the player to see the original decoration as if there was no transparent portion in the front decoration of the front decorative portion, and the decorative effect of the decorative body can be reliably exerted.

On the other hand, when game balls are flowing through the ball passage provided between the front decorative part and the rear decorative part, the game balls can be seen through the transparent part in the front decoration of the front decorative part, so it is possible to avoid causing distrust or anxiety to the player due to the game balls becoming invisible even temporarily, and it is possible to enjoy playing with game balls and prevent a decline in interest.

Means 6: In the configuration of Means 5,
"The front decorative part is
The transparent portion has a plurality of dots that are smaller than the game ball and are decorated to form part of the front decoration.
The present invention is characterized in that

According to the configuration of means 6, the front decoration part has a plurality of dots that are provided in the transparent part and are smaller than the game balls and are decorated to form part of the front decoration. (See the description of the decoration 2570 in [Form for carrying out the invention].)

As a result, even if the decoration of the rear decorative part, which is visible through the transparent part of the front decoration of the front decorative part, is blocked by a game ball flowing through the ball passage provided between the front decorative part and the rear decorative part and becomes invisible, the decoration of the multiple dot parts provided in the transparent part in front of the game ball can be seen, allowing the player to see the game ball in the ball passage while avoiding the appearance of the decorative body being impaired, and allowing the decorative effect of the decorative body to be fully exerted.

Means 7: In the gaming machine,
"In a gaming machine equipped with a gaming board having a gaming panel in which a gaming area in which gaming balls can flow down is formed,
The game board is
A transparent center frame is attached from the front to an opening formed in the game panel;
a decorative body attached to the center frame, having a predetermined decoration and having an opaque portion that makes it difficult to see wiring of electronic components attached to the center frame from the front;
Equipped with
The decorative body is
A rear decorative portion extending within the center frame and provided forward of a rear end of the center frame;
A front decorative part is provided so as to overlap at least a part of the front of the rear decorative part,
The rear decorative part is provided with a rear decoration that is the same as the front decoration of the front decorative part and overlaps the front decoration of the front decorative part in a front view in coordination with the front decoration of the front decorative part,
The front decoration has a transparent portion that allows the rear decoration and the game balls passing through the ball passage to be seen from the front, the transparent portion being located at least in a portion between the front decoration and the rear decoration, and a plurality of dot portions that are smaller than the game balls and that form part of the front decoration.
The present invention is characterized in that

According to the configuration of Means 7, in a gaming machine equipped with a gaming board having a gaming panel in which a gaming area is formed in which gaming balls can flow down, the gaming board is equipped with a frame-shaped transparent center frame that is attached from the front to an opening formed in the gaming panel, and a decorative body that is attached to the center frame and has a predetermined decoration and has an opaque part that makes it difficult to see the wiring of the electronic components attached to the center frame from the front, and the decorative body extends within the frame of the center frame and has a rear decorative part that is provided forward of the rear end of the center frame, and at least a part of the rear decorative part The front decoration has a front decoration that is arranged to overlap the front of the front decoration, and the rear decoration is decorated with a rear decoration that is the same as the part of the front decoration that overlaps the front of the front decoration in a front view in coordination with the front decoration of the front decoration, and the front decoration has a transparent part in the front part of the ball passage through which the game balls flow, which is arranged in at least a part of the front decoration between the front decoration and the rear decoration, through which the rear decoration and the game balls flowing through the ball passage can be seen from the front, and a plurality of dot parts that are arranged in the transparent part and decorated with a size smaller than the game balls and that form part of the front decoration.

In this way, a transparent center frame attached to the game panel of the game board is provided with a decorative body consisting of a rear decorative part that is provided forward of the rear end of the center frame and a front decorative part that is provided so as to overlap at least a part of the front of the rear decorative part, so that the transparent center frame makes the decorative body less noticeable and makes it stand out relatively, and the front decorative part and the rear decorative part of the decorative body can show a decoration with depth to the player. In this case, the rear decorative part and the front decorative part are decorated in a coordinated manner, and are provided so that they overlap each other when viewed from the front, so that it is possible to make it difficult to distinguish the boundary between the decoration of the front decorative part and the decoration of the rear decorative part when viewed from the front (front), and the large decoration of the front decorative part and the rear decorative part can be shown to the player in a good condition, and the rear decorative part and the front decorative part can form a decorative body with a large depth and high decorative effect. Therefore, since a decorative body with a high decorative effect can be provided on the center frame, the decorative body can strongly attract the interest of the player and make it difficult for the player to get bored, and a gaming machine that can suppress a decline in the player's interest can be provided.

In addition, the rear decoration is decorated with the same decoration as the part of the front decoration overlapping the front of the front decoration when viewed from the front, and the front decoration has a transparent part in the front part of the ball passage through which the game ball flows, which is provided at least in a part of the front decoration between the front decoration and the rear decoration, where the rear decoration and the game balls flowing through the ball passage can be seen from the front, and a plurality of dot parts are provided in the transparent part and decorated with decorations that are smaller than the game balls and form part of the front decoration, so that when the game balls are not flowing through the ball passage provided between the front decoration and the rear decoration, the rear decoration of the rear decoration provided at the rear can be seen through the transparent part provided in the front part of the ball passage in the front decoration of the front decoration. At this time, since the rear decoration of the rear decoration is the same as the front decoration of the front decoration, the rear decoration of the rear decoration complements the transparent part in the front decoration of the front decoration, so that the original decoration can be shown to the player as if there was no transparent part in the front decoration of the front decoration, and the decorative effect of the decorative body can be reliably exerted.

On the other hand, when a game ball is flowing through the ball passage provided between the front and rear decorative parts, the game ball can be seen through the transparent part in the front decoration of the front decorative part, so that it is possible to avoid the player feeling distrustful or anxious due to the game ball becoming invisible even if only temporarily, and to prevent a decline in interest by allowing the player to enjoy playing with the game ball. In this case, since a plurality of dot parts constituting part of the front decoration are provided in the transparent part, even if the decoration of the rear decoration part visible through the transparent part in the front decoration of the front decorative part is blocked and becomes invisible by the game ball flowing through the ball passage provided between the front and rear decorative parts, the decoration of the plurality of dot parts provided in the transparent part in front of the game ball can be seen, so that it is possible to prevent the appearance of the decorative body from being impaired while allowing the player to see the game ball in the ball passage, and the decorative effect of the decorative body can be fully exerted.

In addition, since the rear decorative portion is located forward of the rear end of the center frame, and there are no parts that would get in the way during the manufacture of the gaming machine by protruding rearward from the center frame, the machine can be easily handled during manufacture, and the increased workability can suppress increases in manufacturing costs. Specifically, for example, when the center frame is placed with the rear end side facing down on a workbench, the center frame does not wobble. Also, when the center frame is handled during assembly work, transportation work, etc., since no part of the decorative body protrudes rearward from the rear end of the center frame, there is no risk of the protruding part from the center frame coming into contact with other parts, etc., and being scratched or damaged. For this reason, there is no need to work with the utmost caution, and workability can be improved.

In addition, because the rear decorative part that constitutes the decorative body extends within the framework of the center frame, the rear decorative part does not narrow the playing area on the front of the playing panel or make it difficult to see the playing balls flowing down the playing area, allowing players to enjoy playing with the playing balls in the playing area in good conditions.

Furthermore, since the rear decorative part that constitutes the decorative body extends within the framework of the center frame, if a performance display device, movable decorative body, decorative body, etc. are provided behind the gaming panel, the rear decorative part can decorate the area around the performance display device (display screen) or work together with the decorative body (movable decorative body) to present a decoration (performance) with a more decorative effect, making it possible to provide a highly appealing gaming machine that can strongly attract the interest of players.

In addition, the opaque parts of the decorative body make it difficult to see the wiring of the electronic components from the front, and the opaque parts allow the wiring to be hidden, preventing the wiring from being visible and spoiling the appearance, making it easier to bring out the decorative effect of the decorative body.

Means 8: In any one of the configurations of means 1 to 7,
The gaming machine includes:
The pachinko machine is characterized by having a winning hole located within the game area that awards a specified prize when a game ball enters the winning hole.

Here, the term "winning port" refers to "a general winning port that is always open within the game area", "a start winning port (starting port) that is always open within the game area and where a special lottery is held to determine whether or not a game ball entering the game area will create a favorable game state that gives the player an advantage as a specified bonus", "a variable winning port (variable starting port, special winning port, etc.) that allows a game ball to enter the game area as a specified bonus when a game ball enters a specific receiving port (chucker) within the game area", and "a variable winning port (variable starting port, special winning port, etc.) that allows a game ball to enter the game area as a specified bonus depending on the result of a general lottery held when a game ball passes through a specific area (gate, through chucker, etc.) within the game area". "A special prize opening (a special prize opening, etc.)," "A variable start prize opening (a variable start prize opening) in which a game ball can enter as a specified bonus depending on the result of a normal lottery drawn when a game ball passes through a specific area (e.g., a gate, a chucker, etc.) in the game area, and a special lottery is held to determine whether or not the entry of the game ball will create a favorable game state that gives the player an advantage as a specified bonus," "A V prize opening that creates a favorable game state that gives the player an advantage as a specified bonus when a game ball that enters a special prize opening is sorted by a sorting means and enters," "A large prize opening or special prize opening that opens and closes in a specified pattern to allow the entry of a game ball as a favorable game state that gives the player an advantage as a specified bonus," etc.

As for the "pachinko machine", it is one equipped with "lottery means for conducting a special lottery to generate a favorable gaming state in which the player is advantageous as a predetermined privilege by the entry of a gaming ball into the starting port, special lottery result display means as a display which variably displays special symbols according to the special lottery result drawn by the lottery means and then stops and displays the special lottery result drawn from the combination of the stopped and displayed special symbols, and advantageous gaming state generating means which opens and closes the large prize port in a predetermined pattern when the special lottery result display means displays the special lottery result that generates the favorable gaming state (so-called digital pachinko machine)", and "distribution means for distributing the gaming balls that have entered the role-playing prize port, and "a machine equipped with advantageous game state generating means for opening and closing the special prize opening in a predetermined pattern as a predetermined privilege when the game ball allocated by the allocation means enters the V prize opening, thereby generating an advantageous game state in which the player has an advantage (a so-called "Hanemono" machine)," "a machine equipped with advantageous game state generating means for opening and closing the special prize opening or the special prize opening in a predetermined pattern according to the result of a special lottery drawn when the game ball enters the start opening (start ball entry), and for opening and closing the special prize opening or the large prize opening in a predetermined pattern as a predetermined privilege when the game ball that entered the special prize opening is allocated to the V prize opening (a so-called "combined machine")," and so on.

According to the configuration of means 8, the gaming machine is a pachinko machine that is provided in the gaming area with a winning hole that awards a predetermined prize when a gaming ball enters the winning hole. This allows the pachinko machine to achieve the action and effect of any of the above-mentioned means.

In this way, according to the present invention, a gaming machine can be provided that is capable of preventing a decline in a player's interest .

1 is a front view of a pachinko machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the pachinko machine shown with the upper side tilted forward. This is a front view of the pachinko machine with the door frame removed. This is a front view of the pachinko machine with the door frame and game board removed. FIG. 5 is a rear view of the pachinko machine of FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the pachinko machine of FIG. 4 as seen obliquely from the front. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the pachinko machine of FIG. 4 broken down into its main components as viewed from the front. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the pachinko machine of FIG. 4 disassembled into its main components and viewed from the rear. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the pachinko machine of FIG. 4 cut at the center from top to bottom. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 9. FIG. 4 is a front view of the main part, showing the launch unit, the foul unit, etc. in cross section in the front view of FIG. 3 . This is an exploded oblique view of the main body frame base unit in the main body frame, disassembled into its main components and viewed from the front. This is an exploded oblique view from behind of the main frame base unit of the main frame, disassembled into its main components. 1A is a perspective view of the ball launching unit in the main body frame seen from the front, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the ball launching unit in the main body frame seen from the back. 1A is an exploded perspective view of the ball launching unit as seen from the front, and FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the ball launching unit as seen from the rear. (a) is an oblique view of the launching unit cover of the ball launching unit viewed from the rear left, and (b) is an explanatory diagram of the ball launching unit showing only the launching unit cover in cross section when viewed from the front. 1A is a perspective view of the foul unit in the main body frame as seen from the front, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the foul unit in the main body frame as seen from the rear. FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view of the foul unit as seen from the front, and FIG. 2B is an exploded perspective view of the foul unit as seen from the rear. 1A is an explanatory diagram showing a side cross-section of the foul unit with the foul shutter in a closed state, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram showing a side cross-section of the foul unit with the foul shutter in an open state. 1A is a perspective view of the circulating ball path unit in the main body frame seen from the front, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the circulating ball path unit in the main body frame seen from the back. This is an exploded oblique view of the circulating ball path unit as seen from the front. This is an exploded oblique view of the circulating ball path unit as seen from the rear. (a) is a plan view showing only the ball serpentine member and ball removal shutter in the circulating ball path unit, and (b) is an oblique view from the front showing only the ball serpentine member and ball removal shutter in the circulating ball path unit. (a1) is an explanatory diagram showing the ball removal shutter and ball snaking member in the closed position together with the ball receiving tray in a side cross-section, (a2) is an explanatory diagram showing only the ball removal shutter portion in (a1) from the bottom, (b1) is an explanatory diagram showing the ball removal shutter and ball snaking member in the open position together with the ball receiving tray in a side cross-section, and (b2) is an explanatory diagram showing only the ball removal shutter portion in (b1) from the bottom. (a) is an explanatory diagram showing a side cross-section of the ball snaking member and ball removal tray with an iron ball magnetically attached to the ball removal shutter in the closed position, (b) is an explanatory diagram showing a side cross-section of the ball snaking member and ball removal tray with an iron ball magnetically attached to the ball removal shutter in the open position, and (c) is an explanatory diagram showing a side cross-section of the ball snaking member and ball removal tray with the ball removal shutter slid from the position (b) to the closed position with an iron ball magnetically attached to the underside. (a) is an explanatory diagram showing a circulating ball path unit in cross section at the out ball sensor location, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing a circulating ball path unit in cross section at the safe ball sensor location. (a) is an oblique view from the front showing an enlarged view of the lower part of the main body frame together with the outer frame with the serpentine cover of the circulating ball path unit removed, and (b) is an oblique view from the back showing an enlarged view of the lower part of the main body frame together with the outer frame with the serpentine cover of the circulating ball path unit removed. (a) is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of the key parts of the rear cross section cut at the out ball sensor with the cover member of the ball elimination mechanism in the circulating ball path unit attached to the main frame closed, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the cover member in (a) is open. (a) is an oblique view of the ball lifting unit in the main body frame seen from the front left, (b) is an oblique view of the ball lifting unit in the main body frame seen from the front right, and (c) is an oblique view of the ball lifting unit in the main body frame seen from the rear. 1A is an exploded perspective view of the ball lifting unit disassembled into its main components as viewed from the front, and FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the ball lifting unit disassembled into its main components as viewed from the rear. This is an enlarged front view showing the main parts with the ball grinding cassette removed from the ball lifting unit attached to the main body frame. (a) is a right side view showing the main parts of the ball grinding mechanism and ball lifting mechanism in the ball lifting unit, (b) is a rear view showing the main parts of the ball lifting mechanism, and (c) is a plan view of the main parts of the ball lifting mechanism as seen from arrow A in (b). 1A is a perspective view of the ball throwing unit in the main body frame seen from the front, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the ball throwing unit in the main body frame seen from the rear. 1A is an exploded perspective view of the ball throwing unit seen from the front, and FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the ball throwing unit seen from the rear. This is a front cross-sectional view of the ball sending unit cut at the pre-launch sensor location. This is an explanatory diagram showing the various passages for game balls on the rear side of the main body frame from the rear. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic diagram of the flow of game balls in the main body frame. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of the control configuration of a pachinko machine. 13 is a flowchart showing a launch permission process. 13 is a flowchart showing a ball possession subtraction process. 13 is a flowchart showing a process for adding balls in possession using foul balls. 13 is a flowchart showing a launch control process. A flowchart showing prize ball processing. 13 is a flowchart showing a lifting motor operation process. 11 is a table showing the relationship between the lift inlet sensor and the lift outlet sensor and the operation of the lift motor. 13 is a graph showing the relationship between the launching operation of a game ball and the operation of a ball lifting unit. 11 is a graph showing the operation of the ball lifting mechanism in the ball lifting unit. 1A is a flowchart showing security processing, and FIG. 1B is a flowchart showing security processing of an embodiment different from that of FIG. 13 is a table showing the relationship between the low circulating ball sensor and the high circulating ball sensor and error notification. This is a front view of the game board, with the transparent center gimmicks and other parts shown as opaque. 51 is a perspective view of the game board of FIG. 50 as seen from the front right side. 51 is a perspective view of the game board of FIG. 50 as seen from the front left. FIG. 51 is a rear perspective view of the game board of FIG. 50. This is an exploded perspective view of the game board disassembled into its main components as seen from the front. This is an exploded perspective view of the game board disassembled into its main components and viewed from behind. This is a front view of the game board, showing the inside of the game area where game balls circulate, by cutting the front unit parallel to the surface of the game panel. (a) is a rear view of a first specification main control unit, which is one of the main control units, (b) is an oblique view of the first specification main control unit from the front, and (c) is an oblique view of the first specification main control unit from the rear. 1A is an exploded perspective view of a first specification main control unit as seen from the front, and FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the first specification main control unit as seen from the rear. FIG. 1A is a rear view of a second specification main control unit, which is one of the main control units, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the second specification main control unit seen from behind. 1A is an exploded perspective view of the second specification main control unit as seen from the front, and FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the second specification main control unit as seen from the rear. (a1) is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of the area where the setting key switch is implemented in the rear view of the first specification main control unit, (a2) is an explanatory diagram showing a cross-section of the area of the setting key switch in (a1), (b1) is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of the same area as (a1) in the rear view of the second specification main control unit, and (b2) is an explanatory diagram showing a cross-section of the same area as (a2) in (b1). FIG. 1A is a front view of the lottery device in the center device, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the lottery device as seen from above in front. This is a side cross-sectional view of the lottery device in the center device, cut in the center in the left-right direction. 1A is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of a lottery device in a state where the game ball cannot loop, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of a lottery device in a state where the game ball can loop. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of game balls in a lottery device. FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board in a normal state. This is a front view of the game board showing the state in which the back-front rising decoration unit of the back-front performance unit has been dropped from the standby position to the performance position from the normal state. This is a front view of the game board showing the rear rising decoration of the rear performance unit being moved from the retracted position to the appearing position from the normal state. This is a front view of the game board showing the state in which, from the normal state, the back front rising decoration unit of the back front performance unit has been dropped from the standby position to the performance position, and the back rear rising decoration of the back rear performance unit has been moved from the retracted position to the appearing position. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of the control configuration of a pachinko machine. (a) is a front view of a decorative object having a performance board, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the decorative object of (a). This is an explanatory diagram showing the state before the performance board in Figure 71 is separated from the discarded board after the outer periphery of the performance board is formed while leaving a connecting portion with respect to the fixed-length board and electronic components such as LEDs are mounted. (a) is an explanatory diagram showing the state before the outer periphery of the performance board is formed while leaving the connecting portion and separated from the discarded board, (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the state after the connecting portion has been cut to separate the performance board from the discarded board, and (c) is an explanatory diagram showing the state after the connecting portion on the performance board has been finished. 72. (a) is an explanatory diagram showing the performance board in a state where the performance board and the discarded board have been separated from the state shown in Figure 72, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the state where the outer periphery of the performance board has been finished from the state shown in (a). 72, (b1) to (b3) are explanatory diagrams showing connecting parts of further different shapes, and showing the process up to the stage of separation from the discarded substrate and finishing. (a) is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of the connection portion between the performance board and the discarded board in the second embodiment, (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the discarded board and the performance board in the state separated from the state in (a), and (c) is an explanatory diagram showing the connection portion in the state finished from the state in (b). (a) is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of a performance board provided with a coating film of a different form from that in Figure 76, (b) is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of a performance board provided with an even different form of coating film, and (c) is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of a performance board provided with copper foil of a different form from that in (a). An explanatory diagram showing the surface of the presentation board of a decorative body of a second embodiment in which the configuration of Figure 76 is applied to the presentation board of a decorative body of a first embodiment such as Figure 74. An explanatory diagram showing the back surface of the presentation board of the decorative body of the second embodiment shown in Figure 78. (a) is a rear view of the performance board of the third embodiment, and (b) is a front view of the performance board of the fourth embodiment. (a) is an explanatory diagram showing in outline a performance board on which a specific trace portion and a side-view type LED are provided, (b) is an explanatory diagram of a performance board in which an extension portion extending outward is provided between the specific trace portions in (a), and (c) is an explanatory diagram showing a performance board of a different form from (a) and (b). (a) is an explanatory diagram showing a cross-section of the key parts of a decorative body of a third embodiment, (b) is an explanatory diagram showing a cross-section of the key parts of a decorative body of a fourth embodiment, and (c) is an explanatory diagram showing a cross-section of the key parts of a decorative body of a fifth embodiment. (a) is an explanatory diagram showing a cross-section of the key parts of the decorative body of the sixth embodiment, (b) is an explanatory diagram showing a cross-section of the key parts of the decorative body of the seventh embodiment, and (c) is an explanatory diagram showing a cross-section of the key parts of the decorative body of the eighth embodiment. A front view of a game board on which a starting hole unit of a second embodiment is provided. 13 is an oblique view showing a game board on which a starting hole unit of a second embodiment is provided, with the rear side beyond the game panel omitted. FIG. 1A is a front perspective view showing the starting hole unit of the second embodiment together with a part of the game panel, and FIG. 1B is a rear perspective view of the starting hole unit of FIG. 1A is an exploded oblique view of the starting port unit of the second embodiment viewed from the front, and FIG. 1B is an exploded oblique view of the starting port unit of the second embodiment viewed from the rear. (a) is an explanatory diagram showing the starting port unit of the second embodiment from the front, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the starting port unit of the second embodiment in cross section. (a) and (b) are explanatory diagrams showing the relationship between the through hole of the starting port front plate and the front plate seal in the starting port unit of the second embodiment. This is a front view of a game board provided with a starting hole unit of a third embodiment, with the components behind the game panel omitted. 91 is a perspective view of the game board of FIG. 90 seen diagonally from the front. 13A is a front perspective view showing the starting hole unit of the third embodiment together with a part of the game panel, and FIG. 13B is a rear perspective view of the starting hole unit of FIG. 1A is an exploded oblique view of the starting port unit of the third embodiment viewed from the front, and FIG. 1B is an exploded oblique view of the starting port unit of the third embodiment viewed from the rear. (a) is an explanatory diagram showing the starting port unit of the third embodiment from the front, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the starting port unit of the third embodiment in cross section. This is a front view of a game board having a starting hole unit of a third embodiment and a front panel, with the components behind the game panel omitted. FIG. 96 is an oblique view of the game board of FIG. 95 seen diagonally from the front. FIG. 96 is an exploded perspective view of the game board of FIG. 95, shown with the front panel separated. This is a front view of the game board, showing a front panel provided in front of the starting hole unit and the side unit, with the components behind the game panel omitted. This is an oblique view of the game board of Figure 98 seen diagonally from the front. This is an exploded oblique view of the game board shown in Figure 99 with the front panel separated, showing an enlarged view of the main parts. FIG. 11 is a front view of a game board according to a second embodiment. A rear view of the game board of the second embodiment. A front view showing only the front unit on the game board of the second embodiment. A front view showing only the rear unit in a game board of a second embodiment. 1A is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the game board of the second embodiment is locked to the main frame by the game board locking member, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the lock by the game board locking member is released. (a) is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic state in which the front unit is fixed to the rear unit by locking with the front unit locking member at the unit fixing portion of the game board in the second embodiment, (b) is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the lock by the front unit locking member has been released from the state of (a), and (c) is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the front unit has been detached from the rear unit in the state of (b). An explanatory diagram showing the positioning of the front unit and the rear unit on the game board of the second embodiment. An explanatory diagram showing the earth path in a game board of a second embodiment. (a) is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the winning port of the front unit and the ball receiving port of the rear unit in the game board of the second embodiment, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the front unit and the rear unit have been separated from the state in (a). 103 on the game board of the second embodiment, and FIG. 104 is a front view showing a first front unit as the front unit shown in FIG. 103 on the game board of the second embodiment, and FIG. 104 is a front view showing a second front unit having a different shape from the first front unit on the game board of the second embodiment. This is a front view showing the game board of the second embodiment, in which the second front unit shown in Figure 110 (b) is attached to the rear unit, attached to the main frame. 1A is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the game board of the second embodiment is locked to the main frame by the rear unit locking member, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the lock by the rear unit locking member is released. (a) is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of the peripheral control unit attached to the performance display device, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of the peripheral control unit removed from the performance display device. (a) is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of the peripheral control unit attached to the performance display device in a form different from that shown in Figure 113, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic diagram of the connection between the peripheral control board and the connection relay board in (a). A front view showing the game board of the second embodiment shown in Figure 101 attached to the main body frame. This is a front view showing the game board with the front unit removed from the state shown in Figure 115. 1A is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic side view of a game board of the second embodiment attached to a main body frame, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram showing the state of FIG. 1A with the front unit removed. This is variant example 1 of the game board of the second embodiment, where (a1) is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic view of the lower right corner of the game board from the front when the game board is attached to the main frame, (a2) is an explanatory diagram showing (a1) from the side, (b1) is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic view of the lower right corner of the game board from the front when it is removed from the main frame, and (b2) is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic view of the side together with the game board when the main frame is removed. 118(a) is an explanatory diagram showing a plan view of FIG. 118(a1), and FIG. 118(b) is an explanatory diagram showing a plan view of FIG. 118(b2). This is a modified example 2 of the game board of the second embodiment, where (a) is an explanatory diagram showing a front unit provided with a movable stamp affixing auxiliary member from the side together with the rear unit and the main body frame, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing a front unit provided with a movable stamp affixing auxiliary member of a different form to (a) from the side together with the rear unit and the main body frame. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the center device of the first embodiment attached to a game panel, cut halfway in the vertical direction, together with the previous components. (a) is an explanatory diagram showing the decorative body in the center piece disassembled into a front decorative part and a rear decorative part from the front, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the decorative body consisting of a front decorative part and a rear decorative part from the front. This is an explanatory diagram showing the center frame of the center gimmick in Figure 121 placed on a stand with its rear end facing down. This is an explanatory diagram showing a partial cross section of a center piece having a center frame to which a decorative body different from that shown in Figure 121 is attached. (a) is an explanatory diagram showing the main parts of the center role of the second embodiment from within the frame, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in (a), and (c) is an explanatory diagram showing the center role of (a) with the rear end facing down and the center frame placed on a stand. FIG. 11 is a front view showing a gaming board having a center device of a third embodiment with the rear side of the gaming panel omitted. This is an exploded oblique view of the center gimmick and game panel of Figure 126 when viewed from the front. This is an exploded oblique view of the center part of Figure 126 as seen from the front. 13A to 13G are explanatory diagrams showing various joining patterns between the first frame and the second frame in the center role piece of the third embodiment.

[1. Overall structure of a pachinko machine]
A pachinko machine 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, the overall configuration of the pachinko machine 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a front view of the pachinko machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a front perspective view of the pachinko machine shown in a state in which the upper side is tilted forward.

The pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment is installed and used in an island facility in an amusement hall. This pachinko machine 1 is a so-called enclosed type gaming machine or managed gaming machine in which a large number of gaming balls B (for example, 40 to 60 balls) are enclosed without being discharged to the outside or supplied from the outside, and the gaming balls B circulate internally so that the player does not come into contact with them. In this pachinko machine 1, the number of balls held by the player is converted into digital data and handled as held ball data.

The game ball B enclosed in the pachinko machine 1 has the same diameter as the game balls used in conventional pachinko machines, but is made of a material that is not magnetic, such as SUS304 stainless steel. This means that the game ball B will not rust even if it is enclosed in the pachinko machine 1 for a long period of time, and it is distinguished from the conventional game balls (iron balls SB) that are magnetic.

The pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a frame-shaped outer frame 2 that is installed in an island facility (not shown) of a gaming hall, a door frame 3 that closes the front of the outer frame 2 in an openable and closable manner, a main frame 4 that supports the door frame 3 in an openable and closable manner and is attached to the outer frame 2 in an openable and closable manner, and a game board 5 that is detachably attached to the main frame 4 from the front side and is visible from the player's side through the door frame 3, and has a game area 5a into which the player shoots the game ball B.

[2. Outer Frame]
The outer frame 2 of the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 10. Figure 3 is a front view of the pachinko machine with the door frame removed. Figure 4 is a front view of the pachinko machine with the door frame and the game board removed, Figure 5 is a rear view of the pachinko machine of Figure 4, and Figure 6 is a perspective view of the pachinko machine of Figure 4 seen from the diagonal front. Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the pachinko machine of Figure 4 disassembled into its main components and seen from the front, and Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the pachinko machine of Figure 4 disassembled into its main components and seen from the rear. Figure 9 is a plan view of the pachinko machine of Figure 4 cut at the center from top to bottom. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Figure 9.

The outer frame 2 is attached to the island equipment of the game hall (not shown), and the main frame 4 can be attached so that it can be opened and closed forward and can be attached detachably. The outer frame 2 includes an outer frame body 10 formed as a vertically long frame overall, an outer frame assembly metal fitting 20 to which the outer frame body 10 is attached, an outer frame hinge mechanism 30 that supports the main frame 4 so that it can be opened and closed, an outer frame lock metal fitting (not shown) for locking the main frame 4 in a closed state, a fascia board 45 attached to the lower frame body 14 of the outer frame body 10, and a sliding board 46 attached to the upper surface of the fascia board 45.

The outer frame body 10 of the outer frame 2 comprises a left frame body 11 and a right frame body 12 which extend vertically and are spaced apart from each other on the left and right sides, an upper frame body 13 which connects the upper ends of the left frame body 11 and the right frame body 12, and a lower frame body 14 which connects the lower ends of the left frame body 11 and the right frame body 12. The left frame body 11 and the right frame body 12 are each formed from an extruded metal material such as an aluminum alloy. The upper frame body 13 and the lower frame body 14 are formed from wood. The left frame body 11, the right frame body 12, the upper frame body 13, and the lower frame body 14 have the same dimensions in the front-to-rear direction.

The outer frame assembly fittings 20 of the outer frame 2 include an upper left fitting (not shown) that connects the left frame body 11 and the upper frame body 13, an upper right fitting (not shown) that connects the right frame body 12 and the upper frame body 13, a lower left fitting 23 that connects the left frame body 11 and the lower frame body 14, and a lower right fitting (not shown) that connects the right frame body 12 and the lower frame body 14.

The outer frame hinge mechanism 30 has an upper outer frame hinge body 31 provided at the upper left end of the outer frame main body 10, and a lower outer frame hinge body 35 provided at the lower left end of the outer frame main body 10.

The upper outer frame hinge body 31 of the outer frame hinge mechanism 30 is attached to the upper left end surface of the upper frame body 13, and its front end protrudes forward beyond the outer frame main body 10. The upper outer frame hinge body 31 has a bearing groove 31a that penetrates vertically and is open on one side at the part that protrudes forward beyond the outer frame main body 10, and a locking member 32 that is provided on the underside of the part that protrudes forward beyond the outer frame main body 10 and can open and close the open part of the bearing groove 31a.

The bearing groove 31a of the outer frame upper hinge body 31 can support the main frame hinge shaft 411a by inserting the main frame hinge shaft 411a of the main frame upper hinge body 411 in the main frame 4 from the released portion. The locking member 32 of the outer frame upper hinge body 31 is normally in a locked position where the released portion of the bearing groove 31a is closed by the biasing force of an elastic piece (not shown). When the locking member 32 is moved to the released position against the biasing force of the elastic piece, the bearing groove 31a is opened to the side, and the main frame hinge shaft 411a can be inserted into the bearing groove 31a from the side, or the main frame hinge shaft 411a inserted in the bearing groove 31a can be removed from the bearing groove 31a.

The outer frame lower hinge body 35 of the outer frame hinge mechanism 30 is attached to the upper left end surface of the fascia board 45 at a portion (upper portion) that overlaps with the lower frame body 14, and its front end protrudes forward beyond the outer frame main body 10. The outer frame lower hinge body 35 has a hinge shaft 35a that protrudes upward at a portion that protrudes forward beyond the outer frame main body 10. The hinge shaft 35a of the outer frame lower hinge body 35 is inserted into the outer frame shaft hole (not shown) of the main frame lower hinge body 412 in the main frame 4, thereby rotatably supporting the main frame lower hinge body 412.

The outer frame hinge mechanism 30 supports the main frame hinge shaft 411a of the main frame upper hinge body 411 in the main frame 4 in the bearing groove 31a of the outer frame upper hinge body 31, and inserts the hinge shaft 35a of the outer frame lower hinge body 35 into the outer frame shaft hole of the main frame lower hinge body 412, thereby supporting the main frame 4 so that it can be opened and closed.

Two outer frame locking fittings for the outer frame 2 are provided vertically spaced apart on the inner surface (left side surface) of the right frame body 12. The outer frame locking fittings are each engaged with the outer frame locking claws 684 of the lock unit 680 in the main frame 4, thereby locking the main frame 4 against the outer frame 2 in a closed state so that it cannot be opened.

The fascia 45 of the outer frame 2 is attached to the lower frame body 14, and its front end protrudes forward beyond the lower frame body 14. The fascia 45 is made of synthetic resin. Two sliding plates 46 are provided on the upper surface of the fascia 45, spaced apart from each other on the left and right. The sliding plates 46 are against which the lower end surface of the main frame 4 abuts when the main frame 4 is closed against the outer frame 2. The sliding plates 46 are made of a low-friction material with low friction resistance, making the main frame 4 easier to slide and easier to open and close.

3. Door Frame
The door frame 3 of the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The door frame 3 is formed in a rectangular shape extending vertically in a front view with approximately the same size as the inside of the outer frame 2, and is attached to the inside of the outer frame 2 so as to be able to be opened and closed from the front side via the main frame 4. The door frame 3 is provided with a door frame main body 100 that is openable and closable with respect to the main frame 4 and has a game window 101 through which the game area 5a of the game board 5 attached to the main frame 4 faces forward when closed, a transparent glass 120 that is detachably attached to the rear side of the door frame main body 100 and closes the game window 101, a ball number display unit 140 that displays the number of balls held by the player, a handle 160 that the player operates to shoot the game ball B into the game area 5a of the game board 5, a cylindrical handle cover 170 that surrounds the outer periphery of the handle 160, and a counting button switch 180 that can be operated by the player.

The door frame 3 also includes a door frame panel 190 that extends across the entire width in the left-right direction at a certain height from the bottom end on the front of the door frame main body 100, a shelf unit 200 that protrudes forward at a location between the game window 101 and the door frame panel 190 on the front of the door frame main body 100, and a performance operation unit 250 that is provided in the left-right center of the shelf unit 200 and can be operated by the player. The ball count display unit 140 and the count button switch 180 are provided on the top surface of the shelf unit 200 (top surface of the shelf portion 201).

Furthermore, the door frame 3 includes a door frame top unit 300 provided above the game window 101 on the front surface of the door frame main body 100, a door frame left side unit 320 provided to the left of the game window 101 on the front surface of the door frame main body 100, and a door frame right side unit 340 provided to the right of the game window 101 on the front surface of the door frame main body 100.

The door frame body 100 has a door frame hinge mechanism 110 for mounting the door frame 4 so as to be openable and closable. The door frame hinge mechanism 110 has an upper door frame hinge body (not shown) provided at the upper left end of the door frame body 100, and a lower door frame hinge body 112 provided at the lower left end of the door frame body 100. The upper door frame hinge body has an upper door frame hinge shaft (not shown) protruding upward. The door frame hinge mechanism 110 can support the door frame 3 so as to be openable and closable relative to the main body frame 4 by inserting the upper door frame hinge shaft of the upper door frame hinge body from below into the upper door frame shaft hole 411b of the upper main body frame hinge body 411 described later, and inserting the lower door frame hinge shaft 112a of the lower door frame hinge body 112 from above into the lower door frame shaft hole 412b of the lower main body frame hinge body 412 described later.

The ball count display unit 140 is composed of a 6-digit 7-segment LED. The ball count display unit 140 is located to the left of the center in the left-right direction on the top surface of the shelf unit 200.

The handle 160 is located in the lower right corner of the front of the door frame body 100, that is, near the right end between the game window 101 and the door frame panel 190 on the front of the door frame body 100. The handle 160 is attached so that the player can rotate it with its axis of rotation facing forward and backward. The handle 160 is shaped like a steering wheel of an automobile, and has a central hub portion 160a, multiple spoke portions 160b (three in this case) extending outward from the hub portion 160a, and an annular ring portion 160c connecting the tips of the spoke portions 160b.

The ring portion 160c of the handle 160 is provided at a position slightly away from the front end of the cylindrical handle cover 170, and is provided so that the player cannot grip the ring portion 160c. Therefore, when the player rotates the handle 160, he or she mainly operates it while gripping the hub portion 160a with their fingers passing between the spoke portions 160b. In this state, the player's fingers are inserted into the cylindrical handle cover 170. As a result, when the player is operating the handle 160, air vibrations (wind) caused by the driving of the main frame speaker 403 are released forward from the bass reflex duct 401e of the main frame 4, and the wind is sent to the fingers of the player gripping the handle 160 through the duct grill 191 of the door frame fascia 190 and the opening 171 of the handle cover 170, which can surprise the player and allow the player to experience an unprecedented performance.

The handle 160 is equipped with a firing stop switch 161 that can be pressed by the player, a handle touch sensor 162 that detects changes in the electrostatic capacitance of the handle 160, and a handle rotation sensor 163 that detects the rotation angle of the handle 160 (see Figure 35).

When the player presses the launch stop switch 161, the frame control board 640 stops the operation of the launch solenoid 453. Therefore, if the player presses the launch stop switch 161 while rotating the handle 160, the launch of the game ball B can be temporarily stopped without returning the rotation of the handle 160. If the player then releases the pressing of the launch stop switch 161 while continuing to rotate the handle 160, the game ball B can be shot into the game area 5a again with the impact strength before pressing the launch stop switch 161 (the impact strength corresponding to the rotation of the handle 160).

The handle touch sensor 162 detects static electricity acting on the handle 160, and when the player touches the handle 160, it detects the static electricity acting from the player and detects the player's contact (touch) with the handle 160. Then, when the handle touch sensor 162 detects the player's contact, if the handle 160 is rotated, the detection of the handle rotation sensor 163 is accepted, and the drive of the launch solenoid is controlled with a strength according to the rotation angle of the handle 160, allowing the game ball B to be shot into the ball.

Therefore, even if a player tries to rotate the handle 160 in some way to shoot game ball B into the game area 5a without touching the handle 160, the handle touch sensor 162 does not detect the player's contact, so the launch solenoid 453 is not driven and game ball B cannot be shot into the game area 5a. This makes it possible to prevent players from playing by rotating the handle 160 in a way that is different from the intended way, and reduces the burden (stress) placed on the game hall in which the pachinko machine 1 is installed.

The handle rotation sensor 163 is a variable resistor, and when the handle 160 is rotated, the detection axis rotates and the internal resistance changes according to the rotation angle of the detection axis. Therefore, when the handle 160 is rotated to change the internal resistance of the handle rotation sensor 163, the driving force of the launch solenoid 453 in the ball launch unit 450 (described later) changes according to the internal resistance, and the game ball B can be shot into the game area 5a with a strength according to the rotation angle of the handle 160.

The handle cover 170 extends rearward from the rear part of the annular part of the handle 160 so that the diameter widens, and is formed in a conical cylinder shape. Openings 171 that communicate with the inside are provided on the right and lower peripheral surfaces of the outer peripheral surface of the handle cover 170. The duct grill 191 of the door frame curtain board 190 is located below the opening 171 on the lower peripheral surface of the handle cover 170. As a result, when the player is operating the handle 160, air vibrations (wind) caused by the driving of the main frame speaker 403 are released forward from the bass reflex duct 401e of the main frame 4, and the wind is sent to the fingers of the player holding the handle 160 through the duct grill 191 of the door frame curtain board 190 and the opening 171 of the handle cover 170, which can surprise the player and allow the player to experience an unprecedented performance.

The counting button switch 180 is located on the top surface of the shelf unit 200, to the right of the center in the left-right direction. The counting button switch 180, which will be described in detail later, can be pressed while there are balls in your possession to send the balls to the game ball lending device 8 for settlement.

The door frame panel 190 extends left and right at a fixed height with a length equal to the left and right width of the door frame body 100, and is attached to the lower end of the front surface of the door frame body 100. The door frame panel 190 penetrates from front to back near the right end, and has a duct grill 191 located in front of the bass reflex duct 401e of the body frame 4, which will be described later.

The duct grill 191 is formed in a lattice shape consisting of vertical and horizontal lattices. The horizontal lattice of the duct grill 191 is a strip of a certain width in the front-to-rear direction, and is provided in an inclined state so that the front end is located higher than the rear end. This duct grill 191 is provided below (directly below) the handle 160. As a result, when the player is operating the handle 160, air vibrations (wind) caused by the driving of the main frame speaker 403 are released forward from the bass reflex duct 401e of the main frame 4, the wind is guided diagonally upward and forward by the horizontal lattice of the duct grill 191, and is sent to the fingers of the player holding the handle 160 through the opening 171 of the handle cover 170, which surprises the player and allows the player to experience an unprecedented performance.

The shelf unit 200 is provided in the area between the game window 101 and the door frame panel 190 on the front side of the door frame main body 100. A spherical performance operation unit 250 is provided in the left-right center of the shelf unit 200. The shelf unit 200 has a shelf section 201 that bulges forward like a shelf from the top end along the bottom end of the game window 101, a dish section 202 that bulges forward from the left side of the left-right center at the bottom end, a speaker grill 203 provided in the area between the shelf section 201 and the dish section 202, and a setting adjustment button 204 consisting of four push buttons provided on the top surface of the shelf section 201 and arranged in a row front to back, left to right, and back.

The shelf section 201 has a smooth upper surface. The shelf section 201 has a semi-tube-shaped front end decorative section 201a at its front edge, which is continuous with the lower ends of the door frame left side unit 320 and the door frame right side unit 340. The semi-tube-shaped front end decorative section 201a is provided so as to be connected to both the left and right sides of the spherical performance operation unit 250. On the top surface of the shelf section 201, a ball count display section 140 is provided to the left of the center in the left-right direction, a counting button switch 180 is provided to the right of the center in the left-right direction, and a setting adjustment button 204 is provided in front of and to the left of the counting button switch 180.

The dish portion 202 is formed in a shallow dish shape. This allows the player to place their hand (fingers) on the dish portion 202, or to place small items such as a pouch, mobile phone, wallet, car keys, etc., making it convenient.

The speaker grill 203 is located in front of the main frame speaker 403 in the main frame 4 (described later) and is made of punched metal with multiple through holes.

The performance operation unit 250 is provided in the center of the shelf unit 200 in the left-right direction, with its front end protruding forward from the shelf unit 200 and its top end protruding upward from the shelf unit 200. The performance operation unit 250 is formed in a spherical shape as a whole. The performance operation unit 250 has a circular first performance button 251 provided near the center on the top surface, and an annular second performance button 252 provided to surround the first performance button 251. Although detailed illustration is omitted, the first performance button 251 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the second performance button 252 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The first performance button 251 and the second performance button 252 are provided on the same axis, and are inclined so that the axis moves forward as it goes upward.

The first effect button 251 and the second effect button 252 are arranged so that they move upwards (pop up) in their entirety in response to the player participation type effect. The first effect button 251 can be pressed at all times, whereas the second effect button 252 can only be pressed when it pops up.

Although not shown in the figure, a vibrator (vibration device) is provided inside the first performance button 251.

The door frame top unit 300 is located above the play window 101 on the front surface of the door frame main body 100, with both left and right ends sandwiched between the upper end portions of the left side unit 320 and the right side unit 340. The door frame top unit 300 protrudes forward like a canopy. The door frame top unit 300 is equipped with a semi-tube-shaped door frame top decorative body 301 that extends left and right along the front edge and has translucency. The door frame top decorative body 301 is curved in the front-to-rear direction so that the center in the left-to-right direction is located furthest forward in a plan view.

Although not shown in the figure, the door frame top unit 300 has a door frame top decorative board on which multiple LEDs are mounted to illuminate and decorate the door frame top decorative body 301, and a door frame top speaker that outputs sounds such as voice, music, and sound effects.

The door frame left side unit 320 is installed on the front of the door frame main body 100 to the left of the game window 101, and extends vertically from near the upper end of the door frame main body 100 to near the speaker grill 203 below the shelf portion 201 of the shelf unit 200. The door frame left side unit 320 extends over its entire length in the vertical direction and is equipped with a semi-tubular door frame left side decorative body 321 that is translucent. The door frame left side decorative body 321 is curved to the right near its lower end.

Although not shown in the figure, the door frame left side unit 320 has a door frame left side decorative board on which multiple LEDs are mounted to illuminate and decorate the door frame left side decorative body 321.

The door frame right side unit 340 is located on the front of the door frame main body 100 to the right of the play window 101, and is vertically long from near the top end of the door frame main body 100 to the handle cover 170 below the shelf portion 201 of the shelf unit 200. The door frame right side unit 340 protrudes further forward than the door frame left side unit 320, and is formed in the shape of a vertically long partition.

The right door frame unit 340 includes a semi-tube-shaped right door frame decorative body 341 that extends vertically along the front end and has translucency, a left side decorative body (not shown) on the right side of the door frame that is provided behind the right side decorative body 341 and forms the left side, a right side decorative body (not shown) on the right side of the door frame that is translucent and forms the right side, and a right side decorative board (not shown) on which multiple LEDs are mounted to illuminate and decorate the right side decorative body 341, the left side decorative body on the right side of the door frame, and the right side decorative body on the right side of the door frame. The right side decorative body 341 is curved leftward near the bottom end.

The door frame right side unit 340 also has an opening 342 that penetrates from front to back near the bottom end and through which the keyhole 682 of the lock unit 680 faces forward.

[3-1. Counting button switch]
The counting button switch 180 is provided on the top surface of the shelf unit 200, to the right of the center in the left-right direction. When the counting button switch 180 is pressed when there are balls in hand (number of balls in hand > 0), the balls can be sent to the game ball lending device 8 for settlement. The counting button switch 180 can be described in detail later, but depending on the time it is pressed, it can send one ball at a time or a predetermined number (for example, 250 balls at a time). The number of balls sent to the game ball lending device 8 is sent to the management server 9 via the communication network, and an IC card storing the number of balls in hand is ejected from the game ball lending device 8.

The game ball lending device 8 is provided adjacent to the pachinko machine 1 in the island equipment of the game hall (also called a sand). Although not shown in detail, the game ball lending device 8 is provided with an insertion slot for inserting cash or prepaid cards, a card slot for inserting/removing IC cards, a ball lending button switch 8a, a return button switch, a display unit that displays the amount of money inserted and the number of balls counted, etc. When cash or the like is inserted into the insertion slot and the ball lending button switch 8a is pressed, the game ball lending device 8 lends out a predetermined number of game balls B within the amount inserted. In this embodiment, the number of lent game balls B is transmitted as digital data to the frame control board and also transmitted to the management server 9 via a communication network for management.

To go into more detail about the counting button switch 180, when the player has balls in hand and presses the counting button switch 180 for a short time (e.g., pressing the button once for less than 500 ms), one game ball B is counted from the balls in hand. When the counting button switch 180 is pressed for a long time (e.g., pressing the button once for more than 500 ms), 250 game balls B are counted at the count notification timing every predetermined time (e.g., 300 ms) until the number of balls in hand falls below 250. When the number of balls in hand falls below 250 during the long press, one game ball B is counted. In addition, when the counting button switch 180 is pressed for a long time (e.g., pressing the button once for more than 500 ms), the total number of balls in hand may be counted unconditionally even if the counting button switch 180 is not continuously pressed.

When counting is performed by pressing the counting button switch 180, the number of balls held displayed on the ball count display unit 140 is subtracted and displayed, and the counted number of balls is displayed on a display unit (not shown) of the game ball lending device 8.

[4. Main body frame]
The main body frame 4 of the pachinko machine 1 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 3 to 11. Figure 11 is a front view of the main part, showing the firing unit, the foul unit, etc. in cross section in the front view of Figure 3. The main body frame 4 is formed in a box-like shape with an open front, and a game board 5 is housed inside so as to be removable from the front. The main body frame 4 is attached to a frame-shaped outer frame 2 attached to the island equipment of the game hall at the top and bottom of the front end on the left side of the front side so as to be able to open and close, and a door frame 3 is attached so as to be able to open and close so as to close the open front side.

The main frame 4 includes a frame-shaped main frame base unit 400 supported on the outer frame 2 so as to be openable and closable; a ball launching unit 450 for shooting game balls B into the game area 5a of the game board 5; a foul unit 470 for collecting game balls B that were shot by the ball launching unit 450 but not shot into the game area 5a; a circulating ball path unit 500 for sending game balls B discharged from the game board 5 and game balls B collected by the foul unit 470 to the ball launching unit 450; a ball lifting unit 550 for moving game balls B upward from the downstream end of the circulating ball path unit 500; and a ball sending unit 600 for sending the game balls B lifted by the ball lifting unit 550 one by one to the ball launching unit 450.

The main frame 4 also includes a ball receiving tray 620 for receiving game balls B discharged from the ball outlet 513p of the circulating ball path unit 500, a frame base unit 630 having a frame control board 640 that controls the ball launching unit 450 and the ball lifting unit 550, and a lock unit 680 that locks the outer frame 2 and the main frame 4, and the door frame 3 and the main frame 4.

[4-1. Main frame base unit]
The main frame base unit 400 in the main frame 4 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 12 and 13. Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of the main frame base unit in the main frame disassembled into its main components as viewed from the front, and Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view of the main frame base unit in the main frame disassembled into its main components as viewed from the rear. The main frame base unit 400 is supported on the outer frame 2 so that it can be opened and closed forward, and can support the door frame 3 so that it can be opened and closed forward. The main frame base unit 400 is equipped with a ball launching unit 450, a foul unit 470, a circulating ball path unit 500, a ball lifting unit 550, a ball sending unit 600, a ball receiving tray 620, a frame base unit 630, a lock unit 680, and the like.

The main frame base unit 400 is equipped with a main frame base 401 which is formed in a vertically elongated rectangle as a whole and has a game board insertion section 401a which penetrates from the front to the back and into which the game board 5 is inserted from the front, and a base wall section 401b which is provided below the game board insertion section 401a, and a side reinforcing plate 402 which reinforces the left side of the main frame base 401.

The main frame base unit 400 also includes a main frame speaker 403 attached to the rear side of the base wall 401b of the main frame base 401, a box-shaped main frame speaker box 404 attached to the base wall 401b so as to cover the main frame speaker 403 from the rear and open at the front, and a rear cover 405 that allows the game board insertion section 401a of the main frame base 401 to be opened and closed from the rear.

Furthermore, the main body frame base unit 400 includes a game board lock member 406 attached to the main body frame base 401, a door opening switch 407 and a frame opening switch 408 attached to the main body frame base 401, and a main body frame hinge mechanism 410 attached to the main body frame base 401.

The main frame base 401 is made of synthetic resin and has a vertically long rectangular shape when viewed from the front. The main frame base 401 is provided with a game board insertion section 401a that penetrates from the top end downward to about 2/3 of the total height, a base wall section 401b provided on the underside of the game board insertion section 401a, a game board restriction section 401c that protrudes upward (into the game board insertion section 401a) near the center in the left-right direction on the upper end surface of the base wall section 401b, a main frame speaker port 401d that penetrates from the front to the back near the left end of the base wall section 401b and through which the main frame speaker 403 faces forward, and a bass reflex duct 401e that penetrates from the front to the back at the lower right corner of the base wall section 401b.

In addition, the main frame base 401 is provided with a tray insertion recess 401f, recessed rearward from the front side at the bottom of the center in the left-right direction of the base wall portion 401b, into which the ball receiving tray 620 is inserted, and a ball storage passage insertion port 401g, which penetrates forward and backward above the tray insertion recess 401f in the base wall portion 401b, into which the ball serpentine member 513 and serpentine cover 514 of the circulating ball passage unit 500 are inserted.

The main frame base 401 also includes a foul unit mounting section 401h and a ball launching unit mounting section 401i, which are arranged side by side above the ball storage passage insertion port 401g on the front surface of the base wall section 401b, a ball lifting unit mounting section 401j that opens vertically to the right of the ball launching unit mounting section 401i on the base wall section 401b, a ball sending unit mounting section 401k that is arranged behind the ball launching unit mounting section 401i on the rear surface of the base wall section 401b, a circulating ball path unit mounting section 401l that is arranged on the rear surface of the base wall section 401b, and a cylinder insertion port 401m that penetrates from front to back near the upper right corner of the base wall section 401b and through which the lock cylinder 681 of the lock unit 680 is inserted.

Furthermore, the main frame base 401 is provided with a locking claw 401n that protrudes forward from the left end of the tray insertion recess 401f and elastically locks to the front end of the ball receiving tray 620 inserted into the tray insertion recess 401f, thereby restricting the forward movement of the ball receiving tray 620.

The game board 5 is removably inserted from the front into the game board insertion section 401a of the main body frame base 401. The game board 5 is placed on the upper end surface of the base wall section 401b. A door opening switch 407, a ball launching unit 450, a foul unit 470, and a ball receiving tray 620 are attached to the front surface of the base wall section 401b. In addition, a main body frame speaker 403, a main body frame speaker box 404, a frame opening switch 408, a circulating ball path unit 500, a ball lifting unit 550, and a ball sending unit 600 are attached to the rear surface of the base wall section 401b.

The game board restricting portion 401c restricts the left-right and rearward movement of the game board 5 when the game board 5 is inserted into the game board insertion portion 401a. The main body frame speaker port 401d is formed in a lattice shape as shown in the figure, and is provided so as to be located behind the speaker grill 203 of the door frame 3 when the door frame 3 is closed against the main body frame 4. The main body frame speaker 403 is attached to the rear surface of the base wall portion 401b so as to close the main body frame speaker port 401d from the rear.

The bass reflex duct 401e is formed in a long cylindrical shape that is long from side to side, and two are provided side by side. The bass reflex duct 401e is connected to the enclosure 404a of the main frame speaker 403, which is composed of the base wall portion 401b and the main frame speaker box 404, and is used to invert the phase of the sound output from the main frame speaker 403 to the rear and emit it forward. In this embodiment, the cylindrical bass reflex duct 401e resonates and amplifies the low-frequency range of the sound output from the main frame speaker 403, making it possible to produce a deeper bass sound. This bass reflex duct 401e is provided so as to be located behind the duct grill 191 of the door frame 3 when the door frame 3 is closed to the main frame 4.

The tray insertion recess 401f can support the ball receiving tray 620 removably from the front. The bottom wall of the tray insertion recess 401f is inclined so that the front end is lower (see FIG. 10). This allows game balls B to be ejected forward even if they spill into the tray insertion recess 401f when the ball receiving tray 620 is not inserted into the tray insertion recess 401f. In addition, because the bottom wall of the tray insertion recess 401f is inclined so that the front end is lower, it is possible to easily slide the placed ball receiving tray 620 forward.

The ball storage passage insertion port 401g is provided so that the ball serpentine member 513 and the front portion of the serpentine cover 514 of the circulating ball passage unit 500 attached to the rear surface of the base wall portion 401b penetrate and protrude forward. The foul unit mounting portion 401h is provided near the upper end of the base wall portion 401b, to the right of the main frame speaker port 401d. The ball launching unit mounting portion 401i is provided to the right of the foul unit mounting portion 401h. The ball lifting unit mounting portion 401j is provided in the area between the upper end of the base wall portion 401b and the bass reflex duct 401e.

The ball-sending unit mounting section 401k is provided on the rear surface of the base wall section 401b so that the top surface of the ball-sending unit 600 faces upward (inside the game board insertion section 401a) and is provided so that the ball-sending unit 600 can be attached and detached from above. When the ball-sending unit 600 is attached to the ball-sending unit mounting section 401k, the elastic claw 609b of the ball-sending unit 600 penetrates the locking hole of the base wall section 401b to the right of the ball launching unit 450 and faces forward. In this state, the elastic claw 609b is pressed backward to elastically deform it, and the knob section 609a provided on the top surface of the ball-sending unit 600 is grasped and pulled up, allowing the ball-sending unit 600 to be removed upward.

The circulating ball path unit mounting section 401l is provided in the center of the rear surface of the base wall section 401b in the left-right direction, above the box extension section 404c of the main frame speaker box 404 (described later). The cylinder insertion port 401m is provided to the right of the ball lifting unit mounting section 401j near the upper end of the base wall section 401b.

The side reinforcing plate 402 is U-shaped in plan view, opening to the right, and is attached to the left side of the main frame base 401. The side reinforcing plate 402 is made of an extruded metal such as an aluminum alloy. The side reinforcing plate 402 has two left positioning members 402a spaced apart from each other above and below. The left positioning member 402a is used to position the left side of the game board 5.

The main frame speaker 403 is attached to the rear side of the base wall 401b so as to close the main frame speaker port 401d of the main frame base 401 from the rear. The main frame speaker 403 is a cone-shaped speaker that mainly outputs low-pitched sounds.

The main frame speaker box 404 is formed in a box shape that is open to the front, and is attached to the rear side of the base wall portion 401b so as to cover the main frame speaker 403 from the rear. The main frame speaker box 404 forms an enclosure 404a for the main frame speaker 403 by attaching it to the base wall portion 401b.

The main frame speaker box 404 has a box main body 404b located behind the main frame speaker 403, a box extension 404c connected to the bottom end of the box main body 404b and extending to the right in a front view, and a frame board unit pivot support 404d provided on the rear surface of the box main body 404b. The box extension 404c of the main frame speaker box 404 extends to the right near the right end of the main frame base 401 so as to cover the rear of the bass reflex duct 401e, and a portion of it extends further rearward than the box main body 404b.

The enclosure 404a is composed of a box main body 404b and a box extension 404c, and is connected to the outside through a bass reflex duct 401e. In other words, the bass reflex duct 401e, the main frame speaker 403, and the main frame speaker box 404 form a phase-inverting bass reflex speaker.

In more detail, a predetermined sound is output forward and backward from the main body frame speaker 403. The sound output forward from the main body frame speaker 403 is emitted forward of the pachinko machine 1 through the main body frame speaker port 401d and the speaker grill 203.

Meanwhile, the sound output rearward from the main frame speaker 403 vibrates the air inside the main frame speaker box 404 (enclosure 404a). This enclosure 404a is open to the front (outside) by the cylindrical bass reflex duct 401e, so the sound is emitted forward from the bass reflex duct 401e. At this time, because the bass reflex duct 401e is formed into a cylindrical shape of a certain length, the low-frequency range is amplified inside it by resonance caused by the vibration of the air column, and the sound is emitted forward in an inverted phase.

As a result, the sound output from the main frame speaker 403 to the front and the sound output to the rear do not cancel each other out and attenuate, but rather resonate with each other and amplify, so that even though the diameter of the main frame speaker 403 is small, it can output a loud sound with deep bass, allowing the player to hear a sound with rich bass.

The bass reflex duct 401e is located behind the duct grill 191 below the handle 160 in the door frame 3, so that when air vibrations (wind) caused by the driving of the main frame speaker 403 are released forward from the bass reflex duct 401e, the wind is guided diagonally upward and forward by the horizontal lattice of the duct grill 191 and sent into the handle cover 170 through the opening 171 of the handle cover 170. Therefore, when the main frame speaker 403 is driven (sound is output) while the player is operating the handle 160, wind is sent through the bass reflex duct 401e and the duct grill 191 to the fingers of the player holding the handle 160, surprising the player and allowing the player to experience an unprecedented performance.

The box extension 404c of the main frame speaker box 404 is formed so that its front-to-back depth is longer than its top-to-bottom height, and its rear end is arranged to protrude slightly rearward beyond the rear end of the frame board unit 630 (see Figure 10). When assembled to the main frame 4, the box extension 404c covers the bottom of the frame board unit 630 so that a gap is formed between it and the frame board unit 630 (unit base 670 and power board box 672). This makes it difficult for the various wiring connected to the frame board unit 630 to droop.

The box extension section 404c is inclined so that the upper surface is lower toward the rear. This allows garbage, game balls B, etc. that have fallen from above to be guided rearward and discharged. The box extension section 404c is also inclined so that the lower surface is higher toward the rear. This means that when the main body frame 4 is closed against the outer frame 2, the box extension section 404c does not come into contact with the lower frame 14 of the main body frame 4.

When assembled to the main body frame 4, the main body frame speaker box 404 supports the rear end side of the tray insertion recess 401f in the main body frame base 401 so that it is suspended. As a result, the game balls B discharged from the circulating ball path unit 500 are received in the ball receiving tray 620, and even if a load (the weight of multiple game balls B) acts from above on the tray insertion recess 401f via the ball receiving tray 620, the tray insertion recess 401f will not deform.

The rear cover 405 is provided so as to be openable and closable relative to the main frame base 401 so as to cover the rear of the game board 5 attached to the main frame 4 when assembled to the pachinko machine 1. The rear cover 405 is formed from a transparent synthetic resin. When viewed from the front, the left side of the rear cover 405 is rotatably supported relative to the main frame base 401, and the right side is detachably engaged with the main frame base 401 by an elastic engaging claw.

The game board locking member 406 is attached to the front surface of the main frame base 401 (base wall portion 401b) so as to be rotatable around an axis extending in the front-rear direction. The game board locking member 406 can prevent the bottom end of the game board 5 from moving forward by rotating it to the lock position with the game board 5 inserted into the game board insertion portion 401a.

The door opening switch 407 is for detecting the opening and closing of the door frame 3 relative to the main body frame 4. The door opening switch 407 is attached below the cylinder insertion opening 401m in the base wall portion 401b of the main body frame base 401.

The frame opening switch 408 is for detecting the opening and closing of the main frame 4 relative to the outer frame 2. The frame opening switch 408 is attached below the door opening switch 407 on the base wall portion 401b of the main frame base 401.

The main body frame hinge mechanism 410 has a main body frame upper hinge body 411 attached to the upper end of the left side of the main body frame base 401, and a main body frame lower hinge body 412 attached to the lower end of the left side of the main body frame base 401.

The main frame upper hinge body 411 has a main frame hinge shaft 411a that protrudes upward in a cylindrical shape and is inserted into the bearing groove 31a of the outer frame upper hinge body 31 in the outer frame 2, and a door frame upper shaft hole 411b that is provided adjacent to the main frame hinge shaft 411a and into which the door frame upper hinge shaft of the door frame upper hinge body in the door frame 3 is inserted from below.

The lower hinge body 412 of the main frame has an outer frame shaft hole (not shown) into which the hinge shaft 35a of the lower hinge body 35 of the outer frame 2 is inserted from below, and a lower shaft hole 412b for the door frame into which the lower hinge shaft 112a of the lower hinge body 112 of the door frame 3 is inserted from above.

The main frame hinge mechanism 410 supports the main frame 4 so that it can be opened and closed relative to the outer frame 2 by inserting the main frame hinge shaft 411a of the main frame upper hinge body 411 into the bearing groove 31a of the outer frame upper hinge body 31 in the outer frame 2 and inserting the hinge shaft 35a of the outer frame lower hinge body 35 in the outer frame 2 into the outer frame shaft hole of the main frame lower hinge body 412.

The main frame hinge mechanism 410 supports the door frame 3 so that it can be opened and closed relative to the main frame 4 by inserting the upper hinge shaft of the upper hinge body of the door frame 3 in the upper shaft hole for door frame 411b of the upper hinge body of the main frame 411 from below, and inserting the lower hinge shaft 112a of the lower hinge body 112 in the door frame 3 in the lower shaft hole for door frame 412b of the lower hinge body of the main frame 412 from above.

[4-2. Ball launch unit]
The ball launching unit 450 in the main body frame 4 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 14 to 16. Figure 14(a) is a perspective view of the ball launching unit in the main body frame as seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the ball launching unit in the main body frame as seen from the back. Figure 15(a) is an exploded perspective view of the ball launching unit as seen from the front, and (b) is an exploded perspective view of the ball launching unit as seen from the back. Figure 16(a) is a perspective view of the launching unit cover of the ball launching unit as seen from the left rear, and (b) is an explanatory diagram of the ball launching unit showing only the launching unit cover in cross section as seen from the front.

The ball launching unit 450 is for launching the game ball B into the game area 5a of the game board 5, and has a ball entrance 450a for receiving the game ball B sent from the ball sending unit 600, a ball launching port 450b through which the launched game ball B is released to the outside, and a ball discharge port 450c for discharging the game ball B. The ball launching unit 450 can shoot the game ball B with a strength according to the rotation angle of the handle 160 in the lower right corner of the front of the door frame 3. The ball launching unit 450 is attached to the ball launching unit mounting portion 401i, which is provided on the upper front surface of the base wall portion 401b of the main frame base 401, to the right of the center in the left-right direction.

The ball inlet 450a of the ball launching unit 450 is provided on the rear surface and opens in a square shape large enough for one game ball B to pass through. When assembled to the main body frame 4, this ball inlet 450a is located in front of the ball outlet 602 of the ball sending unit 600 and communicates with the ball outlet 602. The ball launching port 450b opens at an angle at the left end of the top surface, with the left end side lower. When assembled to the main body frame 4, this ball launching port 450b communicates with the upper part of the foul right opening 470b of the foul unit 470. The ball discharge port 450c opens on the left side. When assembled to the main body frame 4, this ball discharge port 450c communicates with the lower part of the foul right opening 470b of the foul unit 470.

The ball launching unit 450 includes a flat unit base 451, a launching unit cover 452 attached to cover the front side of the unit base 451, a launch solenoid 453 attached to the rear side of the unit base 451 so that the rotation axis 453a protrudes forward from the unit base 451, a launch subtraction sensor 454 capable of detecting whether or not a game ball B has been launched, a launching hammer 455 attached to the rotation axis 453a of the launching solenoid 453, a nut 456 attaching the launching hammer 455 to the rotation axis 453a of the launching solenoid 453, a circular spacer 457 inserted into the rotation axis 453a of the launching solenoid 453, two rubber members 458 that can come into contact with the launching hammer 455, and a rubber holder 459 that holds one of the rubber members 458.

The unit base 451 of the ball launching unit 450 is formed from a metal plate such as an iron plate. The unit base 451 is provided with a ball inlet 450a, which penetrates in a square shape from the center to the upper part when viewed from the front.

The launch unit cover 452 is formed by injection molding using an opaque synthetic resin with low light transmittance. The launch unit cover 452 is equipped with a flat front plate 452a that is spaced forward from the unit base 451, a ball launch pad 452b that is provided behind the front plate 452a and directly below the ball inlet 450a of the unit base 451 and is inclined so that the left end is higher, and a detection port 452c that passes vertically through the ball launch pad 452b.

The launch unit cover 452 also includes a launch pad upper wall portion 452d behind the front plate 452a, which forms a gap between the ball launch pad 452b and the ball launch pad 452b at the upper right when viewed from the front, through which the game ball B cannot pass, and a sensor lower mounting portion 452e and a sensor upper mounting portion 452f which are arranged to sandwich the ball launch pad 452b and the launch pad upper wall portion 452d behind the front plate 452a.

Furthermore, the launch unit cover 452 is provided with a guide wall portion 452g that is provided to the left of the ball launch pad 452b on the rear side of the front plate 452a and follows the inclined extension line of the ball launch pad 452b, and an ejection guide wall portion 452h that extends downward from the left end of the ball launch pad 452b on the rear side of the front plate 452a and then extends downward toward the left.

The ball launch pad 452b is where the game ball B supplied through the ball inlet 450a is placed. The top surface of the ball launch pad 452b is inclined so that the left end is higher when viewed from the front. The ball launch pad 452b is recessed into a certain cross-sectional shape (trapezoidal) so that it narrows downward along the direction in which the top surface is inclined. The length of the ball launch pad 452b in the inclination direction (launching direction) is slightly longer than the diameter of the game ball B, and the ball launch pad 452b is formed so that only one game ball B can be placed on it so that it is in contact with the two inclined surfaces of the trapezoidal recess. In this embodiment, the ball launch pad 452b is inclined at an angle of approximately 27 degrees to the horizontal.

The detection port 452c is provided at the bottom of the trapezoidally recessed portion of the ball launch pad 452b. The launch pad upper wall portion 452d is provided above the inclined lower end side of the ball launch pad 452b. The launch pad upper wall portion 452d is provided so as to form a gap between the ball launch pad 452b and the ball launch pad 452b through which the game ball B cannot pass, but through which the tip of the launch hammer 455 can pass. As a result, the game ball B supplied to the ball launch pad 452b is placed on the ball launch pad 452b in a state in which it abuts against the left end of the launch pad upper wall portion 452d and its movement downstream (here, to the right) in the inclination direction of the ball launch pad 452b is restricted.

The light emitting unit 454a and the light receiving unit 454b that constitute the emission subtraction sensor 454 are attached to the lower sensor mounting portion 452e and the upper sensor mounting portion 452f, respectively.

The upper surface of the guide wall 452g constitutes the bottom surface of the ball launch port 450b. The upper surface of the guide wall 452g is inclined at the same angle as the inclination of the ball launch pad 452b, and is provided at a location that is longer than the diameter of the game ball B to the left of the ball launch pad 452b. In this embodiment, the ball launch pad 452b is made as short as possible, so when the game ball B on the ball launch pad 452b is struck by the launch hammer 455, the launch direction of the game ball B is difficult to determine, and there is a risk that the game ball B will not be properly driven between the outer rail 1001 and the inner rail 1002 of the game board 5. However, since the guide wall 452g is provided, the game ball B launched from the ball launch pad 452b bounces on the upper surface of the guide wall 452g, so that the game ball B can jump outward from the ball launch port 450b and be driven between the outer rail 1001 and the inner rail 1002.

In addition, since the guide wall portion 452g is located away from the ball launch pad 452b, even if the game ball B tries to return toward the ball launch pad 452b at the guide wall portion 452g depending on the impact strength of the game ball B, it will flow down between the guide wall portion 452g and the ball launch pad 452b onto the lower discharge guide wall portion 452h, and will not return to the ball launch pad 452b.

The discharge guide wall 452h forms a ball discharge port 450c between itself and the guide wall 452g. The discharge guide wall 452h is inclined so that the left end is lower, and can guide the game ball B that flows down between the ball launch pad 452b and the guide wall 452g to the left and discharge it from the ball discharge port 450c at the left end to the foul unit 470 side. As a result, the game ball B that was struck by the launching hammer 455 at the ball launch pad 452b but was not launched from the ball discharge port 450b is guided by the discharge guide wall 452h and discharged from the ball discharge port 450c to the foul unit 470.

The firing solenoid 453 is composed of a rotary solenoid having a rotating shaft 453a extending forward and backward.

The launch subtraction sensor 454 can detect the presence or absence of a game ball B on the ball launch pad 452b. The launch subtraction sensor 454 is composed of a light-emitting unit 454a that irradiates detection light and a light-receiving unit 454b that receives the detection light, and is attached to the sensor lower mounting part 452e and the sensor upper mounting part 452f of the launch unit cover 452, respectively. The detection light emitted from the light-emitting unit 454a is received by the light-receiving unit 454b through a detection port 452c provided at the bottom of the ball launch pad 452b. At this time, if a game ball B is placed on the ball launch pad 452b, the detection light is blocked by the game ball B and the detection light is not received by the light-receiving unit 454b. This makes it possible to detect the presence or absence of a game ball B on the ball launch pad 452b.

The launch subtraction sensor 454, which will be described in detail later, detects when game ball B is launched from ball launch pad 452b and subtracts one ball from the player's total number of balls.

The launching hammer 455 is used to strike and launch the game ball B. The launching hammer 455 is attached to the rotating shaft 453a of the launching solenoid 453, and rotates (pivots) together with the rotating shaft 453a. The tip of the launching hammer 455 passes between the ball launch pad 452b and the launch pad upper wall portion 452d and is arranged so that it can abut against the game ball B placed on the ball launch pad 452b.

The nut 456 is screwed onto the rotating shaft 453a of the firing solenoid 453. The rotating shaft 453a of the firing solenoid 453 is inserted into the spacer 457. The rotating shaft 453a of the firing solenoid 453 is inserted from the rear through the spacer 457 and then through the firing hammer 455, and the nut 456 is screwed onto the tip protruding forward from the firing hammer 455 and tightened, thereby attaching the firing hammer 455.

The rubber 458 is attached to the unit base 451 so as to regulate the rotation range (pivot range) of the firing hammer 455. The rubber 458, which is provided at the rotation end in the direction in which the firing hammer 455 strikes the game ball B (counterclockwise in this case), is attached to the unit base 451 via the rubber holder 459.

According to the ball launching unit 450 of this embodiment, only one game ball B is placed on the ball launch pad 452b, and the launch subtraction sensor 454 detects that the game ball B has been launched from the ball launch pad 452b, so that the launch of the game balls B can be reliably detected one by one.

In addition, according to the ball launching unit 450, the unit base 451 is made of a metal plate, and the launching unit cover 452 is made of an opaque synthetic resin with low light transmittance, so that it is possible to prevent the launch subtraction sensor 454, which is a photosensor, from making a false detection due to external light.

In addition, because the ball launching unit 450 detects the launch of game ball B, when the player stops playing and settles the account, there is no need to automatically shoot game ball B placed on the ball launching pad 452b into the air to return it to the player, turning it into a foul ball.

[4-3. Foul Unit]
The foul unit 470 in the main body frame 4 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 17 to 19. Figure 17(a) is a perspective view of the foul unit in the main body frame as seen from the front, and Figure 17(b) is a perspective view of the foul unit in the main body frame as seen from the rear. Figure 18(a) is an exploded perspective view of the foul unit as seen from the front, and Figure 18(b) is an exploded perspective view of the foul unit as seen from the rear. Figure 19(a) is an explanatory diagram showing a side cross section of the foul unit with the foul shutter in a closed state, and Figure 19(b) is an explanatory diagram showing a side cross section of the foul unit with the foul shutter in an open state.

The foul unit 470 is for collecting game balls B that were launched by the ball launching unit 450 and shot between the outer rail 1001 and the inner rail 1002 of the game board 5 but did not land in the game area 5a, and game balls B that were launched by the ball launching unit 450 but did not reach the game board 5 (between the outer rail 1001 and the inner rail 1002) because the launch strength was too weak. The foul unit 470 has a foul top opening 470a that opens on the top surface, a foul right opening 470b that opens on the right side surface, and a foul ball outlet 470c that communicates with the foul top opening 470a and the foul right opening 470b and opens backward at the bottom end.

The foul unit 470 is attached to the foul unit mounting portion 401h provided in the center of the upper front part of the base wall portion 401b of the main body frame base 401 in the left-right direction. When assembled to the main body frame 4, the foul unit 470 has an upper end at approximately the same height as the upper end of the base wall portion 401b, and the foul right opening 470b is closed by the ball launching port 450b and ball discharge port 450c of the ball launching unit 450. In other words, when assembled to the main body frame 4, the foul right opening 470b is connected to the ball launching port 450b and ball discharge port 450c. The foul upper opening 470a and the foul right opening 470b are formed by the unit base 472 and the front cover 473 described later, and the ball discharge port 450c is formed in the unit base 472.

The foul unit 470 includes a foul shutter 471 that can be opened and closed to prevent the game ball B from passing through the foul upper opening 470a, a unit base 472 that is attached to the base wall portion 401b of the main frame base 401, a front cover 473 that is attached to the front side of the unit base 472, a rear cover 474 that is attached to the rear side of the unit base 472 so as to cover the rear of the foul shutter 471, a spring 475 that biases the foul shutter 471 forward, and a foul ball earth metal plate 476 that is provided between the unit base 472 and the front cover 473.

The fall shutter 471 is supported so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction by the cooperation of the unit base 472 and the front cover 473. The fall shutter 471 has a strip-shaped shutter section 471a that is long in the left-right direction, two forward protruding sections 471b that protrude forward from both the left and right ends of the shutter section 471a, and a flat rear wall section 471c that extends downward from the rear end edge of the shutter section 471a.

The foul shutter 471 can close the foul upper opening 470a by the shutter part 471a so that the game ball B cannot pass through. The two forward protruding parts 471b are provided so that their front ends protrude forward from the front cover 473, and are provided so that the rear surface of the door frame main body 100 of the door frame 3 can abut against them. The front end of the spring 475 abuts against the rear surface of the rear wall part 471c.

The unit base 472 has a main body 472a that is flat and T-shaped with a portion that is long from side to side and extends downward near the right end, a shutter insertion opening 472b that penetrates from front to back near the upper end of the main body 472a and extends left and right, and a number of rear support openings 472c that are provided along the lower edge to the left of the portion that extends downward in the main body 472a and penetrate from front to back.

The unit base 472 is provided with a foul ball outlet 470c that penetrates from front to back and extends rearward in a rectangular cylindrical shape near the bottom end of the portion of the main body 472a that extends downward. The cylindrical foul ball outlet 470c is inclined so that it is lower toward the rear.

The lower edge of the left side of the main body 472a is inclined to the right, lower than the downward extending portion. The shutter insertion opening 472b is large enough to allow the shutter portion 471a and forward protrusion 471b of the foul shutter 471 to pass through. The multiple rear support openings 472c are long on the left and right, each lowering to the right, and are lined up along the inclined lower edge of the main body 472a. The rear support openings 472c are designed so that the support piece 476a of the foul ball earth metal plate 476 can be inserted with a gap.

The front cover 473 is provided with a flat, partial T-shaped front plate 473a that is long from side to side and has a portion that extends downward near the right end, a left wall portion 473b that extends rearward from the left edge of the front plate 473a, a lower wall portion 473c that extends rightward from the lower end of the left wall portion 473b along the lower edge of the front plate 473a and also extends rearward, a hanging wall portion 473d that extends downward from the right end of the lower wall portion 473c along the left edge of the portion of the front plate 473a that extends downward and also extends rearward, a bottom wall portion 473e that extends rightward from the lower end of the hanging wall portion 473d along the lower edge of the portion of the front plate 473a that extends downward and also extends rearward, and a right wall portion 473f that extends rearward from the upper right end of the front plate 473a.

The upper and right edges of the front plate 473a form the front edges of the upper foul opening 470a and the right foul opening 470b. The right edge of the upper end of the left wall portion 473b forms the left edge of the upper foul opening 470a, and the left edge of the upper end of the right wall portion 473f forms the right edge of the upper foul opening 470a. The lower edge of the right wall portion 473f forms the upper edge of the right foul opening 470b, and the right edge of the bottom wall portion 473e forms the lower edge of the right foul opening 470b.

The lower wall portion 473c of the front cover 473 is located below the foul upper opening 470a, and the game ball B that flows down through the foul upper opening 470a can be guided to the right and then flow down onto the bottom wall portion 473e along the hanging wall portion 473d. This bottom wall portion 473e is inclined so that the part in front of the foul ball outlet 470c is lower toward the rear, and the part to the right of this part is inclined so that it is higher toward the right. Therefore, the game ball B that flows down to the bottom wall portion 473e is guided backward and discharged backward from the foul ball outlet 470c. In addition, since the right edge of the bottom wall portion 473e forms the lower edge of the foul right opening 470b, the game ball B that enters from the foul right opening 470b flows down onto the bottom wall portion 473e, is guided by the bottom wall portion 473e, and is discharged backward from the foul ball outlet 470c.

The front cover 473 has a front plate 473a with multiple front support openings 473g that are aligned left and right along the lower wall portion 473c and penetrate from front to back. The multiple front support openings 473g are provided to face the rear support openings 472c of the unit base 472. The front support openings 473g are also provided so that the support piece 476a of the foul ball earth metal plate 476 can be inserted with a gap.

The rear cover 474 is formed in a box shape with an open front. The rear part of the fall shutter 471 is inserted inside the rear cover 474, and a spring 475 is also placed inside the rear cover 474. The rear end of the spring 475 abuts against the front surface of the rear wall of the rear cover 474.

Two springs 475 are provided, spaced apart on the left and right, and are disposed inside the box-shaped rear cover 474. The front end of the spring 475 abuts against the rear surface of the rear wall portion 471c of the fall shutter 471, and the rear end abuts against the front surface of the rear wall of the rear cover 474. The spring 475 biases the fall shutter 471 forward.

The foul ball earth metal plate 476 is made of a metal plate such as an iron plate, and is ultimately connected to the ground of the game hall via an earth wire (not shown). The foul ball earth metal plate 476 is formed in the shape of a long strip from side to side, with multiple support pieces 476a extending outward from the front and rear long sides. The foul ball earth metal plate 476 is placed on the upper surface of the lower wall portion 473c of the front cover 473, and the multiple support pieces 476a are inserted with some play into the rear support opening 472c of the unit base 472 and the front support opening 473g of the front cover 473.

As a result, the game ball B that has flowed down through the upper foul opening 470a toward the lower wall portion 473c is guided to the right with the static electricity that has been charged by contacting the foul ball earth metal plate 476 removed. At this time, since the support piece 476a is loosely fitted into the rear support port 472c and the front support port 473g, the contact of the game ball B causes the foul ball earth metal plate 476 to vibrate, and the vibration causes dust and dirt on the foul ball earth metal plate 476 to be discharged to the outside through the gap between the rear support port 472c and the front support port 473g, into which the game ball B is loosely fitted. The foul ball earth metal plate 476 also serves as reinforcement against the falling game ball B.

When assembled into the pachinko machine 1, the foul unit 470 is attached to the foul unit attachment section 401h, which is provided at the top near the center in the left-right direction on the front surface of the base wall section 401b of the main body frame 4. In this state, the ball launching unit 450 is attached adjacent to the right side of the foul unit 470.

As shown in FIG. 11, the foul upper opening 470a of the foul unit 470 is located near the upper end of the base wall portion 401b and is located on the axis of the launch direction of the game ball B in the ball launching unit 450. In other words, the foul upper opening 470a is provided in the area between the opening at the lower end between the outer rail 1001 and the inner rail 1002 of the game board 5 and the ball launch port 450b of the ball launching unit 450.

On the other hand, the foul right opening 470b of the foul unit 470 is connected at its upper part to the ball launch port 450b of the ball launch unit 450, and at its lower part to the ball discharge port 450c of the ball launch unit 450. Therefore, the foul upper opening 470a and the foul right opening 470b are provided in the area between the lower end opening between the outer rail 1001 and the inner rail 1002 of the game board 5 and the ball launch port 450b of the ball launch unit 450. As a result, the game ball B launched from the ball launch port 450b of the ball launch unit 450 enters the foul unit 470 from the foul right opening 470b, and then enters between the outer rail 1001 and the inner rail 1002 of the game board 5 through the foul upper opening 470a.

When the door frame 3 of the foul unit 470 of this embodiment is opened forward relative to the main body frame 4, the foul shutter 471 slides forward due to the biasing force of the spring 475, as shown in FIG. 19(a), and the shutter portion 471a of the foul shutter 471 protrudes between the front surface of the unit base 472 and the front plate 473a of the front cover 473, closing the foul upper opening 470a so that the game ball B cannot pass through. In other words, the foul shutter 471 is in the closed position. In this state, the rear wall portion 471c of the foul shutter 471 abuts against the rear surface of the main body portion 472a of the unit base 472, and it will not slide forward any further.

When the foul shutter 471 is in the closed position and a game ball B is launched from the ball launching unit 450, the launched game ball B enters the foul unit 470 from the foul right opening 470b, abuts against the underside of the shutter part 471a of the foul shutter 471, and flows down inside the foul unit 470 without being shot upward through the foul upper opening 470a. The game ball B that flows down inside the foul unit 470 is guided by the lower wall part 473c (foul ball earth metal plate 476), the hanging wall part 473d, the bottom wall part 473e, etc., and is supplied to the circulation ball path unit 500 from the rear foul ball outlet 470c. As a result, even if the game ball B is launched when the door frame 3 is open, the game ball B will not leak out from the foul unit 470 to the outside.

When the door frame 3 is opened relative to the main frame 4, the door opening switch 407 is turned OFF, and turning the door opening switch 407 OFF may stop the launch of the game ball B from the ball launching unit 450. Alternatively, rather than stopping the launch of the game ball B when the door frame 3 is opened, the main control board 1310 may temporarily suspend the game, and when the door frame 3 is closed, the game may be resumed.

In addition, when the main frame 4 is opened relative to the outer frame 2 (the frame open switch 408 is OFF), the door frame 3 is closed and the game ball B does not leak to the outside, so the launch of the game ball B from the ball launch unit 450 may not be stopped. Alternatively, when the main frame 4 is opened, the same processing as when the door frame 3 is opened may be performed.

When the door frame 3 is closed relative to the main frame 4, the rear surface of the door frame 3 comes into contact with the front ends of the two forward protrusions 471b of the foul shutter 471, causing the foul shutter 471 to slide rearward against the biasing force of the spring 475 (see FIG. 19(b)). In this state, the shutter portion 471a of the foul shutter 471 is located rearward of the front surface of the unit base 472, and the foul upper opening 470a is open so that the game ball B can pass through. In other words, the foul shutter 471 is in the open position.

When the foul shutter 471 is in the open position and a game ball B is launched from the ball launching unit 450, the launched game ball B enters the foul unit 470 from the foul right opening 470b, and is then launched upward toward the game board 5 (between the outer rail 1001 and the inner rail 1002) through the foul upper opening 470a. The launched game ball B then passes over the backflow prevention member 1007 provided at the top end of the inner rail 1002, and is launched into the game area 5a.

The game ball B that was launched from the ball launching unit 450 but did not pass the backflow prevention member 1007 at the top end of the inner rail 1002 (the game ball B that was not shot into the game area) flows down between the outer rail 1001 and the inner rail 1002, enters the foul upper opening 470a as a foul ball, and is collected by the foul unit 470. The game ball B that was collected through the foul upper opening 470a flows down onto the foul ball earth metal plate 476 placed on the upper surface of the lower wall portion 473c, and static electricity is removed by the foul ball earth metal plate 476. At this time, since the foul ball earth metal plate 476 is loosely fitted, it vibrates when the game ball B comes into contact with it, and the vibration causes dust and dirt on the foul ball earth metal plate 476 to be discharged outside the foul unit 470 from the rear support port 472c and the front support port 473g.

The game ball B that flows down onto the foul ball earth metal plate 476 (lower wall portion 473c) is guided to the right by its inclination, flows down along the hanging wall portion 473d onto the bottom wall portion 473e, and is guided backward by the inclination of the bottom wall portion 473e, and is discharged from the foul ball outlet 470c into the circulating ball path unit 500.

The foul unit 470 receives the game ball B discharged from the ball discharge port 450c of the ball launching unit 450 at the bottom of the foul right opening 470b. The game ball B that enters the foul unit 470 from the bottom of the foul right opening 470b flows down onto the bottom wall 473e, and is guided rearward by the inclination of the bottom wall 473e until it is discharged from the foul ball outlet 470c to the circulating ball path unit 500.

In this way, the foul unit 470 can collect game balls B that were launched from the ball launching unit 450 but did not land in the game area 5a of the game board 5 without leaking out and supply them to the circulating ball path unit 500. As will be described in detail later, the circulating ball path unit 500 detects the game ball B supplied from the foul ball outlet 470c by the foul ball sensor 507. When the foul ball sensor 507 detects the game ball B, the number of balls held by the player is increased by one.

In addition, the foul unit 470 has a unit base 472, a front cover 473, a rear cover 474, etc., which are made of transparent synthetic resin, so the inside can be seen from the outside, making it easy to find balls stuck inside.

[4-3a. Second embodiment of the foul unit]
Next, a second embodiment of the foul unit 470 will be described. The foul unit 470 of the second embodiment is configured the same as the above foul unit 470 except for the opening and closing mechanism of the foul shutter 471. The foul unit 470 of the second embodiment is provided with an electric actuator such as a motor or a solenoid for opening and closing the foul shutter 471, although not shown.

In this embodiment, when the door opening switch 407 is turned OFF by opening the door frame 3 relative to the main body frame 4, the foul shutter 471 is slid to the closed position by the electric actuator. As a result, even if the game ball B is launched from the ball launching unit 450 with the door frame 3 open, the game ball B will not fly out from the foul upper opening 470a.

When the door frame 3 is closed and the door open switch 407 is turned ON, the electric actuator slides the foul shutter 471 to the open position, allowing the game ball B launched from the ball launching unit 450 to be shot through the foul upper opening 470a into the game board 5.

In addition, even when the frame opening switch 408 is turned OFF by opening the main frame 4 relative to the outer frame 2, the fall shutter 471 may be slid to the closed position by the electric actuator. In this case, if the opening and closing process of the fall shutter 471 by the frame opening switch 408 is made the same as the opening and closing process by the door opening switch 407 described above, the software configuration can be simplified.

In addition, an opening switch (not shown) that can detect the opening of both the door frame 3 and the main frame 4 can be provided, and the fall shutter 471 can be opened and closed by an electric actuator, simplifying the mechanism for opening and closing.

[4-4. Circulation ball path unit]
The circulating ball path unit 500 in the main body frame 4 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 20 to 27. Figure 20(a) is a perspective view of the circulating ball path unit in the main body frame as seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the circulating ball path unit in the main body frame as seen from the back. Figure 21 is an exploded perspective view of the circulating ball path unit as seen from the front, and Figure 22 is an exploded perspective view of the circulating ball path unit as seen from the back. Figure 23(a) is a plan view showing only the ball meandering member and ball removal shutter in the circulating ball path unit, and (b) is a perspective view of the circulating ball path unit as seen from the front. Figure 24 (a1) is an explanatory diagram showing the ball removal shutter and ball snaking member in the closed position together with the ball receiving tray in a side cross-section, (a2) is an explanatory diagram showing only the ball removal shutter portion in (a1) from the bottom, (b1) is an explanatory diagram showing the ball removal shutter and ball snaking member in the open position together with the ball receiving tray in a side cross-section, and (b2) is an explanatory diagram showing only the ball removal shutter portion in (b1) from the bottom.

Also, FIG. 25(a) is an explanatory diagram showing a side cross section of the ball meandering member and ball removal tray when the ball removal shutter is in the closed position and the iron ball is magnetically attached to the ball removal shutter in the open position, (b) is an explanatory diagram showing a side cross section of the ball meandering member and ball removal tray when the ball removal shutter is in the open position and the iron ball is magnetically attached to the underside after sliding the ball removal shutter from the state shown in (b) to the closed position. FIG. 26(a) is an explanatory diagram showing a front cross section of the circulating ball path unit cut at the out ball sensor, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing a front cross section of the circulating ball path unit cut at the safe ball sensor. FIG. 27(a) is an oblique view from the front showing an enlarged view of the lower part of the main body frame together with the outer frame with the meandering cover of the circulating ball path unit removed, and (b) is an oblique view from the back showing an enlarged view of the lower part of the main body frame together with the outer frame with the meandering cover of the circulating ball path unit removed.

The circulating ball path unit 500 is for storing multiple game balls B discharged from the game board 5 and game balls B collected by the foul unit 470, and for sending the stored game balls B to the ball launching unit 450 via the ball lifting unit 550. The circulating ball path unit 500 is attached to the circulating ball path unit mounting portion 401l provided on the rear surface of the base wall portion 401b of the main body frame base 401.

The circulating ball path unit 500 has an out ball receiving port 500a that is long on the left and right and opens upward, a safe ball receiving port 500b that is long on the left and right and opens upward, which is located behind the out ball receiving port 500a, a foul ball receiving port 500c that opens at the front, and a ball discharge port 500d that opens to the right near the bottom end. The out ball receiving port 500a and the safe ball receiving port 500b are formed with a depth in the front-to-back direction that is slightly wider than the diameter of the game ball B, and are formed in the left-to-right direction so that multiple game balls B can pass through. The foul ball receiving port 500c and the ball discharge port 500d are formed to be large enough to allow one game ball B to pass through each.

The out ball receiving port 500a receives the game ball B (out ball) received in the out port of the game board 5. The safe ball receiving port 500b receives the game ball B (safe ball) received in the winning port of the game board 5, such as the general winning port, the starting port, the big winning port, etc. The foul ball receiving port 500c receives the game ball B (foul ball) discharged from the foul ball outlet 470c of the foul unit 470. The ball discharge port 500d discharges the game ball B received in the out ball receiving port 500a, the safe ball receiving port 500b, and the foul ball receiving port 500c and stored therein, and passes it to the ball lifting unit 550.

The circulating ball path unit 500 also has an out ball passage 501 through which game balls B received in the out ball receiving port 500a circulate, a safe ball passage 502 through which game balls B received in the safe ball receiving port 500b circulate, a foul ball passage 503 through which game balls B received in the foul ball receiving port 500c circulate, and a ball storage passage 504 that is connected to the downstream ends of the out ball passage 501, the safe ball passage 502, and the foul ball passage 503 and whose downstream end is the ball release port 500d.

Furthermore, the circulating ball path unit 500 has an out ball sensor 505 that detects each game ball B (out ball) circulating through the out ball path 501, a safe ball sensor 506 that detects each game ball B (safe ball) circulating through the safe ball path 502, and a foul ball sensor 507 that detects each game ball B (foul ball) circulating through the foul ball path 503. The safe ball sensor 506 is equivalent to a total winning port sensor in conventional pachinko machines, and can be used to determine illegal winning by comparing it with the total number of winning balls in all winning ports.

The circulating ball path unit 500 comprises a flat ball receiving front plate 510, a ball receiving front member 511 attached to the rear side of the ball receiving front plate 510, and a ball receiving rear member 512 attached to the rear side of the ball receiving front member 511. A ball storage passage 504 is provided below the ball receiving front plate 510, the ball receiving front member 511, and the ball receiving rear member 512.

The circulating ball path unit 500 also includes a ball snaking member 513 that is provided below the ball receiving front plate 510, the ball receiving front member 511, and the ball receiving rear member 512 and is open upward, a snaking cover 514 that covers the top of the ball snaking member 513, a ball removal shutter 515 for discharging game balls B from the ball snaking member 513, a magnet 516 attached to the ball removal shutter 515, and a circulating ball path relay board 517 attached to the rear side of the ball receiving front member 511.

The ball receiving front plate 510 extends to the left and right, and has a foul ball receiving opening 500c that penetrates from front to back near the bottom center in the left-right direction.

The ball receiving front member 511 cooperates with the ball receiving front plate 510 to form the out ball receiving port 500a on its upper surface. The ball receiving front member 511 is formed with the out ball passage 501 and the foul ball passage 503 open to the front, and the front side of these is closed by attaching the ball receiving front plate 510. The downstream end of the out ball passage 501 opens downward at the lower left end of the ball receiving front member 511. The opening at the downstream end of the out ball passage 501 is located in front of the opening at the downstream end of the safe ball passage 502. The downstream end of the foul ball passage 503 opens downward at a position on the ball receiving front member 511 lower right than the downstream end of the out ball passage 501.

The ball receiving front member 511 has an upper out-ball receiving plate portion 511a that slopes downward toward the right from the middle of the vertical wall that forms the left edge of the out-ball receiving opening 500a to near the center in the left-right direction, a lower out-ball receiving plate portion 511b that slopes downward toward the left from a portion of the vertical wall that forms the right edge of the out-ball receiving opening 500a below the upper out-ball receiving plate portion 511a to near the bottom of the left edge of the out-ball receiving opening 500a, and a crank portion 511c that extends in a crank shape toward the lower left from the left end of the lower out-ball receiving plate portion 511b with a width that allows game balls B to pass in a single file.

The height between the right end of the upper out ball receiving plate 511a and the lower out ball receiving plate 511b is about twice the diameter of the game ball B, so that the height of the lower out ball receiving plate 511b on the left side is lower as it moves to the left. This allows the game balls B received in the out ball receiving port 500a to be aligned in a single row.

The out ball sensor 505 is attached to a vertically extending portion of the crank portion 511c directly below the downstream end of the out ball receiving plate portion 511b.

In the front ball receiving member 511, the out ball passage 501 is formed by the upper out ball receiving plate portion 511a, the lower out ball receiving plate portion 511b, the crank portion 511c, etc. Therefore, the out ball passage 501 is formed wide on the upstream side so that it can receive many game balls B, and the received game balls B are aligned in a row and handed over to the downstream ball storage passage 504 (ball snaking member 513).

In addition, in the ball receiving front member 511, the foul ball passage 503 is located below the upper out ball receiving plate portion 511a and below the lower out ball receiving plate portion 511b, and slopes downward from the rear of the foul ball receiving opening 500c to a portion to the right of the left end of the lower out ball receiving plate portion 511b, and then extends downward for a short distance. In the ball receiving front member 511, a foul ball sensor 507 is attached to the portion of the foul ball passage 503 that extends to the left. This foul ball passage 503 is formed so that game balls b flow in a single file, and game ball B that flows through the foul ball passage 503 is handed over to a portion of the ball storage passage 504 (ball meandering member 513) downstream of the portion where it is handed over from the out ball passage 501.

The ball receiving front member 511 has recesses 511d at the front edge of the upper out ball receiving plate portion 511a, the front edge of the lower out ball receiving plate portion 511b, and the front edge of the bottom wall extending to the left and right to form the foul ball passage 503, which are recessed to a size that does not impede the flow of the game ball B. These recesses 511d allow dust, debris, etc. inside the out ball passage 501 and the foul ball passage 503 to be discharged to the outside.

In addition, a circulating ball path relay board 517 is attached to the rear of the ball receiving front member 511, behind the foul ball passage 503 on the rear surface.

The rear ball receiving member 512 cooperates with the front ball receiving member 511 to form the safe ball receiving port 500b on its upper surface. The rear ball receiving member 512 is formed with the safe ball passage 502 open to the front, and the front side of the safe ball passage 502 is closed when the front ball receiving member 511 is attached. The downstream end of the safe ball passage 502 opens downward at the lower left end of the rear ball receiving member 512. The opening at the downstream end of the safe ball passage 502 is located behind the opening at the downstream end of the out ball passage 501. In other words, the opening at the downstream end of the out ball passage 501 and the opening at the downstream end of the safe ball passage 502 are lined up front to back.

The ball receiving rear member 512 has an upper safe ball receiving plate portion 512a that slopes downward toward the right from the middle of the vertical wall that forms the left edge of the safe ball receiving opening 500b to near the center in the left-right direction, a lower safe ball receiving plate portion 512b that slopes downward toward the left from a portion of the vertical wall that forms the right edge of the safe ball receiving opening 500b below the upper safe ball receiving plate portion 512a to near the bottom of the left edge of the safe ball receiving opening 500b, and a crank portion 512c that extends in a crank shape toward the lower left from the left end of the lower safe ball receiving plate portion 512b with a width that allows game balls B to pass in a single file.

The height between the right end of the upper safe ball receiving plate 512a and the lower safe ball receiving plate 512b is about twice the diameter of the game ball B, so that the height of the lower safe ball receiving plate 512b on the left side is lower as it moves to the left. This allows the game balls B received in the safe ball receiving port 500b to be aligned in a single row.

The safe ball sensor 506 is attached to a vertically extending portion of the crank portion 512c directly below the downstream end of the safe ball receiving plate portion 512b.

In the post-ball receiving member 512, the safe ball passage 502 is formed by the upper safe ball receiving plate portion 512a, the lower safe ball receiving plate portion 512b, the crank portion 512c, etc. Therefore, the safe ball passage 502 is formed wide on the upstream side so that it can receive many game balls B, and the received game balls B are aligned in a row and handed over to the most upstream portion of the downstream ball storage passage 504 (ball snaking member 513).

The ball receiving member 512 has recesses 512d at the front edge of the upper safe ball receiving plate portion 512a and the front edge of the lower safe ball receiving plate portion 512b, which are recessed to a size that does not impede the flow of the game ball B. These recesses 512d allow dust, debris, etc. within the safe ball passage 502 to be discharged to the outside.

The ball meandering member 513 extends left and right while meandering back and forth so that the right end is lower, forming a ball storage passage 504 capable of storing a large number of game balls B. As shown in FIG. 23 etc., the ball meandering member 513 is made up of a first straight portion 513a that is inclined so as to become lower toward the front, with the rear portion being the upstream end, a first turn-back portion 513b that is bent to the right from the downstream end (front end) of the first straight portion 513a and then bent so as to become lower toward the rear, a second straight portion 513c that extends from the downstream end (rear end) of the first turn-back portion 513b to a position near the rear end of the first straight portion 513a so as to become lower toward the rear, and a second straight portion 513c that is bent to the right from the downstream end (rear end) of the second straight portion 513c and then ... first straight portion 513a and then bent to the rear. a second folded portion 513d bent so as to become lower toward the front; a third straight portion 513e extending from a downstream end (front end) of the second folded portion 513d to a position equal to the front end of the second straight portion 513c so as to become lower toward the front; a third folded portion 513f bent from the downstream end (front end) of the third straight portion 513e to the right and then bent so as to become lower toward the rear; and a fourth straight portion 513g extending from the downstream end (rear end) of the third folded portion 513f to a position equal to the rear end of the third straight portion 513e so as to become lower toward the rear. a fourth turn-back portion 513h that turns rightward from the downstream end (rear end) of the fourth straight portion 513g and then turns forward and lower; a fifth straight portion 513i that extends from the downstream end (front end) of the fourth turn-back portion 513h to the same position as the front end of the fourth straight portion 513g so as to turn forward and lower; a first bent portion 513j that turns rightward from the downstream end (front end) of the fifth straight portion 513i; and a first lateral portion 513k that extends rightward and lower from the downstream end (right end) of the first bent portion 513j. The ball discharge port 500d includes a second bent portion 513l that is bent from the downstream end (right end) of the first horizontal portion 513k so as to bend downward toward the rear, a sixth straight portion 513m that extends from the downstream end (rear end) of the second bent portion 513l to a position near the downstream end of the fifth straight portion 513i so as to bend downward toward the rear, a third bent portion 513n that is bent from the downstream end (rear end) of the sixth straight portion 513m so as to bend downward toward the right, and a second horizontal portion 513o that extends from the downstream end (right end) of the third bent portion 513n so as to bend downward toward the right. The opening at the downstream end of the second horizontal portion 513o forms a ball discharge port 500d that opens to the right.

In the ball snaking member 513 (ball storage passage 504), the opening of the downstream end of the safe ball passage 502 is located above the rear end of the first straight section 513a, and the opening of the downstream end of the out ball passage 501 is located in front of that. In addition, the opening of the downstream end of the foul ball passage 503 is located above the rear end of the second straight section 513c.

The ball snaking member 513 also has a ball outlet 513p that penetrates the first horizontal section 513k from top to bottom, a pair of rail sections 513q that extend forward and backward along both left and right edges of the ball outlet 513p on the underside of the first horizontal section 513k and protrude downward, support pieces 513r that protrude close to each other from the lower ends of each of the pair of rail sections 513q, and locking recesses 513s that are recessed on the side surfaces of the pair of rail sections 513q that face each other.

The ball outlet 513p of the ball meandering member 513 is closed by the ball outlet shutter 515 so that it can be opened and closed, as will be described in detail later. The pair of rail portions 513q extend rearward from the ball outlet 513p. The pair of rail portions 513q support the ball outlet shutter 515 so that it can slide back and forth. The two support pieces 513r prevent the ball outlet shutter 515 from falling. In addition, the two support pieces 513r protrude from the respective rail portions 513q at the ball outlet 513p. This allows the ball outlet shutter 515 to be fully supported and prevents it from falling off even if the load of the game ball B acts on the ball outlet shutter 515 through the ball outlet 513p. The locking recess 513s can hold the ball outlet shutter 515 in the open position by inserting the locking protrusion 515f of the ball outlet shutter 515.

The ball meandering member 513 is provided with a gauge section 520 that allows visual confirmation of the appropriate amount of game balls B (circulating balls), as well as a circulating ball shortage sensor 521 and an circulating ball excess sensor 522 that can detect the game balls B in circulation, as described in detail below.

This ball meandering member 513 can form a ball storage passage 504 that meanders back and forth and extends left and right so as to become lower to the right. In addition, the ball meandering member 513 has multiple turn-back portions (first turn-back portion 513b, second turn-back portion 513d, third turn-back portion 513f, fourth turn-back portion 513h) and multiple bends (first bend portion 513j, second bend portion 513l, third bend portion 513n), so that the flow speed of the game ball B can be suppressed at these portions and the impact on the inlet side of the ball lifting unit 550 can be mitigated.

The serpentine cover 514 is attached to the ball serpentine member 513 so as to cover the open upper end of the ball serpentine member 513. By attaching the serpentine cover 514 to the ball serpentine member 513, it is possible to prevent game balls B from leaking from the ball serpentine member 513 (ball storage passage 504) to the outside, or to prevent game balls B that are not compatible with the ball storage passage 504 or illegal game balls B from being inserted from the outside.

The length of the portion of the serpentine cover 514 that extends forward and backward at the left end is shorter toward the rear than the first straight portion 513a of the ball serpentine member 513. As a result, when the serpentine cover 514 is attached to the ball serpentine member 513, the rear portion of the first straight portion 513a of the ball serpentine member 513 is opened upward, and communication with the out ball passage 501 and the safe ball passage 502 is possible through this portion.

The serpentine cover 514 also has an opening 514a that penetrates vertically at a location above the rear end of the second straight section 513c of the ball serpentine member 513. Through this opening 514a, the foul ball passage 503 can communicate with the ball storage passage 504.

The ball removal shutter 515 is used to remove (discharge) game ball B (circulating game ball) from the circulating ball path unit 500, etc., and is attached to the underside of the ball serpentine member 513 so as to be slidable in the forward and backward directions. The ball removal shutter 515 has a flat door section 515a capable of closing the ball removal opening 513p, a knob section 515b extending up, down, left and right from the front edge of the door section 515a, a pair of rod sections 515c each extending rearward from the rear ends of both the left and right ends of the door section 515a, a connecting section 515e that connects the pair of rod sections 515c at the rear of the door section 515a to form an opening 515d that penetrates vertically, a locking protrusion 515f that bulges from the outer surface of each of the pair of rod sections 515c between the connecting section 515e and the rear end, a hook section 515g that extends outward from the rear ends of the pair of rod sections 515c, and a magnet support section 515h that protrudes cylindrically from the bottom surface of the door section 515a.

The magnet support portion 515h of the ball-removing shutter 515 can support a cylindrical magnet 516 by inserting the magnet 516 into the cylinder. This magnet support portion 515h is open to the rear so that the rear end side of the outer circumferential surface of the supported magnet 516 coincides with the front inner circumferential surface of the opening 515d (see FIG. 24, etc.).

When the ball-removal shutter 515 is attached to the ball-snaking member 513, a pair of rail portions 513q of the ball-snaking member 513 are located on the left and right outer sides of the door portion 515a and the pair of rod portions 515c, and the lower surface of the first horizontal portion 513k and the upper surfaces of the pair of support pieces 513r are located on both the top and bottom sides of the door portion 515a and the pair of rod portions 515c. This allows the ball-removal shutter 515 to slide in the front-to-back direction between a closed position and an open position, which will be described later.

In addition, a screw hole is provided on the lower end surface of the magnet support part 515h of the ball removal shutter 515. When a screw is screwed into the screw hole with the magnet 516 inserted into the magnet support part 515h, part of the head of the screw is located below the magnet 516, so that the magnet 516 does not fall off the magnet support part 515h.

In the normal state, as shown in Figures 24 (a1) and (a2), the ball removal shutter 515 is in a closed position where the door portion 515a prevents the game ball B from passing through the ball removal opening 513p. In this state, the rear surface of the knob portion 515b abuts against the front surface of the first horizontal portion 513k, and the pair of locking protrusions 515f abut against the respective rear end surfaces of the pair of rail portions 513q. This restricts the ball removal shutter 515 from moving forward and backward and holds it in the closed position. Therefore, when the ball removal shutter 515 is in the closed position, the game ball B is not discharged from the ball removal opening 513p into the ball receiving tray 620 below.

When the ball removal shutter 515 is in the closed position, the magnet support portion 515h (magnet 516) is located below and near the center of the ball removal opening 513p. As will be described in detail later, when an iron ball SB (see FIG. 25) flows through the ball storage passage 504, the iron ball SB is magnetically attracted to the door portion 515a by the magnetic force of the magnet 516, causing a ball blockage, making it possible to detect the intrusion of the iron ball SB.

When the knob 515b of the ball shutter 515 is pinched and pulled forward in the closed position, the locking protrusion 515f on the rod 515c strongly abuts against the rear end surface of the rail 513q. At this time, the force applied to the locking protrusion 515f causes the rod 515c to elastically deform inward, and the locking protrusion 515f moves toward the inner surface of the rail 513q, causing the ball shutter 515 to slide forward from the closed position. When the locking protrusion 515f reaches the locking recess 513s, the elastic force of the rod 515c causes the locking protrusion 515f to be inserted into the locking recess 513s, and the hook 515g on the rear end of the rod 515c approaches the rear end surface of the rail 513q. This restricts the ball shutter 515 from sliding forward any further.

In this state, as shown in Figures 24 (b1) and (b2), the opening 515d of the ball removal shutter 515 coincides with the ball removal port 513p, allowing the game ball B to pass through the ball removal port 513p. In other words, the ball removal shutter 515 is in the open position. When the ball removal shutter 515 is in the open position, the game ball B upstream of the ball removal port 513p in the ball storage passage 504 is discharged through the ball removal port 513p and the opening 515d into the ball receiving tray 620 below. This makes it possible to remove the circulating game ball B to the outside.

When game balls B accumulate in the ball receiving tray 620 and it becomes heavy, the ball receiving tray 620 is placed on the bottom wall of the tray insertion recess 401f, which is inclined so that the front end is lower, and the inclination of the bottom wall causes the ball receiving tray 620 to slide forward, but the locking claws 401n lock it in place and prevent it from sliding forward. In this state, when the locking claws 401n are released, the weight of the stored game balls B causes the ball receiving tray 620 to automatically slide forward, and the ball receiving tray 620 can be easily removed from the tray insertion recess 401f.

When the ball removal shutter 515 is assembled to the pachinko machine 1, the rear surface of the door frame 3 is close to the front surface of the knob portion 515b, and even if the ball removal shutter 515 tries to slide forward for some reason, the knob portion 515b abuts the door frame 3 and prevents it from sliding to the open position. This prevents the circulating game balls B from accidentally falling out and being lost, and prevents illegal game balls B from being mixed in through the ball removal opening 513p.

The magnet 516 is formed in a cylindrical shape that can be inserted into the magnet support portion 515h of the ball removal shutter 515. This magnet 516 is for attracting the iron ball SB. The magnet 516 is made of a material with strong magnetic force, such as a neodymium magnet.

However, if the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment coexists with conventional pachinko machines in which players can touch game balls (iron balls SB) in an amusement hall or the like, there is a risk that the iron balls SB will become mixed in when the game balls B are replenished or replaced during maintenance of the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment.

In contrast, in this pachinko machine 1, if an iron ball SB gets mixed in, the ball shutter 515 is provided with a magnet 516, so when the iron ball SB flows through the ball storage passage 504, the iron ball SB is magnetically attracted to the upper surface of the door section 515a of the ball shutter 515 in the closed position by the magnetic force of the magnet 516 and stops (see FIG. 25(a)). At this time, because a magnet 516 with strong magnetic force is used, even if a large number of game balls B accumulate upstream of the magnetically attracted iron ball SB and a force acts to press it downstream, the iron ball SB will not move from the upper surface of the door section 515a.

When the iron ball SB is magnetically attached to the door portion 515a (magnet 516) of the ball removal shutter 515 in the ball storage passage 504, and the game ball B continues to be launched from the ball launch unit 450, the game balls B downstream of the magnetically attached iron ball SB are sequentially consumed, and the consumed (launched) game balls B are sequentially supplied upstream of the iron ball SB. Therefore, the circulating ball shortage sensor 521 and the lifting entrance sensor 553, etc., which are located downstream of the ball removal shutter 515, turn off the detection of the game ball B, and the circulating ball excess sensor 522, the out ball sensor 505, the safe ball sensor 505, the foul ball sensor 507, etc., which are located upstream of the ball removal shutter 515, turn on the detection of the game ball B. This makes it possible to detect and report the occurrence of ball clogging between the circulating ball shortage sensor 521, etc. and the circulating ball excess sensor 522, etc. In other words, it is possible to detect that the iron ball SB is magnetically attached to the door portion 515a.

As shown in FIG. 25(a), when the ball shutter 515 is slid from the closed position to the forward open position while the iron ball SB is magnetically attached to the upper surface of the door portion 515a of the ball shutter 515 by the magnetic force of the magnet 516, the front end of the iron ball SB magnetically attached to the upper surface of the door portion 515a abuts against the front wall of the first horizontal portion 513k, preventing only the iron ball SB from moving forward. Then, when the ball shutter 515 slides further forward, the door portion 515a that was supporting the lower end of the iron ball SB disappears, and the iron ball SB moves downward into the opening 515d due to gravity. At this time, the rear end side of the outer circumferential surface of the magnet 516 coincides with the inner surface of the front side of the opening 515d, so that the iron ball SB is magnetically attached to the outer circumferential surface of the magnet 516 (see FIG. 25(b)).

The iron ball SB tries to move from the outer periphery of the magnet 516 to the pole with the stronger magnetic force (here, the bottom end face), but when the ball removal shutter 515 is in the open position, the top end face of the ball receiving tray 620 is located below the magnet 516, so the iron ball SB does not move below the magnet 516. Therefore, when the ball removal shutter 515 is slid to the open position, the iron ball B is located at a position overlapping with the opening 515d, and the game ball B upstream of the iron ball SB is not discharged downward through the opening 515d, i.e., the ball removal port 513p.

After sliding the ball removal shutter 515 to the open position, the ball removal shutter 515 is then slid rearward to the closed position, and the door portion 515a prevents the game ball B upstream of the iron ball SB from passing through the ball removal opening 513p, while the iron ball SB that was magnetized on the outer periphery of the magnet 516 moves to the underside of the magnet 516, and the iron ball SB becomes magnetically attached to the underside of the magnet 516 (see FIG. 25(c)). The ball receiving tray 620 is then pulled out and removed from the tray insertion recess 401f, and the iron ball SB that is magnetically attached to the underside of the magnet 516 is removed.

In this way, when the iron ball SB is magnetically attached to the door portion 515a of the ball removal shutter 515 by the magnet 516, by sliding the ball removal shutter 515 back and forth, only the magnetically attached iron ball SB can be removed from the ball storage passage 504 to the outside.

The circulating ball path relay board 517 is attached to the rear of the foul ball passage 503 on the rear surface of the front ball receiving member 511, below the out ball receiving plate portion 511b of the rear ball receiving member 512. The circulating ball path relay board 517 is used to relay the connections between the out ball sensor 505, safe ball sensor 506, foul ball sensor 507, low circulating ball sensor 521, and high circulating ball sensor 522 and the frame control board 640, which will be described later.

In this embodiment, the ball circulation path unit 500 has a ball receiving front plate 510, a ball receiving front member 511, a ball receiving rear member 512, a ball serpentine member 513, and a serpentine cover 514, which are made of transparent synthetic resin. Therefore, it is possible to visually check the internal condition from the outside.

The circulating ball path unit 500 is installed with the out ball sensor 505 and the foul ball sensor 507 sandwiched between the ball receiving front plate 510 and the ball receiving front member 511, and the safe ball sensor 506 is installed with the safe ball sensor 506 sandwiched between the ball receiving front member 511 and the ball receiving rear member 512. The out ball sensor 505 and the safe ball sensor 506 are arranged side by side, front to back.

The out ball sensor 505, safe ball sensor 506, foul ball sensor 507, insufficient circulating ball sensor 521, and excessive circulating ball sensor 522 detect game ball B in a non-contact manner, for example, by detecting changes in induced current.

The circulating ball path unit 500 is attached from the rear to the base wall portion 401b of the main body frame base 401. When assembled to the main body frame 4, the circulating ball path unit 500 is attached so that the out ball receiving port 500a and the safe ball receiving port 500b are at the same height as the top surface of the base wall portion 401b and in contact with the rear edge of the top surface of the base wall portion 401b.

In addition, when assembled to the main body frame 4, the circulating ball path unit 500 is attached so that the ball sending unit 600 is positioned between it and the base wall portion 401b.

Furthermore, when the circulating ball path unit 500 is assembled to the main body frame 4, the portions of the ball snaking member 513 and the snaking cover 514 forward of the center in the fore-and-aft direction protrude forward through the ball storage path insertion port 401g provided in the base wall portion 401b from the rear. As a result, when the door frame 3 is opened relative to the main body frame 4, the game ball B in the ball snaking member 513 (ball storage path 504) can be seen from the front (outside).

In addition, when the circulating ball path unit 500 is assembled to the main body frame 4 and the frame base unit 630 is opened to the rear, the interiors of the out ball path 501, the safe ball path 502, the foul ball path 503, and the areas of the ball storage path 504 rearward of the base wall portion 401b can be seen from the rear. As a result, when a ball jam occurs, the inside of the out ball path 501, etc. can be checked by opening the frame base unit 630, making it easy to identify the location of the jam.

When the circulating ball path unit 500 is assembled to the main body frame 4, the second horizontal section 513o of the ball snaking member 513 is located behind the base wall section 401b and below the ball launching unit 450. In other words, the circulating ball path unit 500 has a ball discharge port 500d that opens to the right behind the base wall section 401b and at a lower position than the ball launching unit 450. This ball discharge port 500d is connected to the ball lifting inlet passage 551 of the ball lifting unit 550, which will be described later.

The circulating ball path unit 500 of this embodiment has a gauge section 520 that allows visual inspection of the appropriate amount of game balls B stored in the ball storage passage 504 (ball serpentine member 513), a circulating ball shortage sensor 521 for detecting when there are too few stored game balls B (circulating balls), and a circulating ball excess sensor 522 for detecting when there are too many stored game balls B (circulating balls) (see Figure 37).

The gauge section 520 is a region of a predetermined length that is colored a different color from other areas in the direction of ball flow in the ball storage passage 504 of the ball snaking member 513. Here, the appropriate amount is defined as the state in which the rear end of the row of game balls B stored in a line is hanging on the gauge section 520.

When the gauge section 520 is viewed during maintenance, etc., if no game balls B can be seen in the gauge section 520 (appropriate amount area), it is clear that there are fewer game balls B than the appropriate amount. To replenish game balls B, insert game balls B into the out port 1008 of the game board 5, or into the out ball receiving port 500a or safe ball receiving port 500b until the appropriate amount is reached.

On the other hand, when looking at the gauge section 520, if game balls B can be seen in all parts of the gauge section 520 (the rear end of the row of game balls B is not visible), it can be determined that there are more game balls B than is appropriate. If there are too many game balls B, the ball removal shutter 515 is pulled forward and slid to the open position, thereby discharging the game balls B in the ball storage passage 504 from the ball removal opening 513p to bring the amount to the appropriate level.

The low circulating ball sensor 521 is provided near the downstream end of the gauge section 520 in the ball storage passage 504. The excess circulating ball sensor 522 is provided near the upstream end of the gauge section 520 in the ball storage passage 504. The low circulating ball sensor 521 and the excess circulating ball sensor 522 are connected to the frame control board 640 via the circulating ball path relay board 517.

Details will be described later, but when there is an appropriate amount of game balls B, the under-circulating ball sensor 521 detects game ball B for a predetermined time (e.g., 80 ms) or more, and the excess circulating ball sensor 522 does not detect game ball B for a predetermined time (e.g., 80 ms) or more. When there are too few game balls B, neither the under-circulating ball sensor 521 nor the excess circulating ball sensor 522 detects game ball B for a predetermined time (e.g., 80 ms) or more. On the other hand, when there is too many game balls B, both the under-circulating ball sensor 521 and the excess circulating ball sensor 522 detect game ball B for a predetermined time (e.g., 80 ms) or more. In addition, if the under-circulating ball sensor 521 does not detect game ball B for a predetermined time (e.g., 80 ms) or more, and the over-circulating ball sensor 522 detects game ball B for a predetermined time (e.g., 80 ms) or more, a ball jam including the inclusion of iron ball SB has occurred between the under-circulating ball sensor 521 and the over-circulating ball sensor 522.

Here, the reason for the predetermined time k80 ms as a threshold for detecting the presence or absence of game ball B will be explained. For example, on the circulation path R, the positions where sensors such as the circulating ball excess sensor 522, the circulating ball shortage sensor 521, the lifting inlet sensor 553, the lifting outlet sensor 554, and the launch front sensor 604 are placed are placed at the stopping position of game ball B when the ball lifting unit 550 and the ball sending unit 600 are stopped. This position is the position where the next game ball B is located every time one game ball B is sent. Therefore, the detection method here is whether or not the game ball B is detected for 80 ms or more. This is because the time it takes to detect game ball B rolling on a slope with an inclination of about 5 degrees is about 50 ms, so a margin is added to detect the presence of game ball B at that position with certainty, and it is detected at 80 ms. In other words, this value of 80 ms is a practical value obtained by experiment.

In this way, by combining the detection states of game balls B by the low circulating ball sensor 521 and the high circulating ball sensor 522, the frame control board 640 can automatically determine and report the amount of game balls B, ball clogging, etc.

In the above embodiment, the gauge section 520 in the spherical serpentine member 513 is colored in a different color to the other areas of the appropriate amount area, but the gauge section 520 in the spherical serpentine member 513 may be molded in a different color, a sticker may be attached as the gauge section, or colored lines may be drawn at the downstream and upstream ends of the appropriate amount area.

In addition, in the above embodiment, a circulating ball shortage sensor 521 and a circulating ball excess sensor 522 are provided, but the circulating ball shortage sensor 521 may be replaced with a lifting inlet sensor described below, and the circulating ball excess sensor 522 may be replaced with an out ball sensor 505, a safe ball sensor 506, or a foul ball sensor 507.

[4-4a. Ball jamming elimination mechanism]
Next, in the circulating ball path unit 500, a ball jamming elimination mechanism 530 may be provided to facilitate the elimination of ball jams in the out ball sensor 505 and the safe ball sensor 506, as shown in Figure 28. Figure 28(a) is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of the essential parts of the rear cross section cut at the out ball sensor with the cover member of the ball elimination mechanism in the circulating ball path unit attached to the main body frame closed, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the cover member in (a) in the open state.

The ball jamming elimination mechanism 530 is configured by forming an openable and closable lid member 531 on the wall portion above the out ball sensor 505 and safe ball sensor 506 in the front ball receiving member 511 and rear ball receiving member 512 of the circulating ball path unit 500. As shown in FIG. 28(a), the lid member 531 is normally closed. The lid member 531 is held in the closed state by a locking claw (not shown).

This ball jamming clearing mechanism 530 is used to clear jams that occur in the out ball passage 501 or the safe ball passage 502, or when a fraudulent ball B' with a larger diameter than the game ball B is inserted as a fraudulent act, blocking the out ball sensor 505, etc.

For example, if an illegal ball B' with a larger diameter than the game ball B is inserted from the outlet 1008 of the game board 5 and the out ball sensor 505 is blocked, the rear of the circulating ball path unit 500 will appear when the main frame 4 is opened relative to the outer frame 2 and the frame base unit 630 is opened. In this embodiment, a gap into which a finger can be inserted is formed between the part of the circulating ball path unit 500 where the ball jamming elimination mechanism 530 is provided and the box main body part 404b of the main frame speaker box 404, so that the locking claw of the cover member 531 can be released through the gap and the cover member 531 can be opened by rotating it so that the lower end of the cover member 531 moves upward (see FIG. 28(b)).

By opening the cover member 531, a finger can be inserted into the upper portion of the out ball sensor 505 in the out ball passage 501, making it possible to easily remove the illegal ball B' that is blocking the out ball sensor 505. In this way, the illegal ball B' can be easily removed without having to remove the circulating ball passage unit 500, which is screwed in place using a screwdriver.

In addition, even if the safe ball sensor 506 is blocked by the illegal ball B', the illegal ball B' can be removed by following the same procedure as above.

In the above, the ball jamming elimination mechanism 530 is shown to have an openable and closable lid member 531, but for example, elastic claws may be provided on the rear ball receiving member 512 and the front ball receiving member 511, and the rear ball receiving member 512 and the front ball receiving member 511 may be made detachable toward the rear by engaging the elastic claws. In this case, under normal conditions, the frame base unit 630 is located behind the circulating ball path unit 500, and even if the elastic claws become loose, the rear ball receiving member 512 and the front ball receiving member 511 will not come off toward the rear. If the out ball sensor 505 is blocked by an illegal ball B', the main frame 4 is opened relative to the outer frame 2, and the frame base unit 630 is then opened, revealing the rear of the circulating ball path unit 500. By releasing the elastic claws that attach the rear ball receiving member 512 and the front ball receiving member 511, the rear ball receiving member 512 and the front ball receiving member 511 can be easily removed, and the illegal ball B' blocking the out ball sensor 505 can be easily removed.

Alternatively, the ball jamming elimination mechanism 530 may be such that the upper part of the out ball sensor 505 of the ball receiving front member 511 sandwiched between the ball receiving front plate 510 and the ball receiving rear member 512 can be slid upward and removed. In this case, under normal conditions, the game board 5 is located above the circulating ball path unit 500, and the sliding part of the ball receiving front member 511 does not come off upward due to the action of gravity. If the out ball sensor 505 is blocked by an illegal ball B', the door frame 3 is opened relative to the main body frame 4 and the game board 5 is removed from the main body frame 4, and the upper part of the circulating ball path unit 500 is revealed. The sliding part of the ball receiving front member 511 can be slid upward and removed to easily remove the illegal ball B' blocking the out ball sensor 505.

[4-5. Ball lifting unit]
The ball lifting unit 550 in the main body frame 4 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 29 to 32. Figure 29(a) is a perspective view of the ball lifting unit in the main body frame seen from the front left, (b) is a perspective view of the ball lifting unit in the main body frame seen from the front right, and (c) is a perspective view of the ball lifting unit in the main body frame seen from the rear. Figure 30(a) is an exploded perspective view of the ball lifting unit disassembled into its main components and seen from the front, and (b) is an exploded perspective view of the ball lifting unit disassembled into its main components and seen from the rear. Figure 31 is a front view showing an enlarged view of the main parts of the ball lifting unit attached to the main body frame with the ball grinding cassette removed. Figure 32(a) is a right side view showing the main parts of the ball grinding mechanism and ball lifting mechanism in the ball lifting unit, (b) is a rear view showing the main parts of the ball lifting mechanism, and (c) is a plan view of the main parts of the ball lifting mechanism seen from the arrow A in (b).

The ball lifting unit 550 is for sending the game ball B, which is discharged from the game board 5 or the foul unit 470 and flows through the circulating ball path unit 500, to the ball launching unit 450 via the ball sending unit 600. The ball lifting unit 550 is attached to the ball lifting unit mounting portion 401j provided on the rear surface of the base wall portion 401b of the main body frame base 401.

The ball lifting unit 550 is equipped with a ball lifting mechanism 560 for lifting game balls B, a ball lifting inlet passage 551 that supplies game balls B sent from the circulating ball path unit 500 to the ball lifting mechanism 560, a ball lifting outlet passage 552 that supplies game balls B lifted by the ball lifting mechanism 560 to the ball sending unit 600, a lifting inlet sensor 553 provided in the ball lifting inlet passage 551 for detecting game balls B in circulation, and a lifting outlet sensor 554 provided in the ball lifting outlet passage 552 for detecting game balls B in circulation.

The ball lifting unit 550 also includes a ball lifting inlet earth metal plate 555 that is arranged so as to be in contact with the game ball B in the ball lifting inlet passage 551, a ball lifting outlet earth metal plate 556 that is arranged so as to be in contact with the game ball B in the ball lifting outlet passage 552, a ball lifting relay board 557 that relays the connection with the frame control board 640, and a ball polishing mechanism 580 for polishing the game ball B lifted by the ball lifting mechanism 560.

First, the ball lifting mechanism 560 of the ball lifting unit 550 includes a lifting spiral shaft 561 that extends vertically and has a helical lifting groove 561a on its outer circumferential surface, a shaft gear 562 attached to the lower end of the lifting spiral shaft 561, a motor gear 563 that meshes with the shaft gear 562 and can rotate around an axis perpendicular to the axis of the lifting spiral shaft 561, a lifting motor 564 with the motor gear 563 attached to its rotating shaft for rotating the lifting spiral shaft 561, a lifting motor index 565 that has a detection portion 565a that is notched out in a portion of the circumference extending from the lower end of the shaft gear 562 in a flange-like shape, and a lifting motor index sensor 566 that can detect the detection portion 565a of the lifting motor index 565.

The ball lifting mechanism 560 also includes a motor base metal plate 567 to which the lifting motor 564 is attached and which rotatably supports the motor gear 563, and a lifting mechanism base 568 and a lifting mechanism cover 569 which are attached to the motor base metal plate 567 and which rotatably support the lifting spiral shaft 561 and are attached to the ball lifting unit mounting portion 401j of the base wall portion 401b of the main body frame base 401.

The lifting spiral shaft 561 has a spiral lifting groove 561a on its outer periphery, with a depth that allows game balls B to be stored in a row. The lifting groove 561a is formed so that the lifting spiral shaft 561 can lift the game balls B by rotating in a clockwise direction when viewed from above in the axial direction (see FIG. 32(c)). The spiral pitch of the lifting groove 561a is longer near the upper and lower ends than between them. The lifting spiral shaft 561 is rotatably supported by the lifting mechanism base 568 and the lifting mechanism cover 569. The rotation axis of this lifting spiral shaft 561 is inclined relative to the vertical so that the upper end is located to the right of the lower end when viewed from the front. This allows the upper end side of the lifting spiral shaft 561 to be moved away from the ball sending unit to the right, making it possible to relatively lengthen the length of the ball lifting outlet passage 552 and increase the amount of game balls B that can be stored. In this embodiment, the rotation axis of the lifting spiral shaft 561 is inclined at an angle of 12 degrees to the vertical.

The shaft gear 562 is a spur gear. The motor gear 563 is a worm gear. As a result, even if the lifting spiral shaft 561 tries to rotate due to the load acting when a large number of game balls B are contained in the lifting groove 561a of the lifting spiral shaft 561, the rotation can be prevented by the motor gear 563, which is made of a worm gear meshed with the shaft gear 562. The lifting motor 564 is a DC motor.

The lifting motor index 565 is integrally molded with the shaft gear 562 in a flange shape. The detection section 565a of the lifting motor index 565 is provided so that a 45 degree angle range is cut out around the entire circumference. The lifting motor index sensor 566 is a photosensor. The lifting motor index sensor 566 is in a light receiving state at the detection section 565a of the lifting motor index 565, and is light-shielded and in a non-light receiving state at areas other than the detection section 565a. This makes it possible to detect the rotational position of the lifting spiral shaft 561 via the lifting motor index 565.

Although the details will be described later, the lifting spiral shaft 561 rotates once when the rotating shaft of the lifting motor 564 rotates 32 times due to the shaft gear 562 and the motor gear 563. Then, when the lifting motor 564 rotates 28 times after the lifting motor index sensor 566 is located at a position other than the detection unit 565a and enters a non-light receiving state, it reaches the detection unit 565a and enters a light receiving state, and when the lifting motor 564 rotates another four times after entering the light receiving state, it moves away from the detection unit 565a and enters a non-light receiving state. In this embodiment, the position where the lifting motor 564 rotates two times after reaching the detection unit 565a and entering the light receiving state is set as the origin. In other words, the center of the detection unit 565a is set as the origin of rotation of the lifting spiral shaft 561.

The motor base metal plate 567 has the lifting motor 564 attached to its left end when viewed from the front, and rotatably supports the right end of the motor gear 563 at its right end. The motor base metal plate 567 has its upper end attached to the lifting mechanism base 568 and its lower end attached to the lifting mechanism cover 569.

The lifting mechanism base 568 cooperates with the lifting mechanism cover 569 to house the lifting spiral shaft 561 and rotatably supports the lifting spiral shaft 561. The lifting mechanism base 568 has a ball polishing opening 568a that penetrates from front to back so that the lifting spiral shaft 561 faces forward and is large enough that the game ball B cannot pass through. This ball polishing opening 568a is provided so that a part of the game ball B lifted by the lifting spiral shaft 561 protrudes forward, and the part of the game ball B that protrudes forward beyond the ball polishing opening 568a comes into contact with the polishing cloth 582 of the ball polishing mechanism 580, thereby polishing the game ball B.

The lifting mechanism base 568 is provided with a downstream portion of the ball lifting inlet passage 551 at a position to the right of the lifting spiral shaft 561 near its lower end when viewed from the front. The portion of the ball lifting inlet passage 551 provided on the lifting mechanism base 568 opens at its upstream end toward the rear and slopes downward toward the lower end of the lifting spiral shaft 561 on the left. In addition, a lifting inlet sensor 553 is attached to the lifting mechanism base 568 at a position to the right of the lower end of the lifting spiral shaft 561 when viewed from the front.

The lifting mechanism base 568 also has an upstream portion of the ball lifting outlet passage 552 near its upper end. The portion of the ball lifting outlet passage 552 provided on the lifting mechanism base 568 slopes downward from the front of the upper end of the lifting spiral shaft 561 to the left when viewed from the front, then slopes downward toward the rear, with the downstream end opening toward the rear. The ball lifting outlet passage 552 slopes downward from the portion of the lifting mechanism base 568 that opens toward the rear to the left, then slopes downward toward the front, and opens toward the front at its front end. This portion of the ball lifting outlet passage 552 is formed by the cooperation of the lifting mechanism base 568 and the lifting mechanism cover 569.

The lifting mechanism base 568 also has a grinding motor base 586, to which the grinding motor 588 of the grinding mechanism 580 is attached, which is rotatable about an axis extending vertically.

The lifting mechanism cover 569 cooperates with the lifting mechanism base 568 to house the lifting spiral shaft 561 and rotatably supports the lifting spiral shaft 561. It is attached from the rear to the ball lifting unit mounting portion 401j of the base wall portion 401b of the main body frame base 401. A ball lifting relay board 557 is attached to the rear surface of the lifting mechanism cover 569.

The lifting mechanism cover 569 has a portion upstream of the portion of the ball lifting inlet passage 551 provided on the lifting mechanism base 568. The downstream end of the portion of the ball lifting inlet passage 551 provided on the lifting mechanism base 568 opens forward at a location on the right side of the lower end of the lifting spiral shaft 561 when viewed from the front, extends rearward, bends leftward, passes behind the lifting spiral shaft 561, extends diagonally forward, and the upstream end opens to the left. A ball lifting inlet earth metal plate 555 is attached to this lifting mechanism cover 569 behind the lower end of the lifting spiral shaft 561 so as to be able to come into contact with the game ball B flowing through the ball lifting inlet passage 551.

The lifting mechanism cover 569 also has a portion downstream of the portion provided on the lifting mechanism base 568 in the ball lifting outlet passage 552. The portion provided on the lifting mechanism cover 569 in the ball lifting outlet passage 552 has an upstream end that opens rearward, bends leftward when viewed from the front, extends leftward to the left end, then bends forward, and has a downstream end that opens forward at the front end of the lifting mechanism cover 569.

A lifting outlet sensor 554 is attached to the lifting mechanism cover 569 near the left end of the portion of the ball lifting outlet passage 552 that extends to the left when viewed from the front. A ball lifting outlet earth metal plate 556 is attached to the lifting mechanism cover 569 upstream of the lifting outlet sensor 554 in the portion of the ball lifting outlet passage 552 that extends to the left.

The ball lifting inlet passage 551 of the ball lifting unit 550 has an opening (inlet) at the upstream end that opens to the left near the lower part of the left side surface of the ball lifting unit 550. This opening is provided so as to face the ball discharge port 500d of the circulating ball path unit 500 when assembled to the main body frame 4. The ball lifting inlet passage 551 is inclined so as to become lower toward the right from the left end inlet, and after extending to the right of the lifting spiral shaft 561 so as to bypass the rear of the lifting spiral shaft 561, it turns back to the front side and extends to the left near the lower end of the lifting spiral shaft 561. Then, in the vicinity of the lifting spiral shaft 561, it bends in a crank shape so as to wrap around the front side of the lifting spiral shaft 561, and communicates with the lifting groove 561a of the lifting spiral shaft 561 on the front side near the lower end of the lifting spiral shaft 561.

The ball lifting inlet passage 551 is arranged so that the opening at the upstream end faces the ball discharge port 500d, which forms the opening at the downstream end of the ball storage passage 504 in the circulating ball path unit 500, and game balls B that have circulated through the ball storage passage 504 are handed over and circulated.

The ball lifting inlet passage 551 is provided with a lifting inlet sensor 553 at a location that is lower toward the left near the downstream end where it meets the lifting spiral shaft 561, and a ball lifting inlet earth metal plate 555 is attached to the rear of the lifting spiral shaft 561.

The ball lifting outlet passage 552 is connected to the lifting groove 561a at the front side near the upper end of the lifting spiral shaft 561 near the upper end of the ball lifting unit 550 at its upstream end, extends to the left of the lifting spiral shaft 561, then bends backward, extends to the same position as the rear end of the lifting spiral shaft 561, and then bends to the left. From there, it extends to the left near the left end of the ball lifting unit 550 and bends forward, and its downstream end opens forward at the front surface of the ball lifting unit 550 (lifting mechanism cover 569).

The ball lifting outlet passage 552 is arranged so that the opening at the downstream end faces the ball supply port of the ball sending unit described below, and can supply game balls B to the ball sending unit 600.

The ball lifting exit passage 552 has a lifting exit sensor 554 near the left end of the section that extends leftward near the rear end of the ball lifting unit 550, and a ball lifting exit earth metal plate 556 is attached upstream (to the right) of that. The bottom wall of the section of the ball lifting exit passage 552 where the ball lifting exit earth metal plate 556 is located has an opening that is large enough not to interfere with the flow of the game ball B, and dust, debris, etc. can be discharged to the outside through the opening.

The lifting entrance sensor 553 detects the presence or absence of the game ball B to be lifted when the lifting motor 564 is driven to rotate the lifting spiral shaft 561 to lift the game ball B. Details will be described later, but when the lifting entrance sensor 553 does not detect the game ball B, the lifting motor 564 is not driven.

The lifting exit sensor 554 detects the presence or absence of game balls B being supplied to the ball sending unit. Details will be described later, but when the lifting entrance sensor 553 detects game balls B and the lifting exit sensor 554 does not detect game balls B, and a predetermined condition is met (here, the launch subtraction sensor 454 subtracts a predetermined number (e.g., three) of game balls B), the lifting motor 564 is driven to rotate the lifting spiral shaft 561, and a predetermined number of game balls B are lifted.

The lifting inlet sensor 553 and the lifting outlet sensor 554 detect the game ball B in a non-contact manner, for example, by detecting a change in induced current.

The ball lifting inlet earth metal plate 555 removes static electricity from the game ball B supplied to the ball lifting inlet passage 551 from the circulating ball path unit 500. The ball lifting inlet earth metal plate 555 is provided upstream of the lifting inlet sensor 553. This allows the static electricity from the game ball B passing through the lifting inlet sensor 553 to be removed in advance, preventing false detection by the lifting inlet sensor 553 or failure of the frame control board 640 due to static electricity from the game ball B.

The ball lifting outlet earth metal plate 556 removes static electricity from the game ball B that has been lifted by the ball lifting mechanism 560 and polished by the ball polishing mechanism 580. The ball lifting outlet earth metal plate 556 is located upstream of the lifting outlet sensor 554. This allows the static electricity from the game ball B that passes through the lifting outlet sensor 554 to be removed in advance, preventing false detection by the lifting outlet sensor 554 and failure of the frame control board 640 due to static electricity from the game ball B.

The ball lift relay board 557 is used to relay the connections between the lift inlet sensor 553, the lift outlet sensor 554, the lift motor 564, the lift motor index sensor 566, the ball motor 588, etc. and the frame control board 640. The ball lift relay board 557 is attached to the rear side of the lift mechanism cover 569.

The ball polishing mechanism 580 is attached to the front side of the ball lifting mechanism 560. The ball polishing mechanism 580 includes a ball polishing cassette 581 in the shape of a vertically elongated rectangular box, an endless belt-like polishing cloth 582 partially exposed to the outside at the rear of the ball polishing cassette 581, a sheet-like ball polishing sponge 583 provided between the exposed part of the polishing cloth 582 and the rear of the ball polishing cassette 581, a ball polishing feed gear 584 supported rotatably around a left-right axis at the bottom of the ball polishing cassette 581, and a ball polishing driven gear 585 that meshes with the ball polishing feed gear 584 across the polishing cloth 582 and is supported rotatably around a left-right axis.

The ball grinding mechanism 580 is made up of a flat ball grinding motor base 586 that extends vertically to the left of the ball grinding cassette 581 with a constant depth from front to back and its rear end edge rotatably attached to the lifting mechanism base 568, a gear cover 587 attached to the left side of the ball grinding motor base 586, a ball grinding motor 588 that is attached to the left side of the gear cover 587 and whose rotating shaft protrudes between the gear cover 587 and the ball grinding motor base 586, a spur gear-shaped motor gear 589 attached to the rotating shaft of the ball grinding motor 588, and a gear meshing with the motor gear 589. The transmission gear 590 has a large diameter spur gear-shaped gear portion 590a that meshes with the large diameter gear portion 590a, and a small diameter spur gear-shaped gear portion 590b that rotates integrally with the large diameter gear portion 590a, and is rotatably supported between the motor base 586 and the gear cover 587; a spur gear-shaped transmission gear 591 that meshes with the small diameter gear portion 590b of the transmission gear 590 and is rotatably supported between the motor base 586 and the gear cover 587; and a rotary connecting portion 592 that rotates integrally with the transmission gear 591, passes through the motor base 586, and protrudes to the right.

Furthermore, the ball grinding mechanism 580 abuts against the front surface of the ball grinding cassette 581, and is equipped with a flat cassette pressing piece 593 whose left end is engaged with the front end of the ball grinding motor base 586 and whose right end is attached to the front surface of the base wall portion 401b of the main body frame base 401, and a Nylatch 594 which detachably attaches the right end of the cassette pressing piece 593 to the front surface of the base wall portion 401b.

The ball polishing cassette 581 of the ball polishing mechanism 580 is formed in a hollow box shape, and has slits at both the upper and lower edges of the rear surface through which the polishing cloth 582 can pass. The ball polishing cassette 581 is detachably attached from the front to the lifting mechanism base 568 of the ball lifting mechanism 560 so as to close the ball polishing opening 568a.

The polishing cloth 582 is formed in the shape of an endless loop belt with a constant width on both sides. As shown in FIG. 32(a), the polishing cloth 582 is stored in the ball polishing cassette 581 in a state where it snakes back and forth, and a portion of it is exposed behind the rear surface of the ball polishing cassette 581 through the slits at the top and bottom of the ball polishing cassette 581.

The ball polishing sponge 583 is provided between the rear surface of the ball polishing cassette 581 and the portion of the polishing cloth 582 exposed to the rear, and is attached to the rear surface of the ball polishing cassette 581. The inner surface of the polishing cloth 582 contacts the rear surface of the ball polishing sponge 583. When assembled to the ball lifting unit 550, the ball polishing sponge 583 elastically presses the polishing cloth 582 against the game ball B exposed to the front from the ball polishing port 568a of the ball lifting mechanism 560, so that the polishing cloth 582 comes into contact with a wider area of the spherical surface of the game ball B. The ball polishing sponge 583 is attached to the ball polishing cassette 581 so that it can be replaced.

When the ball grinding cassette 581 is attached, the ball grinding feed gear 584 is arranged so that its axis coincides with the axis of the transmission gear 591 (rotational coupling part 592), and the left end of the rotating shaft is coupled to the rotational coupling part 592 and rotates integrally with the transmission gear 591.

The ball-polished driven gear 585 is engaged with the ball-polished feed gear 584 so that there is a gap between them that allows the polishing cloth 582 to fit in. When the ball-polished feed gear 584 rotates, it rotates in the opposite direction and can feed the polishing cloth 582 that is sandwiched between the ball-polished feed gear 584 and the ball-polished feed gear 584.

The ball grinding motor base 586 extends vertically along the left side surface of the ball grinding cassette 581, and its rear end edge is rotatably attached to the lifting mechanism base 568 around an axis extending in the vertical direction. This allows the front end of the ball grinding motor base 586 to rotate in a direction away from the ball grinding cassette 581. The ball grinding motor base 586 has a locking hole 586a that penetrates from left to right at a location above the vertical center on the front end edge. A locking hook portion 593a provided at the left end of the cassette pressing piece 593 is inserted into this locking hole 586a to lock it.

The ball polishing motor 588 is controlled independently of the operation of the lifting motor 564, and is controlled so that the polishing cloth 582 moves 0.17 mm every time 1,000 game balls B are shot.

The cassette pressing piece 593 extends to the left and right, and at its left end is provided a hook-shaped locking hook portion 593a that is inserted into and locked into the locking hole 586a of the ball-shaped motor base 586. A Nylatch 594 is provided near the right end of the cassette pressing piece 593.

The Nylatch 594 can be locked by pressing the operating part 594a, and can be unlocked by pulling it towards you.

The ball lifting unit 550 of this embodiment is attached to the rear side of the base wall portion 401b of the main body frame base 401 in a state where it is assembled to the main body frame 4. When this ball lifting unit 550 is assembled to the main body frame base 401 of the main body frame 4, the ball lifting unit 550 is attached to the ball lifting unit mounting portion 401j provided on the rear surface of the base wall portion 401b in a state where the ball grinding cassette 581 and cassette pressing piece 593 of the ball lifting mechanism 580 are removed from the ball lifting mechanism 560. At this time, the ball grinding motor base 586 protruding forward from the lifting mechanism base 568 is made to protrude at its front end forward of the base wall portion 401b through the portion penetrating the front and rear of the ball lifting unit mounting portion 401j. In this state, the ball polishing port 568a of the lifting mechanism base 568 of the ball lifting mechanism 560 is located at the penetrating portion of the ball lifting unit mounting portion 401j on the rear surface of the base wall portion 401b, and the game ball B being lifted up to the lifting spiral shaft 561 can be seen from the front of the base wall portion 401b (main body frame 4) through the ball polishing port 568a (see FIG. 31). In other words, by opening the door frame 3 for the main body frame 4 and removing the ball polishing cassette 581, the lifting spiral shaft 561 and the game ball B being lifted up to the lifting spiral shaft 561 can be seen from the front.

After attaching the ball lifting mechanism 560 side of the ball lifting unit 550 to the ball lifting unit mounting portion 401j of the base wall portion 401b, place the ball polishing cassette 581 in front of the lifting mechanism base 568 so that the ball polishing opening 568a is closed from the front, with the surface on which the polishing cloth 582 is exposed facing backwards from the front of the base wall portion 401b. At this time, rotate the ball polishing motor base 586 so that its tip side is away from the ball polishing cassette 581.

Then, the locking hook 593a at the left end of the cassette pressing piece 593 is inserted into the locking hole 586a at the front end of the ball grinding motor base 586 to lock it, and the cassette pressing piece 593 is pushed backward to press the ball grinding cassette 581 backward. As a result, the ball grinding motor base 586 rotates so that it is parallel to the left side of the ball grinding cassette 581, and the rotating connection part 592 protruding from the right side of the ball grinding motor base 586 engages with the left end of the ball grinding feed gear 584 supported by the ball grinding cassette 581. Then, by pressing the operating part 594a of the Nylatch 594 to lock it, the right end side of the cassette pressing piece 593 is attached to the front surface of the base wall part 401b, and the installation of the ball grinding cassette 581 is completed.

To remove the ball grinding cassette 581, pull the operating part 594a of the Nylatch 594 toward you to release the lock, then follow the steps above in reverse to remove the ball grinding cassette 581.

In this embodiment, when the ball lifting unit 550 is assembled to the main frame 4, the opening at the upstream end of the ball lifting inlet passage 551 faces the ball discharge port 500d of the circulating ball path unit 500, and the game ball B that has flowed through the serpentine ball storage passage 504 is supplied. The game ball B supplied to the ball lifting inlet passage 551 comes into contact with the ball lifting inlet earth metal plate 555 to remove static electricity, and is then detected by the lifting inlet sensor 553 and supplied to the lower end of the lifting spiral shaft 561. At this time, the game ball B is inserted into the ball polishing port 568a, the front end of which penetrates forward, and the front end of the game ball B comes into contact with the polishing cloth 582 of the ball polishing mechanism 580, and the vertically long ball polishing port 568a restricts movement in the left and right directions.

In this state, when the lifting motor 564 rotates the lifting spiral shaft 561 in a direction to lift the game ball B, the game ball B is pushed from below by the lifting groove 561a and moves upward along the ball polishing mouth 568a. At this time, the game ball B moves upward while rotating while contacting the part extending up and down on the inner periphery of the ball polishing mouth 568a and the lifting groove 561a. As a result, the part of the game ball B that contacts the polishing cloth 582 on the front end side changes as the game ball B rises (rotates), making it possible to polish the entire surface of the game ball B evenly.

When the game ball B reaches the upper end of the lifting spiral shaft 561, it enters the ball lifting exit passage 552, comes into contact with the ball lifting exit earth metal plate 556, is detected by the lifting exit sensor 554, and is sent to the ball sending unit from the downstream end of the ball lifting exit passage 552. At this time, even if the game ball B is polished by the polishing cloth 582 as it is lifted by the ball lifting mechanism 560 and becomes statically charged, the static electricity is removed by contact with the ball lifting exit earth metal plate 556 upstream of the lifting exit sensor 554, and no malfunctions due to static electricity from the ball polishing will occur in the lifting exit sensor 554, the frame control board 640, etc.

On the other hand, in the polishing mechanism 580, when the polishing motor 588 rotates the polishing feed gear 584 in a clockwise direction when viewed from the right side with the polishing cassette 581 attached, the part of the polishing cloth 582 exposed to the outside from the rear surface of the polishing cassette 581 passes through the slit on the bottom of the polishing cassette 581 and is accommodated in the polishing cassette 581. At this time, the part of the polishing cloth 582 exposed to the outside is pulled downward, so that the part of the polishing cloth 582 accommodated in the polishing cassette 581 is pulled out from the outside through the slit on the top of the polishing cassette 581.

The polishing cloth 582 of the ball polishing mechanism 580 moves intermittently at a slow speed. In this embodiment, the polishing cloth 582 moves 0.17 mm every time 1,000 game balls B are shot.

In this way, the ball lifting unit 550 of this embodiment can polish the game ball B while supplying the game ball B discharged from the circulating ball path unit 500 to the ball sending unit 600.

[4-6. Ball throwing unit]
The ball throwing unit 600 in the main body frame 4 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 33 to 35. Figure 33(a) is a perspective view of the ball throwing unit in the main body frame as seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the ball throwing unit in the main body frame as seen from the back. Figure 34(a) is an exploded perspective view of the ball throwing unit as seen from the front, and (b) is an exploded perspective view of the ball throwing unit as seen from the back. Figure 35 is a front cross-sectional view of the ball throwing unit cut at the location of the pre-launch sensor.

The ball sending unit 600 is for supplying the game balls B lifted by the ball lifting unit 550 one by one to the ball launching unit 450. The ball sending unit 600 is attached to the ball sending unit mounting portion 401k provided on the rear side of the base wall portion 401b in the main body frame base 401. The ball sending unit 600 faces upward from the upper surface of the base wall portion 401b so as to be sandwiched between the base wall portion 401b and the circulating ball path unit 500, and is attached detachably upward.

The ball sending unit 600 is provided with a ball supply port 601 that opens at the rear and through which the game ball B supplied from the ball lifting unit 550 can enter, a ball sending port 602 that opens at the front and sends the game ball B to the ball launch pad 452b of the ball launching unit 450, a ball sending passage 603 that connects the ball supply port 601 and the ball sending port 602 and through which the game ball B can flow, a launching sensor 604 that can detect the game ball B flowing through the ball sending passage 603, a ball sending movable member 605 that releases the game balls B detected by the launching sensor 604 one by one from the ball sending port 602, a ball sending solenoid 606 that moves the ball sending movable member 605 to send the game ball B to the ball launching unit 450, and a ball sending relay board 607 that relays the connection between the ball sending solenoid 606, the launching sensor 604, and the frame control board 640.

The ball sending unit 600 also includes a transmission member 608 that transmits the movement of the plunger in the ball sending solenoid 606 to move the ball sending movable member 605, a box-shaped unit base 609 that is open to the rear and has a launch front sensor 604, a ball sending solenoid 606, etc., inside, and a flat unit cover 610 that is attached to close the opening at the rear end of the unit base 609.

The ball supply port 601 of the ball sending unit 600 is provided by penetrating the unit cover 610 that constitutes the rear of the ball sending unit 600, and is provided in the area from the center to the upper right when viewed from the front. The ball supply port 601 is formed in a size that allows game balls B to pass through one at a time.

The ball sending outlet 602 penetrates the unit base 609 that constitutes the front side of the ball sending unit 600 from front to back, and is located in a position lower than the center when viewed from the front. The ball sending outlet 602 is formed to a size that allows game balls B to pass through one at a time.

The ball sending passage 603 connects the ball supply inlet 601 and the ball sending outlet 602, and extends lower to the left from the ball supply inlet 601 to the upper part of the ball sending outlet 602, and then extends downward to the ball sending outlet 602. A pre-launch sensor 604 is provided near the left end of the part of the ball sending passage 603 that extends to the left. In addition, the ball receiving portion 605a of the ball sending movable member 605 is located in the part of the ball sending passage 603 that extends up and down behind the ball sending outlet 602.

The pre-launch sensor 604 is located near the left end of the ball-transporting passage 603, where it extends lower to the left. In other words, the pre-launch sensor 604 is located immediately upstream of the ball-receiving portion 605a of the ball-transporting movable member 605. This pre-launch sensor 604 detects the game ball B in a non-contact manner, for example, by detecting a change in induced current.

The ball-transporting movable member 605 is movable by the drive of the ball-transporting solenoid 606 to release the game balls B in the ball-transporting passage 603 one by one from the ball-transporting outlet 602 and supply them to the ball launching unit 450. The ball-transporting movable member 605 has a ball receiving portion 605a that is U-shaped and open to the right and front and rear, with the bottom wall inclined toward the front and capable of accommodating only one game ball B, a shaft portion 605b that extends leftward from the left end of the ball receiving portion 605a, a bearing portion 605c that penetrates front and rear at the left end of the shaft portion 605b and into which the first shaft pin 610a of the unit cover 610 is inserted so as to be capable of relative rotation, and a movable gear portion 605d that is fan-shaped and arranged to the right on the same axis as the bearing portion 605c.

The ball sending solenoid 606 is for moving the ball sending movable member 605 to supply the game balls B in the ball sending passage 603 one by one from the ball sending outlet 602 to the ball launching unit 450. The ball sending solenoid 606 is located in the upper left corner when viewed from the front, between the unit base 609 and the unit cover 610, with the magnetic pole part that generates magnetic force when current is applied facing downward.

The ball sending relay board 607 is used to relay the connection between the launch front sensor 604 and ball sending solenoid 606 and the frame control board 640. The ball sending relay board 607 is located in the upper right corner when viewed from the front, between the unit base 609 and the unit cover 610.

The transmission member 608 transmits the forward and backward movement of the plunger of the ball-transporting solenoid 606 so that the ball-transporting movable member 605 can move. The transmission member 608 has a sheet metal holding portion 608b to which a magnetically attachable sheet metal 608a is attached to the magnetic pole portion of the ball-transporting solenoid 606, a rod portion 608c extending to the right from the sheet metal holding portion 608b, a bearing portion 608d penetrating the right end of the rod portion 608c from front to back and into which the second shaft pin 610b of the unit cover 610 is inserted so as to be capable of relative rotation, and a drive gear portion 608e that is fan-shaped to the left on the same axis as the bearing portion 608d and engages with the movable gear portion 605d of the ball-transporting movable member 605.

The unit base 609 is formed in a box shape that opens to the rear, and has a ball delivery port 602 that penetrates from front to back at a central lower part of the front side. The unit base 609 cooperates with the unit cover 610 to form the ball delivery passage 603, and also holds the pre-launch sensor 604, the ball delivery movable member 605, the ball delivery solenoid 606, the ball delivery relay board 607, and the transmission member 608.

The unit base 609 has a knob portion 609a that is recessed downward near the center of the left-right direction on the top surface, and an elastic claw 609b that is provided in the lower right corner of the front surface. The knob portion 609a is formed so that an operator can grasp it from above, and is used when removing the ball throwing unit 600 upward from the main body frame base 401 of the main body frame 4. The elastic claw 609b is designed to engage with an engagement hole in the ball throwing unit attachment portion 401k when the ball throwing unit 600 is attached to the ball throwing unit attachment portion 401k of the main body frame base 401, so that it cannot be removed upward.

When removing the ball-sending unit 600 from the main frame base 401, the elastic claw 609b, which passes through the locking hole in the base wall portion 401b and faces forward, is pressed backward to cause elastic deformation, and the knob portion 609a on the top surface is grasped and pulled up, allowing the ball-sending unit to be removed upward from the ball-sending unit mounting portion 401k of the main frame base 401.

The unit cover 610 has a ball supply port 601 penetrating from the center to the upper right when viewed from the front. The unit cover 610 cooperates with the unit base 609 to form a ball transmission passage 603, and holds the launch front sensor 604, the ball transmission movable member 605, the ball transmission solenoid 606, the ball transmission relay board 607, and the transmission member 608. The unit cover 610 has a first shaft pin 610a and a second shaft pin 610b that protrude forward in a cylindrical shape near the lower left corner when viewed from the front. The first shaft pin 610a can be inserted into the bearing portion 605c of the ball transmission movable member 605 to rotatably support the ball transmission movable member 605. The second shaft pin 610b can be inserted into the bearing portion 608d of the transmission member 608 to rotatably support the transmission member 608.

In the assembled state of the ball-sending unit 600 of this embodiment, the first shaft pin 610a is inserted into the bearing portion 605c of the ball-sending movable member 605, and the second shaft pin 610b is inserted into the bearing portion 608d of the transmission member 608, and the movable gear portion 605d of the ball-sending movable member 605 and the drive gear portion 608e of the transmission member 608 are meshed with each other. In this state, the ball receiving portion 605a at the right end of the ball-sending movable member 605 is located in a portion extending vertically behind the ball-sending opening 602 in the ball-sending passage 603, and when the ball-sending movable member 605 rotates around the bearing portion 605c, the ball receiving portion 605a moves vertically in the portion extending vertically in the ball-sending passage 603.

In the normal state of the ball sending unit 600, the ball sending solenoid 606 is not energized (OFF). Therefore, the metal plate 608a of the transmission member 608 is in a state where it is separated downward from the magnetic pole part of the ball sending solenoid 606 by gravity. In this state, the lower surface of the ball receiving part 605a of the ball sending movable member 605 abuts against the bottom wall of the downstream end of the ball sending passage 603, the front end opening of the ball receiving part 605a coincides with the ball sending outlet 602, and the right end opening of the ball receiving part 605a does not coincide with the ball sending passage 603. Therefore, the game ball B that has flowed from upstream toward the ball receiving part 605a abuts against the upper part of the U-shaped part of the ball receiving part 605a and is not received by the ball receiving part 605a. Meanwhile, the game ball B received in the ball receiving portion 605a rolls forward due to the inclination of the bottom wall of the ball receiving portion 605a and is released forward from the ball discharge port 602.

In this normal state, when the ball-transmitting solenoid 606 is energized (ON), the magnetic force generated in the magnetic pole of the ball-transmitting solenoid 606 attracts the metal plate 608a of the transmission member 608 to the upper magnetic pole, causing the transmission member 608 to rotate in a clockwise direction around its bearing portion 608d. When the transmission member 608 rotates in a clockwise direction, the ball-transmitting movable member 605 rotates in a counterclockwise direction around its bearing portion 605c due to the movable gear portion 605d of the ball-transmitting movable member 605, which is engaged with the drive gear portion 608e of the transmission member 608, causing the ball-transmitting movable member 605 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction around its bearing portion 605c, causing the ball receiving portion 605a to move upward.

When the ball receiving portion 605a of the ball-transporting movable member 605 moves upward, the front end opening of the ball receiving portion 605a does not coincide with the ball-transporting port 602, and the right end opening of the ball receiving portion 605a coincides with the ball-transporting passage 603, and the game ball B is received by the ball receiving portion 605a from the ball-transporting passage 603. In this state, since the right end opening of the ball receiving portion 605a does not coincide with the ball-transporting port 602, the game ball B received by the ball receiving portion 605a does not roll forward and is not released from the ball-transporting port 602. In addition, since the ball receiving portion 605a is sized to accommodate only one game ball B, when one game ball B is received by the ball receiving portion 605a, the game ball B upstream of it is not received by the ball receiving portion 605a.

After that, when the power supply to the ball-transporting solenoid 606 is stopped (OFF), the magnetic pole of the ball-transporting solenoid 606 is released from the metal plate 608a of the transmission member 608. At this time, since the game ball B is received in the ball receiving portion 605a of the ball-transporting movable member 605, the ball-transporting movable member 605 rotates clockwise around its bearing portion 605c so that the ball receiving portion 605a moves downward due to the weight of the game ball B, and the transmission member 608 rotates counterclockwise around its bearing portion 608d via the drive gear portion 608e that is engaged with the movable gear portion 605d of the ball-transporting movable member 605, returning to the normal state.

When the ball sending unit 600 returns to its normal state, the front end opening of the ball receiving portion 605a of the ball sending movable member 605 coincides with the ball sending outlet 602, so that the game ball B received in the ball receiving portion 605a rolls forward and is released from the ball sending outlet 602 to the ball launching unit 450.

In this way, according to the ball sending unit 600 of this embodiment, the game balls B can be sent one by one to the ball launching unit 450 by turning the ball sending solenoid 606 ON and OFF.

[4-7. Ball receiving tray]
The ball receiving tray 620 in the main body frame 4 will be described mainly with reference to Figures 7, 8, 10, etc. The ball receiving tray 620 is provided below the circulating ball path unit 500, and is for receiving the game balls B discharged from the ball ejection port 513p of the circulating ball path unit 500. The ball receiving tray 620 is formed in a container shape that is open upward, and the bottom wall is inclined so that it becomes lower toward the front.

The ball receiving tray 620 is attached by being inserted from the front into the tray insertion recess 401f in the main body frame base 401. When the ball receiving tray 620 is attached to the main body frame base 401, it is locked by the locking claw 401n of the main body frame base 401 and will not slip out forward. To remove the ball receiving tray 620, the locking claw 401n is elastically deformed to the left, releasing the lock and allowing the ball receiving tray 620 to be pulled out forward.

When the ball receiving tray 620 is attached to the tray insertion recess 401f of the main frame base 401, the ball receiving tray 620 is moved backward from the front of the tray insertion recess 401f and inserted into the tray insertion recess 401f. At this time, since the front end of the locking claw 401n is inclined like an arrowhead, when the rear end of the ball receiving tray 620 abuts against the locking claw 401n from the front, the locking claw 401n is elastically deformed to the left due to the inclination of the arrowhead, and the ball receiving tray 620 can be inserted into the tray insertion recess 401f. Then, when the front end of the ball receiving tray 620 reaches the locking claw 401n and is no longer abutting against the front end of the locking claw 401n, the elastically deformed locking claw 401n returns to its original state, locking the front end of the ball receiving tray 620 and preventing the ball receiving tray 620 from sliding forward.

This ball receiving tray 620 is placed on the bottom wall of the tray insertion recess 401f, which is inclined so that the front end is lower. Therefore, when game balls B discharged from the ball removal port 513p of the circulating ball path unit 500 accumulate and become heavy, the ball receiving tray 620 attempts to slide forward due to the inclination of the bottom wall, but the sliding is prevented by the locking claws 401n. Then, when the locking claws 401n are released, the ball receiving tray 620 automatically slides forward due to the weight of the stored game balls B, and the ball receiving tray 620 can be easily removed from the tray insertion recess 401f.

[4-8. Frame board unit]
The frame board unit 630 in the main body frame 4 will be described mainly with reference to Figures 7 and 8. The frame control board 640, which will be described in detail later, is used to display the number of balls held on the ball number display unit 140, perform settlement processing by operating the counting button switch 180, control the ball launching unit 450, ball lifting unit 550, ball sending unit 600, etc., and manage (monitor) the game balls B in the circulating ball path unit 500, etc.

The frame board unit 630 is openably attached to the rear portion of the base wall portion 401b of the main body frame base 401 in the main body frame base unit 400. The frame board unit 630 includes a frame control board 640, a power supply board 650, an interface board 660, and a game ball lending device connection terminal board 665.

The frame board unit 630 also includes a unit base 670 that is attached to the rear of the main frame base unit 400 in an openable and closable manner, a frame control board box 671 that is attached to the rear of the unit base 670 and houses the frame control board 640, a power board box 672 that is attached between the frame control board box 671 and the unit base 670 and houses the power board 650, an interface board box 673 that is attached to the unit base 670 to the left of the frame control board box 671 when viewed from the front and houses the interface board 660 and the game ball lending device connection terminal board 665, and a nylac 674 for fixing the unit base 670 to the main frame base unit 400 so that it cannot be opened or closed.

Although not shown in the figure, the frame control board 640 includes a ROM that stores various processing programs and commands, a RAM for temporarily storing data, a CPU that executes the processing programs and commands, and the like.

The frame control board 640 has a RAM clear switch 641 for erasing information stored in the RAM, a ball removal switch 642 used to remove the enclosed game ball B from the ball removal port 513p of the circulating ball path unit 500 to the outside (ball receiving tray 620), and a ball number memory/display clear switch 643 for clearing the number of balls held by the player stored in the RAM etc. and clearing the display on the ball number display section 140 of the door frame 3 (see Figure 38).

The frame control board 640 is connected via two-way communication to the main control board 1310 (described later) provided on the game board 5, and is also connected via two-way communication to the game ball lending device connection terminal board 665. The frame control board 640 is connected to the game ball lending device 8 via the game ball lending device connection terminal board 665.

The frame control board 640 is connected to the door frame 3's ball count display unit 140, the launch stop switch 161, the handle touch sensor 162, the handle rotation sensor 163, and the count button switch 180.

The frame control board 640 is also connected to the door opening switch 407 of the main frame 4, the frame opening switch 408, the launch solenoid 453, the launch subtraction sensor 454, the out ball sensor 505, the safe ball sensor 506, the foul ball sensor 507, the circulating ball shortage sensor 521, the circulating ball excess sensor 522, the lifting inlet sensor 553, the lifting outlet sensor 554, the lifting motor 564, the lifting motor index sensor 566, the ball grinding motor 588, the launch front sensor 604, and the ball delivery solenoid 606.

The power supply board 650 is used to supply power of a specified voltage to the frame control board 640, main control board 1310, peripheral control board 1510, etc.

The interface board 660 is used to relay connections between the frame control board 640 and various relay boards provided on the door frame 3 side and the game board 5 side.

The game ball lending device connection terminal board 665 is used to relay the connection between the frame control board 640 and the game ball lending device 8.

The unit base 670 is elongated from side to side, with a hinge shaft 670a at its left end that is supported by the frame base unit shaft support 404d on the rear surface of the main body frame speaker box 404 of the main body frame base unit 400, and two Nylatches 674 attached to its right end with their operating parts 674a facing backwards.

The unit base 670 has a rear portion 670b that extends to the right from the left end by a length that is 1/4 of the overall length in the left-right direction in a plan view, a connecting portion 670c that extends forward a short distance from the right end of the rear portion 670b, and a front portion 670d that extends from the front end of the connecting portion 670c to the right end. As a result, the unit base 670 has a step in the front-to-rear direction between the rear portion 670b and the front portion 670d.

An interface board box 673 is removably attached to the rear side of the rear surface 670b of the unit base 670. Meanwhile, a power supply board box 672 is removably attached to the rear side of the front surface 670d of the unit base 670, and a frame control board box 671 is removably attached to the rear side of the power supply board box 672.

In the normal state (usage state) of the frame base unit 630 of this embodiment, the hinge shaft 670a provided at the left end of the unit base 670 is supported by the frame base unit support portion 404d of the main body frame base unit 400, and the Nylatch 674 attached to the right end of the unit base 670 is attached to the rear surface of the base wall portion 401b of the main body frame base 401. In this state, the frame base unit 630 covers the rear of the circulating ball path unit 500 and the ball lifting unit 550 attached to the rear side of the base wall portion 401b, making them inaccessible.

In addition, in the normal state, as shown in FIG. 10, the front portion 670d of the unit base 670 in the frame board unit 630, the power board box 672, and the frame control board box 671 are located above the box extension portion 404c in the main frame speaker box 404. At this time, since the front portion 670d and the power board box 672 are formed shorter vertically than the frame control board box 671, a space capable of accommodating wiring, etc. is formed between the power board box 672 and the box extension portion 404c.

When the operating part 674a of the Nylatch 674 is pulled backwards from the normal state to release the lock, the right end of the unit base 670 is released, and the frame base unit 630 can be opened backwards by rotating the hinge around the hinge shaft 670a on the left end. By opening this frame base unit 630 backwards, the circulating ball path unit 500 and ball lifting unit 550 attached to the rear side of the base wall part 401b are revealed, making it possible to approach them.

[4-9. Lock unit]
The lock unit 680 in the main body frame 4 will be described mainly with reference to Figures 7 and 8. The lock unit 680 is attached from the rear along the right edge of the main body frame base 401 in the main body frame base unit 400 when viewed from the front. The lock unit 680 is for locking between the outer frame 2 and the main body frame 4, and between the door frame 3 and the main body frame 4.

The lock unit 680 has a cylindrical lock cylinder 681 that passes through the cylinder insertion port 401m of the main frame base 401 from the rear and has its front end protruding forward, a keyhole 682 provided on the front end surface of the lock cylinder 681, a door frame lock claw 683 that unlocks the door frame 3 and main frame 4 when a key corresponding to the keyhole 682 is inserted and rotated in a specified direction, and an outer frame lock claw 684 that unlocks the main frame 4 and outer frame 2 when a key corresponding to the keyhole 682 is inserted and rotated in a direction determined from the above.

[5. Brief explanation of the game board]
The game board 5 of the pachinko machine 1 has the same board surface configuration as the game board 5A shown in FIG. 101 etc. described later, and will be briefly described here with reference to FIG. 3. The game board 5 has prize winning holes such as a general prize winning hole 2001, a first start hole 2003, a second start hole 2004, and a big prize winning hole 2005, which are provided with a special prize by receiving the game ball B, in a game area 5a into which the game ball B is shot, and the player operates a handle 160 so that the game ball B is received in the prize winning hole, and enjoys shooting the game ball B. The game board 5 is detachably attached from the front side to the game board insertion part 401a of the main body frame 4. The game board 5 is visible from the player side through the game window 101 of the door frame 3 when assembled in the pachinko machine 1, and has a game area 5a into which the game ball B is shot by the player operating the handle 160.

The game board 5 comprises a front component 1000 that defines the outer periphery of the game area 5a and has a generally rectangular external shape when viewed from the front, a plate-shaped game panel 1100 that is attached to the rear side of the front component 1000 and defines the rear end of the game area 5a, and a number of obstacle nails N (see Figure 84, etc.) that are planted in a predetermined gauge arrangement within the game area 5a on the front side of the game panel 1100 so as to be able to come into contact with the game ball B.

The front component 1000 of the game board 5 is formed entirely transparent. The front component 1000 has an outer shape of an approximately square in front view, an inner shape of an approximately circular shape penetrating in the front-rear direction, and the inner circumference of the inner shape defines the outer circumference of the game area 5a. The front component 1000 includes an outer rail 1001 that extends in an arc shape from the lower end on the left side of the center in the front view to the upper right diagonal direction in a clockwise circumferential direction, passing the upper end of the center in the front view to the upper right diagonal direction, an inner rail 1002 that is disposed inside the front component 1000 along the outer rail 1001 and extends in an arc shape from the lower center in the front view to the upper left diagonal direction in the front view, and an out guide portion 1003 that is formed at the lowest position of the game area 5a on the right side of the lower end of the inner rail 1002 in the front view and is inclined so as to become lower toward the rear.

The component 1000 also includes a lower right rail 1004 that slopes linearly from the right end of the out guide section 1003 when viewed from the front to near the right side of the component 1000, with the right end being slightly higher; a right rail 1005 that extends from the right end of the lower right rail 1004 along the right side of the component 1000 to below the upper end of the outer rail 1001, with the upper part curved inward of the component 1000; and a collision stop section 1006 that connects the upper end of the right rail 1005 to the upper end of the outer rail 1001 and comes into contact with the game ball B that rolls along the outer rail 1001.

The component 1000 is also provided with a backflow prevention member 1007 that is rotatably supported on the upper end of the inner rail 1002 and can rotate only between a closed position in which it extends upward from the upper end of the inner rail 1002 to close the gap with the outer rail 1001, and an open position in which it rotates clockwise when viewed from the front to open the gap with the outer rail 1001, and is biased by a spring (not shown) to return to the closed position.

Furthermore, the front component 1000 is provided with an outlet 1008 that penetrates from front to back at the rear end of the out guide section 1003, at the lower center in the left-right direction when viewed from the front within the frame. The game ball B received in the outlet 1008 is discharged downward from the game board 5 (to the out ball receiving port 500a of the circulating ball path unit 500) behind the game panel 1100 without being returned to the game area 5a.

The game board 5 is provided with a main control board 1310 that is located behind the game panel 1100 and controls the game content that is played by shooting the game ball B into the game area 5a, and a function display unit 1400 that displays the game status based on the control signal from the main control board 1310 and is attached to the upper left corner of the component 1000 so that it can be seen by the player.

The game board 5 also includes a peripheral control board 1510 provided behind the game panel 1100, a performance display device 1600 that is located behind the game panel 1100 in the center of the game area 5a when viewed from the front and is capable of displaying a predetermined performance image, a front unit 2000 that is attached to the front of the game panel 1100, and a back unit 3000 that is attached to the rear of the game panel 1100.

The game board 5 (front unit 2000) is equipped with a number of general winning openings 2001 that are always open and can receive the game balls B that have been shot into the game area 5a, a gate 2010 that is provided at a predetermined position within the game area 5a and through which the game balls B can pass, a first starting opening 2003 and a second starting opening 2004 that are provided at a predetermined position within the game area 5a and through which a first special pattern and a second special pattern are drawn by receiving the game balls B, and a large winning opening 2005 (see FIG. 115, etc.) that can receive the game balls B depending on the results of the drawing of the special patterns drawn by receiving the game balls B into the first starting opening 2003 or the second starting opening 2004.

The first starting opening 2003 is located directly above the outlet 1008, below the frame-shaped center device 2500 located in the center of the game area 5a. The second starting opening 2004 is located in the attacca unit 2400, and opens and closes to allow the game ball B to enter depending on the result of the lottery for the normal symbol drawn when the game ball B passes through the gate 2010.

The big prize slot 2005 is located in the attacca unit 2400, which is attached to the bottom right corner of the game area 5a.

The game board 5 also includes a general winning opening sensor 3001 that detects a game ball B received in the general winning opening 2001, a gate sensor 2011 that detects a game ball B passing through the gate 2010, a first starting opening sensor 2101 that detects a game ball B received in the first starting opening 2003, a second starting opening sensor 2401 that detects a game ball B received in the second starting opening 2004, and a large winning opening sensor 2402 that detects a game ball B received in the large winning opening 2005 (see FIG. 38).

A game ball B received in the general winning port 2001 is detected by the general winning port sensor 3001 behind the game panel 1100, and is then discharged from the game board 5 to the safe ball receiving port 500b in the circulating ball path unit 500 below. A game ball B received in the first starting port 2003 is detected by the first starting port sensor 2101 behind the game panel 1100, and is then discharged from the game board 5 to the safe ball receiving port 500b in the circulating ball path unit 500 below. A game ball B received in the second starting port 2004 is detected by the second starting port sensor 2401 behind the game panel 1100, and is then discharged from the game board 5 to the safe ball receiving port 500b in the circulating ball path unit 500 below. The game ball B received in the big prize opening 2005 is detected by the big prize opening sensor 2402 at the rear of the game panel 1100, and is then discharged from the game board 5 to the safe ball receiving opening 500b in the circulating ball path unit 500 below.

The main control board 1310 controls the game using the game ball B within the game area 5a of the pachinko machine 1. The main control board 1310 is connected to the frame control board 640 provided in the main body frame 4 via two-way communication, and is connected to the peripheral control board 1510 via one-way output signal only.

The main control board 1310 receives detection signals of game ball B from the general winning hole sensor 3001, gate sensor 2011, first start hole sensor 2101, second start hole sensor 2401, large winning hole sensor 2402, etc. The main control board 1310 also outputs drive signals to the start hole solenoid 2412 for opening and closing the second start hole 2004, the attacca solenoid 2414 for opening and closing the large winning hole 2005, etc.

When the game ball B received in the general winning port 2001 is detected by the general winning port sensor 3001, the main control board 1310 outputs a predetermined number of prize ball commands (for example, 10). This is no different from conventional pachinko machines, so there is no need to change the software of the main control board 1310. When this prize ball command is received, the frame control board 640 interprets it as a ball count addition signal. Also, when the game ball B received in the first starting port 2003 is detected by the first starting port sensor 2101, a predetermined number of prize ball commands (for example, 1) are output. Also, when the game ball B received in the second starting port 2004 is detected by the second starting port sensor 2401, a predetermined number of prize ball commands (for example, 1) are output. Furthermore, when the game ball B received in the large winning port 2005 is detected by the large winning port sensor 2402, a predetermined number of prize ball commands (for example, 10 or 13) are output.

In addition, the main control board 1310 outputs signals such as the results of the lottery for normal patterns and the lottery results for special patterns to the peripheral control board 1510.

The function display unit 1400 uses multiple LEDs based on signals from the main control board 1310 to display the game status (game situation), the results of the regular pattern lottery, the results of the special pattern lottery, etc.

Although detailed illustrations are omitted, the function display unit 1400 is equipped with a status indicator consisting of three LEDs that display the game status, a normal pattern display consisting of two LEDs that display the lottery results of the normal pattern drawn when game ball B passes through gate 2010, and a normal reserve display consisting of two LEDs that displays the number of reserved normal patterns drawn when game ball B passes through gate 2010.

The function display unit 1400 also includes a first special pattern display consisting of eight LEDs that displays the result of the drawing of the first special pattern drawn by the reception of the game ball B into the first starting port 2003, a first special reserved number display consisting of two LEDs that displays the reserved number related to the reception of the game ball B into the first starting port 2003, a second special pattern display consisting of eight LEDs that displays the result of the drawing of the second special pattern drawn by the reception of the game ball B into the second starting port 2004, and a second special reserved number display consisting of two LEDs that displays the reserved number related to the reception of the game ball B into the second starting port 2004.

Furthermore, the function display unit 1400 is equipped with a round display consisting of five LEDs that displays the number of times (number of rounds) the opening and closing pattern of the large prize opening 2005 is repeated when the lottery result for the special pattern (first special pattern or second special pattern) is a "win" or the like.

This functional display unit 1400 can display the number of reserved items, designs, etc., by turning on, off, blinking, etc. the LEDs provided as appropriate.

The peripheral control board 1510 is attached to the rear of the performance display device 1600. The peripheral control board 1510 causes the performance display device 1600 to display performance images and execute light-emitting performances, moving performances, etc. based on signals sent from the main control board 1310.

[6. Flow of the Game Ball]
Next, the flow of the game ball B in the pachinko machine 1 will be described mainly with reference to Figures 36 and 37. Figure 36 is an explanatory diagram showing various paths of the game ball on the rear side of the main body frame from the rear. Figure 37 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of the game ball in the main body frame.

In the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, when the player is not operating the handle 160, as shown in FIG. 37, a large number (for example, 40 to 60 balls) of circulating game balls B are stored in a portion of the main frame 4 below the game board 5. The circulation path R of the game balls B in the main frame 4 is provided with, in order from the upstream side, a foul unit 470, a circulating ball path unit 500, a ball lifting unit 550, a ball sending unit 600, and a ball launching unit 450. The circulation path R is composed of an out ball passage 501, a safe ball passage 502, a foul ball passage 503, a ball storage passage 504, a ball lifting inlet passage 551, a ball lifting outlet passage 552, etc.

The multiple sensors for detecting the game ball B circulating through the circulation path R are arranged in the following order from the upstream side: safe ball sensor 506, out ball sensor 505, foul ball sensor 507, excess circulating ball sensor 522, insufficient circulating ball sensor 521, lift inlet sensor 553, lift outlet sensor 554, pre-launch sensor 604, and launch subtraction sensor 454. Based on the signals from these various sensors, various control processes described below are executed in the frame control board 640.

When the player is not operating the handle 160, the safe ball sensor 506, the out ball sensor 505, the foul ball sensor 507, and the excess circulating ball sensor 522 are in an OFF (non-detecting) state, and the insufficient circulating ball sensor 521, the lift inlet sensor 553, the lift outlet sensor 554, the launch pre-sensor 604, and the launch subtraction sensor 454 are in an ON (detecting) state.

A large number of game balls B are stored in a line within the circulation path R in the main body frame 4. The leading ends of the numerous game balls B lined up in a line are located on the ball launch pad 452b of the launch unit cover 452 in the ball launch unit 450, and the trailing ends are located upstream of the ball removal shutter 515 within the range of the gauge section 520 in the ball storage passage 504 of the circulation ball path unit 500.

In the circulation path R, in the section between the upper end of the lifting spiral shaft 561 in the ball lifting unit 550 and the lifting outlet sensor 554, a specific number (e.g., 4 balls) of game balls B is lined up, which is less than a predetermined number (e.g., 5 balls) of game balls B lined up along the length of the line. This is to ensure that even if one game ball B is lifted when the lifting spiral shaft 561 is returned to its origin, there is enough space to receive the lifted game ball B.

In addition, in the circulation path R, a predetermined number (e.g., 10) of sensors are lined up between the pre-launch sensor 604 and the lifting exit sensor 554. This makes it possible to prevent the game balls B from running out of balls to be launched before they are lifted and replenished by the rotation of the lifting spiral shaft 561, even if the game balls B continue to be launched in the ball launching unit 450 after the detection of the game balls B in the lifting exit sensor 554 has turned OFF (non-detection).

When the player operates the handle 160 to activate the launch solenoid 453 of the ball launch unit 450, the game ball B placed on the ball launch pad 452b in the launch unit cover 452 is launched, and the launch subtraction sensor 454 detects the game ball B as not detected (OFF). This subtracts one ball from the number of balls the player has (held ball subtraction process described below). After that, electricity is applied to the ball sending solenoid 606 of the ball sending unit 600 for a predetermined period of time, the ball receiving portion 605a of the ball sending movable member 605 moves up and down, one game ball B is placed on the ball launch pad 452b, and the launch subtraction sensor 454 goes into a detection (ON) state.

When the player operates the handle 160 to launch game balls B one by one, the number of game balls B stored between the pre-launch sensor 604 and the upper end of the lifting spiral shaft 561 (ball lifting exit passage 552) decreases by one, and eventually the lifting exit sensor 554 detects no game balls B (OFF). Then, when a predetermined number of game balls B (e.g., three) are launched after the lifting exit sensor 554 becomes non-detecting, the lifting motor 564 of the ball lifting unit 550 starts rotating the lifting spiral shaft 561, which rotates three times to supply three game balls B to the ball lifting exit passage 552, and then stops (lifting motor operation process described below).

When the lifting motor 564 rotates the lifting spiral shaft 561, the game ball B located at the downstream end of the ball lifting entrance passage 551 moves upward toward the lower end of the lifting spiral shaft 561. This causes the numerous game balls B lined up in the ball lifting entrance passage 551 and the ball storage passage 504 to flow downstream, and the number of game balls B stored in the ball storage passage 504 decreases.

The game ball B launched from the ball launching unit 450 and shot into the game area 5a of the game board 5 is received by either the out port 1008 or the winning port (general winning port 2001, first starting port 2003, second starting port 2004, large winning port 2005). The game ball B received by the out port 1008 of the game board 5 is discharged downward from the game board 5 and handed over to the out ball receiving port 500a of the circulating ball path unit 500. The game ball B handed over to the out ball receiving port 500a passes through the out ball passage 501, is detected by the out ball sensor 505, and is sent to the ball storage passage 504.

On the other hand, the game ball B received in the winning port of the game board 5 is discharged downward from the game board 5 and handed over to the safe ball receiving port 500b of the circulating ball path unit 500. The game ball B handed over to the safe ball receiving port 500b passes through the safe ball passage 502 and is detected by the safe ball sensor 506, and is sent to the ball storage passage 504.

When game ball B is detected by the out ball sensor 505, the number of out balls is counted, and when game ball B is detected by the safe ball sensor 506, the number of safe balls is counted. This makes it possible to calculate an accurate ball payout rate for game ball B. The calculated ball payout rate is displayed on a display unit (not shown) provided on the main control board 1310. This ball payout rate changes depending on the game status, so it is calculated as the ball payout rate within a specified period (for example, per unit time, per specified time, per day, etc.) as "(number of balls added due to winning within a specified period - number of safe balls within a specified period) ÷ number of out balls within a specified period = ball payout rate within a specified period".

However, game ball B that was launched from the ball launching unit 450 (ball launching pad 452b) but did not land in the game area 5a of the game board 5 is collected by the foul unit 470 as a foul ball and then handed over to the foul ball receiving port 500c of the circulating ball path unit 500. The game ball B handed over to the foul ball receiving port 500c then flows through the foul ball path 503, where it is detected by the foul ball sensor 507 and sent to the ball storage path 504. When game ball B is detected by the foul ball sensor 507, the number of balls held by the player is increased by one (ball addition process described below).

In this way, in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, the game ball B is sealed inside without being discharged to the outside or supplied from the outside, and as it circulates inside, the player does not come into contact with the game ball B.

[7. Various control processes]
Next, various control processes in the frame control board 640 in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 38 to 49. Fig. 38 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the pachinko machine. Fig. 39 is a flowchart showing the launch permission process. Fig. 40 is a flowchart showing the ball subtraction process, and Fig. 41 is a flowchart showing the ball addition process by foul balls. Fig. 42 is a flowchart showing the launch control process. Fig. 43 is a flowchart showing the prize ball process. Fig. 44 is a flowchart showing the lifting motor operation process, Fig. 45 is a table showing the relationship between the lifting inlet sensor and the lifting outlet sensor and the operation of the lifting motor, and Fig. 46 is a graph showing the relationship between the launching operation of the game ball and the operation of the ball lifting unit. Fig. 47 is a graph showing the operation of the ball lifting mechanism in the ball lifting unit. Fig. 48(a) is a flowchart showing the security process, and Fig. 48(b) is a flowchart showing the security process of an embodiment different from (a). Fig. 49 is a table showing the relationship between the circulating ball shortage sensor and the circulating ball excess sensor and the error notification. In addition, in FIG. 38, some of the electronic components such as sensors, solenoids, motors, LEDs, etc. connected to the main control board 1310 and the peripheral control board 1510 are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 38, the main control configuration of the pachinko machine 1 is made up of a frame control board 640 attached to the main frame 4, and a main control board 1310 and a peripheral control board 1510 attached to the game board 5. The frame control board 640 mainly performs control processing for the launch and circulation of game balls B, the number of balls held, etc. The main control board 1310 mainly performs control processing for the game. The peripheral control board 1510 mainly performs control processing for the presentation.

Signals are input to the frame control board 640 from the launch stop switch 161, handle touch sensor 162, handle rotation sensor 163, counting button switch 180, door open switch 407, frame open switch 408, launch subtraction sensor 454, out ball sensor 505, safe ball sensor 506, foul ball sensor 507, circulating ball shortage sensor 521, circulating ball excess sensor 522, lifting inlet sensor 553, lifting outlet sensor 554, lifting motor index sensor 566, launch front sensor 604, RAM clear switch 641, ball removal switch 642, ball count memory/display clear switch 643, etc.

The frame control board 640 also outputs signals to the ball count display unit 140, the launch solenoid 453, the lifting motor 564, the ball motor 588, the ball delivery solenoid 606, etc.

Furthermore, the frame control board 640 receives signals from the game ball lending device 8 via the game ball lending device connection terminal board 665, and outputs signals. The frame control board 640 also receives signals from the main control board 1310, and outputs signals.

Signals are input to the main control board 1310 from the general prize opening sensor 3001, the gate sensor 2011, the first start opening sensor 2101, the second start opening sensor 2401, the large prize opening sensor 2402, etc. The main control board 1310 also outputs signals to the start opening solenoid 2412, the attacca solenoid 2414, the peripheral control board 1510, etc.

The game ball lending device 8 is provided outside the pachinko machine 1, and outputs signals to the management server 9 via the communication network. Signals are input to the game ball lending device 8 from the ball lending button switch 8a, the return button switch, the frame control board 640, etc. The game ball lending device 8 also outputs signals to the display unit, the frame control board 640, etc.

[7-1. Launch permission processing]
The launch permission process will be described with reference to Fig. 39. The launch permission process is a process for determining whether or not the game ball B should be launched. When the launch permission process is started, first in step S101, it is confirmed whether or not the player is touching the handle 160, and if the player touches the handle 160 and the handle touch sensor 162 is ON (YES), the process proceeds to the next step S102. If the handle touch sensor 162 is OFF in step S101 (NO), the process proceeds to step S107, where the frame control launch permission signal is turned OFF and the process ends.

In step S102, it is confirmed whether the firing stop switch 161 is OFF or not, and if the firing stop switch 161 is OFF, the process proceeds to the next step S103 as YES. On the other hand, if the firing stop switch 161 is OFF in step S102, the process proceeds to step S107 as NO, the frame control firing permission signal is turned OFF, and the process ends.

In step S103, it is confirmed whether the frame control board 640 is connected to the game ball lending device 8 via the game ball lending device connection terminal board 665, and if it is connected to the game ball lending device 8, the process proceeds to the next step S104 as YES. On the other hand, if the connection to the game ball lending device 8 is not confirmed in step S103, the process proceeds to step S107 as NO, and the frame control launch permission signal is turned OFF to end the process.

In step S104, the presence or absence of main control launch permission from the main control board 1310 is confirmed, and if main control launch permission is present, the process proceeds to the next step S105 as YES. On the other hand, if main control launch permission is not present in step S104, the process proceeds to step S107 as NO, the frame control launch permission signal is turned OFF, and the process ends.

In step S105, it is confirmed whether the number of balls held by the player is greater than 0, and if the number of balls held is greater than 0, the process proceeds to the next step S106 as YES, the frame control firing permission signal is turned ON, and the process ends. On the other hand, if the number of balls held is less than 0 in step S105 (the number of balls held is 0), the process proceeds to step S107 as NO, the frame control firing permission signal is turned OFF, and the process ends.

In this way, the launch permission process allows the launch of game ball B, and when the player rotates the handle 160 in this state, the launch solenoid 453 is driven with a strength according to the angle of rotation, and game ball B is launched from the ball launch unit 450. When the launch solenoid 453 is driven, the launch control process described below is executed.

[7-2. Ball subtraction processing]
The ball subtraction process will be described with reference to FIG. 40. The ball subtraction process is a process for subtracting the number of balls held by a player by launching a game ball B. In the ball subtraction process, first, in step S111, it is determined whether the launch subtraction sensor 454 of the ball launching unit 450 has changed from an ON state to an OFF state. When the game ball B is placed on the ball launching stand 452b of the ball launching unit 450, the launch subtraction sensor 454 detects the game ball B and is in an ON state. From this state, when the launching solenoid 453 is driven to cause the launching hammer 455 to strike the game ball B on the ball launching stand 452b and launch the game ball B, the launch subtraction sensor 454 becomes non-detecting and is in an OFF state.

Then, in step S111, when game ball B is launched and the launch subtraction sensor 454 changes from ON to OFF, the process proceeds to the next step S112 as YES, the number of balls held is subtracted by one, and the process ends.

On the other hand, in step S111, if the shot subtraction sensor 454 does not change from ON to OFF and remains ON, the result is NO and the process ends without subtracting the number of balls held.

In this way, when game ball B is launched from ball launching unit 450 through the ball subtraction process, the number of balls the player has is reduced by one.

[7-3. Ball addition process]
The ball count addition process due to fouls will be described with reference to Fig. 41. When a game ball B is launched from the ball launching unit 450, the number of balls the player has is subtracted by the ball count subtraction process. However, if the launched game ball B is not shot into the game area 5a of the game board 5, the game is not played with that game ball B, and the player's interest is reduced if the number of balls remains subtracted. Therefore, in the ball count addition process, the game ball B (foul ball) that was not shot into the game area 5a is added to the number of balls the player has.

In step S121, the ball count addition process determines whether the foul ball sensor 507 of the circulating ball path unit 500 has turned from OFF to ON by detecting game ball B (foul ball). If the foul ball sensor 507 turns ON, the process proceeds to the next step S122 as YES, and the number of balls held is added by one, and the process ends.

On the other hand, if in step S121 the foul ball sensor 507 does not turn ON and remains OFF, the result is NO and the process ends without incrementing the number of balls held.

In this way, the ball count addition process makes it possible to avoid putting the player at a disadvantage by adding foul balls to the number of balls in hand when game ball B is not shot into the game area 5a of the game board 5 despite being launched from the ball launching unit 450.

[7-4. Launch control processing]
The launch control process will be described with reference to Fig. 42 etc. The launch control process is for determining whether or not to actually launch the game ball B by driving the launch solenoid 453 after the player rotates the handle 160 after the frame control launch permission signal has been turned ON in the launch permission process. The launch control process first determines whether or not frame control launch permission is present (ON/OFF) in step S131, and if frame control launch permission is present (ON), the process proceeds to the next step S132 as YES. On the other hand, if frame control launch permission is not present (OFF) in step S131, the process ends as NO without driving the launch solenoid 453.

In step S132, it is determined whether the launch subtraction sensor 454 is ON or not, and if the launch subtraction sensor 454 is ON (there is game ball B on the ball launch pad 452b), the process proceeds to the next step S133 as YES, the launch solenoid 453 is turned ON, and game ball B is struck with a strength according to the rotation angle of the handle 160, and the process ends.

On the other hand, in step S132, if the launch subtraction sensor 454 is not ON (OFF), the process proceeds to the next step S134 as NO. If the launch subtraction sensor 454 is OFF, since the game ball B is not placed on the ball launch pad 452b, the process from step S134 onwards is carried out.

In step S134, it is determined whether the pre-launch sensor 604 is ON or not. If the pre-launch sensor 604 is not ON (if game ball B is not detected), the process proceeds to the next step S135 as NO, an error display indicating "out of balls to be fired" is turned ON, and the process returns to step S134, and is repeated until the pre-launch sensor 604 is turned ON. The error display is displayed, for example, on the display screen of the performance display device.

The error may be indicated by lighting a warning lamp or by displaying an image on the performance display device. Alternatively, an error signal may be output to the hall computer (Holcon) of the amusement hall via the game ball lending device 8, causing a warning lamp provided in the amusement hall to light up.

In this step S134, if the launch-preceding sensor 604 detects game ball B and is ON, the process proceeds to the next step S136 as YES, and the ball-transporting solenoid 606 is turned ON (energized) to move the ball-transporting movable member 605. As a result, the game ball B detected by the launch-preceding sensor 604 is delivered to the ball receiving portion 605a of the ball-transporting movable member 605, and when the ball-transporting solenoid 606 turns OFF after a predetermined short time, the game ball B delivered to the ball receiving portion 605a is supplied to the ball launch pad 452b. At this time, if there is a game ball B upstream (ball lifting exit passage 552) of the game ball B sent to the ball launch pad 452b by the ball-transporting movable member 605, that game ball B moves downstream and the launch-preceding sensor 604 turns ON.

In step S136, when the ball delivery solenoid 606 is turned ON, the process proceeds to the next step S137, where it is again determined whether the launch subtraction sensor 454 is ON. If the launch subtraction sensor 454 is not ON, the process returns to step S134 as NO, and the above flow is repeated until the launch subtraction sensor 454 is turned ON.

If the firing subtraction sensor 454 is ON in step S137, the process proceeds to the next step S138 as YES, the "out of firing balls" error display is turned OFF, and then the process proceeds to step S133, where the firing solenoid 453 is turned ON, and the game ball B is struck with a strength corresponding to the rotation angle of the handle 160, and the process ends.

In this way, the launch control process can confirm that game ball B is placed on ball launch pad 452b in ball launch unit 450, and then launch game ball B.

[7-5. Handling of prize balls]
The prize ball process will be described with reference to Fig. 43. In the prize ball process, when a game ball B is received in a prize hole such as the general prize hole 2001, the first start hole 2003, the second start hole 2004, the big prize hole 2005, etc. provided on the game board 5, a predetermined number of prize balls corresponding to the prize hole are awarded as a privilege, and the prize balls are added to the number of balls held by the player.

In the prize ball processing, when game ball B is received in a winning port on the game board 5 and a signal (prize ball signal) output from the main control board 1310 is input to the frame control board 640, the input prize ball signal is analyzed in step S141. The prize ball signal output from the main control board 1310 may be the number of prize balls or the type of winning port into which game ball B is received.

Then, when the prize ball signal is analyzed in step S141, the number of prize balls corresponding to the analyzed prize ball signal is added to the number of balls held by the player in the following step S142, and the process ends.

In this way, the prize ball processing can add the number of game balls B (number of prize balls) corresponding to the winning slot into which game ball B entered on game board 5 to the number of balls waiting for the player.

[7-6. Lifting motor operation processing]
The lifting motor operation process will be described with reference to Figures 44 to 47. In the lifting motor operation process, when the game balls B in the ball lifting outlet passage 552 decrease due to the game balls B being launched by the ball launching unit 450, the game balls B in the ball lifting inlet passage 551 are lifted by the rotation of the lifting spiral shaft 561 of the ball lifting unit 550 and supplied to the ball lifting outlet passage 552.

The lifting motor operation process first clears retry counter 1 in step S201 and proceeds to the next step S202. In step S202, it is determined whether the lifting motor index sensor 566 for detecting the lifting motor index 565 attached to the lower end of the lifting spiral shaft 561 in the ball lifting mechanism 560 of the ball lifting unit 550 is ON.

The lifting motor index 565 has a detection section 565a that is provided by cutting out a portion of the circumference of a disk (flange-shaped), and when the detection section 565a of the lifting motor index 565 is positioned at the lifting motor index sensor 566 due to the rotation of the lifting spiral shaft 561, the lifting motor index sensor 566 turns ON, and the lifting motor index sensor 566 turns OFF in areas other than the detection section 565a.

If the lift motor index sensor 566 is ON in step S202, the process proceeds to the next step S203 as YES, where it is determined whether the lift exit sensor 554 has been ON for 80 ms or more. If it is determined in step S203 that the lift exit sensor 554 has not been ON for 80 ms or more (the lift exit sensor 554 is OFF), the process proceeds to the next step S204 as NO.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S203 that the lifting outlet sensor 554 has been ON for 80 ms or more, the process returns to step S203 as a YES and is repeated until the lifting outlet sensor 554 is no longer ON for 80 ms or more (until the lifting outlet sensor 554 turns OFF). In other words, the process is repeated until the rear end of the row of multiple game balls B in the ball lifting outlet passage 552 is reduced by the launch of the game balls B and becomes downstream of the lifting outlet sensor 554, and when the lifting outlet sensor 554 turns OFF, the process proceeds to step S204.

In step S204, it is determined whether the lifting inlet sensor 553 has been ON for 80 ms or more. If it is determined that the lifting inlet sensor 553 has not been ON for 80 ms or more (the lifting inlet sensor 553 is OFF), the process proceeds to step S205 as NO, the error display indicating "Lifting inlet bulb out" is turned ON, and the process returns to step S204. This makes it possible to notify of bulb outage in the bulb lifting inlet passage 551 and prompt the user to resolve the bulb outage.

If it is determined in step S204 that the lifting inlet sensor 553 has been ON for 80 ms or more, the process proceeds to the next step S206 as YES, and the error display indicating "Lifting inlet ball out" is turned OFF. After that, in the following step S207, after 1800 ms has elapsed, the lifting motor 564 is started to operate and the lifting spiral shaft 561 is rotated. This starts the lifting of the game ball B in the ball lifting inlet passage 551. The lifting spiral shaft 561 ejects one game ball B with each rotation.

Here, in other words, as shown in FIG. 46, the lifting motor 564 starts to operate when the lifting inlet sensor 553 is ON (continuously ON) for 80 ms or more, the lifting motor 564 is stopped, the lifting outlet sensor 554 is ON (continuously ON) for 80 ms or more, and the launch front sensor 604 is ON (continuously ON) for 80 ms or more. In this state, the game ball B is continuously launched at a predetermined time interval (here, 600 ms) by operating the handle 160. Then, when the lifting outlet sensor 554 turns OFF, the lifting motor 564 starts to operate after t1 time (here, 1800 ms) has elapsed, and the game ball B starts to be discharged (lifting device ball discharge) from the upper end of the lifting spiral shaft 561 to the ball lifting outlet passage 552 side.

In this embodiment, when three game balls B have been launched after the lifting outlet sensor 554 turns OFF, the lifting motor 564 is activated and the lifting spiral shaft 561 starts to rotate. The time interval at which game balls B are ejected by the rotation of the lifting spiral shaft 561 is set to be shorter than the time interval at which game balls B are continuously launched. This ensures that the supply of game balls B to the ball launching unit 450 will not be unable to keep up with the launch of game balls B.

The ball polishing motor 588 provided in the ball lifting unit 550 is controlled independently of the operation of the lifting motor 564, as shown in FIG. 46, and operates to move the polishing cloth 582 0.17 mm every time 1,000 game balls B are shot.

As shown in FIG. 45, this lifting motor 564 will not operate and will be stopped unless the lifting inlet sensor 553 is ON and the lifting outlet sensor 554 is OFF.

Returning to the explanation of the lift motor operation process, when the lift motor 564 starts to operate in step S207, the retry counter 2 is cleared in the following step S208, and it is determined in the following step S209 whether the lift motor index 565 (lift motor index sensor 566) has turned ON again within 600 ms after turning OFF.

If it is determined in step S209 that the lifting motor index 565 has turned ON again within 600 ms after it was turned OFF (the lifting spiral shaft 561 is rotating), the process proceeds to the next step S210 as YES and determines whether the lifting outlet sensor 554 has been ON for 80 ms or more. If it has not been ON, the process returns to step S208 as NO and the operation of the lifting motor 564 continues.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S210 that the lifting outlet sensor 554 has been ON for 80 ms or more, the process proceeds to the next step S211 as YES, the lifting motor 564 is stopped at the third detection position of the detection unit 565a of the lifting motor index 565, and the process returns to step S201 to repeat the lifting motor operation process.

That is, as shown in FIG. 46 and FIG. 47, the lift motor 564 stops when the lift motor index 565 rotates for the third time to be unshaded (the lift motor index sensor 566 is ON by the detection unit 565a) after the lift outlet sensor 554 is ON (continuous ON). At this time, the lift spiral shaft 561, which rotates together with the lift motor index 565, discharges one game ball B per rotation to the ball lift outlet passage 552 side (lift device ball discharge), so that three game balls B are discharged between the time the lift outlet sensor 554 turns ON and the time the lift motor 564 stops. In other words, when the lift outlet sensor 554 turns ON, three game balls B are discharged to the ball lift outlet passage 552 side and the lift motor 564 stops. As a result, a sufficient number of game balls B are stored in the ball lift outlet passage 552. In addition, to ensure that the lifting motor origin return process described below is carried out smoothly, the ball lifting outlet passage 552 is never filled with game balls B, but rather a certain number of balls are left empty.

In this lift motor operation process, if it is determined in step S202 that the lift motor index 565 is not ON (the lift motor index sensor 566 is OFF), the process proceeds to the next step S212 as NO, and it is determined whether the retry counter 1 is less than 3.

If retry counter 1 is less than 3 in step S212, the answer is YES and the lift motor origin return process is executed in the next step S213, and then retry counter 1 is incremented by "1" in step S214 and the process returns to step S202.

In the lift motor origin return process of step S213, when the lift motor index sensor 566 is OFF, the lift motor 564 is operated to rotate the lift motor index 565 together with the lift spiral shaft 561, and when the lift motor index sensor 566 is OFF and reaches the detection unit 565a, it turns ON. After that, the lift motor 564 rotates twice and stops, and the lift motor 564 (lift motor index 565) returns to the origin.

In more detail, the lifting motor index 565 (lifting spiral shaft 561) is configured to rotate once for every 32 rotations of the lifting motor 564 due to the gear ratio between the shaft gear 562 and the motor gear 563. The circumferential length of the detection part 565a of the lifting motor index 565 is formed to be a length for four rotations of the lifting motor 564, so the position where the lifting motor 564 stops after two rotations after the lifting motor index sensor 566 is turned ON is located at the center of the detection part 565a. In other words, the center of the detection part 565a of the lifting motor index 565 is set as the origin of the lifting motor 564 (lifting spiral shaft 561, lifting motor index 565) (see FIG. 47).

When the lifting motor origin return process is executed, the lifting spiral shaft 561 rotates approximately once, and one game ball B is ejected into the ball lifting outlet passage 552. However, since the ball lifting outlet passage 552 has a predetermined number of spaces available for accommodating game balls B, the ejection of game balls B from the lifting spiral shaft 561 is not impeded, and the lifting motor 564 can be returned to the origin.

If it is determined in step S212 above that retry counter 1 is not less than 3, the process proceeds to step S215 as NO, the error display indicating "lifting ball jamming error" is turned ON, and operation is stopped in the following step S216. The condition for canceling this operation stop can be released by turning on and off a power switch (not shown) provided on the power supply board 650 in the main body frame 4.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S209 above that the lifting motor index 565 has not been turned ON again within 600 ms after it was turned OFF (the lifting spiral shaft 561 is not rotating), it is set to ON and the process proceeds to step S217, where it is determined whether the retry counter 2 is less than 3. If it is determined that the retry counter 2 is not less than 3, it is set to NO and the process proceeds to step S215, where the error display indicating a "lifting ball jamming error" is turned ON, and operation is stopped in the following step S216.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S217 that retry counter 2 is less than 3, the result is YES and the ball jamming release process is executed in the next step S218, and in the following step S219, "1" is added to retry counter 2 and the process returns to step S209.

The ball jamming release process in step S218 stops the lift motor 564 without monitoring the ON/OFF state of the lift outlet sensor 554, then rotates the lift motor 564 in the reverse direction, stops the lift motor 564 after a predetermined time (e.g., 100 ms), and operates the lift motor 564 again (forward rotation).

In this way, when the game ball B is launched by the lifting motor operation process, decreasing the number of game balls B in the ball lifting exit passage 552, the lifting motor 564 is operated to rotate the lifting spiral shaft 561, lifting the game ball B in the ball lifting entrance passage 551 from the lower end and ejecting it from the upper end to supply it to the ball lifting exit passage 552.

Note that the operating time of the lifting motor 564 and the number of game balls B ejected described above are merely examples, and may be any appropriate time or number.

[7-7. Security Processing]
The security process will be described with reference to Fig. 48 etc. The purpose of the security process is to monitor whether or not there is any fraudulent activity. As shown in Fig. 48(a), the security process clears the contradiction counter in step S301, and in the following step S302, calculates the number of balls retrieved within a specified time in the circulating ball path unit 500. The number of retrieved balls is calculated as the sum of the number of out balls, the number of safe balls and the number of foul balls.

After the number of recovered balls is calculated in step S302, the process proceeds to the next step S303, where it is determined whether the number of shot balls measured by the shot subtraction sensor 454 is the same as the number of recovered balls, and if it is determined that they are the same, the process returns to step S302 as a YES result. On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of shot balls is not the same as the number of recovered balls, the process proceeds to the next step S304 as a NO result, where "1" is added to the discrepancy counter, and the process proceeds to the following step S305.

In step S305, it is determined whether the contradiction counter is greater than n (e.g., 50), and if it is determined that the contradiction counter is less than n, the process returns to step S302 as NO. On the other hand, if it is determined that the contradiction counter is greater than n, the process proceeds to the next step S306 as YES, and an error display indicating that fraud is occurring is turned ON, and then in the following step S307, a game stop process is executed to end the process.

The error display in step S306 can be cleared by turning on and off the power switch (not shown) provided on the power supply board 650 in the main body frame 4.

The game stop processing in step S307 includes stopping the launch of game ball B by the ball launching unit 450, stopping the lifting of game ball B by the ball lifting unit 550 (stopping circulation), stopping the game on the main control board 1310 side, etc.

The security process may be as shown in FIG. 48(b). In this security process, first, in step S311, the discrepancy counter is cleared, and in the following step S312, it is determined whether the number of shot balls detected by the shot subtraction sensor 454 is equal to or greater than the number of foul balls detected by the foul ball sensor 507.

If it is determined in step S312 that the number of balls shot is equal to or greater than the number of foul balls, the process returns to step S312 as YES. On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of balls shot is not equal to or greater than the number of foul balls, the process proceeds to the next step S313 as NO, increments the contradiction counter by 1, and proceeds to the next step S314.

In step S314, it is determined whether the contradiction counter is greater than n (e.g., 50), and if it is determined that the contradiction counter is less than n, the process returns to step S312 as NO. On the other hand, if it is determined that the contradiction counter is greater than n, the process proceeds to the next step S315 as YES, and an error display indicating that fraud is occurring is turned ON, and then in the following step S316, a game stop process is executed to end the process.

The error display in step S315 can be cleared by turning on and off the power switch (not shown) provided on the power supply board 650 in the main body frame 4.

The game stop processing in step S316 includes stopping the launch of game ball B by the ball launching unit 450, stopping the lifting of game ball B by the ball lifting unit 550 (stopping circulation), stopping the game on the main control board 1310 side, etc.

In this way, it is possible to determine whether or not there has been any cheating based on the number of balls fired, the number of game balls B discharged from the game board 5 (number of recovered balls), the number of foul balls, etc.

[7-8. Enclosed ball amount detection process]
The enclosed ball amount detection process will be described with reference to FIG. 49 etc. The enclosed ball amount detection process detects whether the amount (number) of enclosed game balls B is appropriate or not. The enclosed ball amount detection process determines whether the amount of game balls B is appropriate or not by combining the ON/OFF of the circulating ball shortage sensor 521 and the ON/OFF of the circulating ball excess sensor 522. The circulating ball shortage sensor 521 and the circulating ball excess sensor 522 are ON when the detection of game balls B continues for a predetermined time (e.g., 80 ms) or more.

Specifically, in the ball storage passage 504 of the circulating ball path unit 500, which is upstream of the ball lifting inlet passage 551 in the ball lifting unit 550, when the rearmost end of a line of game balls B is located between the under-circulating ball sensor 521 and the over-circulating ball sensor 522, the under-circulating ball sensor 521 turns ON and the over-circulating ball sensor 522 turns OFF. In such a combination, the amount of game balls B is determined to be appropriate, and no related error is reported.

On the other hand, if the rearmost part of the game balls B lined up in a row in the ball storage passage 504 is located downstream of the low circulating ball sensor 521, the low circulating ball sensor 521 will be OFF and the excess circulating ball sensor 522 will be OFF. In such a combination, it is determined that the amount of game balls B is too few, and an error message is displayed informing the user that there are "too few game balls."

In addition, if the rearmost end of game balls B lined up in a row in ball storage passage 504 is located upstream of circulating ball excess sensor 522, beyond circulating ball shortage sensor 521 and circulating ball excess sensor 522, then circulating ball shortage sensor 521 will be ON and circulating ball excess sensor 522 will be ON. In such a combination, it is determined that there is an excess amount of game balls B, and an error message is displayed indicating that there are "excess game balls."

Depending on the environment (game hall) in which the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment is installed, it may be installed together with a pachinko machine that uses conventional iron balls SB as game balls, and there is a risk that iron balls SB may become mixed in when the game balls B are refilled or replaced during maintenance of the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment. If iron balls SB become mixed in with this pachinko machine 1, the strong magnet 516 is provided on the ball removal shutter 515 of the ball storage passage 504 in the circulation route R, and the mixed iron balls B are magnetically attracted by the magnet 516 and come to a stop on the ball removal shutter 515.

When the iron ball SB is magnetically attached to the ball ejection shutter 515 and the ball launching unit 450 continues to launch game balls B, the game balls B downstream of the ball ejection shutter 515 in the ball storage passage 504 are lifted by the ball lifting unit 550 and reduced, and eventually the circulating ball shortage sensor 521 turns OFF. Meanwhile, the game balls B launched from the ball launching unit 450 are collected by the out ball receiving port 500a and safe ball receiving port 500b of the circulating ball path unit 500, the foul unit 470, etc., and supplied to the upstream side of the ball storage passage 504, where they accumulate upstream of the ball ejection shutter 515 (iron ball SB), and eventually the circulating ball excess sensor 522 turns ON. In this way, when the circulating ball shortage sensor 521 is OFF and the circulating ball excess sensor 522 is ON, it is determined that the iron ball SB is magnetically attached to the ball removal shutter 515, and an error message is issued indicating that an "iron ball has been mixed in."

If ball jamming occurs between the low circulating ball sensor 521 and the high circulating ball sensor 522, an error message will be displayed indicating that "iron balls have been mixed in" since the combination will be the same as above.

Also, the error may be notified by lighting a notification lamp or by displaying an image on the performance display device. Alternatively, an error signal may be output to the hall computer (Holcon) of the amusement hall via the game ball lending device 8, and a notification lamp provided on the amusement hall side may be lighted.

In this way, the enclosed ball amount detection process makes it possible to appropriately manage the amount of enclosed game balls B and detect the presence of iron balls SB.

[7-9. Ball removal processing]
The ball removal process will be described. The ball removal process is executed in the circulating ball path unit 500 when the ball removal shutter 515 opens the ball removal port 513p to remove the game ball B to the ball receiving tray 620. The ball removal process is executed by opening the door frame 3 relative to the main body frame 4, turning off the door opening switch 407, pulling the ball removal shutter 515 forward to open the ball removal port 513p, and turning on the ball removal switch 642 provided on the frame control board 640.

During the ball removal process, the lifting inlet sensor 553 is disabled on/off, the launch solenoid 453 in the ball launching unit 450 repeatedly turns on/off at a predetermined time interval, and the lifting motor 564 remains in an operating state.

At this time, even if the launch solenoid 453 is turned ON and game ball B is launched, the door frame 3 is open, so the foul shutter 471 is in the closed position, and the game ball B is sent to the circulating ball path unit 500 as a foul ball without being shot out from the foul unit 470.

Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed, or when the power switch on the power supply board 650 is turned OFF, the ball removal process ends.

In this way, the enclosed game ball B can be removed by the ball removal process. When inserting a game ball B, it is possible to insert it through the out hole 1008 of the game board 5, or to remove the game board 5 from the main frame 4 and insert (refill) it through the out ball receiving hole 500a or the safe ball receiving hole 500b that open upward.

[8. Overall configuration of the game board]
The overall structure of the game board 5 in the pachinko machine 1 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figs. 50 to 56. Fig. 50 is a front view of the game board with the transparent center gadget and the like rendered opaque. Fig. 51 is a perspective view of the game board in Fig. 50 as seen from the right front, Fig. 52 is a perspective view of the game board in Fig. 50 as seen from the left front, and Fig. 53 is a perspective view of the game board in Fig. 50 as seen from the back. Fig. 54 is an exploded perspective view of the game board disassembled into main components as seen from the front, and Fig. 55 is an exploded perspective view of the game board disassembled into main components as seen from the back. Fig. 56 is a front view of the game board showing the inside of the game area in which game balls circulate, with the front unit cut parallel to the surface of the game panel.

The game board 5 of the pachinko machine 1 has a game area 5a into which a game ball B is inserted by a player operating a handle 160. The game area 5a is provided with a general prize opening 2001, a normal prize opening 2002, a first start opening 2003, a second start opening 2004, a big prize opening 2005, a special prize opening 2006, and a second V prize opening 2008, which give a player a predetermined privilege (e.g., an addition of a predetermined number of balls to the player's possession) when a game ball B is accepted or passed through the game area 5a. This game board 5 is for playing an entertaining game in which the handle 160 is operated to strike the ball B and the ball B circulates within the game area 5a so that the ball B can be received by the general winning hole 2001, the normal winning hole 2002, the first starting hole 2003, the second starting hole 2004, the big winning hole 2005, and the special winning hole 2006 within the game area 5a.

The game board 5 includes a front component 1000 that defines the outer periphery of the game area 5a and has a generally rectangular external shape when viewed from the front, a plate-shaped game panel 1100 that is attached to the rear side of the front component 1000 and defines the rear end of the game area 5a, a plurality of magnetic sensors 1030 (see FIG. 70) that detects magnetic fields acting illegally within the game area 5a, and a vibration sensor 1040 (see FIG. 70, etc.) that detects vibrations acting on the game board 5 (pachinko machine 1). A plurality of obstacle nails N (see FIG. 84, etc.) that come into contact with the game ball B are planted in a predetermined gauge arrangement in a portion of the front of the game panel 1100 that is within the game area 5a.

The game board 5 also includes a board holder 1200 attached to the lower rear of the game panel 1100, and a main control unit 1300 attached to the rear of the board holder 1200 and having a main control board 1310 (see FIG. 70, etc.) that controls the game content that is played by shooting the game ball B into the game area 5a.

The game board 5 also includes a function display unit 1400 that displays the game status based on a control signal from the main control board 1310 and is attached to the upper left corner of the front component 1000 so as to be visible to the player, a peripheral control unit 1500 that is located on the rear side of the game panel 1100, a performance display device 1600 that is located in the center of the game area 5a when viewed from the front and is capable of displaying a predetermined performance image, a panel relay board (not shown) that is located on the rear side of the game panel 1100 and relays the connection between the main control board 1310 and the peripheral control board 1510, a front unit 2000 that is attached to the front of the game panel 1100, and a rear unit 3000 that is attached to the rear of the game panel 1100.

The performance display device 1600 is provided on the rear side of the rear unit 3000, and the peripheral control unit 1500 is provided on the rear side of the performance display device 1600.

The front unit 2000 has a plurality of (three in this case) general winning openings 2001 that are always open and can receive the game ball B that has been shot into the game area 5a, a normal winning opening 2002 that is provided at a predetermined position within the game area 5a and is always open and can receive the game ball B, a first starting opening 2003 that is provided in the center in the left-right direction below the center device 2500 and is always open and can receive the game ball B, and a lottery is drawn when the game ball B is received by the normal winning opening 2002. The game board 5 is provided with a second starting hole 2004 that can receive the game ball B depending on the result of the lottery for the normal symbol that is drawn, a large prize hole 2005 or a special prize hole 2006 that can receive the game ball B depending on the result of the lottery for the first special symbol that is drawn by receiving the game ball B into the first starting hole 2003 or the second special symbol that is drawn by receiving the game ball B into the second starting hole 2004, and a first V prize hole 2007 and a second V prize hole 2008 that can receive the game ball B received into the special prize hole 2006. The game board 5 is also provided with a plurality of magnetic sensors 1030 (see FIG. 70) that detect magnetic fields acting illegally within the game area 5a.

The front unit 2000 is provided with an outlet 2020, which is provided at the most downstream position in the play area 5a and is always open to receive the game ball B, and discharges the received game ball B outside the play area 5a without returning it, and two sub-outlets 2021, which are provided upstream of the outlet 2020 in the play area 5a and are always open to receive the game ball B, and discharge the received game ball B outside the play area 5a without returning it. Two outlets 2020 are provided on the left and right with the first starting port 2003 in between. The two sub-outlets 2021 are provided at a position to the left of the center of the play area 5a in the left-right direction and a position to the right of the center of the play area 5a in the left-right direction, respectively.

Furthermore, the front unit 2000 comprises a start port unit 2100 which is attached directly above the bottom end of the play area 5a in the left-right center of the play area 5a and has a first start port 2003 and an outlet port 2020, a side unit 2200 which is provided along the inner rail 1002 to the left of the start port unit 2100 when viewed from the front and has three general winning ports 2001 and one sub-out port 2021, and an upper left side unit 2300 which is provided slightly above the left side of the side unit 2200 when viewed from the front. It is equipped with an attacca unit 2400 that is provided to the right of the starting port unit 2100 and has a second starting port 2004, a large winning port 2005, and one sub-out port 2021, a frame-shaped center role 2500 that is provided slightly above the center in a front view of the game area 5a and has a role winning port 2006, a first V winning port 2007, and a second V winning port 2008, and a normal winning port unit 2600 that is provided at the upper right end of the attacca unit 2400 and has a normal winning port 2002.

The center device 2500 comprises a frame-shaped main unit 2510 having a device winning port 2006 and a first V winning port 2007, and a lottery device 2550 located at the bottom within the frame of the main unit 2510 and having a second V winning port 2008.

The rear unit 3000 includes a plurality of magnetic sensors 1030 that detect magnetic fields acting illegally within the play area 5a, a vibration sensor 1040 that detects vibrations acting on the play board 5 (pachinko machine 1), a rear box 3010 that is attached to the rear surface of the panel holder 1120 in the play panel 1100 and has a box shape with an open front and a square opening 3010a in the rear wall, a lock slider 3020 that detachably attaches the performance display device 1600 to the rear wall of the rear box 3010, and a rear board unit 3040 that is located behind the performance display device 1600 and attached to the rear wall of the rear box 3010.

The rear unit 3000 also includes a rear ball guide unit 3100, which is provided at the bottom near the front end of the rear box 3010 and through which the game ball B guided to the rear of the game panel 1100 circulates, a rear decoration unit 3200 provided behind the rear ball guide unit 3100 within the rear box 3010, a rear front performance unit 3300 provided to the left and above the rear ball guide unit 3100 near the front end within the rear box 3010, and a rear rear performance unit 3400 provided behind the rear front performance unit 3300 within the rear box 3010.

[8-1. Front component]
The front component 1000 in the game board 5 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figs. 54 and 55. The front component 1000 is formed to be transparent as a whole. The front component 1000 has an outer shape of a substantially square in front view, an inner shape of a substantially circular shape penetrating in the front-rear direction, and the inner circumference of the inner shape defines the outer circumference of the game area 5a. The front component 1000 includes an outer rail 1001 that extends in an arc shape from the lower end on the left side of the center in the front view to the upper right diagonal direction in the clockwise circumferential direction, passing the upper end of the center in the front left direction in the front view, an inner rail 1002 that is disposed inside the front component 1000 along the outer rail 1001 and extends in an arc shape from the lower center in the front left direction to the upper left diagonal direction in the front view, and an out guide portion 1003 that is formed at the lowest position of the game area 5a on the right side of the lower end of the inner rail 1002 in the front view and is inclined so as to become lower toward the rear.

The component 1000 also includes a lower right rail 1004 that slopes linearly from the right end of the out guide section 1003 when viewed from the front to near the right side of the component 1000, with the right end being slightly higher; a right rail 1005 that extends from the right end of the lower right rail 1004 along the right side of the component 1000 to below the upper end of the outer rail 1001, with the upper part curved inward of the component 1000; and a collision stop section 1006 that connects the upper end of the right rail 1005 to the upper end of the outer rail 1001 and comes into contact with the game ball B that rolls along the outer rail 1001.

The component 1000 is also provided with a backflow prevention member 1007 that is rotatably supported on the upper end of the inner rail 1002 and can rotate only between a closed position in which it extends upward from the upper end of the inner rail 1002 to close the gap with the outer rail 1001, and an open position in which it rotates clockwise when viewed from the front to open the gap with the outer rail 1001, and is biased by a spring (not shown) to return to the closed position.

Furthermore, the front component 1000 is provided with an outlet 1008 that penetrates from front to back at the rear end of the out guide section 1003 at the lower center in the left-right direction when viewed from the front within the frame. This outlet 1008 is closed from the front by the starting port unit 2100.

In addition, the front component 1000 is provided with security recesses 1009 recessed rearward from the front end at the outside of the areas near the bottom ends of the outer rail 1001 and the inner rail 1002 that extend approximately vertically, the underside of the out guide portion 1003 and the lower right rail 1004, and the outside of the right rail 1005. When the game board 5 is attached to the main body frame 4 and the door frame 3 is closed against the main body frame 4, a rear protrusion (not shown) that protrudes rearward of the security cover (not shown) on the door frame 3 is inserted into this security recess 1009. As a result, the area between the security cover and the game board 5 (front component 1000) is bent in a complex manner by the rear protrusion of the security cover and the security recess 1009 of the front component 1000, so even if someone tries to insert an illegal tool such as a piano wire into the game area 5a between the security cover and the front component 1000 from below the front of the game board 5, it will be blocked by the rear protrusion and the security recess 1009, preventing the illegal tool from entering the game area 5a.

The component 1000 also has a notch 1010 cut upward from the bottom end at the bottom left corner when viewed from the front. This notch 1010 coincides with the notch 1122 of the game panel 1100. When the component 1000 is attached to the main frame of a pachinko machine that pays out game balls to players, the notch 1010 and the notch 1122 pass through the front end openings of the lower normal payout passage and the lower full payout passage of the lower full ball path unit to face forward, allowing game balls to be supplied to the upper and lower trays of the door frame.

Furthermore, the component 1000 is provided with a function display unit mounting portion 1011 formed in the upper left corner when viewed from the front, to which the function display unit 1400 is attached, and a stamp attachment portion 1012 formed in the lower right corner.

Also, the front component 1000 is almost entirely transparent, allowing the game panel 1100 and rear unit 3000 located at the rear to be viewed from the front.

[8-2. Game Panel]
The game panel 1100 in the game board 5 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 54 and 55. The game panel 1100 is attached to the rear surface of the front component 1000, and the front unit 2000 and the rear unit 3000 are attached to it. The game panel 1100 is equipped with a flat panel board 1110 whose outer periphery is formed slightly larger than the inner periphery of the frame-shaped front component 1000 and made of transparent synthetic resin, and a frame-shaped panel holder 1120 that holds the outer periphery of the panel board 1110, is attached to the rear side of the front component 1000, and has the rear unit 3000 attached to its rear surface. A plurality of obstacle nails N are planted in a predetermined gauge arrangement on the front surface of the game panel 1100.

The panel plate 1110 of the game panel 1100 is formed from a synthetic resin plate such as acrylic resin, polycarbonate resin, polyarylate resin, or methacrylic resin, or an inorganic plate such as glass or metal. The thickness of this panel plate 1110 is thinner than the panel holder 1120, and is set to the minimum necessary thickness (8 to 10 mm) that is sufficient to hold the obstacle nails N planted on the front side and the front unit 2000 attached. In this embodiment, the panel plate 1110 is formed from a transparent synthetic resin plate.

The panel plate 1110 is at the lowest position within the play area 5a, and the position corresponding to the outlet 1008 of the front component 1000 is recessed upward from the bottom end. The panel plate 1110 also has multiple openings 1112 that penetrate from front to back and are used to attach the front unit 2000.

Although not shown, the panel plate 1110 has a number of positioning holes formed as round holes and short long holes penetrating from front to back, and a number of engagement steps formed with a thin plate thickness and spaced apart in the left-right direction at the upper and lower edges. The positioning holes are for positioning with the panel holder 1120 by inserting protruding pins (not shown) of the panel holder 1120. The engagement steps are for removably attaching to the panel holder 1120 by engaging with the engagement claws (not shown) or engagement pieces (not shown) of the panel holder 1120.

The panel plate 1110 has a large opening 1112 for mounting the center device 2500, which is offset above the center when viewed from the front. This makes the panel plate 1110 frame-shaped, and the width perpendicular to the flow direction of the game balls B (circumferential direction of the frame) when viewed from the front is wide enough to line up multiple game balls B on the left, right, and lower sides, excluding the area above the center, and narrow enough that multiple game balls B cannot be lined up on the upper side.

The panel holder 1120 of the game panel 1100 has an external shape that is roughly rectangular and large enough to encompass the panel plate 1110, and is thicker than the panel plate 1110 (approximately 20 mm in this embodiment). The panel holder 1120 is made of transparent synthetic resin (e.g., thermoplastic synthetic resin). This panel holder 1120 has a holding step (not shown) that is roughly the same size as the panel plate 1110 and recessed from the front side to the rear side, and a through hole 1121 that penetrates the holding step in the front-to-rear direction and is roughly the same size as the game area 5a.

The panel holder 1120 also has a notch 1122 cut upward from the bottom end at the bottom left corner when viewed from the front. This notch 1122 is formed to match the notch 1010 of the previous component 1000. When this notch 1122 is attached to the main frame of a pachinko machine that pays out game balls to players, the front end openings of the lower normal payout passage and the lower full payout passage of the lower full ball path unit penetrate the notch 1010 and the notch 1122 to face forward and supply game balls to the upper and lower trays of the door frame.

Furthermore, the panel holder 1120 is formed with an out recess 1123 that extends upward from the lower end to a position corresponding to the out port 1008 and is recessed from the rear surface toward the front. The out recess 1123 has an upper portion that communicates with the out port 1008.

Although not shown, the panel holder 1120 includes a plurality of protruding pins that protrude forward from the holding step and are inserted into a plurality of positioning holes in the panel plate 1110, three engagement claws that are disposed outside the holding step and elastically engage with engagement steps at the upper and lower left inclined portions of the panel plate 1110, and a pair of engagement pieces that protrude upward from the lower outer side of the holding step and respectively engage with two engagement steps at the lower edge of the panel plate 1110. The panel holder 1120 can detachably attach the panel plate 1110 in a state where it is housed in the holding step by engaging the engagement steps at the lower edge of the panel plate 1110 with the engagement pieces from the front diagonally above, and then moving the upper part of the panel plate 1110 backward to elastically engage the engagement steps at the upper and lower left inclined portions with the engagement claws. At this time, the protruding pin of the panel holder 1120 is inserted into the positioning hole of the panel plate 1110, and the panel plate 1110 is positioned at a predetermined position relative to the panel holder 1120.

This game panel 1100, together with the front component 1000 attached to the front side, is formed transparent, so when assembled to the game board 5, the boundaries of the game area 5a are less clearly visible, giving the player a sense of openness, and although the actual size of the game area 5a does not change, the game area 5a appears larger (wider) to the player.

In addition, because the game panel 1100, along with the front component 1000, is made transparent, the light from the performance display device 1600, front unit 2000, rear unit 3000, etc. can be reflected or refracted forward (towards the player) to appear as if it is emitting light, further enhancing the overall decorativeness of the game board 5.

[8-3. Substrate holder]
The board holder 1200 in the game board 5 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 54 and 55. The board holder 1200 is formed in a horizontally long box shape with an open top and front, and the bottom surface is inclined so that it becomes lower toward the center in the left-right direction. The board holder 1200 has an ejection part 1201 that is cut out from the front end toward the rear at the center in the left-right direction of the bottom surface. When assembled to the game board 5, this board holder 1200 covers the lower part of the back unit 3000 attached to the rear side of the game panel 1100 from the bottom and rear, and the main control board box 1320 of the main control unit 1300 is attached to the rear surface.

When the board holder 1200 is assembled to the pachinko machine 1, the discharge section 1201 is located directly above the out ball receiving port 500a and the safe ball receiving port 500b in the circulating ball path unit 500 of the main body frame 4. As a result, game balls B discharged to the rear of the game panel 1100 through the out port 2020 or sub-out port 2021 are discharged to the out ball receiving port 500a in the circulating ball path unit 500, and by being received in the out ball receiving port 500a, they flow through the out ball passage 501 and are detected (counted) one by one by the out ball sensor 505. On the other hand, game balls B that are received in winning ports such as the general winning port 2001, the normal winning port 2002, the first starting port 2003, the second starting port 2004, the big winning port 2005, and the special winning port 2006 and discharged downward from the front unit 2000 and the back unit 3000 are discharged to the safe ball receiving port 500b in the circulating ball path unit 500, and by being received in the safe ball receiving port 500b, they flow through the safe ball passage 502 and are detected (counted) one by one by the safe ball sensor 506.

[8-4. Main control board unit]
The main control unit 1300 in the game board 5 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figs. 57 to 61. Fig. 57(a) is a rear view of a first specification main control unit, which is one of the main control units, (b) is a perspective view of the first specification main control unit seen from the front, and (c) is a perspective view of the first specification main control unit seen from the back. Fig. 58(a) is an exploded perspective view of the first specification main control unit seen from the front, and (b) is an exploded perspective view of the first specification main control unit seen from the back. Fig. 59(a) is a rear view of a second specification main control unit, which is one of the main control units, and (b) is a perspective view of the second specification main control unit seen from the back. Fig. 60(a) is an exploded perspective view of the second specification main control unit seen from the front, and (b) is an exploded perspective view of the second specification main control unit seen from the back. Figure 61 (a1) is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of the area where the setting key switch is implemented in the rear view of the first specification main control unit, (a2) is an explanatory diagram showing a cross-section of the area of the setting key switch in (a1), (b1) is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of the same area as (a1) in the rear view of the second specification main control unit, and (b2) is an explanatory diagram showing a cross-section of the same area as (a2) in (b1).

The main control unit 1300 is removably attached to the rear of the board holder 1200. The main control unit 1300 includes a main control board 1310 (see FIG. 70) that controls the game content and the granting of bonuses to players, and a main control board box 1320 that houses the main control board 1310 and is attached to the board holder 1200.

The main control board box 1320 is composed of a board base 1330 which is attached to the board holder 1200 and has the main control board 1310 attached to its rear surface, and a board cover 1340 which is attached to the board base 1330 so as to cover the main control board 1310 from behind. The board base 1330 and the board cover 1340 are made of transparent polycarbonate. The main control board 1310 is housed in the internal space formed by the board base 1330 and the board cover 1340. Because the board base 1330 and the board cover 1340 are made of transparent polycarbonate, it is possible to check the condition of the front and back sides of the main control board 1310 (whether or not unauthorized tampering has been performed, or whether or not an unauthorized IC is installed) from the outside of the main control board box 1320.

The main control board box 1320 is also provided with multiple sealing mechanisms 1350, each corresponding to the board base 1330 and the board cover 1340. When the main control board box 1320 is closed using one sealing mechanism 1350, the sealing mechanism 1350 must be destroyed in order to open the main control board box 1320 again, leaving traces of the opening and closing of the main control board box 1320. Therefore, by observing the traces of opening and closing, unauthorized opening and closing of the main control board box 1320 can be discovered, enhancing the deterrent effect against unauthorized acts on the main control board 1310.

The main control board 1310 of the main control unit 1300 is connected to the interface board 660, the out ball sensor 505, the peripheral control board 1510, etc. In addition, the main control board 1310 is connected to the function display unit 1400, the general winning port sensor 3001, the normal winning port sensor 3002, the first start port sensor 2101, the second start port sensor 2401, the large winning port sensor 2402, the special winning port sensor 2501, the first V winning port sensor 2502, the second V winning port sensor 2503, the losing port sensor 2504, the start port solenoid 2412, the attacca solenoid 2414, the special winning port solenoid 2516, the first distribution solenoid 2534, the second distribution solenoid 2544, the lottery loop solenoid 2558, the striking piece drive motor 2561, the gutter swing drive motor 2564, the swing piece solenoid 2565, the magnetic sensor 1030, the vibration sensor 1040, etc.

The main control board 1310 also has a base monitor 1311 consisting of four 7-segment LEDs. The base monitor 1311 can be seen from behind through the transparent board cover 1340. This base monitor 1311 displays the number of game balls B that have been launched by the ball launching unit 450, have been shot into the game area 5a, and then discharged downward from the game board 5, and are detected and counted by the out ball sensor 505 provided in the circulating ball path unit 500 of the main body frame 4. The base monitor 1311 of this embodiment displays the number of balls (the number of balls that have returned to the game hall) counted by the out ball sensor 505 after 100 shots have been launched, as a percentage.

In the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, two different specifications of the main control unit 1300 are prepared in advance: a first specification main control unit 1300A that allows the game content and other settings to be changed, and a second specification main control unit 1300B that does not allow the game content and other settings to be changed. Either one of them can be attached to the game board 5 according to the request of the game hall where the pachinko machine 1 is installed.

First, the first specification main control unit 1300A as the main control unit 1300 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 57, 58, and 61. The first specification main control unit 1300A is equipped with a first specification main control board 1310A that controls the game content and the granting of benefits to players, and a first specification main control board box 1320A that houses the first specification main control board 1310A and is attached to the board holder 1200.

The first specification main control board box 1320A has a board base 1330 that is attached to the board holder 1200 and has the first specification main control board 1310A attached to its rear surface, a first specification board cover 1340A that is attached to the board base 1330 so as to cover the first specification main control board 1310A from the rear, and a plurality of sealing mechanisms 1350 that can seal the board base 1330 and the first specification board cover 1340A so as to leave traces of opening and closing. The first specification main control board box 1320A is formed of a transparent synthetic resin such as polycarbonate, and the first specification main control board 1310A housed inside can be seen from the outside. The board base 1330 and sealing mechanism 1350 of the first specification main control board box 1320A have the same configuration as the above-mentioned main control board box 1320, so detailed explanations are omitted.

The first specification main control board 1310A is connected to the interface board 660, the out ball sensor 505, the peripheral control board 1510, etc., similar to the main control board 1310 described above. In addition, the first specification main control board 1310A is also connected to the function display unit 1400, the general winning port sensor 3001, the normal winning port sensor 3002, the first start port sensor 2101, the second start port sensor 2401, the large winning port sensor 2402, the special winning port sensor 2501, the first V winning port sensor 2502, the second V winning port sensor 2503, the losing port sensor 2504, the start port solenoid 2412, the attacca solenoid 2414, the special winning port solenoid 2516, the first distribution solenoid 2534, the second distribution solenoid 2544, the lottery loop solenoid 2558, the striking piece drive motor 2561, the gutter swing drive motor 2564, the swing piece solenoid 2565, the magnetic sensor 1030, the vibration sensor 1040, etc.

The first specification main control board 1310A also has a base monitor 1311 consisting of four 7-segment LEDs near the upper right corner when viewed from the rear. The base monitor 1311 can be seen from behind through the transparent first specification board cover 1340A. The base monitor 1311 in this embodiment displays, for example, the ratio (so-called base) of how many game balls B will be dispensed as prize balls relative to the number of game balls B that have been fired.

The first specification main control board 1310A also has a setting key switch 1312 in the upper right corner when viewed from the rear. When viewed from the rear, the setting key switch 1312 is located on the right side at the same height as the base monitor 1311. This setting key switch 1312 is a specific component that is only provided on the first specification main control board 1310A. This setting key switch 1312 is used to change the setting values of the pachinko machine 1 and to confirm the setting values. The setting key switch 1312 has an insertion port 1312a for the setting key (not shown) that faces outward from a setting key window 1341 in the first specification board cover 1340A.

The setting key switch 1312 has mounting legs 1312b and connection terminals 1312c protruding from the bottom. As shown in FIG. 58(a), when the setting key switch 1312 is mounted on the first specification main control board 1310A, the tips of the legs 1312b and terminals 1312c penetrate the first specification main control board 1310A and protrude to the back side of the board. The first specification main control board 1310A is provided with mounting holes and through holes into which the legs 1312b and terminals 1312c of the setting key switch 1312 are inserted.

The setting key switch 1312 also has a cylindrical columnar portion 1312d that forms the portion where the insertion port 1312a is provided, and a square columnar portion 1312e that is a square with one side longer than the diameter of the circle of the columnar portion 1312d and extends forward from the front end of the columnar portion 1312d in a columnar shape. The columnar portion 1312d of the setting key switch 1312 is inserted into the tube portion 1342 of the first specification board cover 1340A. The setting key switch 1312 has a step between the columnar portion 1312d and the columnar portion 1312e. The legs 1312b and the terminals 1312c extend forward from the front end of the columnar portion 1312e.

The initial position of the setting key switch 1312 is when the longitudinal direction of the insertion port 1312a of the setting key is vertical as shown in the figure. The setting key switch 1312 is OFF, and the setting key can be inserted into the insertion port 1312a or removed from the insertion port 1312a. When the setting key is inserted into the insertion port 1312a and rotated 60 degrees clockwise from the initial position, the setting key switch 1312 becomes the first position, with the setting key ON, and the signal is input to the main control MPU (not shown). On the other hand, when the inserted setting key is rotated 60 degrees counterclockwise from the initial position, the decision key switch 1312 becomes the second position, with the decision key ON, and the signal is input to the main control MPU (not shown). In this way, the setting key switch 1312 of this embodiment can operate two functions, the setting key ON function and the decision key ON function, depending on the direction in which the setting key is rotated, and both functions can be turned OFF by setting it to the initial position.

To change the setting value using the setting key switch 1312, with the power of the pachinko machine 1 in the OFF state, insert the setting key into the setting key switch 1312 and turn it clockwise (to the right). In this state, turn on the power switch (not shown) of the power supply board 650 while pressing the RAM clear switch (not shown), and the setting will be displayed on the base monitor 1311. Once the setting is displayed, pressing the setting change switch (which also serves as the RAM clear switch in this case) will change the displayed setting value, so once the desired setting value is displayed, turn the setting key left to return it to its original initial position and the setting will be confirmed.

On the other hand, to check the currently set setting value, with the power of the pachinko machine 1 in the OFF state, insert the setting key into the setting key switch 1312 and turn it clockwise (to the right). In this state, when the power switch of the pachinko machine 1 is turned ON, the currently set setting value is displayed on the base monitor 1311. Once you have finished checking the setting value, turn the setting key to the left and return it to its original initial position to return to the normal state.

To briefly explain the setting values, a "setting value" is a preset probability for determining whether or not a jackpot has been won, and a probability (degree of advantage) that is advantageous to the player (i.e., that the number of game balls B that the player can acquire can be increased). In this embodiment, setting value 1, setting value 2, setting value 3, setting value 4, setting value 5, and setting value 6 are prepared in advance as setting values, and the probability (degree of advantage) that is advantageous to the player is preset from setting value 1 to setting value 6.

Then, the main control MPU of the first specification main control board 1310A selects various tables (for example, a jackpot determination table that specifies the percentage of the jackpot determination value that indicates that a jackpot has been won) to be used in various lottery determinations that correspond to the set values.

The various tables used in the various lottery determinations are set so that at least some of the values are different from each other, and the various tables used in the various allocation rates are set so that at least some of the values are different from each other, while some are set so that the values are different based on the relationship between a table corresponding to a block that manages the drive of one electric drive source and a table corresponding to a block that manages the drive of another electric drive source. In addition, the above-mentioned setting values are six setting values (integers) ranging from setting value 1 to setting value 6, but the range may be smaller or larger than this. For example, it may be four setting values (integers) ranging from setting value 1 to setting value 4, or it may be eight setting values (integers) ranging from setting value 1 to setting value 8.

The first specification board cover 1340A of the first specification main control board box 1320A in the first specification main control unit 1300A has a setting key window 1341 through which the rear end (insertion port 1312a) of the setting key switch 1312 faces rearward, and a cylindrical portion 1342 that protrudes rearward from the periphery of the setting key window 1341. The first specification board cover 1340A also has the characters "setting key" engraved in a convex shape as a guide portion 1343 on the back surface of the portion above the cylindrical portion 1342 (see FIG. 61 (a1)). This first specification board cover 1340A is made of a transparent synthetic resin, so even if the guide portion 1343 is provided on the back surface, it can be seen from the front side.

When the first specification main control unit 1300A is assembled, the cylindrical portion 1312d of the setting key switch 1312 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 1342 of the first specification board cover 1340A. As a result, the rear end face of the setting key switch 1312 faces rearward from the setting key window 1341 without protruding rearward beyond the rear face of the first specification board cover 1340A. In addition, the front end of the cylindrical portion 1342 of the first specification board cover 1340A abuts against the step between the cylindrical portion 1312d and the square column portion 1312e of the setting key switch 1312. As a result, the front end side of the setting key window 1341 overlaps with the square column portion 1312e and is closed, and it is possible to prevent the intrusion of unauthorized tools such as piano wire into the first specification main control board box 1320A through the setting key window 1341.

In addition, when assembled into the first specification main control unit 1300A, the insertion port 1312a on the rear end surface of the setting key switch 1312 is exposed to the rear from the setting key window 1341, and the word "setting key" on the guide portion 1343 above it can be seen, so the operator can recognize that the insertion port 1312a visible from the setting key window 1341 is for inserting the setting key. Therefore, the operator can easily recognize that this first specification main control unit 1300A is capable of changing the setting value.

Next, the second specification main control unit 1300B as the main control unit 1300 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 59 to 61. The second specification main control unit 1300B is equipped with a second specification main control board 1310B that controls the game content and the granting of benefits to players, and a second specification main control board box 1320B that houses the second specification main control board 1310B and is attached to the board holder 1200.

The second specification main control board box 1320B has a board base 1330 that is attached to the board holder 1200 and has the second specification main control board 1310B attached to its rear surface, a second specification board cover 1340B that is attached to the board base 1330 so as to cover the second specification main control board 1310B from the rear, and a plurality of sealing mechanisms 1350 that can seal the board base 1330 and the second specification board cover 1340B so as to leave traces of opening and closing. The second specification main control board box 1320B is formed from a transparent synthetic resin such as polycarbonate, and the second specification main control board 1310B housed inside can be seen from the outside. The board base 1330 and sealing mechanism 1350 of the second specification main control board box 1320B have the same configuration as the main control board box 1320 described above, so detailed explanations will be omitted.

The second specification main control board 1310B is connected to the interface board 660, the out ball sensor 505, the peripheral control board 1510, etc., similar to the main control board 1310 described above. In addition, the second specification main control board 1310B is also connected to the function display unit 1400, the general winning port sensor 3001, the normal winning port sensor 3002, the first start port sensor 2101, the second start port sensor 2401, the large winning port sensor 2402, the special winning port sensor 2501, the first V winning port sensor 2502, the second V winning port sensor 2503, the losing port sensor 2504, the start port solenoid 2412, the attacca solenoid 2414, the special winning port solenoid 2516, the first distribution solenoid 2534, the second distribution solenoid 2544, the lottery loop solenoid 2558, the striking piece drive motor 2561, the gutter swing drive motor 2564, the swing piece solenoid 2565, the magnetic sensor 1030, the vibration sensor 1040, etc.

The second specification main control board 1310B is provided with a base monitor 1311 consisting of four 7-segment LEDs near the upper right corner when viewed from the rear. The base monitor 1311 can be seen from behind through the transparent second specification board cover 1340B. This base monitor 1311 displays the number of game balls B that are launched by the ball launching unit 450, are shot into the game area 5a, and then discharged downward from the game board 5, and are counted by being detected by the out ball sensor 505 provided in the circulation ball path unit 500 of the main body frame 4. The base monitor 1311 of this embodiment displays the number of balls (the number of balls that returned to the game hall) counted by the out ball sensor 505 after 100 shots are launched as a percentage.

This second specification main control board 1310B is different from the first specification main control board 1310A in that it does not have a setting key switch 1312. In other words, the second specification main control board 1310B has an unmounted area 1313 in the upper right corner (the area to the right of the base monitor 1311) when viewed from the rear, where no electronic components are mounted (the area surrounded by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 61 (b1)). The unmounted area 1313 in the second specification main control board 1310B does not have any mounting holes for mounting electronic components, through holes for electrically connecting electronic components, etc.

As such, since the second specification main control board 1310B does not have a setting key switch 1312 as a specific component, the setting values cannot be changed, and the setting values related to the game content of the pachinko machine 1 (game board 5) are fixed and cannot be changed.

Although not shown in the figure, letters, symbols, etc., which indicate that no electronic components (specific components) are mounted, may be printed on the unmounted area 1313 of the second specification main control board 1310B by silk screen printing, etc.

The second specification board cover 1340B in the second specification main control board box 1320B has an unmounted identification portion 1345 that extends cylindrically toward the second specification main control board 1310B on a surface portion 1344 that faces the unmounted area 1313 of the second specification main control board 1310B when assembled to the second specification main control unit 1300B. The unmounted identification portion 1345 of the second specification board cover 1340B has the same configuration as the cylindrical portion 1342 of the first specification board cover 1340A.

Unlike the first specification board cover 1340A, this second specification board cover 1340B does not have a setting key window 1341 or a guide portion 1343, and the portion of the setting key window 1341, i.e., the cylindrical rear end opening of the unmounted identification portion 1345, is closed by a surface portion 1344. Therefore, the portion of the second specification board cover 1340B that is behind the unmounted area 1313 on the rear surface is a flat surface without any irregularities. And, because the second specification board cover 1340B is formed from a transparent synthetic resin, the unmounted identification portion 1345 can be seen from the outside.

In addition, in the area facing the unmounted area 1313 on the second specification board cover 1340B, a letter or symbol indicating that a specific component is not mounted may be provided as an unmounted identification section 1345 in addition to the cylindrical area, or a letter or symbol indicating that a specific component is not mounted may be provided instead of the cylindrical area.

In this way, according to the second specification main control unit 1300B, a cylindrical unmounted identification section 1345 that can correspond to the setting key switch 1312 as a specific component is provided on the surface 1344 of the transparent second specification board cover 1340B that faces the unmounted area 1313 of the second specification main control board 1310B, so that the unmounted identification section 1345 can be seen and the line of sight of the worker can be guided to the unmounted identification section 1345. And, by guiding the line of sight of the worker to the unmounted identification section 1345, the part of the second specification main control board 1310B facing the unmounted identification section 1345 (unmounted area 1313) can be seen, and the worker can recognize that no electronic components are mounted in that part.

At this time, since the unmounted area 1313 of the second specification main control board 1310B does not have any mounting holes or through holes for attaching electronic components, the operator can immediately recognize that the second specification main control unit 1300B is of a gaming specification in which no electronic components (setting key switch 1312 as a specific component) are mounted in the unmounted area 1313, and a pachinko machine 1 can be provided in which the difference in gaming specifications of the second specification main control unit 1300B is easy to understand.

In the above embodiment, the setting key switch 1312 is shown as a specific component that is mounted on the first specification main control board 1310A and not mounted on the second specification main control board 1310B, but this is not limited to this and other switches, connectors, ROM, ICs, etc. may also be used.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the unmounted identification portion 1345 of the second specification board cover 1340B is shown as being cylindrical, but this is not limited to this, and the surface portion 1344 facing the unmounted area 1313 may be a protruding portion from the front or back surface, may be a recessed portion on the front or back surface, may be a linear portion (including a parting line) on the front or back surface, or may be a surface portion 1344 that is one step lower than the other surface portions.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the non-mounted identification portion 1345 is shown as being formed integrally with the second specification board cover 1340B, but this is not limited thereto, and the non-mounted identification portion may be formed by a sticker attached to the second specification board cover 1340B, ink printed or painted on the second specification board cover 1340B, etc.

[8-5. Function display unit]
The function display unit 1400 in the game board 5 will be described in detail mainly with reference to FIG. 50 and the like. The function display unit 1400 is attached to the upper left corner of the front component 1000 outside the game area 5a. When assembled to the pachinko machine 1, the function display unit 1400 can be seen from the front (player side) through the game window 101 of the door frame 3. This function display unit 1400 uses multiple LEDs based on control signals from the main control board 1310 to display the game status (game situation), the lottery results for normal symbols, the lottery results for special symbols, and the like.

The function display unit 1400, although not shown in detail, is equipped with a status indicator consisting of three LEDs that displays the game status, a normal pattern display consisting of two LEDs that displays the lottery results of the normal pattern drawn by the reception of a game ball B into the normal winning opening 2002, and a normal reserve display consisting of two LEDs that displays the number of reserved balls related to the reception of a game ball B into the normal winning opening 2002.

The function display unit 1400 also includes a first special pattern display consisting of eight LEDs that displays the result of the drawing of the first special pattern drawn by the reception of the game ball B into the first starting port 2003, a first special reserved number display consisting of two LEDs that displays the reserved number related to the reception of the game ball B into the first starting port 2003, a second special pattern display consisting of eight LEDs that displays the result of the drawing of the second special pattern drawn by the reception of the game ball B into the second starting port 2004, and a second special reserved number display consisting of two LEDs that displays the reserved number related to the reception of the game ball B into the second starting port 2004.

Furthermore, the function display unit 1400 is equipped with a round display consisting of five LEDs that displays the number of times (number of rounds) the opening and closing pattern of the large prize opening 2005 is repeated when the lottery result for the first special pattern or the lottery result for the second special pattern is a "win" or the like.

This functional display unit 1400 can display the number of reserved items, designs, etc., by turning on, off, blinking, etc. the LEDs provided as appropriate.

[8-6. Peripheral control unit]
The peripheral control unit 1500 in the game board 5 will be described mainly with reference to FIG. 53 and the like. The peripheral control unit 1500 is provided behind the performance display device 1600 provided on the rear side of the rear box 3010 of the rear unit 3000. In detail, the peripheral control unit 1500 is attached to the rear surface of the liquid crystal spacer 1610 that mounts the performance display device 1600 on the rear surface of the rear box 3010. The peripheral control unit 1500 includes a peripheral control board 1510 (see FIG. 70) that controls the performance presented to the player based on a control signal from the main control board 1310, and a peripheral control board box 1520 that houses the peripheral control board 1510. The peripheral control board 1510 includes a peripheral control unit 1511 for controlling light emission performance, sound performance, movable performance, etc., and a performance display control unit 1512 for controlling performance images.

The peripheral control board 1510 of the peripheral control unit 1500 is connected to the main control board 1310, the performance operation unit 250, various decorative boards on the door frame 3 side, the performance display device 1600, etc. (see Figure 70). The peripheral control unit 1500 is attached to the rear of the performance display device 1600, details of which will be described later.

[8-7. Performance display device]
The effect display device 1600 in the game board 5 will be described mainly with reference to Figs. 54 and 55. The effect display device 1600 is disposed in the center of the game area 5a when viewed from the front, and is disposed behind the game panel 1100. The performance display device 1600 is attached to the front of the liquid crystal spacer 1610 which is attached to the rear wall of the rear box 3010. Since the performance display device 1600 is detachable from the box 3010, the performance display device 1600 can be detached from the rear box 3010 via the liquid crystal spacer 1610. The performance display device 1600 is a transparent It can be seen from the front (player's side) through the game panel 1100 and the frame of the frame-shaped center device 2500.

The performance display device 1600 is a 15-inch full-color LCD display device with a white LED backlight, and is attached in landscape orientation to the front of the LCD spacer 1610. The performance display device 1600 is connected to the peripheral control board 1510, and can display specified still images and videos.

The performance display device 1600 is attached with an offset (eccentricity) such that its center is located to the lower right of the center of the liquid crystal spacer 1610, so that space is created above and to the left of the liquid crystal spacer 1610.

The liquid crystal spacer 1610 is formed in a transparent flat plate shape with the same size as a 19-inch liquid crystal display device. The liquid crystal spacer 1610 has two upper fixing pieces 1611 protruding upward from the upper end surface and one lower fixing piece 1612 protruding downward from the lower end surface. With the liquid crystal screen of the performance display device 1600 facing forward, the two upper fixing pieces 1611 are inserted from the diagonal rear of the rear box 3010 into two fixing grooves 3010c opening on the upper inner surface of the opening 3010a of the rear box 3010 described later, and the lower fixing piece 1612 is moved forward to insert the lower fixing piece 1612 into the opening of the lock slider 3020, and the lock slider 3020 is slid to the left when viewed from behind, thereby attaching the liquid crystal spacer 1610 to the rear box 3010.

[8-8. Overall structure of the table unit]
The front unit 2000 of the game board 5 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 54 and 55. The front unit 2000 is attached to the game panel 1100 from the front, with its front end protruding forward beyond the front surface of the game panel 1100 and its rear end protruding into the opening 1112 of the game panel 1100.

The front unit 2000 comprises a plurality of (three in this case) general winning openings 2001 which are always open to receive the game ball B that has been shot into the game area 5a, a normal winning opening 2002 which is provided at a predetermined position within the game area 5a and is always open to receive the game ball B, a first starting opening 2003 which is provided at a predetermined position within the game area 5a and is always open to receive the game ball B, and a normal symbol which is drawn by lottery when the game ball B is received by the normal winning opening 2002. It is equipped with a second starting opening 2004 that can receive game ball B depending on the lottery result, a large prize opening 2005 and a special prize opening 2006 that can receive game ball B depending on a first special pattern drawn by receiving game ball B into the first starting opening 2003 or a second special pattern drawn by receiving game ball B into the second starting opening 2004, and a first V prize opening 2007 and a second V prize opening 2008 that can receive game ball B received into the special prize opening 2006.

The front unit 2000 further includes an outlet 2020 and a sub-outlet 2021 that discharge the game ball B that is shot into the game area 5a to the outside of the game area 5a. The outlet 2020 and the sub-outlet 2021 are always open so that they can receive the game ball B. The outlet 2020 is provided at the downstream end of the game area 5a.

The front unit 2000 also includes a first start port sensor 2101 that detects a game ball B received in the first start port 2003, a second start port sensor 2401 that detects a game ball B received in the second start port 2004, a large prize port sensor 2402 that detects a game ball B received in the large prize port 2005, a first V prize port sensor 2502 that detects a game ball B received in the first V prize port 2007, a second V prize port sensor 2503 that detects a game ball B received in the second V prize port 2008, a loss port sensor 2504 that detects a game ball B received in the loss port 2009, and a magnetic sensor 1030 that detects unauthorized magnetism acting within the game area 5a.

Multiple (three in this example) general winning openings 2001 are located on the left side of the horizontal center at the bottom of the play area 5a. The regular winning opening 2002 is located below the vertical center near the right end of the play area 5a when viewed from the front. The first starting opening 2003 is located between the two exit openings 2020 in the horizontal center of the play area 5a. The second starting opening 2004 is located below the regular winning opening 2002 near the right end of the play area 5a. The large winning opening 2005 is located to the right of the first starting opening 2003 in the play area 5a. The special winning opening 2006 is located above the regular winning opening 2002 near the right end of the play area 5a.

The outlets 2020 are located at the downstream end of the game area 5a, below both the left and right sides of the first starting outlet 2003. One of the sub-outlets 2021 is located to the left of the three general winning outlets 2001, and the remaining one is located below the second starting outlet 2004.

The front unit 2000 is equipped with a start port unit 2100 which is attached directly above the bottom end of the play area 5a in the left-right center of the play area 5a and has a first start port 2003 and an outlet port 2020, a side unit 2200 which is provided along the inner rail 1002 to the left of the start port unit 2100 when viewed from the front and has three general winning ports 2001 and one sub-out port 2021, and an upper left side unit 2300 which is provided slightly above the left side of the side unit 2200 when viewed from the front.

The front unit 2000 further includes an attacca unit 2400, which is provided to the right of the start port unit 2100 and has a second start port 2004, a large prize port 2005, and one sub-out port 2021; a frame-shaped center role 2500, which is provided slightly above the center of the game area 5a when viewed from the front and has a role prize port 2006, a first V prize port 2007, a second V prize port 2008, and a loss port 2009; and a normal prize port unit 2600, which is provided above the attacca unit 2400 and has a normal prize port 2002.

[8-8a. Starting unit]
Next, the starting port unit 2100 of the front unit 2000 will be described mainly with reference to Figures 50 to 52, 56, etc. The starting port unit 2100 of the front unit 2000 is disposed directly above the outlet 1008 near the lower end of the center in the left-right direction in the game area 5a, and is attached to the game panel 1100 from the front. The starting port unit 2100 has a first starting port 2003 that is always open upward with a width that can receive only one game ball B, and two outlets 2020 that are always open to receive the game ball B and discharge the received game ball B outside the game area 5a without returning it. The starting port unit 2100 also has a first starting port sensor 2101 that detects the game ball B received in the first starting port 2003 (see Figure 70).

The outlet 2020 is located at a lower position than the first starting port 2003. The two outlets 2020 of the starting port unit 2100 are located at symmetrical positions with the first starting port 2003 in between. The first starting port 2003 opens upward with a width that allows one game ball B to pass through. The outlet 2020 opens upward with a width equivalent to two game balls B, and is located at the lowest position within the game area 5a.

The starting hole unit 2100 is arranged so that the height difference between the first starting hole 2003 and the outlet hole 2020 is smaller (lower) than the height difference between the first starting hole and the outlet hole (outlet hole 1008) in a conventional pachinko machine. This gives the player the illusion that the first starting hole 2003 is located lower than a conventional first starting hole, making the playing area 5a appear relatively larger.

The start port unit 2100 has a start port display section 2110 that is provided below the first start port 2003 and can display a predetermined picture. The start port display section 2110 is composed of a single 7-segment LED. This start port display section 2110 can display a predetermined picture (including numbers) according to the progress of the game. When the start port unit 2100 is assembled to the game board 5, the start port display section 2110 closes the outlet 1008 from the front, making the outlet 1008 invisible to the player. This allows the player to recognize that the outlet 2020 is the lowest end of the game area 5a.

When the start port unit 2100 is assembled to the game board 5, the first start port 2003 is located directly below the central release section 2513a on the stage 2513 of the center gimmick 2500, and can receive the game ball B released from the central release section 2513a with a high probability. The game ball B received in this first start port 2003 is detected by the first start port sensor 2101, guided to the rear of the game panel 1100, handed over to the back ball guidance unit 3100 of the back unit 3000, and discharged to the safe ball receiving port 500b of the circulation ball path unit 500 below.

The game ball B received at the outlet 2020 is guided to the rear of the game panel 1100 and handed over to the back ball guiding unit 3100 of the back unit 3000, and then discharged from the back ball guiding unit 3100 to the out ball receiving port 500a of the circulating ball path unit 500 below.

[8-8b. Side unit]
Next, the side unit 2200 of the front unit 2000 will be described mainly with reference to Figures 50 to 52 and 56. The side unit 2200 of the front unit 2000 extends along the inner rail 1002 to the left of the starting port unit 2100 in the game area 5a, and is attached to the game panel 1100 from the front. The side unit 2200 has three general winning ports 2001 that are always open to receive the game ball B, and one sub-out port 2021 that is always open to receive the game ball B.

The three general winning openings 2001 of the side unit 2200 are arranged in an arc along the inner rail 1002, with the openings located higher toward the left. Each general winning opening 2001 opens to the size (width) of one game ball B. A sub-out opening 2021 is provided to the left of the leftmost general winning opening 2001. The sub-out opening 2021 opens to the size (width) of one game ball B.

The side unit 2200 also has a shelf 2201 to the right of the rightmost general winning port 2001, which slopes downward as it goes to the right. The shelf 2201 extends to the right, up to near the right end of the left outlet 2020 in the starting port unit 2100. In other words, when the game ball B rolls down the shelf 2201, it is received by the left outlet 2020.

When the side unit 2200 is assembled to the game board 5, the three general winning openings 2001 and one sub-out opening 2021 protrude forward from the front surface of the game panel 1100. This side unit 2200 can guide the game ball B received in the general winning opening 2001 to the rear of the game panel 1100 and deliver it to the back ball guiding unit 3100 of the back unit 3000. The game ball B delivered to the back ball guiding unit 3100 of the back unit 3000 is detected by the general winning opening sensor 3001 and then discharged downward.

The side unit 2200 can also guide the game ball B received in the sub-out port 2021 to the rear of the game panel 1100 and deliver it to the back ball guiding unit 3100 of the back unit 3000. The game ball B delivered to the back ball guiding unit 3100 of the back unit 3000 is discharged to the safe ball receiving port 500b of the circulating ball path unit 500 below.

[8-8c. Upper left side unit]
Next, the upper left side unit 2300 of the front unit 2000 will be described mainly with reference to Figures 50 to 52, 56, etc. The upper left side unit 2300 of the front unit 2000 is attached to the gaming panel 1100 from the front so as to contact the inner rail 1002 to the left of the side unit 2200 within the gaming area 5a. The upper left side unit 2300 has a shelf portion 2301 that is inclined so as to be lower to the right.

When the upper left side unit 2300 is assembled to the game board 5, the shelf portion 2301 protrudes forward from the front surface of the game panel 1100. The upper left side unit 2300 can guide the game ball B that has flowed down the left side of the center device 2500 to the right side below the center device 2500 by the shelf portion 2301.

[8-8d. Attacker Unit]
Next, the attacca unit 2400 of the front unit 2000 will be described mainly with reference to Figures 50 to 52 and Figure 56. The attacca unit 2400 of the front unit 2000 is located in the game area 5a, to the right of the start hole unit 2100 as seen from the front, which is the lower right corner as seen from the front, and is attached from the front to the front of the game panel 1100. This attacca unit 2400 has a second start hole 2004, a big winning hole 2005, and one sub-out hole 2021 (see Figure 56, etc.).

When viewed from the front, the Attacka unit 2400 has a second starting hole 2004 located at the top and to the right of the center in the left-right direction, a large prize opening 2005 located to the left of the center in the left-right direction and lower than the second starting hole 2004, and one sub-out hole 2021 located below the second starting hole 2004 and lower than the large prize opening 2005.

The attacca unit 2400 also includes a second start opening sensor 2401 that detects a game ball B received in the second start opening 2004, a large prize opening sensor 2402 that detects a game ball B received in the large prize opening 2005, and a magnetic sensor 1030 that detects unauthorized magnetism (see FIG. 70). Two large prize opening sensors 2402 are provided side by side on the left and right.

The attacker unit 2400 also has a dummy sensor 2403 at a position behind the sub-out port 2021 that is visible from the front. This dummy sensor 2403 cannot detect game ball B, but is formed in the same manner as a through sensor that detects the passage of game ball B, such as the big prize port sensor 2402. With this configuration, the dummy sensor 2403 can be replaced with a sensor that can actually detect game ball B, so it is possible to change to either counting out balls in the main body frame 4 or not. Note that while the dummy sensor 2403 is formed in the same manner as a through sensor, it may also be a spacer that eliminates steps that may cause balls to get stuck in that area.

The attacca unit 2400 is equipped with a second start port door 2411 capable of opening and closing the second start port 2004, a start port solenoid 2412 that opens and closes the second start port door 2411 in response to a normal lottery result drawn by the reception of a game ball B in the normal prize port 2002, a large prize port door 2413 that can open and close the large prize port 2005, and an attacca solenoid 2414 that opens and closes the large prize port door 2413 in response to a first special lottery result or a second special lottery result drawn by the reception of a game ball B in the first start port 2003 or the second start port 2004.

The second starting opening 2004 of the attacca unit 2400 opens upward with a width in the left-right direction that is slightly larger than the diameter of the game ball B. The large winning opening 2005 opens upward with a width in the left-right direction that is 4 to 6 times the diameter of the game ball B. The second starting opening door 2411, which allows the second starting opening 2004 to be opened and closed, is provided so that it can move back and forth in the front-to-rear direction and is inclined so that the left end side is lower. The large winning opening door 2413, which allows the large winning opening 2005 to be opened and closed, is provided so that it can move back and forth in the front-to-rear direction by rotating around an axis that extends in the left-to-right direction and is inclined so that the left end side is lower.

This second starting port door 2411 is arranged to move in the forward and backward directions. When the starting port solenoid 2412 is not energized, the plunger of the starting port solenoid 2412 protrudes due to the spring force, causing the second starting port door 2411 to move forward and close the second starting port 2004. When the starting port solenoid 2412 is energized, the plunger of the starting port solenoid 2412 retracts against the spring force, causing the second starting port door 2411 to move backward and open the second starting port 2004.

The large prize opening door 2413 is a long flat plate that moves back and forth by rotating around an axis extending in the left-right direction that is located below the large prize opening sensor 2402. The large prize opening door 2413 can open and close the large prize opening 2005 by the forward and backward movement of the plunger of the attacca solenoid 2414. When the attacca solenoid 2414 is not energized, the large prize opening door 2413 moves forward as the plunger of the attacca solenoid 2414 protrudes due to the spring force, closing the large prize opening 2005. When the attacca solenoid 2414 is energized, the large prize opening door 2413 moves backward as the plunger of the attacca solenoid 2414 retreats against the spring force, opening the large prize opening 2005.

The Attacka unit 2400 has an upper shelf 2421 at its upper end that forms a space between the second starting hole 2004 and the large prize hole 2005 through which the game ball B can flow, and is inclined downward toward the left and is provided to cover the upper parts. The upper shelf 2421 extends in the left-right direction from the upper right end of the second starting hole 2004 to the upper left end of the large prize hole 2005.

The attacca unit 2400 is provided with a first shelf 2422 that is above the second starting opening 2004 and slopes downward from a position that is spaced from the right end (right rail 1005) of the attacca unit 2400 to the left, allowing one game ball B to pass through, toward the second starting opening 2004 on the left; a second shelf 2423 that slopes downward from the left end of the second starting opening 2004; a third shelf 2424 that is below and to the left of the second shelf 2423 and slopes downward from a position that is spaced from the second shelf 2423 to the left, allowing one game ball B to pass through, toward the large winning opening 2005 on the left; and a fourth shelf 2425 that slopes downward from the left end of the large winning opening 2005 to the left.

When a game ball B enters the gap to the right of the first shelf 2422, between the second shelf 2423 and the third shelf 2424, the attacca unit 2400 receives the game ball B in the sub-out port 2021 and ejects the game ball B outside the game area 5a.

Although detailed illustrations of the Attacca unit 2400 are omitted, in the space between the upper shelf 2421 and the large prize opening 2005 where game balls B can flow to the left, multiple abutment parts that are triangular in plan view protrude into the space so that they are staggered left and right from the front and rear walls that form the space. When the large prize opening 2005 is in a closed state, these multiple abutment parts allow game balls B rolling on the large prize opening door 2413 to flow in a large zigzag pattern in the front and back directions, lengthening the time that game balls B circulate over the large prize opening door 2413.

In the normal state of the attacca unit 2400, the start port solenoid 2412 and the attacca solenoid 2414 are both de-energized (OFF). In this normal state, the plunger of the start port solenoid 2412 protrudes forward due to the biasing force of a spring (not shown), and the second start port door 2411 protrudes forward. In this state, the second start port door 2411 is located above the second start port 2004, and the second start port door 2411 prevents the second start port 2004 from receiving a game ball B. In other words, the second start port 2004 is closed by the second start port door 2411.

In addition, in the normal state, the plunger of the attacca solenoid 2414 protrudes forward due to the biasing force of a spring (not shown), and the large prize opening door 2413 protrudes forward. In this state, the large prize opening door 2413 is located above the large prize opening 2005, and the large prize opening 2005 cannot receive game ball B. In other words, the large prize opening 2005 is closed by the large prize opening door 2413.

In this normal state, when a game ball B flows down onto the first shelf 2422, the inclination of the first shelf 2422 causes the game ball B to roll to the left, roll over the top surface of the second starting gate door 2411 and the second shelf 2423, and is then released to the left from the left end of the second shelf 2423. The game ball B released to the left from the second shelf 2423 falls onto the third shelf 2424 or the big prize gate door 2413 depending on its momentum, and rolls to the left due to the inclination of these. Note that when a game ball B released to the left from the second shelf 2423 hits the underside of the upper shelf 2421 and bounces off to the right, it may enter the gap between the second shelf 2423 and the third shelf 2424.

The game ball B rolling on the large prize opening door 2413 that closes the large prize opening 2005 alternately comes into contact with multiple abutment parts provided in the space between the upper shelf 2421 and the large prize opening 2005, and rolls to the left while zigzagging back and forth. After rolling to the left on the large prize opening door 2413, the game ball B rolls on the fourth shelf 2425 and is released from its left end to the outside of the attacca unit 2400. Because the left end of the fourth shelf 2425 is located lower than the first starting opening 2003, the game ball B released to the left from the fourth shelf 2425 is received by the outlet 2020.

When a game ball B flows down onto the upper shelf 2421 of the Attacca unit 2400, it is guided to the left by the inclination, and is released to the left of the Attacca unit 2400 without being given a chance to be accepted by the second starting hole 2004 or the big winning hole 2005. Because the left end of the upper shelf 2421 is located at a higher position than the first starting hole 2003, game ball B released to the left from the upper shelf 2421 has the potential to be accepted by the first starting hole 2003.

In this attacca unit 2400, when the game ball B flows down to the right of the first shelf 2422, it enters the sub-out port 2021. Also, when the game ball B enters the gap between the second shelf 2423 and the third shelf 2424, it enters the sub-out port 2021. The game ball B that enters the sub-out port 2021 is discharged onto the lower substrate holder 1200 through the back ball guide unit 3100 of the back unit 3000 without being returned to the game area 5a, and is delivered to the out ball receiving port 500a of the circulating ball path unit 500. In this attacca unit 2400, the game ball B that flows on the right side of the first shelf 2422 and the game ball B that passes through the gap between the second shelf 2423 and the third shelf 2424 are both formed to enter the sub-out port 2021, and essentially two sub-out ports 2021 are provided.

In this normal state, when the start port solenoid 2412 is energized (ON) in accordance with the result of the normal lottery drawn when game ball B is received by the normal winning port 2002, the plunger retracts against the spring force, and the second start port door 2411 moves rearward. Then, as the second start port door 2411 moves rearward, the top of the second start port 2004 is opened, and game ball B can be received by the second start port 2004. In other words, the second start port 2004 is in an open state.

When the second starting port 2004 is open and game ball B is received in the second starting port 2004, it is detected by the second starting port sensor 2401 and then released rearward from the attacca unit 2400. The game ball B received in the second starting port 2004 and released rearward from the attacca unit 2400 is handed over to the rear ball guiding unit 3100 of the rear unit 3000 and discharged to the safe ball receiving port 500b of the circulation ball path unit 500 below.

Meanwhile, in the normal state, when the attacca solenoid 2414 is energized (ON) in accordance with the special lottery result (first special lottery result or second special lottery result) that is determined by receiving the game ball B in the first starting hole 2003 or the second starting hole 2004, the plunger moves back against the spring force, and the large prize opening door 2413 moves rearward. By the large prize opening door 2413 moving rearward, the large prize opening 2005 is opened upward, and the large prize opening 2005 can receive the game ball B. In other words, the large prize opening 2005 is in an open state.

When the large prize opening 2005 is open and game ball B is received in the large prize opening 2005, it is detected by one of the two large prize opening sensors 2402 installed below, and is then released rearward from the attacca unit 2400. Game ball B received in the large prize opening 2005 and released rearward from the attacca unit 2400 is handed over to the rear ball guidance unit 3100 of the rear unit 3000 and discharged to the safe ball receiving port 500b of the circulation ball path unit 500 below.

In this way, according to the attacca unit 2400 of this embodiment, the game ball B received in the large prize opening 2005 is detected by one of the two large prize opening sensors 2402 and then released to the rear, which makes it possible to prevent the game ball B from getting stuck between the large prize opening 2005 and the large prize opening sensor 2402, and also makes it possible to receive a large number of game balls B in a short period of time.

[8-8e. Center role]
Next, the center role 2500 in the front unit 2000 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figs. 50 to 52, 56, 62 to 65, etc. Fig. 62(a) is a front view of the lottery role in the center role, and (b) is a perspective view of the lottery role from above the front. Fig. 63 is a side cross-sectional view of the lottery role in the center role cut at the center in the left-right direction. Fig. 64(a) is an explanatory diagram showing a cross-section of the lottery role in a state where the game ball cannot be looped, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing a cross-section of the lottery role in a state where the game ball can be looped. Fig. 65 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of the game ball in the lottery role.

The center device 2500 of the front unit 2000 is located in the game area 5a, above the starting unit 2100, and slightly above the center when viewed from the front, and is attached to the front surface of the panel plate 1110 of the game panel 1100. The center device 2500 is formed in a transparent frame shape.

The center device 2500, details of which will be described later, includes a device winning opening 2006 that opens and closes to accept a game ball B depending on the results of a drawing of a first special pattern drawn by receiving a game ball B into the first starting opening 2003 and a second special pattern drawn by receiving a game ball B into the second starting opening 2004, a second V winning opening 2008 that can only accept game balls B that have been received into the device winning opening 2006, and a losing opening 2009 that can accept game balls B that have been received into the device winning opening 2006 but not into the second V winning opening 2008.

The center device 2500 is equipped with a device winning port sensor 2501 that detects a game ball B received in the device winning port 2006, a first V winning port sensor 2502 that detects a game ball B received in the first V winning port 2007, a second V winning port sensor 2503 that detects a game ball B received in the second V winning port 2008, and a losing port sensor 2504 that detects a game ball B received in the losing port 2009.

The center role 2500 comprises a main unit 2510 formed in a frame shape, and a lottery role 2550 provided at the bottom within the frame of the main unit 2510. The main unit 2510 has a role winning hole 2006 and a first V winning hole 2007. The lottery role 2550 has a second V winning hole 2008 and a losing hole 2009.

[8-8e-1. Main unit]
The main unit 2510 of the center gadget 2500 will be described in detail. The main unit 2510 has a gadget winning port 2006. The main unit 2510 includes a transparent center frame 2511 attached to the front of the game panel 1100 (panel plate 1110), a warp passage 2512 capable of guiding the game ball B from the outside of the center frame 2511 to the inside of the frame, and a stage 2513 provided at the lower side within the frame of the center frame 2511, which rolls the game ball B that has flowed through the warp passage 2512 in the left-right direction and then releases it into the game area 5a.

The center frame 2511 has a frame-shaped insertion portion 2511a that is inserted into the opening 1112 of the panel plate 1110 of the game panel 1100 and is arranged along the inner peripheral surface of the opening 1112 and extends in the front-to-rear direction, a flat flange portion 2511b that protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the front end of the insertion portion 2511a and abuts against the front surface of the panel plate 1110 of the game panel 1100, an inflow restriction portion 2511c that extends forward from the flange portion 2511b and restricts the game ball B flowing down the game area 5a from flowing into the inside of the opening 1112 of the panel plate 1110 of the game panel 1100, and a flat support portion 2511d that protrudes from the inner periphery of the front end of the insertion portion 2511a.

The insertion portion 2511a is provided so that its rear end coincides with the rear surface of the panel plate 1110 of the game panel 1100 when assembled to the game board 5. The inflow restriction portion 2511c, when assembled to the game board 5, has a front end excluding the bottom edge of the frame shape (annular shape) that protrudes forward from the front surface of the panel plate 1110 of the game panel 1100. As a result, when assembled to the game board 5, the inflow restriction portion 2511c can prevent (restrict) the intrusion (inflow) of the game ball B from the outside of the center role 2500 (center frame 2511) to the inside of the frame.

The thickness of the flange portion 2511b and the support portion 2511d is thinner than the thickness of the panel plate 1110 (1/4 to 1/5 the thickness of the panel plate 1110). The flange portion 2511b and the support portion 2511d protrude from the insertion portion 2511a at the same position in the front-to-rear direction.

The support parts 2511d are provided partially on the inner circumference of the insertion part 2511a. The support parts 2511d are also provided on the parts of the insertion part 2511a where the flange part 2511b does not protrude, and reinforce the insertion part 2511a (center frame 2511). The end edge of the support part 2511d protruding from the insertion part 2511a is formed in a shape that imitates the front shape of the insertion part 2511a or in a straight line, so that the support part 2511d is not noticeable. The amount of protrusion of the support part 2511d from the insertion part 2511a is within the range from the thickness of the support part 2511d to the thickness of the panel board 1110 (1 mm to 10 mm), so that it is not noticeable to the player while exerting a reinforcing effect.

The warp passage 2512 is open at the left side of the inflow restriction section 2511c when viewed from the front, allowing the game ball B in the game area 5a to enter. The warp passage 2512 can guide the game ball B that has entered to the stage 2513. A part of the warp passage 2512 is formed by the center frame 2511.

The stage 2513 is attached to the insertion portion 2511a of the center frame 2511. The stage 2513 is curved with a recessed central side in the left-right direction, and is formed in a wavy (W-shaped) shape such that the position corresponding to directly above the first starting hole 2003 of the starting hole unit 2100, that is, the approximate central position in the left-right direction when the center role 2500 is attached to the panel plate 1110 of the game panel 1100, is slightly higher than the left and right sides. This stage 2513 is inclined so that the part (center release part 2513a) that is slightly higher than the left and right sides in the left-right direction and the lowest part on both sides (side release part 2513b) are lower toward the front, and the game ball B can be released into the game area 5a from these parts.

When the stage 2513 is assembled to the game board 5, its elevated central portion in the left-right direction (central release section 2513a) is located directly above the first starting hole 2003 of the starting hole unit 2100. As a result, when a game ball B is released from the central release section 2513a in the center of the stage 2513, it is received by the first starting hole 2003 with an extremely high probability.

The main unit 2510 of the center gadget 2500 is provided in the upper right corner of the center frame 2511 and is equipped with a guide passage group 2520 consisting of two passages through which the game ball B can flow. The guide passage group 2520 guides the game ball B above the normal winning opening 2002 and the attacca unit 2400.

As shown in FIG. 56, the guide passage group 2520 is provided outside the inflow restriction portion 2511c of the center frame 2511, and is composed of a first guide passage 2521 whose upper entrance is provided at the collision stopper portion 1006, and a second guide passage 2522 whose upper entrance is provided adjacent to the left side of the entrance of the first guide passage 2521. The guide passage group 2520 (first guide passage 2521 and second guide passage 2522) are both formed from a colorless and transparent material, and the game ball B flowing inside can be seen from the front.

The first guide passage 2521 extends vertically downward from the impact stop 1006 of the previous component 1000 for a short distance, then bends at a right angle to the right, and when it approaches the right rail 1005, bends downward and extends along the right rail 1005, bends left at approximately 3/4 of the height of the play area 5a from the bottom, extends left at a gentle angle, bends downward at a position one game ball B to the left of the entrance of the second guide passage 2522, extends to the center height of the play area 5a, bends right and extends to the vicinity of the right rail 1005, and then bends downward so that the exit opens downward.

The first guide passage 2521 does not bend in the front-to-rear direction, and guides the game ball B downward on approximately the same plane as the front surface of the game panel 1100. A special prize opening 2006 is provided in the upper leftward extending portion of the first guide passage 2521. In addition, below the exit of the first guide passage 2521, a normal prize opening 2002 opens upward.

On the other hand, the second guide passage 2522 is spaced to the left of the entrance of the first guide passage 2521, and its entrance opens upward. The second guide passage 2522 extends downward in a generally straight line from the entrance at the top, bends backward at a height lower than the height of the part where the first guide passage 2521 first bends to the right, bends downward behind the front of the game panel 1100 so that it is aligned in the front-to-back direction with the first guide passage 2521, extends downward so that the left-to-right direction is roughly aligned with the leftmost part of the first guide passage 2521 that extends downward, bends to the right in a crank shape at a height at the center of the game area 5a, bends downward, bends forward at a position lower than the part of the first guide passage 2521 that extends to the right on the lower side, bends to the right so that it extends along the lower side of the part of the first guide passage 2521 that extends to the right on the lower side, and then bends downward adjacent to the left side of the exit of the first guide passage 2521, so that the exit opens downward.

The main unit 2510 is provided in the middle of one of the guide passages 2520 (here, the first guide passage 2521), and is equipped with a prize winning port 2006 into which the game ball B can be received according to the first special lottery result and the second special lottery result that are drawn when the game ball B is received in the first start port 2003 and the second start port 2004, a first allocation device 2530 that allocates the game ball B received in the prize winning port 2006 to the chance port 2531, a second allocation device 2540 that allocates the game ball B allocated to the chance port 2531 by the first allocation device 2530 to the first V winning port 2007, and a lottery guide passage 2545 that guides the game ball B not allocated to the first V winning port 2007 by the second allocation device 2540 (the game ball B allocated to the second slack port 2541) to the lottery device 2550.

The main unit 2510 (center gambling device 2500) has a gambling device winning port 2006 in a portion extending to the upper left of the first guide passage 2521, and extends left and right over the entire length of the portion in the left-right direction, and opens upward. The gambling device winning port door 2515 extends forward and backward, and is formed in a plate shape extending left and right so that the left end is lower, and can open and close the gambling device winning port 2006 that opens upward by moving forward and backward. The gambling device winning port door 2515 can close the gambling device winning port 2006 by moving forward, and when the gambling device winning port 2006 is closed, it forms the bottom surface of the portion extending to the left of the first guide passage 2521, and can guide the game ball B that has circulated from the upstream side to the exit side of the first guide passage 2521.

The bonus prize opening door 2515 opens the bonus prize opening 2006 by moving backwards due to the drive of the bonus prize opening solenoid 2516, and allows the game ball B that has circulated through the first guide passage 2521 to be received by the bonus prize opening 2006. This bonus prize opening door 2515 closes the bonus prize opening 2006 when the bonus prize opening solenoid 2516 is OFF (when not energized), and opens the bonus prize opening 2006 when the bonus prize opening solenoid 2516 is ON (when energized).

The first distribution device 2530 includes a chance port 2531 and a first spurt port 2532 into which a game ball B that has been received in the role winning port 2006 and detected by the role winning port sensor 2501 can enter, a distribution rotor 2533 that has a storage section 2533a on its outer periphery that can store only one game ball B and can rotate around an axis in the front-to-rear direction, and a first distribution solenoid 2534 (see FIG. 70) for rotating the distribution rotor 2533 between a state in which the storage section 2533a of the distribution rotor 2533 faces rightward and a state in which it faces upward. The distribution rotor 2533 has an outer periphery formed in a truncated cone shape that narrows toward the rear.

The chance port 2531 of the first distribution device 2530 is provided downstream of the distribution rotor 2533 with respect to the flow of the game balls B, and is provided to the right of the distribution rotor 2533 so that the game balls B stored in the storage section 2533a of the distribution rotor 2533 can enter. The chance port 2531 is connected to the second distribution device 2540. The first spur port 2532 is provided upstream of the distribution rotor 2533 with respect to the flow of the game balls B, and is provided above the distribution rotor 2533 so that the game balls B that are not stored in the storage section 2533a of the distribution rotor 2533 can enter. The first spur port 2532 opens forward and guides the entering game balls B rearward of the game panel 1100.

When the first distribution solenoid 2534 is OFF (not energized), the first distribution device 2530 has the storage section 2533a of the distribution rotor 2533 facing to the right. In this state, when a game ball B received in the role winning port 2006 flows down from above to the distribution rotor 2533 after being detected by the role winning port sensor 2501, it comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the distribution rotor 2533. Since the outer circumferential surface of this distribution rotor 2533 is formed in a truncated cone shape narrowing toward the rear, the inclination of the outer circumferential surface guides the game ball B backward, and it enters the first slot 2532.

On the other hand, when the first distribution solenoid 2534 is ON (energized), the distribution rotor 2533 rotates 90 degrees counterclockwise, and the storage section 2533a faces upward. In this state, when a game ball B received in the role winning port 2006 flows down from above into the distribution rotor 2533 after being detected by the role winning port sensor 2501, only one is stored in the storage section 2533a. When a game ball B is stored in the storage section 2533a of the distribution rotor 2533, if another game ball B flows down from above from the role winning port 2006 side into the distribution rotor 2533, the game ball B will come into contact with the game ball B stored in the storage section 2533a and then enter the first suction port 2532 at the rear. The game ball B that enters the first slot 2532 is detected by a sensor and then handed over to the back ball guiding unit 3100 of the back unit 3000, from which it is discharged into the safe ball receiving port 500b of the circulating ball path unit 500 below.

When game ball B is stored in storage section 2533a, the first distribution solenoid 2534 rotates distribution rotor 2533 90 degrees clockwise so that storage section 2533a faces to the right, and game ball B stored in storage section 2533a rolls to the right from storage section 2533a and is received by chance port 2531. Game ball B received by chance port 2531 is sent to the next second distribution device 2540.

In this way, the first distribution device 2530 can distribute the game ball B received in the special prize opening 2006 to either the chance opening 2531 side (the second distribution device 2540 side) or the first spurt opening 2532 side.

The second sorting device 2540 sorts the game balls B sorted by the first sorting device 2530 to the chance port 2531 to either the second spurt port 2541 or the first V winning port 2007. When viewed from the front, the second sorting device 2540 is provided at a height between the first sorting device 2530 and the exit of the guide passage group 2520. The second sorting device 2540 is provided behind the sorting rotor 2533 of the first sorting device 2530.

The second distribution device 2540 includes a second draw port 2541 and a first V winning port 2007 that are provided to allow the game ball B accommodated in the accommodation section 2533a of the distribution rotor 2533 in the first distribution device 2530 and distributed to the chance port 2531 to enter, a distribution piece 2543 that can open and close the second draw port 2541 by moving back and forth, and a second distribution solenoid 2544 (see FIG. 70) for moving the distribution piece 2543 back and forth.

The second spur port 2541 opens upward at a position to the right of the distribution rotor 2533, and game balls B distributed to the chance port 2531 are supplied from above. The first V winning port 2007 is provided adjacent to the right side of the second spur port 2541, and opens upward. The distribution piece 2543 is a flat plate that slopes lower to the right, and by protruding forward, it can close the upper end opening of the second spur port 2541, making it impossible for game balls B to be received by the second spur port 2541, and can guide game balls B that come into contact with the upper surface to the right and allow them to be received by the first V winning port 2007.

When the second distribution solenoid 2544 is OFF (not energized), the distribution piece 2543 of the second distribution device 2540 advances and closes the second spur port 2541. In this state, when the game ball B distributed to the chance port 2531 in the first distribution device 2530 flows down, it abuts on the upper surface of the distribution piece 2543, and is guided to the right by the inclination of the distribution piece 2543 and is received (distributed) into the first V winning port 2007. The game ball B distributed to the first V winning port 2007 is detected by the first V winning port sensor 2502, and is handed over to the back ball guiding unit 3100 of the back unit 3000, and is discharged from the back ball guiding unit 3100 to the safe ball receiving port 500b of the circulation ball path unit 500 below.

On the other hand, when the second distribution solenoid 2544 is ON (energized), the distribution piece 2543 retracts, the second spur port 2541 is opened upward, and the second spur port 2541 is able to receive the game ball B. In this state, when the game ball B distributed to the chance port 2531 in the first distribution device 2530 flows down, the game ball B passes in front of the retracted distribution piece 2543 and is received (distributed) by the second spur port 2541. The game ball B distributed to the second spur port 2541 is then guided by the lottery guide passage 2545 to the lottery device 2550 on the left.

In this way, in the second distribution device 2540, the game ball B stored in the storage section 2533a of the distribution rotor 2533 in the first distribution device 2530, i.e., the game ball B distributed to the chance port 2531, can be distributed to either the second spurt port 2541 (lottery device 2550) side or the first V winning port 2007 side.

The lottery guide passage 2545 is provided with a lottery ball entrance sensor 2546 that detects the circulation of game ball B. When game ball B is detected by this lottery ball entrance sensor 2546, the peripheral control unit 1511 of the peripheral control board 1510 controls the performance display device 1600, the main frame speaker 403, the top center speaker, the top side speaker, and the LEDs provided on the game board 5 and the door frame 3, and executes a performance that livens up the lottery (allocation) of game ball B in the lottery device 2550. As a result, the game ball B is allocated to the second slot 2541 in the second allocation device 2540, which dispels the player's disappointment and increases the player's expectations for the lottery device 2550.

[8-8e-2. Lottery item]
The lottery device 2550 in the center device 2500 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figs. 62 to 65. The lottery device 2550 of the center device 2500 is provided in the lower part of the frame of the main unit 2510 formed in a frame shape, and has a second V winning hole 2008 and a losing hole 2009. The lottery device 2550 is supplied with game balls B received in the device winning hole 2006. In detail, the game balls B received in the device winning hole 2006 and distributed to the chance hole 2531 by the first distribution device 2530, and further distributed to the second losing hole 2541 by the second distribution device 2540 are supplied. In addition, the lottery device 2550 is equipped with a second V winning port sensor 2503 that detects a game ball B accepted into the second V winning port 2008, and a losing port sensor 2504 that detects a game ball B accepted into the losing port 2009.

The lottery device 2550 of the center device 2500 is provided with a guide path 2551 that is inclined downwards to the left and to which the game balls B that have been distributed to the second suction port 2541 by the second distribution device 2540 and circulated through the lottery guide passage 2545 are supplied, a distribution section 2552 that distributes the game balls B that have circulated through the guide path 2551 to either the loop side or the non-loop side (the loss port 2009 side), a hitting section 2553 that can hit the game balls B that have been distributed to the loop side by the distribution section 2552 backwards, and a game ball B that has been hit backwards by the hitting section 2553 is supplied and hit forwards. The table 2555 has a wide surface in both the front and rear and left and right directions along which the game ball B guided by the oscillating gutter 2554 rolls and which is inclined so as to become lower toward the guide path 2551 in front, and has a second V winning opening 2008 near the downstream end. The table 2555 has a pair of oscillating pieces 2556 that are provided between the second V winning opening 2008 on the table 2555 and the oscillating gutter 2554 and can swing around the axis in the vertical direction.

This lottery device 2550 will be described in detail later, but as long as the distribution unit 2552 distributes the game ball B to the loop side, the game ball B released from the table 2555 on which the second V winning port 2008 is provided is supplied to the striking unit 2553, and the game ball B can loop between the striking unit 2553 and the table 2555.

The induction section 2551 of the lottery device 2550 extends from near the rear end to the front end along the right edge of the lottery device 2550 so that the front is lower, and then extends along the front edge of the lottery device 2550 to near the left end so that the left side is lower, and is formed in an L shape in a plan view. This induction section 2551 extends with a width slightly larger than the diameter of the game ball B. Game ball B is supplied to the induction section 2551 from the lottery guide passage 2545 to the part that extends in the front-rear direction along the right edge.

The distribution section 2552 of the lottery device 2550 is provided at a portion near the downstream end (left end) of the portion extending in the left-right direction of the induction section 2551. The distribution section 2552 is equipped with a losing port 2009 that penetrates the induction section 2551 and opens upward, a swing-bridge-shaped distribution bridge 2557 that is provided near the left end of the losing port 2009 so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the front-rear direction and that allows the losing port 2009 to be opened and closed, and a lottery loop solenoid 2558 (see FIG. 70) for rotating the distribution bridge 2557. The induction path 2551 is divided into an upstream side and a downstream side by the losing port 2009.

When viewed from above, the sorting bridge 2557 is formed as a long flat plate, with its left side supported so that it can rotate around an axis in the front-to-rear direction, and its right side being the free end. The sorting bridge 2557 is rotatable between a loop position (see FIG. 64(a)) in which the right side approaches the right side of the missing opening 2009 and extends left-to-right and is tilted over, and a non-loop position (see FIG. 64(b)) in which the right side is positioned above the left side and extends up-down and stands upright.

When the sorting bridge 2557 is in the loop position, it bridges the guideway 2551, which is divided into two by the loss port 2009, into the upstream side and the downstream side, and the game ball B can roll from the upstream side to the downstream side by passing over the sorting bridge 2557. In other words, when the sorting bridge 2557 is in the loop position, it can close the loss port 2009 and not accept the game ball B. On the other hand, when the sorting bridge 2557 is in the non-loop position, the loss port 2009 is opened upward, and the game ball B that has rolled from the upstream side can be accepted by the loss port 2009 without being passed to the downstream side. In this way, in the sorting unit 2552, the sorting bridge 2557 can sort the game ball B to either the loop side or the non-loop side.

The sorting bridge 2557 is provided with a sorting display section 2557a, which is formed in a flag shape with an X mark on it, on the side opposite the rolling surface of the game ball B. This sorting display section 2557a becomes visible to the player when the sorting bridge 2557 is in a non-loop position that opens the losing hole 2009. This allows the player to recognize that the game ball B cannot reach the striking section 2553 downstream (cannot loop).

The left end of the sorting bridge 2557, which is supported so as to be rotatable, is located to the left of the left end of the downstream end (front end edge) of the table 2555. Therefore, the game ball B released from the table 2555 to the guideway 2551 side is released to a position to the right of the sorting bridge 2557 in the non-loop position, so that when in the non-loop position, the game ball B from the table 2555 does not go to the downstream side of the guideway 2551, which is divided into two (downstream of the sorting bridge 2557), but is received by the open losing port 2009.

The striking section 2553 of the lottery device 2550 is inclined so that its front end is lower than the downstream end of the guideway 2551 and becomes higher toward the rear, and is equipped with an uphill section 2559 to which the game balls B sorted to the loop side by the sorting section 2552 are supplied, a fan-shaped striking piece 2560 that is provided at the downstream end of the uphill section 2559 and can strike the game balls B, and a striking piece drive motor 2561 (see FIG. 70) that rotates the striking piece 2560 around an axis perpendicular to the uphill section 2559.

The fan-shaped striking piece 2560 is rotated at a relatively high speed by the striking piece drive motor 2561. Therefore, the strength with which the game ball B is struck varies depending on the timing when the game ball B reaches the part where the striking piece 2560 is provided and the timing of the rotation position of the striking piece 2560. Therefore, if the game ball B is struck to a certain degree strongly, it can go over the uphill part 2559 and move to the rear oscillating gutter 2554 side, and if the strike is weak, it cannot go over the uphill part 2559 and returns to the front. This makes the player nervous and excited depending on whether the game ball B is struck strongly and goes to the oscillating gutter 2554 (table 2555) side, and the player can be entertained. In addition, if the strike by the striking piece 2560 is weak, the game ball B returns, so the time until the game with the game ball B is confirmed can be extended, and the player can feel a sense of gain, which makes the player enjoy and suppresses a decline in interest.

This lottery device 2550 has a swinging passage 2562 between the striking part 2553 and the swinging gutter 2554, into which the game ball B that has climbed over the slope 2559 is supplied, which is curved so that both ends are high and the center is low, and a discharge port 2563 that is provided in the center of the swinging passage 2562 and discharges the game ball B into the swinging gutter 2554. A plurality of projections and recesses are provided near the raised both ends of the swinging passage 2562, which can reduce the rolling speed of the game ball B. This swinging passage 2562 is provided along the rear end edge of the lottery device 2550 and is provided behind the table 2555. The game ball B supplied from the striking part 2553 to the swinging passage 2562 rolls in the left-right direction, as with the stage 2513, and is then discharged from the central discharge port 2563 into the swinging gutter 2554.

The oscillating gutter 2554 of the lottery device 2550 is formed in a disk shape, and has a gutter section 2554a that extends from the center toward the outer periphery and is recessed like a gutter. The disk-shaped oscillating gutter 2554 has an axis of rotation that is inclined so that the rear side is higher. The lottery device 2550 has a gutter swing drive motor 2564 (see FIG. 70) for rotating the oscillating gutter 2554 back and forth within a predetermined angle range. The gutter swing drive motor 2564 causes the oscillating gutter 2554 to swing back and forth so that the tip of the gutter section 2554a faces the second V winning opening 2008 in front and faces left and right within a predetermined angle range.

The oscillating gutter 2554 is provided at the rear end (top end) of the table 2555 in the center in the left-right direction, and the game ball B released from the release port 2563 is delivered to the gutter section 2554a. Since the oscillating gutter 2554 rotates back and forth, the game ball B delivered to the gutter section 2554a can be released within a fan-shaped range according to the rotation direction in which the tip of the gutter section 2554a on the table 2555 is facing. At this time, since the oscillating gutter 2554 is rotating even until the received game ball B rolls in the gutter section 2554a and is released from the tip, an inertial force acts on the game ball B due to the rotation. Therefore, the game ball B released from the tip of the gutter section 2554a does not roll on the table 2555 straight in the direction in which the gutter section 2554a is facing, making it difficult to predict the rolling direction.

The table 2555 of the lottery device 2550 is inclined so that the front end is lower, and the length of the front end, which is the downstream end, in the left-right direction is shorter than the length of the rear end in the left-right direction. The table 2555 also has a swinging gutter 2554 at the top end in the left-right center, and a second V winning hole 2008 near the bottom end in the left-right center. The table 2555 has a central groove 2555a that extends from the swinging gutter 2554 to the second V winning hole 2008 in the left-right center, and a recess 2555b that is recessed more than the surrounding area near the bottom end in the left-right center. The recess 2555b is recessed in the shape of a pentagonal home base, and the second V winning hole 2008 is provided at the bottom.

This table 2555 has a central groove 2555a leading to the second V winning opening 2008, and a recess 2555b at the bottom where the second V winning opening 2008 is provided, so that the player can feel that when the game ball B enters these grooves, it will be received by the second V winning opening 2008, and the player can enjoy the movement of the game ball B rolling around on the table 2555.

The front end, which is the downstream end of the table 2555, is located at a higher position than the forward guideway 2551. Therefore, the game ball B flowing through the guideway 2551 is not supplied onto the table 2555 without passing through the striking section 2553 and the oscillating gutter 2554.

The pair of oscillating pieces 2556 of the lottery device 2550 are provided symmetrically at positions symmetrical with respect to the left-right center of the table 2555 between the oscillating gutter 2554 and the second V winning port 2008 in the table 2555. The oscillating pieces 2556 are formed in a droplet shape, with the circular base end facing forward and the pointed tip facing backward, and are provided so as to be rotatable around the circular base end.

The lottery device 2550 is equipped with a oscillating piece solenoid 2565 for oscillating a pair of oscillating pieces 2556 by rotating them back and forth within a predetermined angle range around an axis in the vertical direction. The pair of oscillating pieces 2556 are arranged to rotate in opposite directions by a single oscillating piece solenoid 2565.

The pair of oscillating pieces 2556 are rotated by the oscillating piece solenoid 2565, so the rotation speed is faster than when they are rotated by a drive motor. Therefore, when the game ball B hits the oscillating piece 2556 while the oscillating piece 2556 is moving while swinging, the game ball B can be strongly bounced away. Therefore, depending on the rotation direction of the oscillating piece 2556, the abutting game ball B can be sent to the center in the left-right direction of the table 2555 or to both ends in the left-right direction, and the flow of the game ball B can be changed.

When the pointed tips of the pair of oscillating pieces 2556 are close to each other, the distance between the oscillating pieces 2556 narrows, and the rearward facing surface of the oscillating piece 2556 is inclined away from the left-right center as it moves forward, resulting in the pair of oscillating pieces 2556 narrowing toward the rear. As a result, when a game ball B that flows down from the rear of the oscillating gutter 2554 or table 2555 passes between the pair of oscillating pieces 2556, it is more likely to be accepted into the second V winning hole 2008, and when it comes into contact with the rearward facing surface of the pair of oscillating pieces 2556, it is guided away from the left-right center due to the inclination, so it is less likely to be accepted into the second V winning hole 2008.

On the other hand, when the pair of oscillating pieces 2556 have their pointed tips moving away from each other (as shown by the dashed lines in FIG. 65), the rearward facing surface of the oscillating piece 2556 is inclined so as to approach the left-right center as it moves forward, and the pair of oscillating pieces 2556 are in a state of being spread out toward the rear. As a result, when a game ball B flowing down from the rear of the oscillating gutter 2554 or table 2555 comes into contact with the rearward facing surface of the pair of oscillating pieces 2556, the inclination will guide it to the left-right center, and it may be received by the second V winning port 2008.

Therefore, when the pair of oscillating pieces 2556 are widened toward the rear, the game ball B that comes into contact with the oscillating pieces 2556 is guided toward the center in the left-right direction, so that the game ball B that flows down from the rear is more likely to be received by the second V winning port 2008 than when the pair of oscillating pieces 2556 are narrowed toward the rear. In other words, the probability of receiving the game ball B by the second V winning port 2008 can be changed depending on the state of the pair of oscillating pieces 2556.

The lottery device 2550 of this embodiment is provided with a transparent cover 2566 that covers the entire device from above (see Figures 50 to 52, etc.). This cover 2566 can prevent the game ball B supplied through the lottery guide passage 2545 from flying out of the lottery device 2550, and can also prevent the game ball B from being supplied (entering) from outside other than the lottery guide passage 2545.

Next, the flow of game balls B in the lottery device 2550 will be described. In the lottery device 2550, one of the game balls B received in the device winning port 2006, which opens and closes in a predetermined pattern depending on the first special lottery result or the second special lottery result (for example, "a hit") obtained when the game ball B is received in the first start port 2003 or the second start port 2004, is supplied to the upstream area of the guide path 2551 through the lottery guide passage 2545. The game ball B supplied to the upstream area of the guide path 2551 rolls toward the left sorting section 2552 according to the inclination of the guide path 2551.

In the distribution section 2552, the distribution bridge 2557 is in a collapsed loop position for a predetermined time, and the game ball B rolling from the upstream side passes through the distribution bridge 2557 and rolls to the striking section 2553 on the downstream side. The game ball B supplied to the striking section 2553 is then struck backward by the rotating striking piece 2560, and rolls up the uphill section 2559 extending backward.

At this time, since the striking piece 2560 is formed in a fan shape and rotates at a relatively fast speed, depending on the timing of the impact of the game ball B relative to the rotational position of the striking piece 2560, the striking piece 2560 may strike the game ball B hard or just barely touch it, and the momentum of the game ball B struck backwards may vary. Therefore, if the impact by the striking piece 2560 is weak, the game ball B may not be able to climb the rising slope 2559 toward the rear and may come back up the rising slope 2559, causing the game ball B to go back and forth on the rising slope 2559.

When the game ball B struck by the striking piece 2560 gets over the uphill section 2559, it enters the swinging passage 2562 provided at the rear and rolls left and right along the swinging passage 2562, which is lower in the left and right center. At this time, since multiple irregularities are provided near both the left and right ends of the swinging passage 2562, as the game ball B passes through the uneven areas, the impact of the irregularities reduces the rolling speed. This makes it possible to reduce the momentum of the game ball B that has been struck by the striking piece 2560 and gotten over the uphill section 2559.

The game ball B, which has rolled so as to swing left and right along the swing passage 2562, is finally released onto the table 2555 from the release port 2563 provided in the center via the swing gutter 2554. At this time, the swing gutter 2554 swings and rotates so as to move back and forth within a predetermined angle range by the gutter swing drive motor 2564, so that the game ball B is released from the swing gutter 2554 in various directions depending on the timing at which the game ball B is released from the release port 2563 to the swing gutter 2554 and the timing of the rotation position of the swing gutter 2554.

The game ball B released from the oscillating gutter 2554 onto the table 2555 rolls forward as the table 2555 tilts, and is released from the front edge onto the guideway 2551. At this time, a pair of oscillating pieces 2556 spaced apart on the left and right are oscillating near the center of the table 2555 in the front-to-back direction, so that the game ball B that comes into contact with the oscillating pieces 2556 can be bounced and the rolling direction changed. In addition, a second V winning hole 2008 is provided near the front end of the table 2555 in the center of the left-to-right direction, so that the game ball B rolling on the table 2555 can be received by the second V winning hole 2008.

The game ball B received in the second V winning opening 2008 is detected by the second V winning opening sensor 2503, and is then handed over to the rear ball guide unit 3100 of the rear unit 3000, and is then discharged to the safe ball receiving opening 500b of the lower circulation ball path unit 500. When the game ball B is received in this second V winning opening 2008, a "jackpot game" is executed as a favorable game state in which the large winning opening 2005 is opened and closed in a predetermined pattern. Therefore, when the game ball B is supplied to the lottery device 2550, the player can be made to feel anxious and excited depending on whether the game ball B is received in the second V winning opening 2008, which entertains the player and prevents a decline in interest.

The game ball B released from the front edge of the table 2555 to the guideway 2551 is supplied to the striking section 2553 through the sorting bridge 2557 within a predetermined time because the sorting bridge 2557 of the sorting section 2552 is in the loop position. Therefore, when the sorting bridge 2557 is in the loop position, the game ball B can loop between the striking section 2553 and the table 2555 any number of times as long as the game ball B is not accepted by the second V winning port 2008. In other words, when the sorting bridge 2557 is in the loop position, there are any number of opportunities for the game ball B to be accepted by the second V winning port 2008. As a result, even if the game ball B rolling on the table 2555 is not accepted by the second V winning port 2008, there is another opportunity for it to be accepted by the second V winning port 2008 by passing through the sorting bridge 2557 in the loop position, so the player can continue to enjoy the game.

After a predetermined time has elapsed, the sorting bridge 2557 of the sorting section 2552 moves from the loop position to the raised non-loop position, and the losing port 2009 that was closed by the sorting bridge 2557 is opened upward. In this state, the game ball B released from the front end edge of the table 2555 and the game ball B that has rolled along the guideway 2551 are received by the losing port 2009, and the lottery at the lottery device 2550 ends without the game ball B looping. At this time, the sorting display section 2557a, which resembles a flag with an X mark, rises and becomes visible due to the upright sorting bridge 2557, so that the sorting display section 2557a can make the player aware that the game ball B will not loop.

The game ball B received in the losing port 2009 is detected by the losing port sensor 2504, and then handed over to the back ball guiding unit 3100 of the back unit 3000, and then discharged to the safe ball receiving port 500b of the circulating ball path unit 500 below.

In this way, according to the lottery device 2550 of this embodiment, the game ball B supplied from the device winning port 2006 can be excited and thrilled depending on whether it will be accepted by the second V winning port 2008, and the player can be entertained. Even if the game ball B is not accepted by the second V winning port 2008, when the distribution bridge 2557 of the distribution section 2552 is in the loop position, the game ball B is sent again to the swinging gutter 2554 located upstream of the second V winning port 2008 via the striking section 2553 and looped, so that the game ball B is given another opportunity to be accepted by the second V winning port 2008, which gives the player a sense of expectation again, entertains the player, and prevents a decline in interest.

[8-8f. Regular winning unit]
Next, the normal winning hole unit 2600 in the front unit 2000 will be described mainly with reference to Figures 50 to 52 and 56. The normal winning hole unit 2600 has a normal winning hole 2002, and is provided in the vicinity of the left end of the game area 5a, below the center in the vertical direction. This normal winning hole unit 2600 is provided between the attacca unit 2400 and the guide passage group 2520 in the center role 2500, and the normal winning hole 2002 is provided so as to be located directly below the exit of the first guide passage 2521.

The normal winning port 2002 of the normal winning port unit 2600 is always open so that it can receive the game ball B facing upward. The game ball B received by the normal winning port 2002 is guided to the rear of the game panel 1100, then handed over to the back ball guide unit 3100 of the back unit 3000, and after being detected by the normal winning port sensor 3002, is discharged to the safe ball receiving port 500b of the circulation ball path unit 500 below.

[8-9. Flow of game balls within the game area]
Next, the flow of the game ball B in the game area 5a will be described in detail mainly with reference to FIG. 56. When assembled on the game board 5, the center role 2500 is provided in the approximate center of the game area 5a. Although not shown, in the game area 5a, a plurality of obstacle nails N are planted in a predetermined gauge arrangement in the left and right outer parts and the lower part of the center role 2500, and in the part between the attacca unit 2400 and the guide passage group 2520 in the center role 2500. In addition, a windmill W (see FIG. 101) that rotates when the game ball B hits it is provided on the left side of the center role 2500 and above the side upper left unit 2300.

On the left side of the center device 2500, there are a number of obstacle nails N planted in a specified gauge arrangement between the inner rail 1002. On the left side of the center device 2500 in the play area 5a, the entrance to the warp passage 2512 opens slightly upward from the left at a location below the center in the vertical direction of the inflow restriction section 2511c of the center frame 2511. A windmill W is provided between the warp passage 2512 and the shelf section 2301 of the upper left side unit 2300.

The game ball B shot into the left side of the center role 2500 enters the warp passage 2512 with a certain probability. The game ball B that enters the warp passage 2512 is supplied to the stage 2513 provided within the frame of the center role 2500, rolls left and right on the stage 2513, and is released from either the central release section 2513a or the side release section 2513b so as to return to the game area 5a. The central release section 2513a of the stage 2513 is provided directly above the first starting hole 2003 in the left and right center of the game area 5a, so the game ball B released from the central release section 2513a is accepted by the first starting hole 2003 with a high probability. The game ball B released from the side release sections 2513b on both the left and right sides of the central release section 2513a is accepted by the first starting hole 2003 with a certain probability.

The game ball B received in the first starting hole 2003 is detected by the first starting hole sensor 2101 of the starting hole unit 2100, guided to the rear of the game panel 1100, handed over to the rear ball guiding unit 3100 of the rear unit 3000, and discharged downward from the rear ball guiding unit 3100. When the game ball B is detected by the first starting hole sensor 2101, a bonus is given in which a predetermined number of game balls B are added to the number of balls held, and a lottery is held for a first special symbol that allows the occurrence of a favorable game state that is advantageous to the player when a predetermined condition is satisfied (for example, when the number of reserved first special symbols is less than four). The first special symbol that is drawn is also referred to as the first special lottery result.

The game ball B that is released from the stage 2513 and is not received by the first starting port 2003 is received by the outlet 2020 and discharged outside the game area 5a. The game ball B received by the outlet 2020 is guided to the rear of the game panel 1100 and handed over to the back ball guiding unit 3100 of the back unit 3000, and then discharged from the back ball guiding unit 3100 to the out ball receiving port 500a of the circulating ball path unit 500 below.

When a game ball B is shot into the left outer side of the center device 2500 and does not enter the warp passage 2512, if it flows to the right of the center of the windmill W, there is a high probability that it will flow down to the right along the multiple obstacle nails N that are lined up diagonally along the bottom side of the center device 2500. A game ball B that flows to the right of the center of the windmill W may be accepted by the first starting port 2003 or the general winning port 2001 provided in the side unit 2200. A game ball B that flows to the right of the center of the windmill W may be accepted by the sub-out port 2021 provided in the side unit 2200. A game ball B that is not accepted by the first starting port 2003, the general winning port 2001, or the sub-out port 2021 is accepted by the out port 2020 and discharged outside the game area 5a.

The game ball B received by the general winning opening 2001 is guided to the rear of the game panel 1100 and then handed over to the back ball guiding unit 3100 of the back unit 3000, where it is detected by the general winning opening sensor 3001 and then discharged downward. When the game ball B is detected by the general winning opening sensor 3001, a bonus is awarded that adds a specified number of balls to the player's possession.

On the other hand, if the ball B flows to the left of the center of the windmill W, it flows down onto the shelf 2301 of the upper left side unit 2300 and then flows down the shelf 2301 to the right. The game ball B that flows to the left of the center of the windmill W may be received by the general winning opening 2001 and the sub-out opening 2021 provided in the side unit 2200. The game ball B received by the sub-out opening 2021 is guided to the rear of the game panel 1100, and then handed over to the back ball guiding unit 3100 of the back unit 3000, and discharged downward from the back ball guiding unit 3100. The game ball B that is not received by the general winning opening 2001 or the sub-out opening 2021 is received by the out opening 2020 and discharged outside the game area 5a.

Next, on the right side of the center role 2500, there are arranged, in order from top to bottom, a guide passage group 2520, a role winning hole 2006, a normal winning hole 2002, a second starting hole 2004, a large winning hole 2005, and a sub-out hole 2021. A number of obstacle nails N are planted between the guide passage group 2520 and the second starting hole 2004.

In the game board 5 of this embodiment, when the game ball B is hit with enough force to enter above the portion of the inflow restriction portion 2511c of the center frame 2511 of the center device 2500 that becomes lower from near the center in the left-right direction toward the right, the game ball B flows through either the first guide passage 2521 or the second guide passage 2522 of the guide passage group 2520.

To be more specific, when the game ball B is struck with enough force to strike the impact stop 1006 protruding inward from the outer rail 1001 that constitutes part of the periphery of the play area 5a (i.e., struck to the right), the game ball B that strikes the impact stop 1006 enters the first guide passage 2521. The game ball B that enters the first guide passage 2521 rolls on the upper surface of the special prize opening door 2515 that closes the special prize opening 2006 midway through the first guide passage 2521, and is released downward from the right exit at the bottom end of the guide passage group 2520 toward the normal prize opening unit 2600.

On the other hand, when the game ball B that is shot above the center device 2500 enters the entrance of the second guide passage 2522 and starts to flow, it is twisted backwards and lines up in the front-to-back direction with the first guide passage 2521, and then twisted forwards and released downward from the left exit of the first guide passage 2521 toward the normal winning port unit 2600.

The normal winning port 2002 of the normal winning port unit 2600 is located directly below the exit of the first guide passage 2521, so that a game ball B that has circulated through the first guide passage 2521 is more likely to be accepted by the normal winning port 2002 than a game ball B that has circulated through the second guide passage 2522.

The game ball B received by the normal winning port 2002 is guided to the rear of the game panel 1100 and then handed over to the rear ball guiding unit 3100 of the rear unit 3000, where it is detected by the normal winning port sensor 3002 and discharged to the safe ball receiving port 500b of the circulation ball path unit 500 below. When the game ball B is detected by the normal winning port sensor 3002, a bonus is given to add a specified number of balls to the number of balls held, and when a specified condition is met (for example, when the number of reserved normal symbols is less than four), a lottery is held for a normal symbol that allows the game ball B to be received by the second starting port 2004. The normal symbol that is drawn is also referred to as the normal lottery result.

After being shot to the right into the game area 5a and flowing through the guide passage group 2520, the game ball B that was not accepted by the normal winning port 2002 flows down above the attacca unit 2400 while abutting against multiple obstacle nails N. Then, when the game ball B flows down to the upper shelf part 2421 of the attacca unit 2400, it is guided leftward and downward according to the inclination of the upper shelf part 2421, and is discharged leftward from the attacca unit 2400 without having a chance to be accepted by the second starting port 2004 or the large winning port 2005. Note that since the downstream end (left end) of the upper shelf part 2421 of the attacca unit 2400 is located above the first starting port 2003, there is a possibility that the game ball B that has flowed through the upper shelf part 2421 will be accepted by the first starting port 2003.

On the other hand, when the game ball B flows down to the first shelf 2422 of the attacca unit 2400, it rolls to the left due to its inclination, rolls over the top surface of the second starting gate door 2411 and the second shelf 2423, and is released to the left from the left end of the second shelf 2423. Then, the game ball B released to the left from the second shelf 2423 falls onto the third shelf 2424 or the large prize gate door 2413 depending on its momentum, rolls to the left due to their inclination, rolls from the large prize gate door 2413 to the fourth shelf 2425, and is released from the fourth shelf 2425 to the left outside the attacca unit 2400. The game ball B released from the fourth shelf 2425 is received by the outlet 2020.

Furthermore, if game ball B does not flow down to either the upper shelf 2421 or the first shelf 2422 of the attacca unit 2400, but flows down to the right of the first shelf 2422, it is received by the sub-out port 2021. Even if game ball B flows down onto the first shelf 2422, it is received by the sub-out port 2021 when it enters the gap between the second shelf 2423 and the third shelf 2424. Game ball B received by the sub-out port 2021 is handed over to the back ball guide unit 3100 of the back unit 3000 without being returned to the game area 5a, and is discharged to the out ball receiving port 500a of the circulation ball path unit 500 below.

When a game ball B flows down to the first shelf 2422 of the attacca unit 2400, the game ball B rolls on the second starting port door 2411. Therefore, when the game ball B is accepted into the normal winning port 2002, a "normal win" is drawn as a normal symbol (normal lottery result), and the second starting port door 2411 is moved back by the starting port solenoid 2412 to open the second starting port 2004. At this timing, when the game ball B circulates (rolls) from the first shelf 2422 side, the game ball B is accepted into the second starting port 2004.

After being detected by the second start port sensor 2401, the game ball B received in the second start port 2004 is handed over to the back ball guiding unit 3100 of the back unit 3000, and is then discharged downward from the back ball guiding unit 3100. When the game ball B is detected by the second start port sensor 2401, a bonus is given in which the number of balls held is increased by a predetermined number, and a lottery is executed for a second special pattern that allows the occurrence of a favorable game state that is advantageous to the player when a predetermined condition is satisfied (for example, when the number of reserved second special patterns is less than four). The second special pattern that is drawn is also referred to as the second special lottery result.

In addition, the game ball B that flows down to the first shelf 2422 of the attacca unit 2400 and rolls on the second start opening door 2411 and the second shelf 2423 rolls on the large prize opening door 2413. Therefore, depending on the first special symbol (first special lottery result) drawn by the acceptance of the game ball B into the first start opening 2003 and the second special symbol (second special lottery result) drawn by the acceptance of the game ball B into the second start opening 2004 (for example, when the drawn special symbol (special lottery result) is "large win", "medium win", "small win", etc.), when the large prize opening door 2413 is moved back by the attacca solenoid 2414 and the large prize opening 2005 is opened, when the game ball B flows (rolls) from the second shelf 2423 side, the game ball B is accepted into the large prize opening 2005.

When the game ball B is received in the large prize opening 2005, it is detected by one of the two large prize opening sensors 2402 located below, and then guided to the rear of the game panel 1100 and handed over to the rear ball guiding unit 3100 of the rear unit 3000, before being discharged into the safe ball receiving opening 500b of the circulating ball path unit 500 below. When the game ball B is detected by the large prize opening sensor 2402, a bonus is awarded that adds a specified number of balls to the number of balls held.

When the game ball B is received by the first start opening 2003 or the second start opening 2004 and a "perfect prize" is drawn as the first or second special symbol, the prize winning opening 2006 provided in the middle of the first guide passage 2521 opens and closes in a predetermined pattern, and the distribution rotor 2533 of the first distribution device 2530 and the distribution piece 2543 of the second distribution device 2540 operate in a predetermined pattern. Therefore, when a "perfect prize" is drawn, the prize winning opening 2006 opens and closes, so that the player can perform a "right hit" so that the game ball B flows through the first guide passage 2521 where the prize winning opening 2006 is provided, so that the game ball B can be received by the prize winning opening 2006.

In this embodiment, the probability of a "hit" being drawn is higher than that of a "jackpot", and three patterns of "hits" are set: "first hit", "second hit", and "third hit", and in each pattern, the winning slot 2006 opens and closes roughly twice.

First, the opening and closing of the prize winning port 2006 in each "perk" will be described in detail. In the "first perk", the prize winning port 2006 opens for a short time (80 ms) after a certain time (3000 ms) has elapsed since the start of execution, then closes, and after a short time (1252 ms) it opens again for a short time (80 ms) before closing, completing the process. In the "second perk", the prize winning port 2006 opens for a short time (80 ms) after a certain time (3000 ms) has elapsed since the start of execution, then closes, and after a longer time (5420 ms) than the "first perk", it opens for a long time (9414 ms) before closing, completing the process. For the "third role win", after a certain time (3000 ms) has elapsed since the start of execution, the role win port 2006 opens for a short time (80 ms), then closes, and after a longer time (19366 ms) has elapsed than for the "second role win", it remains open for a longer time (9404 ms) before closing again and completing the process.

The second opening state of the prize winning port 2006 in the "first prize winning" occurs after the time when the "first prize winning" is completed from the start of execution. Also, the second opening state of the prize winning port 2006 in the "third prize winning" occurs after the time when the "second prize winning" is completed from the start of execution.

In addition, in the second long-time open state in the "second role hit" and "third role hit", the open state is repeated eight times (80 ms) at regular intervals (1252 ms). In other words, the role winning port 2006 opens and closes (is in the open state) twice in the "first role hit" and nine times in the "second role hit" and "third role hit".

Next, the operation of the distribution rotor 2533 of the first distribution device 2530 in the "per reel" is to rotate counterclockwise at the start of execution and enter the first storage state with the storage section 2533a facing upward for a predetermined time (3020 ms), then rotate clockwise and enter the unstorable state with the storage section 2533a facing rightward after the predetermined time (4560 ms) has passed, entering the second storage state for a longer time (13446 ms) than the first time, and after entering the unstorable state for a short time (500 ms), enter the third storage state for the same time (13446 ms) as the second time, before entering the unstorable state.

The first available state of this distribution rotor 2533 ends halfway through the first open state of the device winning port 2006 in the "perfect hit", and the distribution rotor 2533 becomes unable to accommodate. Also, the distribution rotor 2533 enters the second available state after the time from the start of execution to the completion of the "first hit". Therefore, during the "first hit", the control of the distribution rotor 2533 ends before the second available state is reached, and the second and third available states are not executed. The second available state of this distribution rotor 2533 begins before the second open state of the device winning port 2006 in the "second hit", and becomes unable to accommodate after the second open state becomes closed.

The distribution rotor 2533 also enters the third storage state after the time from the start of execution to the completion of the "second role hit". Therefore, during the "second role hit", the control of the distribution rotor 2533 ends before the third storage state is reached, and the third storage state is not executed. In other words, the distribution rotor 2533 enters the storage state once during the "first role hit", twice during the "second role hit", and three times during the "third role hit". The third storage state of this distribution rotor 2533 begins before the second opening state of the role winning port 2006 during the "third role hit", and becomes unstorable after the second opening state ends and the closed state is reached.

Next, the operation of the distribution piece 2543 of the second distribution device 2540 in the "hit of the role" is to protrude forward at the same time as the execution starts, and to enter a first closed state (a state in which distribution to the first V winning port 2007 is possible) in which the second spurt opening 2541 is closed for a predetermined time (3020 ms), and then to enter an open state in which the second spurt opening 2541 is opened (a state in which distribution to the lottery role 2550 is possible) after a predetermined time (23006 ms) has passed, and then to enter a second closed state for a time longer than the first open state (13446 ms), and then to enter an open state.

The first closing state of this distribution piece 2543 ends in the middle of the first opening state of the prize winning opening 2006 in the "perfect hit", and the distribution piece 2543 becomes open. Also, in the second distribution device 2540, the second closing state of the distribution piece 2543 starts in the middle of the second opening state of the prize winning opening 2006 in the "third hit", and after the second opening state of the prize winning opening 2006 becomes closed, the distribution piece 2543 changes from closed to open. Therefore, in the second distribution device 2540, the second closing state of the distribution piece 2543 is executed only in the "third hit", and the second closing state of the distribution piece 2543 is not executed in the "first hit" or "second hit".

For this reason, in the "first role hit", the opening and closing of the role winning port 2006 is executed twice in a short time, so it is unlikely that game ball B circulating through the first guide passage 2521 by "hitting to the right" will be accepted by the role winning port 2006. In addition, the first opening state of the role winning port 2006 in the "second role hit" and "third role hit" is also short, so it is unlikely that game ball B will be accepted by the role winning port 2006. In addition, the time during which the first storage state of the distribution rotor 2533 in the first distribution device 2530 overlaps with the first open state of the device winning port 2006 in the "perfect hit" is shorter than the time during which the device winning port 2006 is first open, so the possibility that the game ball B received in the device winning port 2006 during the first open state of the device winning port 2006 will be stored in the storage section 2533a of the distribution rotor 2533 is even lower. And since the time when the first storage state of the distribution rotor 2533 ends and the first closed state of the distribution piece 2543 in the second distribution device 2540 end is the same, the game ball B stored in the storage section 2533a during the first storage state of the distribution rotor 2533 will not be distributed to the first V winning port 2007 side.

On the other hand, the second open state of the prize winning port 2006 in the "second prize winning" and "third prize winning" takes a long time, so there is a high possibility that the game ball B will be received by the prize winning port 2006 through the first guide passage 2521. At this time, the distribution rotor 2533 of the first distribution device 2530 is in a state where it can be accommodated before the prize winning port 2006 opens, and then becomes in a state where it cannot be accommodated after the prize winning port 2006 changes from an open state to a closed state. Therefore, there is a high possibility that the game ball B received by the prize winning port 2006 in the second open state will be accommodated in the accommodation section 2533a of the distribution rotor 2533.

Thus, in this example, in addition to the low probability of game ball B being accepted by the device winning port 2006 in the first opening state of the device winning port 2006 in the "second device winning" and "third device winning", the even lower probability of game ball B accepted by the device winning port 2006 being accommodated in the storage section 2533a of the distribution rotor 2533 when the device winning port 2006 is in the first opening state, the distribution rotor 2533 rotates counterclockwise at the same time as the execution of the device winning game state begins to play, so that the storage section 2533a is facing upward and is in a storage-capable state, and after facing the storage section 2533a upward for a predetermined period of time (3020 ms), it rotates clockwise and so that the storage section 2533a is facing rightward and is in an unstorable state. In other words, immediately after the start of the game state where a per-game feature is played, the distribution rotor 2533 is unlikely to distribute game ball B to the chance hole 2531 side, but the distribution rotor 2533 performs an operation to distribute game ball B to the chance hole 2531 side, thereby indicating the distribution operation by the distribution rotor 2533 in advance.

Similarly, immediately after the start of the per-game play state, the distribution rotor 2533 is unlikely to distribute the game ball B to the chance port 2531 side, but at the same time as the start of the per-game play state, the distribution piece 2543 of the second distribution device 2540 is pushed forward to close the second spurt port 2541, making it possible to distribute to the first V winning port 2007, and after a predetermined time (3020 ms) has elapsed, it retreats and opens the second spurt port 2541, making it possible to distribute to the lottery device 2550. In other words, immediately after the start of the per-game play state, the distribution piece 2543 is unlikely to distribute the game ball B to the first V winning port 2007 side, but the distribution piece 2543 executes the operation of distributing the game ball B to the first V winning port 2007 side, and the distribution operation by the distribution piece 2543 is shown in advance.

In this example, the distribution rotor 2533 and the distribution piece 2543 operate simultaneously with the start of the per-game play state, that is, during the performance of the performance at the start of the per-game play state (the opening performance of the per-game play state, in which an explanation of the game in the per-game play state, such as "aim for the per-game win hole 2006," is given), and the per-game win hole 2006 opens for the first time after the operation of the distribution rotor 2533 and the distribution piece 2543. This reduces the possibility of the distribution rotor 2533 distributing game ball B to the chance hole 2531 side and the distribution piece 2543 distributing game ball B to the second spurt hole 2541 side. In addition, if there is no possibility or is extremely low possibility that the distribution rotor 2533 will distribute the game ball B to the chance hole 2531 side and that the distribution piece 2543 will distribute the game ball B to the second spurt hole 2541 side, the prize winning hole 2006 may be opened for the first time at the same time as the operation of the distribution rotor 2533 and the distribution piece 2543.

Also, only one of the distribution rotor 2533 and the distribution piece 2543 may be operated in advance, and the other may not be operated in advance. That is, some of the multiple movable parts (distribution rotor 2533, distribution piece 2543) that distribute the game ball B that has entered the role winning port 2006 may be operated in advance to perform the distribution operation, and the other movable parts may not be operated in advance. For example, the distribution piece 2543 that is more likely to cause the game ball B to enter the V winning port (in this example, the first V winning port 2007) by operating (high V winning expectation) may not be operated in advance, and only the distribution rotor 2533 that is less likely to cause the game ball B to enter the V winning port (in this example, the second V winning port 2008) than the distribution piece 2543 (low V winning expectation) may be operated in advance. As a result, while some of the allocation destinations of the game ball B that enters the bonus prize opening 2006 can be known in advance, the other allocation destinations can remain unknown. When the other allocation destinations are revealed, the player can be surprised by the increased number of allocation destinations, which can heighten anticipation, and the player can be drawn to the game ball B that is being allocated and enjoy its movement, preventing a decline in interest in the game.

In addition, the presence of the moving part (distribution piece 2543) with a high V winning expectation is concealed by not operating it in advance, leading the player to believe that game ball B will enter the lottery device 2550, and when the "third role hit" is executed, the moving part (distribution piece 2543) with a high V winning expectation operates to cause game ball B to enter the V winning hole (first V winning hole 2007 in this example), providing an element of surprise, and game ball B entering an unexpected allocation destination can increase interest in the game. In addition, the allocation to the first V winning hole 2007 side is concealed, leading the player to believe that there are only two allocation destinations, the first slack hole 2532 side and the lottery device 2550 side, so that the player will not be disappointed even if the "second role hit" with a lower V winning expectation than the "third role hit" is executed and game ball B is allocated to the lottery device 2550 side.

In this example, the distribution rotor 2533 is arranged in a manner that is easily visible to the player, whereas the distribution piece 2543 is flat and moves back and forth on the game board 5, and has a small area on the front side, so that its operation is difficult to notice. Furthermore, the passage on the side of the first V winning hole 2007, which can be entered by the distribution piece 2543 protruding forward, is difficult for the player to notice. Therefore, when the "third role hit" occurs, the distribution piece 2543 operates and the behavior of the game ball B when it enters the first V winning hole 2007 is difficult to notice, and the player can be given the sensation that a V win has suddenly occurred and a 15R jackpot has been executed, without being made aware that the game ball B has entered the first V winning hole 2007.

Also, by operating the distribution rotor 2533 in advance during the opening performance of the hit game state, the player can easily recognize the destination of the shot, i.e., the position to aim for during the hit game state, by the operation of the distribution rotor 2533 in addition to the instructions in the opening performance, such as "aim for the hit game winning hole 2006."

When the "hit" is drawn as described above and the reel winning port 2006 is opened, game ball B that has flowed down the first guide passage 2521 is received by the reel winning port 2006, is detected by the reel winning port sensor 2501, and is then sent to the first distribution device 2530. When game ball B is detected by the reel winning port sensor 2501, a bonus is awarded, such as adding a specified number of balls to the player's possession.

In the "second feature hit", when the feature winning port 2006 is opened for the second time, the distribution piece 2543 of the second distribution device 2540 is open, so when the distribution rotor 2533 rotates from a storage state to an unstorable state, the game ball B stored in the storage section 2533a flows down through the chance port 2531 to the second distribution device 2540 side, flows from the second spurt port 2541 through the lottery guide passage 2545, is detected by the lottery feature entry sensor 2546, and is sent to the lottery feature 2550.

In the lottery device 2550, the distribution bridge 2557 in the non-loop position is in the loop position. For example, the distribution bridge 2557 is in the loop position in response to the opening of the second suction port 2541 due to the retreat of the distribution piece 2543 in the second distribution device 2540. Then, the game ball B sent from the second distribution device 2540 to the lottery device 2550 rolls leftward on the guide path 2551 and is sent to the striking section 2553 through the distribution bridge 2557 in the loop position. Then, the game ball B sent to the striking section 2553 is supplied to the oscillating gutter 2554 provided at the central rear end of the table 2555 by the impact of the striking piece 2560 rotating at high speed, and is released from the oscillating gutter 2554 onto the table 2555.

The game ball B released onto the table 2555 rolls forward due to its inclination, and either enters the second V winning port 2008 located at the front center of the table 2555, or is released forward (guideway 2551) from the front edge of the table 2555. If the distribution bridge 2557 is still in the loop position when the game ball B is released forward from the front edge of the table 2555, the game ball B will pass through the distribution bridge 2557 and be supplied to the striking section 2553. Therefore, when the distribution bridge 2557 is in the loop position, the game ball B loops around the striking section 2553, the oscillating gutter 2554, the table 2555, and the guideway 2551 in that order until it is received by the second V winning port 2008.

Then, the lottery for a V winning at the lottery device 2550 ends when either game ball B is received by the second V winning port 2008, or game ball B is received by the losing port 2009, which is opened when the distribution bridge 2557 is placed in a non-loop position after a predetermined time has elapsed.

The game ball B received in the second V winning port 2008 is detected by the second V winning port sensor 2503 and discharged to the safe ball receiving port 500b of the lower circulating ball path unit 500 via the rear ball guiding unit 3100 of the rear unit 3000. On the other hand, the game ball B received in the losing port 2009 is detected by the losing port sensor 2504 and discharged to the safe ball receiving port 500b of the lower circulating ball path unit 500 via the rear ball guiding unit 3100 of the rear unit 3000. When the game ball B is detected by the second V winning port sensor 2503, a special privilege is given in which the large winning port 2005 opens and closes in a predetermined pattern.

In the "third role hit", when the role winning port 2006 is in the second open state, the distribution piece 2543 of the second distribution device 2540 is in the closed state, so when the distribution rotor 2533 rotates from the storage state to the non-storage state, the game ball B stored in the storage section 2533a passes through the chance port 2531 and abuts against the upper surface of the distribution piece 2543 in the closed state of the second distribution device 2540, is guided to the right, and enters (is accepted by) the first V winning port 2007. The game ball B that entered the first V winning port 2007 is detected by the first V winning port sensor 2502, and is discharged to the safe ball receiving port 500b of the circulation ball path unit 500 below via the back ball guide unit 3100 of the back unit 3000. When the first V winning hole sensor 2502 detects game ball B, a special bonus is awarded in which the big winning hole 2005 opens and closes in a predetermined pattern.

In this embodiment, in the lottery for the first special pattern and the second special pattern in which the big prize winning port 2005 and the accessory prize winning port 2006 open and close to create a favorable game state in which the player has an advantage, the first start port 2003 is always open to receive the game ball B, whereas the second start port 2004 is only able to receive the game ball B in a predetermined pattern when the normal lottery drawn by receiving the game ball B into the normal prize winning port 2002 is a "normal win". This makes it more likely that the first start port 2003 will receive the game ball B than the second start port 2004.

For this reason, under normal conditions, the player can perform an operation to shoot game ball B so that game ball B flows down the left side of the center device 2500 so that game ball B can be accepted by the first starting opening 2003. By showing the movement of game ball B being guided by multiple obstacle pins N, the player can enjoy playing the pachinko machine 1 with game ball B as intended, while also heightening the player's sense of anticipation for game ball B being accepted by the first starting opening 2003.

When game ball B is accepted into the first starting opening 2003 and a "win" (for example, a "small win", "medium win", "big win", "gift win", etc.) is selected as the lottery result for the first special pattern, the large prize opening 2005 or the gift winning opening 2006 opens and closes in a predetermined pattern, allowing the player to enjoy hitting game ball B aimed at the right side of the center gift winning opening 2500 (so-called "right hit") so that game ball B can be accepted into the large prize opening 2005 or the gift winning opening 2006, and increasing the player's anticipation of game ball B being accepted into the large prize opening 2005 or the gift winning opening 2006.

When hitting the game ball B to the right of the center device 2500, a guide passage group 2520 consisting of a first guide passage 2521 and a second guide passage 2522 is provided on the right side of the center device 2500, and since it has a variety of flow paths, the hitting strength of the game ball B can be adjusted so that the game ball B flows through the desired flow path, allowing the player to enjoy the operation of hitting the game ball B.

In addition, a normal winning hole 2002 is provided on the right side of the center device 2500, and a normal lottery is held in which the second starting hole 2004 is opened when game ball B is received by the normal winning hole 2002. Therefore, the player can enjoy whether game ball B shot into the right side passes through the normal winning hole 2002 or not, and can also enjoy whether game ball B is received by the second starting hole 2004 when the second starting hole 2004 becomes open. At this time, since the normal winning hole 2002 is provided directly below the exit of the first guide passage 2521 in the guide passage group 2520, the player can enjoy the operation of shooting game ball B aimed at the first guide passage 2521.

Furthermore, in the role winning port 2006, one game ball B that is received and selected by the first allocation device 2530 is allocated to either the first V winning port 2007 or the second spurt port 2541 by the second allocation device 2540, so that the player can be made to feel anxious and excited depending on whether the game ball B is allocated to the first V winning port 2007 or not. And even if the game ball B is allocated to the second spurt port 2541 by the second allocation device 2540, the game ball B is supplied to the lottery role 2550 that is conspicuously provided in the lower center of the center role 2500, so that the player can have a sense of expectation that the game ball B will be accepted by the second V winning port 2008 in the lottery role 2550. Thereafter, the player can be excited again depending on whether or not the game ball B rolling on the table 2555 of the lottery device 2550 is received by the second V winning port 2008, which entertains the player and prevents a decline in interest.

When game ball B is received by the first V winning hole 2007 or the second V winning hole 2008, or when game ball B is received by the first starting hole 2003 and the second starting hole 2004 and a "big win" is drawn as the first and second special symbols, the large winning hole 2005 of the attacca unit 2400 opens and closes in a predetermined pattern, providing an opportunity for many game balls B to be added to the number of balls held. In order to allow game ball B to be received by the large winning hole 2005 that is open and closed, the player can perform an operation to shoot game ball B toward the right side of the center device 2500, entertaining the player and preventing a decline in interest.

[8-10. Overall configuration of the rear unit]
Next, the overall configuration of the back unit 3000 in the game board 5 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 54 and 55. The back unit 3000 includes a vibration sensor 1040 (see Figure 70) that detects vibration acting on the game board 5 (pachinko machine 1), a general winning opening sensor 3001 that detects the game ball B received by the general winning opening 2001 and guided to the rear of the game panel 1100, and a regular winning opening sensor 3002 that detects the game ball B received by the regular winning opening 2002 and guided to the rear of the game panel 1100. The general winning opening sensor 3001 and the regular winning opening sensor 3002 are provided in the back ball guide unit 3100.

The rear unit 3000 is equipped with a rear box 3010 that is attached to the rear surface of the panel holder 1120 in the game panel 1100 and has a box shape with an open front and a square opening 3010a in the rear wall, a lock slider 3020 that is slidable left and right on the rear wall of the rear box 3010 for attaching and detaching the performance display device 1600, and a rear board unit 3040 that is hingedly attached to the rear wall of the rear box 3010.

The rear board unit 3040 comprises a board box 3041 that is L-shaped when viewed from the front and thin from front to back, and a panel relay board and a performance drive board (not shown) housed within the board box 3041. The board box 3041 has two shafts 3041a on the outer edge of the part extending up and down in the L shape that are rotatably supported by the shaft support part 3010f of the rear box 3010. The board box 3041 also has a locking claw 3041b at the tip of the part extending left and right in the L shape that locks into the locking part 3010g of the rear box 3010.

Furthermore, the rear unit 3000 includes a rear ball guide unit 3100 provided at the bottom near the front end of the rear box 3010 and through which the game ball B guided to the rear of the game panel 1100 circulates, a rear decoration unit 3200 provided behind the rear ball guide unit 3100 within the rear box 3010, a rear front performance unit 3300 provided to the left and above the rear ball guide unit 3100 near the front end within the rear box 3010, and a rear rear performance unit 3400 provided behind the rear front performance unit 3300 within the rear box 3010.

The back ball guidance unit 3100 is attached to the front of the back decoration unit 3200. The back decoration unit 3200 is attached to the front of the rear wall of the back box 3010 via an attachment supporter (not shown). The left end of the back front performance unit 3300 is attached near the front end of the back box 3010, and the right end is attached to the front of the right end of the back rear performance unit 3400. The upper part of the back rear performance unit 3400 is attached to the front of the rear wall of the back box 3010 via an attachment supporter (not shown), and the lower part is attached to the back decoration unit 3200.

The back decoration unit 3200, the back front performance unit 3300, and the back rear performance unit 3400 in the back unit 3000 can show the player predetermined moving and light emitting performances depending on the progress of the game.

[8-10a. Back box]
Next, the rear box 3010 in the rear unit 3000 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 54 and 55. The rear box 3010 is attached to the rear side of the game panel 1100 (panel holder 1120), and the presentation unit is attached inside the box-shaped interior, while the presentation display device 1600 and rear board unit 3040 are attached to the rear surface. The rear box 3010 is formed transparent. This allows the inside to be seen from the outside even when assembled to the game board 5.

The rear box 3010 is box-shaped with an open front and a rectangular opening 3010a penetrating the rear wall, a mounting surface 3010b provided at the bottom of the opening 3010a on which the performance display device 1600 is placed, two fixing grooves 3010c recessed upward from the inside of the frame at the top of the opening 3010a, and a locking mechanism 3010d provided below near the center of the mounting surface 3010b in the left-right direction, to which a lock slider 3020 is attached so that it can slide left and right.

The opening 3010a of the rear box 3010 is formed in a rectangular shape with an aspect ratio of 3:4 when viewed from the front. The opening 3010a is formed to have approximately the same size in the left-right direction as the rear wall of the rear box 3010 in the left-right direction. The opening 3010a is also provided in a position that is offset (eccentric) upward from the center of the rear box 3010 in the up-down direction. The opening 3010a is formed to have the same size as the liquid crystal spacer 1610 (a 19-inch liquid crystal display device).

The upper fixed piece 1611 of the liquid crystal spacer 1610 to which the performance display device 1600 is attached is inserted from below into the two fixing grooves 3010c of the rear box 3010. In addition, the lower fixed piece 1612 of the liquid crystal spacer 1610 to which the performance display device 1600 is attached can be inserted from behind into the lock mechanism part 3010d of the rear box 3010 with the lock slider 3020 slid to the left in rear view. With the lower fixed piece 1612 of the liquid crystal spacer 1610 inserted into the lock mechanism part 3010d, sliding the lock slider 3020 to the right in rear view prevents the lower fixed piece 1612 from moving backwards by the lock slider 3020, and the liquid crystal spacer 1610 (performance display device 1600) can be attached.

The rear box 3010 also has a flat fixed piece 3010e that extends outward from the front end. This fixed piece 3010e is attached to the gaming panel 1100 with its front surface abutting against the rear surface of the gaming panel 1100.

Furthermore, the rear box 3010 is provided with a pair of pivot supports 3010f on the rear surface that can rotatably support the shaft 3041a of the rear substrate unit 3040 around an axis extending in the vertical direction, and a locking portion 3010g that is provided on the rear surface on the opposite side in the left-right direction from the pair of pivot supports 3010f and that locks the locking claw 3041b of the rear substrate unit 3040.

The rear box 3010 has a pair of pivot supports 3010f and a locking portion 3010g, allowing the rear board unit 3040 to be attached to the rear side across the opening 3010a (the liquid crystal spacer 1610 and the performance display device 1600). When assembled to the game board 5, the L-shaped portion of the rear board unit 3040 that extends vertically is located to the left of the peripheral control unit 1500 when viewed from the rear. In addition, the L-shaped portion of the rear board unit 3040 that extends horizontally is located below the peripheral control unit 1500.

When the rear box 3010 is assembled to the game board 5, the rear of the liquid crystal spacer 1610 attached to the rear box 3010 can be opened by releasing the locking claw 3041b of the rear board unit 3040 that is locked to the locking portion 3010g and rotating the locking claw 3041b so that it moves rearward around the axis portion 3041a, and the liquid crystal spacer 1610, i.e., the performance display device 1600, can be attached and detached without removing the rear board unit 3040 from the rear box 3010.

The rear box 3010 also has a number of functional hole sections, each consisting of a set of two through holes aligned vertically or horizontally, provided on the surface facing the front-to-rear direction excluding the fixed piece section 3010e, and a functional surface section facing the front-to-rear direction that can be used when assembling the pachinko machine 1 (game board 5). The two through holes of the functional hole sections have the same diameter. The functional hole sections are intended for attaching the performance unit to the rear box 3010 directly or via an attachment supporter.

[8-10b. Back ball guidance unit]
Next, the back ball guiding unit 3100 in the back unit 3000 will be described mainly with reference to Fig. 54 etc. The back ball guiding unit 3100 is provided in the lower part near the front end inside the back box 3010, and is attached to the back box 3010 via the back decoration unit 3200. The back ball guiding unit 3100 includes a general winning port sensor 3001 that detects the game ball B received in the general winning port 2001, a normal winning port sensor 3002 that detects the game ball B received in the normal winning port 2002, and a plurality of magnetic sensors 1030 that can detect unauthorized magnetism acting within the game area 5a.

The back ball guiding unit 3100 can receive the game ball B received in the general winning port 2001, the normal winning port 2002, the first starting port 2003, the second starting port 2004, the big winning port 2005, the first V winning port 2007, the second V winning port 2008, the losing port 2009, and the first missing port 2532 in the front unit 2000 at the rear of the game panel 1100, guide it to the center in the left-right direction, and then discharge it to the safe ball receiving port 500b of the lower circulation ball path unit 500. The back ball guiding unit 3100 can also receive the game ball B received in the out port 2020 and the sub-out port 2021 in the front unit 2000 at the rear of the game panel 1100, guide it to the center in the left-right direction, and then discharge it to the out ball receiving port 500a of the lower circulation ball path unit 500.

[8-10c. Back decoration unit]
Next, the rear decoration unit 3200 in the rear unit 3000 will be described mainly with reference to Figures 54 and 55. The rear decoration unit 3200 is provided behind the rear ball guiding unit 3100 inside the rear box 3010, and is attached to the front of the rear wall of the rear box 3010 via an attachment supporter. A vibration sensor 1040 is attached to the rear decoration unit 3200. The rear ball guiding unit 3100 is attached to the front of this rear decoration unit 3200.

When assembled to the game board 5, the rear decoration unit 3200 comprises a rear bottom left decorative body 3210 and a rear bottom right decorative body 3220 that decorate the rear of the left and right outer sides of the lottery device 2550 in the center device 2500, and a rear bottom left decorative board and a rear bottom right decorative board (not shown) on which multiple LEDs are mounted to illuminate and decorate the rear bottom left decorative body 3210 and the rear bottom right decorative body 3220, respectively.

The lower left decorative body 3210 and the lower right decorative body 3220 are translucent, and on their respective upper surfaces are formed multiple projections and recesses that resemble a miniature town. The lower left decorative board and the lower right decorative board are provided below the lower left decorative body 3210 and the lower right decorative body 3220, respectively, and multiple LEDs (full color LEDs) are mounted on their upper surfaces. By appropriately illuminating the LEDs mounted on the lower left decorative board and the lower right decorative board, the lower left decorative body 3210 and the lower right decorative body 3220 can be illuminated and decorated.

[8-10d. Backstage Production Unit]
Next, the back front performance unit 3300 in the back unit 3000 will be described mainly with reference to Figures 50 to 52 and 54. The back front performance unit 3300 is provided to the left and above the back ball guide unit 3100 near the front end of the back box 3010, with its left end attached near the front end of the back box 3010 and its right end attached to the right end side of the back rear performance unit 3400.

The back-front performance unit 3300 comprises a back-front left decorative body 3301 which is a long, flat plate-like body located on the left end side, a back-front ascent decorative body unit 3310 which is arranged to the right of the back-front left decorative body 3301 and can be raised and lowered, and a back-front ascent mechanism 3350 for raising and lowering the back-front ascent decorative body unit 3310.

The back-front left decorative body 3301 of the back-front performance unit 3300 is provided with a magnetic sensor 1030 located downward from the center in the vertical direction. The back-front left decorative body 3301 extends vertically at a length approximately equal to the total height inside the back box 3010, and is translucent. Behind the back-front left decorative body 3301 is a back-front left decorative board (not shown) with multiple LEDs mounted on the front surface. The back-front left decorative body can be illuminated and decorated by appropriately illuminating the LEDs on this back-front left decorative board.

The back-front lifting decorative body unit 3310 is formed long in the left-right direction. The back-front lifting decorative body unit 3310 comprises a transparent flat back-front lifting base 3311 long in the left-right direction, a back-front central decorative body 3320 attached to the front center of the back-front lifting base 3311 and having a performance count display unit 3005, a back-front central left decorative body 3330 attached to the left of the back-front central decorative body 3320 on the front of the back-front lifting base 3311, and a back-front central right decorative body 3340 attached to the right of the back-front central decorative body 3320 on the front of the back-front lifting base 3311.

The back front central decorative body 3320 comprises a back front central decorative part 3321 formed in a predetermined three-dimensional shape, a back front central decorative board (not shown) provided behind the back front central decorative part 3321 and having multiple LEDs mounted thereon, and a back front central base 3323 which supports the back front central decorative board and the back front central decorative part 3321 from the rear and is attached to the back front lift base 3311. The back front central decorative part 3321 has a portion which three-dimensionally mimics a pine tree design, and this portion is provided with a performance count display part 3005 consisting of four 7-segment displays. The performance count display part 3005 uses some of the multiple LEDs mounted on the back front central decorative board.

The back-front middle left decorative body 3330 comprises a back-front middle left decorative part 3331 formed in a relief shape imitating the head of a specified character and having translucency, a back-front middle left decorative board (not shown) provided behind the back-front middle left decorative part 3331 and having multiple LEDs mounted thereon, and a back-front middle left base 3333 which supports the back-front middle left decorative board and the back-front middle left decorative part 3331 from behind and is attached to the back-front lift base 3311. The back-front middle left decorative body 3330 can illuminate and decorate the back-front middle left decorative part 3331 by appropriately illuminating the LEDs on the back-front middle left decorative board.

The back-front middle right decorative body 3340 has a back-front middle right decorative part 3341 formed in a relief shape imitating the head of a specified character and having translucency, a back-front middle right decorative board 3342 provided behind the back-front middle right decorative part 3341 and equipped with a plurality of first LEDs 3342a and second LEDs 3342b, and a back-front middle right base 3343 supporting the back-front middle right decorative board 3342 and the back-front middle right decorative part 3341 from the rear and attached to the back-front lift base 3311 (see Figure 71). The back-front middle right decorative body 3340 can illuminate and decorate the back-front middle right decorative part 3341 by appropriately illuminating the first LEDs 3342a and second LEDs 3342b of the back-front middle right decorative board 3342.

The back-front lifting mechanism 3350 is provided with a back-front left lifting rail (not shown) that is provided behind the back-front left decorative body 3301 and supports the left end side of the back-front lifting decorative body unit 3310 so that it can be raised and lowered, a back-front right lifting rail 3352 that supports the right end side of the back-front lifting decorative body unit 3310 so that it can be raised and lowered, and a back-front lifting drive unit (not shown) that is provided behind the back-front left decorative body 3301 and lifts and lowers the back-front lifting decorative body unit 3310. The back-front lifting mechanism 3350 also has a drop solenoid for dropping the back-front lifting decorative body unit 3310 from the elevated standby position, and a back-front lifting drive motor that raises the back-front lifting decorative body unit 3310 from the performance position where it has dropped downward to the standby position above, although not shown.

When assembled to the game board 5, the back-front lifting decorative body unit 3310 of the back-front performance unit 3300 is arranged so that it can be seen from the front through the frame of the center gimmick 2500. In the normal state, the back-front performance unit 3300 is positioned in a standby position, which is the upper end of its movement, and is prevented from falling downward by the locking claw. In the normal state, the back-front lifting decorative body unit 3310 is positioned near the top end of the display screen of the performance display device 1600, as shown in Figure 50 etc.

In addition, when the rear-front rising and lowering decorative body unit 3310 of the rear-front performance unit 3300 is in the standby position, which is the normal state, the rear-rear rising and lowering decorative body unit of the rear-rear performance unit 3400 is located in a retracted position behind it, making the rear-rear rising and lowering decorative body 3410 invisible from the front.

When the rear front performance unit 3300 is in the normal state, the rear front lifting drive motor moves the lifting slider to the lower end, allowing the rear front lifting decorative body unit 3310 to fall from the standby position to the lower performance position. Then, when the fall solenoid releases the locking claw from this state, the rear front lifting decorative body unit 3310 falls freely toward the standby position. When the rear front lifting decorative body unit 3310 has fallen to the performance position, it is located above the lottery device 2550 of the center device 2500 and slightly below the vertical center of the play area 5a.

When the rear-front rising decoration unit 3310 falls and reaches the performance position, the rear-rear rising decoration 3410 in the retreated position of the rear-rear performance unit 3400 located at the rear becomes visible from the front. This can surprise the player and make them think that something good is about to happen (that an opportunity has arrived).

In addition, a damper is provided at the bottom of the back-front lifting mechanism 3350 to absorb or mitigate the impact caused by the falling back-front lifting decorative unit 3310.

The rear-front lifting decorative unit 3310 that has fallen to the performance position rises to an upper standby position as the lifting slider moves upward by the rear-front lifting drive motor, and returns to the standby position as the locking claws automatically engage.

This back front performance unit 3300 has a performance count display section 3005 consisting of four 7-segment displays on the back front rising and lowering decorative body unit 3310 (back front central decorative body 3320), so that by executing a countdown display in which the numbers displayed on the performance count display section 3005 decrease, the player can see a countdown performance in which the back front rising and lowering decorative body unit 3310 falls. Note that in the countdown performance, the back rear rising and lowering decorative body 3410 may be moved to a lower appearance position without dropping the back front rising and lowering decorative body unit 3310, or the back front rising and lowering decorative body unit 3310 may be dropped and the back rear rising and lowering decorative body 3410 may be moved to a lower appearance position.

[8-10e. Backstage Production Unit]
Next, the rear performance unit 3400 in the rear unit 3000 will be described mainly with reference to Figures 54 and 55. The rear performance unit 3400 is provided behind the front rear performance unit 3300 in the rear box 3010, with the upper part attached to the rear wall of the rear box 3010 via an attachment supporter and the lower part attached to the rear decorative unit 3200. The rear performance unit 3400 is equipped with a rear rear lifting decorative body 3410 that is long from side to side, and a rear rear lifting mechanism 3450 for lifting and lowering the rear rear lifting decorative body 3410.

The rear-rear lifting decoration 3410 in the rear-rear performance unit 3400 includes a rear-rear lifting decoration part 3411 that is long in the left and right directions and has translucency, a rear-rear lifting decoration board (not shown) that is provided behind the rear-rear lifting decoration part 3411 and has multiple LEDs mounted thereon, and a rear-rear lifting base (not shown) that supports the rear-rear lifting decoration board and the rear-rear lifting decoration part from the rear and is lifted and lowered by the rear-rear lifting mechanism 3450. The rear-rear lifting decoration part 3411 has a logo part 3411a that is applied over its entire length in the left and right direction and is made up of a predetermined logo, and a character part 3411b that is provided in relief above the logo part 3411a and has multiple characters different from the rear-front lifting decoration unit 3310 lined up on the left and right. The rear-rear lifting decoration part 3411 can be illuminated and decorated by appropriately illuminating the LEDs of the rear-rear lifting decoration board.

The rear lifting mechanism 3450 in the rear performance unit 3400 comprises a U-shaped rear base 3451 that opens downwards, a translucent flat rear fixed decorative part 3452 that is provided on the front of the upper edge of the rear base 3451, and a rear fixed decorative board 3453 that is provided between the rear fixed decorative part 3452 and the rear base 3451 and has multiple LEDs mounted on it. The rear fixed decorative part 3452 is formed to be approximately the same length in the left-right direction as the rear lifting decorative body 3410, and has a predetermined pattern applied to its front. The rear fixed decorative part 3452 can be illuminated and decorated by appropriately illuminating the LEDs on the rear fixed decorative board 3453.

The rear-rear lifting mechanism 3450, although not shown in the figure, has a rear-rear left rail provided on the left side of the rear-rear base 3451 and supporting the left end side of the rear-rear lifting decorative body 3410 so that it can be raised and lowered, a rear-rear right rail provided on the right side of the rear-rear base 3451 and supporting the right end side of the rear-rear lifting decorative body 3410 so that it can be raised and lowered, and a rear-rear lifting drive unit provided on the left side of the rear-rear base for raising and lowering the rear-rear lifting decorative body 3410.

The rear-rear lifting drive unit has a rear-rear lifting drive motor, and by driving the rear-rear lifting drive motor, the rear-rear lifting decorative body 3410 can be raised and lowered between a retracted position, which is the upper end of its movement, and an emergent position, which is the lower end of its movement, and the rear-rear lifting decorative body 3410 can be stopped at any position between the retracted position and the emergent position.

In the normal state, the rear-rear performance unit 3400 has the rear-rear lifting decorative body 3410 in a retracted position, which is the upper end of its movement. In this state, the rear-rear lifting decorative body 3410 is located in front of the rear-rear fixed decorative part 3452 of the rear-rear lifting mechanism 3450. Therefore, the rear-rear fixed decorative part 3452 is hidden from view from the front by the rear-rear lifting decorative body 3410 in the retracted position.

When assembled on the game board 5, this rear performance unit 3400 is located behind the front performance unit 3300, so in the normal state, the front-rear lifting decoration unit 3310, which is the waiting position of the front-rear performance unit 3300, is located in front of the rear-rear lifting decoration unit 3410, and is hidden by the front-rear lifting decoration unit 3310 and cannot be seen from the front.

When the rear-rear performance unit 3400 moves the rear-rear lifting decoration 3410 from its normal state to the appearance position, which is the lower end of its movement, by driving the rear-rear lifting drive motor of the rear-rear lifting mechanism 3450, it is positioned lower than the rear-front lifting decoration unit 3310 in the standby position and slightly above the vertical center of the game area 5a. This makes the rear-rear lifting decoration 3410 visible to the player.

Even when the rear-rear lifting decorative body 3410 is moved downward from the retracted position, when the rear-front lifting decorative body unit 3310 is in the standby position, the rear-rear fixed decorative part 3452 cannot be seen from the front because the rear-front lifting decorative body unit 3310 is located in front of the rear-rear fixed decorative part 3452. Therefore, when the rear-rear lifting decorative body 3410 is moved downward (appearance position) from the retracted position and the rear-front lifting decorative body unit 3310 is dropped from the standby position to the lower performance position, the rear-rear fixed decorative part 3452 can be seen from the front for the first time. This gives a sense of premium to the rear-rear fixed decorative part 3452 being visible.

When the rear-rear rising decoration 3410 is moved to the downward appearance position and the rear-front rising decoration unit 3310 is dropped to its performance position, the rear-front rising decoration unit 3310 is positioned in front of the logo section 3411a in the rear-rear rising decoration part 3411 of the rear-rear rising decoration 3410, hiding the logo section 3411a and causing the character section 3411b, in which multiple characters are arranged in a row, to face forward from above the rear-front rising decoration unit 3310 (see Figure 74).

When the rear-rear lifting decorative body 3410 has been moved to the appearance position, the rear-rear lifting drive motor of the rear-rear lifting mechanism 3450 can be reversed to raise the rear-rear lifting decorative body 3410 and return it to the retracted position.

[8-11. Game board effects]
Next, the performance by the game board 5 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figs. 66 to 69. Fig. 66 is a front view of the game board shown in a normal state. Fig. 67 is a front view of the game board shown in a state where the back front rising decoration unit of the back front performance unit is dropped from the standby position to the performance position from the normal state. Fig. 68 is a front view of the game board shown in a state where the back rear rising decoration of the back rear performance unit is moved from the retreat position to the appearance position from the normal state. Fig. 69 is a front view of the game board shown in a state where the back front rising decoration unit of the back front performance unit is dropped from the standby position to the performance position and the back rear rising decoration of the back rear performance unit is moved from the retreat position to the appearance position from the retreat position from the normal state.

As shown in FIG. 66, the game board 5 of this embodiment is mainly arranged so that the rear unit 3000 and the display screen of the performance display device 1600, which are provided at the rear, can be seen through the frame of the center role 2500. This game board 5 is arranged so that the lottery role 2550 and the rear lower left decoration 3210 and the rear lower right decoration 3220 of the rear decoration unit 3200 provided on the left and right sides of the lottery role 2550 are always visible near the bottom edge through the frame of the center role 2500, and the rear front left decoration 3301 of the rear front performance unit 3300 is always visible near the left edge within the frame of the center role 2500.

In the normal state of the game board 5, the back front lifting decoration unit 3310 of the back front performance unit 3300 in the back unit 3000 has moved to the waiting position, which is the upper end of its movement, and the back rear lifting decoration 3410 of the back rear performance unit 3400 has moved to the retracted position, which is the upper end of its movement. The back front lifting decoration unit 3310 that has moved to the retracted position is visible facing forward near the upper edge within the frame of the center gimmick 2500. The back rear lifting decoration 3410 that has moved to the retracted position is located behind the back front lifting decoration unit 3310 at the same height as the back front lifting decoration unit 3310 in the retracted position, and is hidden by the back front lifting decoration unit 3310 and cannot be seen from the front.

In addition, in the normal state, the rear-rear ascent and descent decorative body 3410 is located in a retracted position in front of the rear-rear fixed decorative part 3452 of the rear-rear performance unit 3400, and further in front of that is the front-rear ascent and descent decorative body unit 3310 in a standby position, which hides them and makes them invisible from the front.

In this normal state, the rear front lifting decorative body unit 3310 has moved to an upper waiting position, so that the performance count display section 3005 provided on the rear front lifting decorative body unit 3310 (rear front central decorative body 3320) is located above the center of the display screen of the performance display device 1600, and appears prominent to the player without interfering with the performance image displayed on the performance display device 1600.

The game board 5 of this embodiment can execute the performance shown in FIG. 67 using the back front performance unit 3300 of the back unit 3000. In this performance, in the normal state in which the back front lifting decoration unit 3310 moves to the upper standby position, the back front lifting mechanism 3350 moves the lifting slider to the lower end side by the back front lifting drive motor, and then the locking claw is released by the drop solenoid, and the back front lifting decoration unit 3310 is allowed to fall freely to the performance position. When the back front lifting decoration unit 3310 falls to the performance position, the back front lifting decoration unit 3310 is located above the lottery device 2550 of the center device 2500 and slightly lower than the vertical center of the game area 5a, and is in a state in which the vicinity of the vertical center of the display screen of the performance display device 1600 is hidden. In addition, when the back-front rising and lowering decoration unit 3310 falls to the performance position, the back-rear rising and lowering decoration 3410 in the retreated position of the back-rear performance unit 3400 becomes visible near the upper edge within the frame of the center gimmick 2500. As a result, the back-front rising and lowering decoration unit 3310 falls freely, surprising the player and making the player think that something good is about to happen (that an opportunity has arrived).

Next, the game board 5 can execute a performance as shown in FIG. 68 using the back rear performance unit 3400 of the back unit 3000. In this performance, in the normal state where the back rear lifting decoration 3410 is moved to the upper retracted position, the back rear lifting drive motor of the back rear lifting mechanism 3450 moves the back rear lifting decoration 3410 to the lower moving end to the appearance position state. As a result, the back rear lifting decoration 3410, which was invisible due to the back front lifting decoration unit 3310, becomes visible, so that the player can be surprised and the player can be made to think that a chance has arrived, increasing the expectation for the game. In addition, when the back rear lifting decoration 3410 moves to the appearance position, it is located approximately in the center in the vertical direction of the display screen of the performance display device 1600, so the back rear lifting decoration 3410 can divide the display screen into upper and lower parts, and the player can be shown a performance in which the performance image is physically divided into upper and lower parts.

In addition, as a performance using the rear-end performance unit 3400, the rear-end ascent and descent decorative body 3410 can be moved to any height between the retracted position and the emergent position by the rear-end ascent and descent drive motor, so that as a preview performance, the rear-end ascent and descent decorative body 3410 can be moved slightly downward from the retracted position or vibrated up and down.

Then, the game board 5 can execute the performance as shown in FIG. 69 using both the back front performance unit 3300 and the back rear performance unit 3400 of the back unit 3000. In this performance, the back front lifting decoration unit 3310 is dropped from the standby position to the performance position, and the back rear lifting decoration 3410 is moved downward from the retreat position to the appearance position. As a result, the back front lifting decoration unit 3310 and the back rear lifting decoration 3410 are in a state in which they cover the display screen of the performance display device 1600, which can give a strong impact to the player, and the back rear fixed decoration part 3452 located above the display screen, which was not visible until now, becomes visible, which can give the player a sense of premium and increase the player's sense of expectation for the occurrence of a favorable game state (for example, a jackpot game) in which the player is advantageous.

In this performance, the back-front ascent and descent decorative body unit 3310 and the back-rear ascent and descent decorative body 3410 may be moved downward at the same time, or the back-front ascent and descent decorative body unit 3310 may be dropped first and then the back-rear ascent and descent decorative body 3410 may be moved downward, or the back-rear ascent and descent decorative body unit 3310 may be moved downward first and then the back-front ascent and descent decorative body unit 3310 may be dropped.

The game board 5 also has a performance count display unit 3005 that is always visible from the front of the back unit 3000, so that a performance can be executed using the performance count display unit 3005. For example, a countdown display that decreases the numbers displayed on the performance count display unit 3005 moment by moment can be used to count down the timing when the back front rising and lowering decoration unit 3310 falls or the back rear rising and lowering decoration 3410 moves downward. Or, for example, the detection of game ball B by the lottery ball entry sensor 2546 can be used to count down the time when game ball B can no longer loop in the lottery device 2550.

The effect count display unit 3005 may also be configured to display (suggest) as a number the expectation level for the special pattern drawn by the reception of the game ball B into the first start port 2003 or the second start port 2004. Alternatively, since the effect count display unit 3005 has four seven-segment displays, the effect pattern may be formed by combining the illumination of each segment, and the effect pattern may be displayed in a variable manner and then stopped, so that the expectation level is suggested by the stopped-displayed effect pattern.

[9. Control Configuration]
Next, the control configuration for performing various controls of the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 38 and Fig. 70. Fig. 70 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the pachinko machine. Note that Fig. 70 omits some of the electronic components such as sensors, solenoids, motors, and LEDs connected to the frame control board 640.

As shown in the figure, the main control configuration of the pachinko machine 1 is composed of a main control board 1310 and a peripheral control board 1510 attached to the game board 5, and a frame control board 640 attached to the main body frame 4, with each being responsible for its own control. The main control board 1310 controls the game operation (progress of the game). The peripheral control board 1510 is equipped with a peripheral control unit 1511 that controls various effects during play based on commands from the main control board 1310, and an effect display control unit 1512 that controls the display of effect images on the effect display device 1600 based on commands from the peripheral control unit 1511.

[9-1. Main control board]
The main control board 1310 that controls the progress of the game is not shown in detail, but includes a main control MPU, which is a microprocessor that includes a ROM that stores various processing programs and various commands and a RAM that temporarily stores data, a main control I/O port as an input/output device (I/O device), a main control input circuit to which detection signals from various detection switches are input, a main control solenoid drive circuit for driving various solenoids, a RAM clear switch for completely erasing information stored in the RAM built into the main control MPU, a setting display for displaying setting values and errors, and a base monitor for displaying the number of game balls B collected by the out port 2020 and the sub-out port 2021 provided in the game area 5a partitioned and formed on the game board 5. In addition to the built-in ROM and RAM, the main control MPU also includes a watchdog timer that monitors its operation (system) and a function for preventing fraud.

In addition to its built-in RAM (hereafter referred to as "main control built-in RAM") and built-in ROM (hereafter referred to as "main control built-in ROM"), the main control MPU also has built-in watchdog timers (hereafter referred to as "main control built-in WDT") that monitor its operation (system) and functions to prevent fraud.

The main control MPU also has built-in non-volatile RAM. This non-volatile RAM pre-stores a unique ID code assigned by the manufacturer of the main control MPU as a unique code (a code that exists only once in the world) to identify the individual unit. Once this ID code is assigned, it cannot be rewritten even using an external device, as it is stored in the non-volatile RAM. The main control MPU is capable of retrieving the ID code from the non-volatile RAM and referencing it.

The main control MPU also has a built-in circuit that resets the main control MPU by hardware when it is affected by electrical noise (hereinafter referred to as the "built-in reset circuit"). The built-in reset circuit monitors the contents of a specified register of the main control MPU, and if the register changes to an inconsistent content, it resets the main control MPU as it has been affected by electrical noise. Such a forced reset by the built-in reset circuit cannot be disabled by controlling it with a user program. Therefore, when the main control MPU is forced to reset by the built-in reset circuit, it is reset without executing the main control side power off processing described below, and it will again execute the main control side power on processing described below. In this case, since the main control side power off processing is not executed, as described below, a checksum (sum value) error will always occur in the main control built-in RAM, and the contents of the main control built-in RAM will be completely erased (cleared). Furthermore, even if the main control MPU is forcibly reset by the built-in reset circuit, the built-in reset circuit of the main control MPU does not output a reset signal to the frame control board 640, so only the main control board 1310 (main control MPU) is restarted, and the frame control board 640 remains in an activated state.

The main control MPU also has a built-in hardware random number circuit (hereinafter referred to as the "main control built-in hardware random number circuit") that uses hardware to update the jackpot determination random numbers used to determine whether or not to generate a jackpot gaming state, among various random numbers related to gaming. This main control built-in hardware random number circuit generates random numbers within a predetermined numerical range (in this embodiment, a numerical range of 0 as the minimum value and 65535 as the maximum value is preset), and is configured so that the predetermined value is not fixed as the initial value (i.e., the initial value is not fixed), and a different value is set each time the main control MPU is reset. Specifically, when the main control MPU is reset, the main control built-in hard random number circuit first sets a value within a predetermined numerical range as the initial value, and rapidly extracts other values within the predetermined numerical range one after another without overlapping based on a clock signal input to the main control MPU (a clock signal output from a crystal oscillator (not shown) provided separately from the main control MPU), and when all values within the predetermined numerical range have been extracted, it again extracts a value within the predetermined numerical range, and rapidly extracts other values within the predetermined numerical range one after another without overlapping based on the clock signal input to the main control MPU. The main control built-in hard random number circuit repeatedly performs such rapid lottery selection, and the main control MPU sets the value extracted by the main control built-in hard random number circuit at the time when it obtains a value from the main control built-in hard random number circuit as the random number for determining a jackpot.

The main control input circuit does not have a reset terminal for forcibly resetting the information input to its various input terminals, which are detection signals from the various sensors, and does not have a reset function. For this reason, the main control input circuit is configured as a circuit that does not receive a system reset signal from a main control system reset (not shown). In other words, the main control input circuit is configured as a circuit in which information based on detection signals from the various sensors input to its various input terminals is not reset by a main control system reset, and various signals based on that information are output from its various output terminals.

The main control MPU of the main control board 1310 detects the game ball B received in the first start port 2003, the second start port sensor 2401 detects the game ball B received in the second start port 2004, the general prize port sensor 3001 detects the game ball B received in the general prize port 2001, the normal prize port sensor 3002 detects the game ball B received in the normal prize port 2002, the large prize port sensor 2402 detects the game ball B received in the large prize port 2005, the special prize port sensor 2501 detects the game ball B received in the special prize port 2006, the first V prize port sensor 2007 detects the game ball B received in the special prize port 2008, the first V prize port sensor 2009 detects the game ball B received in the special prize port 2009, the first V prize port sensor 2010 detects the game ball B received in the special prize port 2001, the first V prize port sensor 2011 detects the game ball B received in the special prize port 2002, the first V prize port sensor 2012 detects the game ball B received in the special prize port 2003, the first V prize port sensor 2013 detects the game ball B received in the special prize port 2004, the first V prize port sensor 2014 detects the game ball B received in the special prize port 2005, the special prize port sensor 2501 detects the game ball B received in the special prize port 2006, the first V prize port sensor 2015 detects the game ball B received in the special prize port 2007, the first V prize port sensor 2016 detects the game ball B received in the special prize port 2008, the first V prize port sensor 2017 detects the game ball B received in the special prize port 2009, the first V prize port sensor 2020 detects the game ball B received in the Detection signals from the first V winning port sensor 2502 that detects the game ball B that has been inserted, the second V winning port sensor 2503 that detects the game ball B that has been accepted into the second V winning port 2008, the losing port sensor 2504 that detects the game ball B that has been accepted into the losing port 2009, the out ball sensor 505 that detects the game ball B that has been discharged from the game board 5, the safe ball sensor 506, the magnetic sensor 1030 that detects illegal magnetism within the game area 5a, and the vibration sensor 1040 that detects vibrations acting on the game board 5, etc. are input to the input terminal of a specified input port of the main control MPU via the main control input circuit.

In addition, the detection signals from the setting key switch 1312 and the setting change switch (RAM clear switch) provided on the setting change board are input to the input terminal of a specified input port of the main control MPU via the main control input circuit.

In addition, when the detection signal from the door open switch 407 and the detection signal from the frame open switch 408 are input to the main control board 1310 via the frame control board 640, they are input to the input terminals of the specified input ports of the main control MPU via the main control input circuit.

The detection signals from the out ball sensor 505, the first start opening sensor 2101, and the second start opening sensor 2401 are input directly to the main control board 1310 without going through other boards, and are input to the input terminal of a specified input port of the main control MPU via the main control input circuit. In contrast, the detection signals from the general prize opening sensor 3001, the normal prize opening sensor 3002, the large prize opening sensor 2402, the special prize opening sensor 2501, the first V prize opening sensor 2502, the second V prize opening sensor 2503, the losing opening sensor 2504, the magnetic sensor 1030, and the vibration sensor 1040 are input indirectly to the main control board 1310 via the panel relay board, and are input to the input terminal of a specified input port of the main control MPU via the main control input circuit.

Based on these detection signals, the main control MPU outputs a control signal from the output terminal of its specified output port to the main control solenoid drive circuit, so that the main control solenoid drive circuit outputs respective drive signals to the start port solenoid 2412, attacca solenoid 2414, role winning port solenoid 2516, first distribution solenoid 2534, second distribution solenoid 2544, lottery loop solenoid 2558, striking piece drive motor 2561, gutter oscillation drive motor 2564, and oscillation piece solenoid 2565 via the panel relay board, i.e. indirectly, and outputs respective drive signals from the output terminal of the specified output port to the status indicator, normal pattern display, normal hold indicator, first special pattern display, first special hold number display, second special pattern display, second special hold number display, and round indicator of the function display unit 1400 without going through other boards, i.e. directly. Based on these detection signals, the main control MPU also outputs a drive signal from the output terminal of the specified output port, thereby outputting a drive signal to the setting change permission lamp on the setting change board.

The main control MPU outputs various information (game information) related to the game to the frame control board 640 by outputting various information (game information) related to the game from the output terminal of the specified output port, outputs a signal (power failure clear signal) to the power failure monitoring circuit by outputting a signal (power failure clear signal) from the output terminal of the specified output port, and outputs a launch permission signal that conveys permission to launch the game ball B to the frame control board 640 by outputting a launch permission signal from the output terminal of the specified output port. The logic of the launch permission signal that conveys permission to launch is set to the launch permission logic when the launch is permitted, and is set to the launch stop logic (launch non-permission logic) that is the inversion of the launch permission logic when the launch is not permitted. Note that the logic of the launch permission signal is configured by hardware including a main control output circuit with a reset function so that it is set to the launch stop logic (launch non-permission logic) that is the inversion of the launch permission logic as an initial value (default) from when the pachinko machine 1 is powered on (after power is restored) until the launch permission signal setting process in the main control side timer interrupt process described later is started.

In this embodiment, the first start hole sensor 2101, the second start hole sensor 2401, the normal winning hole sensor 3002, the large winning hole sensor 2402, the accessory winning hole sensor 2501, the first V winning hole sensor 2502, the second V winning hole sensor 2503, the miss hole sensor 2504, the out ball sensor 505, the safe ball sensor 506, and the foul ball sensor 507 use non-contact type electromagnetic proximity switches, whereas the normal winning hole sensor 3001 uses a contact type ON/OFF operation mechanical switch. This is because game ball B frequently enters the first start hole 2003, the second start hole 2004, and the normal winning hole 2002, so the first start hole sensor 2101, the second start hole sensor 2401, and the normal winning hole sensor 3002 also frequently detect game ball B. For this reason, the first start port sensor 2101, the second start port sensor 2401, and the normal winning port sensor 3002 use proximity switches that are highly durable and have a long lifespan.

In addition, when a favorable game state (such as a "jackpot" game) occurs that is advantageous to the player, the large prize opening 2005 and the accessory prize opening 2006 are opened and game ball B enters the opening frequently, so that the large prize opening sensor 2402 and the accessory prize opening sensor 2501 also frequently detect game ball B. For this reason, the large prize opening sensor 2402 and the accessory prize opening sensor 2501 also use a proximity switch that is highly durable and has a long life. In addition, since the game ball B shot into the game area 5a is collected in large quantities by the out opening 2020 and the sub-out opening 2021 provided in the game area 5a that is partitioned and formed on the game board 5, the out ball sensor 505 also frequently detects game ball B. For this reason, the out ball sensor 505 also uses a proximity switch that is highly durable and has a long life. In contrast, the general prize opening 2001, into which game ball B does not enter frequently, does not frequently detect the general prize opening sensor 3001. For this reason, a mechanical switch, which has a shorter lifespan than a proximity switch, is used for the general winning hole sensor 3001. Note that a highly durable, long-lifespan proximity switch may be used regardless of whether or not game balls B frequently enter the general winning hole 2001.

The main control MPU also transmits various information related to the game (game information) and various commands related to the granting of bonuses to the frame control board 640, and receives various commands related to the state of the pachinko machine 1 from the frame control board 640. Furthermore, the main control MPU transmits various commands related to the control of game presentations and various commands related to the state of the pachinko machine 1 to the peripheral control unit 1511 of the peripheral control board 1510 via the main control I/O port. Note that, when the main control MPU receives various commands related to the state of the pachinko machine 1 from the frame control board 640, which will be described in detail later, it formats these various commands and transmits them to the peripheral control unit 1511.

The main control board 1310 is supplied with various voltages from the power supply board 650 of the frame board unit 630, as will be described in detail later. The power supply board 650, which supplies various voltages to the main control board 1310, is equipped with an electric double layer capacitor (hereinafter simply referred to as "capacitor") as a backup power source to supply power to the main control board 1310 for a predetermined period of time even when the power is cut off. This capacitor allows the main control MPU to store various information in RAM during power-off processing even when the power is cut off. This stored information is completely erased (cleared) from the RAM when the RAM clear switch of the main control board 1310 is operated when the power is turned on. The operation signal (detection signal) of this RAM clear switch is also output to the frame control board 640.

The main control board 1310 is also provided with a power outage monitoring circuit. This power outage monitoring circuit monitors drops in various voltages supplied from the power supply board 650, and when these voltages fall below the power outage warning voltage, it outputs a power outage warning signal as a power outage warning. This power outage warning signal is input to the main control MPU via the main control I/O port, and is also output to the frame control board 640, etc.

[9-2. Frame control board]
The frame control board 640, which controls the number of game balls B held by a player, is equipped with a RAM clear switch 641 for erasing information stored in RAM, a ball removal switch 642 used to remove the enclosed game ball B from the ball removal port 513p of the circulating ball path unit 500 to the outside (ball receiving tray 620), and a ball number memory/display clear switch 643 for clearing the number of balls held by the player stored in RAM, etc. and clearing the display on the ball number display section 140 of the door frame 3.

[9-3. Peripheral control board]
As shown in FIG. 70 , the peripheral control board 1510 is equipped with a peripheral control unit 1511 that performs performance control based on commands from the main control board 1310, and a performance display control unit 1512 that performs drawing control of the performance display device 1600 based on control data from this peripheral control unit 1511.

[9-3a. Peripheral control unit]
The peripheral control unit 1511 which controls the performance on the peripheral control board 1510, although detailed illustration is omitted, is equipped with a peripheral control IC in which a CPU, RAM, VDP, VRAM, sound source, SATA controller, and various I/O interfaces are integrated onto a single semiconductor chip, a peripheral control ROM which stores various processing programs and various commands, a sound source IC which produces high-quality sound, and a sound ROM which stores sound information such as music, voice, and sound effects referenced by the sound source IC.

The peripheral control IC has multiple parallel I/O ports, serial I/O ports, etc. integrated on one semiconductor chip. When various commands are received from the main control board 1310, the CPU of the peripheral control IC transmits game board side light emission data from the serial I/O port for the lamp drive board to each decorative board of the game board 5 in order to output a lighting signal, a blinking signal, or a gradation lighting signal to the color LEDs, etc., provided on each decorative board of the game board 5 based on these various commands, and transmits game board side drive data from the serial I/O port for the game board decoration drive board to output a drive signal to the drive motor that operates the various performance units provided on the game board 5, and transmits game board side drive data from the serial I/O port for the game board decoration drive board to the drive motor of the game board 5. The serial I/O port for the frame decoration drive board transmits control data (display commands) indicating the screen to be displayed on the performance display device 1600 to the performance display control unit 1512 from the serial I/O port for the display control unit, and outputs a control signal (sound command) to the sound source IC to extract sound information from the sound ROM.

The detection signals from the first performance button 251 and the second performance button 252 of the performance operation unit 250 provided on the door frame 3 are input to the peripheral control IC.

The CPU of the peripheral control IC also receives a signal (operation signal) from the performance display control unit 1512 indicating that the performance display control unit 1512 is operating normally, and monitors the operation of the performance display control unit 1512 based on this operation signal.

The sound source IC extracts sound information from the sound ROM based on control data (sound commands) from the CPU of the peripheral control IC, and controls the top center speaker, top side speaker, and main frame speaker 403 of the main frame 4, etc., which are provided on the door frame 3 and main frame 4, so that music and sound effects corresponding to various performances are played. The volume can be adjusted by rotating the volume adjustment switch protruding backward from the peripheral control board box in which the peripheral control board 1510 is housed. In this embodiment, by sending audio signals (e.g., 2ch stereo signal, 4ch stereo signal, 2.1ch surround signal, or 4.1ch surround signal, etc.) as sound information to the top center speaker and top side speaker on the door frame 3 side and the main frame speaker 403 for low tones on the main frame 4, it is possible to present a more realistic sound effect (sound performance) than before.

In addition to the built-in WDT (watchdog timer) built into the CPU of the peripheral control IC, the peripheral control unit 1511 also has an external WDT (watchdog timer) (not shown), and the CPU of the peripheral control IC uses the built-in WDT and the external WDT together to diagnose whether its own system is out of control.

The display commands output from the CPU of this peripheral control IC to the performance display control unit 1512 are sent via a serial input/output port, and in this embodiment, the bit rate (the amount of data that can be sent per unit time) is set to 19.2 kilobits per second (bps). On the other hand, the initial data, door frame side light blinking command, game board side light blinking command, movable body drive command, etc., output from the CPU of the peripheral control IC to the game board 5 side are sent via multiple serial input/output ports different from the display commands, and in this embodiment, the bit rate is set to 250 kbps.

[9-3b. Performance display control unit]
The performance display control unit 1512 controls the drawing of the performance display device 1600. Although detailed illustration is omitted, the performance display control unit 1512 includes a display control MPU as a microprocessor, a display control ROM that stores various processing programs, various commands, and various data, a VDP (short for Video Display Processor) that controls the display of the performance display device 1600, an image ROM that stores various data of the screen displayed on the performance display device 1600, and an image RAM to which the various data stored in the image ROM is transferred and copied.

This display control MPU has built-in parallel I/O ports, serial I/O ports, etc., and controls the VDP based on control data (display commands) from the peripheral control unit 1511 to control the drawing of the performance display device 1600. When the display control MPU is operating normally, it outputs an operation signal to the peripheral control unit 1511 to inform the same. The display control MPU also receives an execution signal from the VDP, and performs interrupt processing when the output of this execution signal is stopped every 16 ms.

In addition to various programs for generating screens to be drawn on the performance display device 1600, the display control ROM stores multiple items such as schedule data corresponding to control data (display commands) from the peripheral control unit 1511, and non-resident area transfer schedule data corresponding to the control data (display commands). The schedule data is configured by chronologically arranging screen data that specifies the screen configuration, and specifies the order in which the screens are drawn on the performance display device 1600. The non-resident area transfer schedule data is configured by chronologically arranging non-resident area transfer data that specifies the order in which the various data stored in the image ROM is transferred to the non-resident area of the image RAM. This non-resident area transfer data specifies the order in which the various data are transferred from the image ROM to the non-resident area of the image RAM in advance for the screen data to be drawn on the performance display device 1600 according to the progress of the schedule data.

The display control MPU extracts the first screen data of the schedule data corresponding to the control data (display command) from the peripheral control unit 1511 from the display control ROM and outputs it to the VDP, and then extracts the screen data following the first screen data from the display control ROM and outputs it to the VDP. In this way, the display control MPU extracts the screen data arranged in chronological order in the schedule data one by one from the display control ROM, starting from the first screen data, and outputs it to the VDP.

When the VDP receives screen data output from the display control MPU, it extracts sprite data from the image RAM based on the input screen data, generates drawing data to be displayed on the performance display device 1600, and outputs this generated drawing data to the performance display device 1600. When the performance display device 1600 does not accept screen data from the display control MPU, the VDP outputs an execution signal to the display control MPU to inform the display device 1600 of this. The VDP uses a line buffer system. This "line buffer system" is a system in which one line's worth of drawing data for drawing the left and right directions of the performance display device 1600 is stored in a line buffer, and the one line's worth of drawing data stored in the line buffer is output to the performance display device 1600.

The image ROM stores a large amount of sprite data, and its capacity is large. When the capacity of the image ROM becomes large, that is, when the number of sprites to be drawn on the performance display device 1600 increases, the access speed of the image ROM cannot be ignored, and this affects the speed at which data is drawn on the performance display device 1600. Therefore, in this embodiment, the sprite data stored in the image ROM is transferred and copied to the image RAM, which has a fast access speed, and the sprite data is extracted from this image RAM. Note that the sprite data is the base data, which is the data before the sprite is expanded into bitmap format, and is stored in the image ROM in a compressed state.

Now, to explain what a "sprite" is, a "sprite" is an image that is displayed as a unit on the performance display device 1600. For example, when displaying various people (characters) on the performance display device 1600, the data for drawing each person is called a "sprite." As a result, when displaying multiple people on the performance display device 1600, multiple sprites are used. In addition to people, the houses, mountains, roads, etc. that make up the background are also sprites, and the entire background can be treated as a single sprite. These sprites are drawn on the performance display device 1600 after their placement on the screen and their hierarchical relationship when sprites overlap (hereinafter referred to as the "sprite overlapping order") are set.

A sprite is made up of multiple rectangular areas of 64 pixels each. The data used to draw these rectangular areas is called a "sprite character." Small sprites can be represented using one sprite character, while relatively large sprites such as people can be represented using a total of six sprite characters arranged, for example, 2 x 3. Even larger sprites such as backgrounds can be represented using even more sprite characters. In this way, the number and arrangement of sprite characters can be specified arbitrarily for each sprite.

The performance display device 1600 is driven by a main scan that sets the display state of each pixel in one direction along the pixels, from left to right when viewed from the front, and a sub-scan that repeats the main scan in a direction that intersects with the one direction. When the performance display device 1600 receives one line of drawing data output from the performance display control unit 1512, it outputs the data to each of the pixels in one line in a main scan from left to right when viewed from the front of the performance display device 1600. When the output of one line is completed, the performance display device 1600 moves to the line directly below as a sub-scan, and when the drawing data for the next line is input in the same way, it outputs the data to each of the pixels in one line in a main scan from left to right when viewed from the front of the performance display device 1600 based on the drawing data for the next line.

[10. Game Contents]
The game content of the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 56 and the like. In the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, the player rotates the handle 160 arranged in the lower right corner of the front of the door frame 3, and the game ball B enclosed in the circulation path R is shot into the upper part of the game area 5a through between the outer rail 1001 and the inner rail 1002 of the game board 5, and a game with the game ball B is started. The game ball B shot into the upper part of the game area 5a flows down either the left side or the right side of the center role 2500 depending on the shooting strength. The shooting strength of the game ball B can be adjusted by the amount of rotation of the handle 160, and the more it is rotated clockwise, the stronger the ball can be shot, and a maximum of 100 game balls B can be shot continuously in one minute, that is, at intervals of 0.6 seconds.

In addition, within the game area 5a, multiple obstacle nails N are planted in a predetermined gauge arrangement at appropriate positions on the front of the game panel 1100, and when the game ball B comes into contact with the obstacle nails N, the flow speed of the game ball B is suppressed and various movements are imparted to the game ball B, allowing the player to enjoy its movements. In addition to the obstacle nails N, within the game area 5a, a windmill W that rotates when the game ball B comes into contact with it is provided above the upper left side unit 2300 and to the left of the center device 2500.

When a game ball B is shot into the top of the center device 2500 and enters the left side of the highest part of the outer periphery of the center device 2500 when viewed from the front, it flows on the left side of the center device 2500, that is, between the inner rail 1002 and the center device 2500, while abutting against multiple obstacle nails N. On the left side of the center device 2500, the entrance to the warp passage 2512 is always open so that it can receive the game ball B.

The game ball B that enters the warp passage 2512 is supplied to the stage 2513 provided within the frame of the center device 2500, rolls left and right on the stage 2513, and is released from either the central release section 2513a or the side release section 2513b so as to flow back into the game area 5a. The central release section 2513a of the stage 2513 is provided directly above the first starting hole 2003 in the left and right center of the game area 5a, so the game ball B released from the central release section 2513a is accepted by the first starting hole 2003 with a high probability. The game ball B released from the side release sections 2513b on both the left and right sides of the central release section 2513a may be accepted by the first starting hole 2003 with a certain degree of probability.

When a game ball B is received in the first starting hole 2003, a predetermined number (e.g., 3) of game balls B are added to the number of balls held in the frame control board 640 via the main control board 1310, and the main control board 1310 draws a lottery for a first special symbol (e.g., "miss," "small hit," "hit with special feature," "2R jackpot," "5R jackpot," "15R jackpot," "probability change (changed probability) hit," "time reduction (time reduction) hit," "probability change time reduction hit," "probability change without time reduction hit," "second jackpot," etc.). If the result of the lottery for the first special symbol drawn is anything other than "miss," a favorable game state in which the player is at an advantage is created. The result of the lottery for the first special symbol drawn is then suggested to the player over a predetermined time period (e.g., 0.1 to 360 seconds, also called the special change time).

In this embodiment, if a game ball B is received into the first starting port 2003 during the period from the start of the special lottery due to the reception of a game ball B into the first starting port 2003 until the lottery result of the first special symbol drawn is suggested (special variable time), the suggestion of the lottery result of the first special symbol cannot start, so the start of the suggestion of the lottery result of the first special symbol is suspended until the suggestion of the lottery result of the first special symbol drawn earlier is completed. The number of reserved lottery results of the first special symbol that are reserved is limited to four for each first starting port 2003, and for any more than this, the lottery result of the first special symbol is not reserved but discarded even if a game ball B is received into the first starting port 2003. This prevents the burden on the game hall from increasing due to the accumulation of reserved results.

If the game ball B that flows down to the left side of the center device 2500 does not enter the warp passage 2512, it may be pulled toward the center in the left-right direction by the shelf 2301 of the upper left side unit 2300 or the obstacle nails N, and may be accepted into the general winning opening 2001 or sub-out opening 2021 of the side unit 2200, or the first starting opening 2003 of the starting opening unit 2100, etc. Then, when the game ball B is accepted into the general winning opening 2001, a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls B is added to the number of balls held in the frame control board 640 via the main control board 1310.

On the other hand, when the game ball B that is shot into the upper part of the center role 2500 in the game area 5a enters to the right of the highest part of the inflow restriction part 2511c of the center frame 2511 in the center role 2500, it passes through either the first guide passage 2521 or the second guide passage 2522 of the guide passage group 2520 of the center role 2500. The game ball B that enters the first guide passage 2521 rolls on the upper surface of the role entry door 2515 that closes the role entry port 2006 on the way, and is then released above (directly above) the normal entry port unit 2600. On the other hand, the game ball B that enters the second guide passage 2522 is released above the normal entry port 2002 to the left. Therefore, when the game ball B enters the first guide passage 2521, there is a possibility that it will be accepted by the role entry port 2006.

When the result of the lottery for the special pattern drawn by receiving game ball B in first start opening 2003 or second start opening 2004 is a "small win" or "game win", the special winning opening 2006 opens and closes in a predetermined pattern to become ready to receive game ball B. When game ball B is received in the special winning opening 2006, a predetermined number (e.g., 10 or 13) of game balls B are added to the number of balls held in the frame control board 640 via the main control board 1310.

The game ball B received in the special prize winning port 2006 is sent to the first distribution device 2530, and is distributed by the distribution rotor 2533 to either the chance port 2531 or the first spurt port 2532. The game ball B distributed to the first spurt port 2532 is discharged. The game ball B distributed to the chance port 2531 is sent to the second distribution device 2540. The game ball B sent to the second distribution device 2540 is distributed to either the first V prize winning port 2007 or the second spurt port 2541. When the game ball B is received in the first V prize winning port 2007 by the distribution of the second distribution device 2540, a "jackpot" game is executed in which the big prize winning port 2005 opens and closes in a predetermined opening and closing pattern.

When the game ball B is allocated to the second slot 2541 by the second allocation device 2540, it is sent to the lottery device 2550. The game ball B sent to the lottery device 2550 loops between the table 2555 on which the second V winning slot 2008 is provided and the striking section 2553 that supplies the game ball B to the table 2555 while the allocation bridge 2557 of the allocation section 2552 is moving to the loop position. Then, when the game ball B is received by the second V winning slot 2008, a "jackpot" game is executed in which the big winning slot 2005 opens and closes in a predetermined opening and closing pattern.

On the other hand, when a predetermined time has elapsed and the distribution bridge 2557 has moved from the loop position to the non-loop position and the losing port 2009 has been opened, the game ball B that was not accepted into the second V winning port 2008 of the table 2555 is accepted into the losing port 2009. The game ball B that has been accepted into the losing port 2009 is discharged.

The normal winning port 2002, which is located downstream of the guide passage group 2520, is located directly below the exit of the first guide passage 2521, so that a game ball B that has flowed through the first guide passage 2521 is more likely to be accepted by the normal winning port 2002 than a game ball B that has flowed through the second guide passage 2522. Game balls B that are not accepted by the normal winning port 2002 flow down to the attacca unit 2400.

When a game ball B is received into this normal winning opening 2002 and detected by the normal winning opening sensor 3002, a normal lottery is performed on the main control board 1310, and if the lottery result of the normal symbol drawn is a "normal win", the second starting opening 2004, which is closed by the second starting opening door 2411, opens for a predetermined time (e.g., 0.3 to 10 seconds), allowing the game ball B to be received into the second starting opening 2004.

In this embodiment, in the normal lottery that is conducted when game ball B is received in the normal winning port 2002, a certain amount of time is set from the start of the normal lottery until the lottery result for the normal symbol is indicated (for example, 0.01 to 60 seconds, also referred to as the normal fluctuation time). This indication of the lottery result for the normal symbol is displayed on the function display unit 1400 of the game board 5. The second starting port 2004 opens after the normal fluctuation time has elapsed.

If game ball B is received in normal winning port 2002 between the time when game ball B is received in normal winning port 2002 and the time when the lottery result for the normal pattern is suggested, the suggestion of the lottery result for the normal pattern cannot start, so the start of the suggestion of the lottery result for the normal pattern is reserved until the previous suggestion of the lottery result for the normal pattern has ended. Also, the number of reserved lottery results for the normal pattern is limited to four, and any more than this are discarded rather than reserved, even if game ball B is received in normal winning port 2002. This prevents the burden on the game hall from increasing due to the accumulation of reserved results.

Game ball B that is not accepted by the normal winning opening 2002 and flows down will flow down to either the upper shelf 2421, the first shelf 2422, or to the right of the first shelf 2422 in the attacca unit 2400. Game ball B that flows down to the upper shelf 2421 will be guided to the left and released to the left of the large winning opening 2005. Therefore, game ball B that flows down onto the upper shelf 2421 will not be accepted by the second starting opening 2004 or the large winning opening 2005.

The game ball B that flows down to the first shelf 2422 of the attacca unit 2400 rolls to the left due to its inclination, and after rolling over the second starting opening door 2411 closing the second starting opening 2004, the second shelf 2423, the large winning opening door 2413 closing the large winning opening 2005, and the fourth shelf 2425, it is released to the left. The game ball B released from the fourth shelf 2425 is received and discharged by the outlet 2020. Therefore, when the game ball B flows down to the first shelf 2422, there is a possibility that it will be received by the second starting opening 2004 or the large winning opening 2005.

A game ball B that flows down to the right of the first shelf 2422 of the attacca unit 2400 is received by the sub-out port 2021 and discharged. Although this is rare, if a game ball B that flows down to the first shelf 2422 enters the gap between the second shelf 2423 and the third shelf 2424, it is received by the sub-out port 2021 and discharged.

When a game ball B is received in the second starting hole 2004 of the attacca unit 2400, a predetermined number (e.g., 1) of game balls B are added to the number of balls held in the frame control board 640 via the main control board 1310, and the main control board 1310 draws a lottery for a second special symbol (e.g., "miss," "small hit," "hit with special feature," "2R jackpot," "5R jackpot," "15R jackpot," "probability change (changed probability) hit," "time reduction (time reduction) hit," "probability change time reduction hit," "probability change without time reduction hit," "second jackpot," etc.). If the result of the lottery for the drawn second special symbol is anything other than "miss," a favorable game state in which the player is at an advantage is created. The result of the lottery for the selected second special symbol is then suggested to the player over a predetermined period of time (e.g., 0.1 to 360 seconds, also referred to as the special fluctuation time) that is longer than the special fluctuation time of the result of the lottery for the first special symbol.

In this embodiment, if a game ball B is received by the second starting port 2004 during the period from the start of the special lottery due to the reception of a game ball B by the second starting port 2004 until the lottery result of the drawn second special symbol is suggested (special fluctuation time), the suggestion of the lottery result of the second special symbol cannot start, so the start of the suggestion of the lottery result of the second special symbol is suspended until the suggestion of the lottery result of the previously drawn second special symbol is completed. The number of reserved lottery results of the second special symbol that are reserved is limited to four for each second starting port 2004, and for any more than this, the lottery result of the second special symbol is not reserved but discarded even if a game ball B is received by the second starting port 2004. This prevents the burden on the game hall from increasing due to the accumulation of reserved results.

The special variation time of the lottery result of the second special pattern drawn by the reception of the game ball B into the second starting hole 2004 is set longer than the special variation time of the lottery result of the first special pattern drawn by the reception of the game ball B into the first starting hole 2003. As a result, since it takes longer to consume the reserved number of the lottery result of the second special pattern, even if the number of game balls B received per unit time for the first starting hole 2003 and the second starting hole 2004 is the same, the number of lottery results of the second special pattern executed by the second starting hole 2004 is smaller. Therefore, even if the game ball B is shot into the right side of the center role 2500 in a normal state, there is a possibility that only the second starting hole 2004 will be accepted, and the frequency of the lottery result of the second special pattern being executed is low, so that the player can be actively made to perform a shooting operation that causes the game ball B to circulate on the left side of the center role 2500.

As described above, depending on the result of the drawing for the first special pattern or the result of the drawing for the second special pattern, which is drawn when game ball B is received in first start opening 2003 or second start opening 2004, big prize opening 2005 or special prize opening 2006 opens or closes in a predetermined opening/closing pattern, making it possible to receive game ball B.

In the attacca unit 2400, when a game ball B flows down at a timing when the large prize opening 2005 is available for reception according to the result of the lottery for the first special symbol or the result of the lottery for the second special symbol, or due to reception of a game ball B in the first V prize opening 2007 or the second V prize opening 2008, the game ball B is received in the large prize opening 2005. When the game ball B is received in the large prize opening 2005, a predetermined number (for example, 10 or 13) of game balls B are added to the number of balls held in the frame control board 640 via the main control board 1310.

After the large prize opening 2005 is in an open state capable of receiving game ball B, if one of the following conditions is met: a predetermined time (e.g., 20 to 40 seconds) has elapsed, or a predetermined number of game balls B (e.g., 10) have been received by the large prize opening 2005, the opening and closing pattern (one opening and closing pattern is called one round) that closes the state and prevents game ball B from being received is repeated a predetermined number of times (predetermined number of rounds). For example, this is repeated two rounds for a "2R jackpot", five rounds for a "5R jackpot", and 15 rounds for a "15R jackpot", creating an advantageous game state that is advantageous to the player.

In addition, after the jackpot game ends, there are "wins" that change the probability of drawing the first special symbol or the second special symbol of the "jackpot" ("probability win"), or change the display time of the presentation image suggesting the result of the drawing of the first special symbol or the second special symbol ("time-saving win").

If the result of the drawing for the first special symbol or the result of the drawing for the second special symbol (for example, the result of the drawing for the second special symbol) is a "second jackpot," the big prize winning port 2005 or the accessory prize winning port 2006 becomes capable of receiving the game ball B in a predetermined pattern, and then ST (Special Time) is generated as an advantageous game state. This ST maintains the state of a special chance or time reduction for a predetermined number of fluctuations.

In this way, when the large prize winning port 2005 or the special prize winning port 2006 is able to accept game ball B, the large prize winning port 2005 or the special prize winning port 2006 can accept game ball B, allowing the player to hold many game balls B and add them to the ball count, thereby entertaining the player and preventing a decline in interest in the game.

In this embodiment, the lottery results for the first special symbol and the second special symbol are suggested by the function display unit 1400 and the performance display device 1600. The function display unit 1400 is directly controlled by the main control board 1310 to suggest the lottery results for the special symbols (the lottery results for the first special symbol and the lottery results for the second special symbol). The lottery results for the special symbols are suggested by the function display unit 1400 by repeatedly turning on and off multiple LEDs and flashing them for a predetermined period of time, and then the combination of lit LEDs suggests the lottery results for the special symbols.

On the other hand, the performance display device 1600 is indirectly controlled by the peripheral control board 1510 based on a control signal from the main control board 1310, and the result of the lottery for the special symbol is suggested as a performance image. The performance image suggesting the result of the lottery for the special symbol on the performance display device 1600 displays three picture rows consisting of multiple pictures lined up in the left-right direction, and changes each picture row, sequentially stops and displays the variable picture rows, and each picture row is stopped and displayed so that the pictures of the three picture rows that are stopped and displayed form a combination that corresponds to the lottery result of the special symbol. If the lottery result of the special symbol is other than "miss", after the three picture rows stop and each picture is stopped and displayed, a confirmation image suggesting the lottery result of the special symbol is displayed on the performance display device 1600, and an advantageous game state (for example, "small win" game, "big win" game, etc.) according to the lottery result of the special symbol that was drawn is generated.

The time indicating the result of the special pattern lottery on the function display unit 1400 (LED blinking time (special change time)) is different from the time indicating the result of the special pattern lottery on the performance display device 1600 (the time until the pattern row changes and the final image is displayed), and is set to a longer time on the function display unit 1400.

In addition to displaying a performance image to suggest the result of the lottery for the special symbol by the performance display device 1600, the peripheral control board 1510 can also perform a player participation type performance in which the first performance button 251 and the second performance button 252 on the performance operation unit 250 in the door frame 3 are operated according to the result of the lottery for the special symbol drawn. In the player participation type performance, the first performance button 251 and the second performance button 252 can be made to pop up and stand out, and the player can enjoy the player participation type performance by operating the first performance button 251 and the second performance button 252.

In addition, the peripheral control board 1510 can appropriately use the various decorative boards provided on the door frame 3, the various decorative boards provided on the game board 5, the performance display device 1600, the starting gate display unit 2110, the performance count display unit 3005, the back decoration unit 3200, the back front performance unit 3300, the back rear performance unit 3400, etc. to perform light-emitting performances, display performances, movable performances, etc., and the player can be entertained by various types of performances, preventing a decline in the player's interest in the game.

Furthermore, in a player-participation type presentation in which the first presentation button 251 or the second presentation button 252 is operated, if the player makes a mistake or fails to perform the operation that should be performed, the peripheral control board 1510 notifies the player so that the player can perform the correct operation.

According to this embodiment, a game ball B is shot into the game area 5a by a player, and as a result of fulfilling a predetermined condition, the reel winning opening 2006 opens and closes in a predetermined pattern based on the lottery results of a special pattern drawn by the acceptance of the game ball B into the first starting opening 2003 or the second starting opening 2004, and the game ball B accepted into the reel winning opening 2006 passes through the first sorting device 2530 and the second sorting device 2540 and is supplied to the guide path 2551 of the lottery reel 2550 in the center reel 2500, and the game ball B circulates toward the downstream sorting section 2552. In this distribution section 2552, when the losing port 2009 opening to the guideway 2551 is closed by the distribution bridge 2557, the game ball B is distributed to the striking section 2553 as the first side, and when the distribution bridge 2557 is rotated by the lottery loop solenoid 2558 to open the losing port 2009, the game ball B is distributed to the losing port 2009 (second side), and the distribution state of the game ball B is displayed by the distribution display section 2557a of the distribution bridge 2557. Then, when the game ball B is distributed to the first side in the distribution section 2552, it is supplied to the striking section 2553. On the other hand, when the game ball B is distributed to the second side (losing port 2009) in the distribution section 2552, it is not supplied to the striking section 2553 and is discharged from the lottery device 2550.

The game ball B supplied from the distribution section 2552 to the striking section 2553 is struck backward by the rotating striking piece 2560 of the striking section 2553, and circulates (rolls) so as to climb the ascending slope 2559 which becomes higher toward the rear. In this striking section 2553, depending on the timing at which the game ball B is supplied and the timing at which the striking piece 2560 strikes the game ball B, the game ball B may be struck strongly or hardly at all, and the momentum of the game ball B struck backward varies. Therefore, if the momentum of the struck game ball B is weak, the game ball B cannot climb the ascending slope 2559 and returns to the striking section 2553, and the game ball B moves back and forth on the ascending slope 2559. Then, when the game ball B is hit hard by the hitting section 2553 and overcomes the uphill section 2559, it is supplied to the oscillating gutter 2554 located in the center in the left-right direction at the rear end of the table 2555, and is released from the oscillating gutter 2554 onto the table 2555. At this time, since the oscillating gutter 2554 rotates back and forth so as to oscillate around an axis in the up-down direction, the game ball B is released from the gutter section 2554a of the oscillating gutter 2554 into the table 2555 in various directions depending on the timing at which the game ball B is supplied and the timing of the rotation position of the oscillating gutter 2554.

The game ball B released from the oscillating gutter 2554 to the table 2555 rolls forward according to the inclination, and is released from the front end of the table 2555 to the guideway 2551. At this time, the game ball B may be received by the second V winning hole 2008 provided on the central axis in the front-to-rear direction passing through the center of the oscillating gutter 2554 near the front end of the table 2555, and the game ball B may come into contact with the oscillating piece 2556 provided symmetrically on the left and right sides of the central axis between the oscillating gutter 2554 and the second V winning hole 2008, causing the flow direction of the game ball B to move toward the second V winning hole 2008 or away from the second V winning hole 2008. When the game ball B is received by the second V winning hole 2008 of the table 2555, a favorable game state (for example, a big win game) occurs. On the other hand, when game ball B is not accepted by the second V winning opening 2008 and is released from the front end of the table 2555 into the guide path 2551, and then is sorted to one side by the sorting unit 2552, the game ball B is supplied to the oscillating gutter 2554 by the hitting unit 2553. Therefore, as long as game ball B is sorted to one side (striking unit 2553) by the sorting unit 2552, the game ball B loops in the order of the guide path 2551, sorting unit 2552, hitting unit 2553, oscillating gutter 2554, and table 2555 until it is accepted by the second V winning opening 2008.

For this reason, when the accessory winning port 2006 opens and closes in a predetermined pattern to enable supply of the game ball B to the lottery accessory 2550, the player can check whether the game ball B is in a state to be distributed to the first side (striking section 2553) in the distribution section 2552 by looking at the distribution display section 2557a of the distribution section 2552. As a result, when the distribution section 2552 is in a state to distribute to the first side (striking section 2553, and therefore the second V winning port 2008) by looking at the distribution display section 2557a, the player can be excited by whether the game ball B received in the accessory winning port 2006 (here, the game ball B accommodated in the accommodation section 2533a of the distribution rotor 2533 in the first distribution device 2530) is supplied to the lottery accessory 2550 (guideway 2551). Thereafter, when the game ball B received in the prize winning port 2006 is supplied to the lottery device 2550 (guideway 2551), the player can be made to feel anxious and excited depending on whether or not it is distributed to the first side (the striking section 2553 side) in the distribution section 2552. Then, when the game ball B is distributed to the first side and supplied to the striking section 2553, the game ball B goes back and forth on the uphill section 2559 depending on the timing at which the game ball B is struck, so the player can be entertained depending on whether or not the game ball B is struck with enough strength to overcome the uphill section 2559. In addition, the game ball B that has gone over the uphill section 2559 is supplied to the oscillating gutter 2554 that rotates back and forth, so that the game ball B is supplied to the oscillating gutter 2554 at the timing when the oscillating gutter 2554 can release the game ball B toward the second V winning opening 2008. Depending on whether or not the game ball B is hit with enough strength to go over the uphill section 2559, the player can enjoy the suspenseful and thrilling game.

When the game ball B struck by the striking portion 2553 climbs over the slope 2559 and is supplied to the swinging gutter 2554, the player can be excited and thrilled depending on whether the game ball B is released from the swinging gutter 2554, which is rotating back and forth, toward the second V winning opening 2008. Even if the game ball B is released from the swinging gutter 2554 in a direction away from the central axis (second V winning opening 2008), depending on the swinging state of the pair of swinging pieces 2556, which are provided symmetrically on the left and right sides of the central axis, the game ball B that abuts against the swinging pieces 2556 may be pulled toward the central axis and head toward the second V winning opening 2008, so the player will not be disappointed and will be entertained, preventing a decline in interest. The player can be kept on edge depending on whether or not game ball B is received by second V winning opening 2008, which is located near the downstream end of table 2555. If game ball B is received by second V winning opening 2008, a favorable game state (a big win game in which big winning opening 2005 opens and closes in a predetermined pattern) occurs, providing great entertainment for the player.

On the other hand, even if game ball B is not accepted by the second V winning port 2008, it is released into the guide path 2551 from the downstream end of the table 2555, so the player's expectations can be heightened depending on whether game ball B is again allocated to the first side (striking section 2553) by the distribution section 2552 provided downstream of the guide path 2551, and if game ball B is again allocated to the first side by the distribution section 2552, it is supplied to the oscillating gutter 2554 upstream of the table 2555 via the striking section 2553 and the climbing section 2559, so that there is another chance for it to be accepted by the second V winning port 2008 and the player will not be disappointed. At this time, when the distribution display section 2557a of the distribution bridge 2557 is in a state where the distribution section 2552 is distributing to the first side (striking section 2553), the player can be excited by whether or not the game ball B will be released from the front end of the table 2555 into the guideway 2551. Therefore, since the player can be made to feel anxious and excited in various scenes in the lottery device 2550, the player is less likely to become bored, the player can be entertained and a decline in interest can be suppressed, and a pachinko machine equipped with a lottery device 2550 that can entertain the player can be provided.

The lottery device 2550 of the center device 2500 has a large planar table 2555 that is wide from front to back and left to right, and has a guideway 2551 in front of the front end of the table 2555, so that the lottery device 2550 is large. This lottery device 2550 can make the pachinko machine 1 stand out, strongly attracting the player's attention and increasing the player's expectations for the game using the lottery device 2550. This makes it easier for the player to select this pachinko machine as the pachinko machine to play, and provides a pachinko machine 1 that is highly appealing to players.

Furthermore, since the second V winning opening 2008 is provided on the central axis in the left-right direction of the table 2555, which is inclined so that the rear end is higher, the second V winning opening 2008 can be made to stand out, making it easier for the player to direct his or her gaze toward the second V winning opening 2008 and to create a sense of anticipation about the reception of the game ball B into the second V winning opening 2008, making it easier for the player to select this pachinko machine 1 as the pachinko machine to play.

In addition, the oscillating gutter 2554 is provided near the rear end on the central axis of the table 2555, which has a raised rear end, and a pair of oscillating pieces 2556 are provided symmetrically on the left and right sides of the central axis, so that the visibility of the oscillating gutter 2554 at the rear is not obstructed by the oscillating pieces 2556, and the player can clearly see the second V winning hole 2008, the pair of oscillating pieces 2556, and the oscillating gutter 2554 provided on the table 2555. As a result, the rotation and oscillating conditions of the pair of oscillating pieces 2556 and the oscillating gutter 2554 are easy to recognize, making it easier to predict the rolling path of the game ball B due to these movements, and the player can enjoy the movement of the game ball B depending on whether or not it rolls as predicted.

In addition, in the distribution section 2552, a losing port 2009 that communicates with the second side is provided in the guide path 2551. Therefore, when the distribution bridge 2557 is rotated by the lottery loop solenoid 2558 to open the losing port 2009 from a closed state by the distribution bridge 2557, the losing port 2009 opens upward in the guide path 2551. This makes the losing port 2009 stand out to the player, making it easier for the player to recognize that the game ball B circulating through the guide path 2551 is being distributed to the second side (losing port 2009), that is, is not being distributed to the first side (striking section 2553, and therefore the second V winning port 2008). Therefore, when the conspicuous losing port 2009 is closed by the sorting bridge 2557, it is easy to recognize that the ball is being sorted to the first side (striking section 2553), and it is easy to tell which way the ball is being sorted just by looking at the guideway 2551.

Furthermore, depending on the timing of striking the game ball B with the striking section 2553, the game ball B can go back and forth on the ascending slope 2559, which can increase (lengthen) the time the game ball B stays on the lottery device 2550. This can avoid disappointing the player by ending the game on the lottery device 2550 in a short time, and the time gained by the ascending slope 2559 can be used to fully show the player the effects such as the effect images on the effect display device 1600, thereby providing a pachinko machine 1 that is more entertaining to the player.

In addition, since an uphill section 2559 is provided between the striking section 2553 and the oscillating gutter 2554 (oscillating passage 2562), even if the game ball B is struck hard at the striking section 2553, its momentum can be attenuated by climbing the uphill section 2559, and the momentum can be further attenuated by oscillating it left and right in the oscillating passage 2562. This prevents the game ball B from being supplied to the oscillating gutter 2554 with force, causing it to be released from the oscillating gutter 2554 in a direction different from the release direction of the oscillating gutter 2554 due to its momentum, even though the oscillating gutter 2554 rotates back and forth to change the release direction, causing discomfort to the player, or the game ball B being released from the oscillating gutter 2554 with force onto the table 2555, shortening the residence time (rolling time) of the game ball B on the table 2555. Therefore, the player can enjoy the release of the game ball B from the oscillating gutter 2554 without feeling uncomfortable, and can easily enjoy the movement of the game ball B rolling on the table 2555.

In addition, in the case where the player can select the timing at which game ball B is supplied to the lottery device 2550 by the operation of shooting game ball B, the shooting operation can be performed so that game ball B is supplied at the timing when the distribution display unit 2557a displays that game ball B is in a state to be distributed to the first side. This allows the player to enjoy not only the movement of game ball B within the lottery device 2550, but also the operation of shooting game ball B, and provides a pachinko machine 1 that can suppress a decrease in the player's interest in the game.

Furthermore, when the losing mouth 2009 is opened, the sorting bridge 2557 is positioned so that its tip is higher than its base end and stands upright from the guideway 2551. Therefore, even if game ball B flows forcefully through the guideway 2551 and attempts to jump over the losing mouth 2009, the upright sorting bridge 2557 prevents the game ball B from jumping over and entering the first side (striking section 2553), and the game ball B can be reliably sorted into the losing mouth 2009 (second side).

In addition, when the losing hole 2009 is opened, the sorting bridge 2557 is positioned so that its tip is higher than its base end and stands upright from the guideway 2551, so that the sorting bridge 2557 is prominently visible to the player, and the sorting display unit 2557a provided on the sorting bridge 2557 is visible, so that the sorting bridge 2557 (sorting display unit 2557a) also enables the player to determine that the game ball B is being sorted to the second side.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when an operator such as an attendant at an amusement hall looks at the main control unit 1300 (second specification main control unit 1300B) during maintenance, etc., the non-installed identification portion 1345 is visible on the flat surface portion 1344 of the board cover 1340 (second specification board cover 1340B) of the transparent main control board box 1320 (second specification main control board box 1320B), so that the operator's line of sight can be guided via the non-installed identification portion 1345 to the non-installed area 1313 of the main control board 1310 (second specification main control board 1310B) that faces the surface portion 1344. In this case, since the non-installed identification portion 1345 is provided on the flat surface portion 1344, it is possible to make the non-installed identification portion 1345 easier to see compared to when the non-installed identification portion 1345 is provided in an uneven portion. The non-installed identification portion 1345 makes it easier to guide the worker's line of sight to the non-installed area 1313 of the second specification main control board 1310B, and the non-installed area 1313 of the second specification main control board 1310B does not appear distorted through the surface portion 1344, allowing the non-installed area 1313 to be viewed in good condition. Furthermore, by looking at the unmounted area 1313 of the second specification main control board 1310B, the worker can recognize that no electronic components such as the setting key switch 1312 are mounted in the unmounted area 1313, allowing the worker to immediately recognize that the second specification main control unit 1300B is of a gaming specification in which a specific component (setting key switch 1312) is not mounted in the unmounted area 1313, and a pachinko machine 1 can be provided in which the differences in gaming specifications of the second specification main control unit 1300B are easily understood.

As described above, the unmounted identification portion 1345 of the second specification board cover 1340B of the second specification main control board box 1320B guides the worker's gaze to the unmounted area 1313 of the second specification main control board 1310B, allowing the worker to immediately recognize that the second specification main control unit 1300B does not have the setting key switch 1312 mounted in the unmounted area 1313. Therefore, in an amusement hall that has new and old models of pachinko machines from multiple manufacturers, when a worker such as an attendant performs maintenance, the difference in game specifications can be accurately determined not only from the design on the front side of the pachinko machine 1 but also from the back side, allowing maintenance of a large number of machines to be performed in a short period of time and allowing maintenance to be performed smoothly, thereby providing a pachinko machine 1 that can reduce the burden on the amusement hall.

Now, when the specific part is a setting key switch 1312 or a connector, in the first specification main control unit 1300A of gaming specifications in which the specific part is implemented, a setting key window 1341 is provided in the first specification board cover 1340A so that part of the specific part (setting key switch 1312) is exposed to the outside. On the other hand, in the second specification main control unit 1300B of gaming specifications which does not have the specific part (setting key switch 1312), if the setting key window 1341 is left in the second specification board cover 1340B, there is a risk that fraudulent activity may be performed through the setting key window 1341, so the setting key window 1341 is blocked. However, if the second specification board cover 1340B is made to look as if it did not originally have the setting key window 1341 or anything else, it becomes difficult to determine where the setting key window 1341, that is, the unmounted area 1313 in the second specification main control unit 1300B, is located, and it takes time to determine which game specification the main control unit 1300 is. In contrast, in this embodiment, even if the second specification board cover 1340B is made to look as if it did not originally have the setting key window 1341 or anything else, the unmounted identification section 1345 is provided, so that the operator's line of sight can be easily guided to the unmounted area 1313 of the second specification main control board 1310B by the unmounted identification section 1345, and it can be immediately determined that this main control unit 1300 is the second specification main control unit 1300B.

In addition, the unmounted identification portion 1345 of the second specification board cover 1340B is shaped to protrude cylindrically from the surface portion 1344 of the second specification board cover 1340B toward the second specification main control board 1310B so as to surround the cylindrical portion 1312d of the setting key switch 1312 as a specific component. Therefore, when an operator looks at the second specification board cover 1340B (second specification main control unit 1300B), the cylindrical portion (unmounted identification portion 1345) protruding toward the second specification main control board 1310B is visible, and it is difficult to determine whether the second specification board cover 1340B is unmounted. This draws attention (directs the gaze) to the mounting identification portion 1345, and its shape allows the player to recognize that the setting key switch 1312 is mounted in the unmounted area 1313 facing that portion, and because the cylindrical unmounted identification portion 1345 is blocked by the surface portion 1344, the player can immediately recognize that the main control unit 1300 is a second specification main control unit 1300B that does not have the setting key switch 1312 (specific component) mounted, making it easy to understand the differences in game specifications.

Furthermore, in the case where the setting key switch 1312 (specific component) can be attached in the non-mounted area 1313 of the second specification main control board 1310B, even if the non-mounted area 1313 has a mounting hole, through hole, copper foil circuit, etc. for attaching the setting key switch 1312, the non-mounted identification portion 1345 is provided on the flat surface portion 1344 facing the non-mounted area 1313 of the second specification board cover 1340B, and the cylindrical non-mounted identification portion 1345 is blocked by the surface portion 1344, so that the operator can immediately recognize that the setting key switch 1312 is not mounted in the non-mounted area 1313 of the second specification main control unit 1300B, and the same effect as above can be achieved.

In addition, since a specific component (setting key switch 1312) can be attached to the unmounted area 1313 of the second specification main control board 1310B depending on the game specifications, the main control board 1310 (first specification main control board 1310A and second specification main control board 1310B) can be manufactured using the same process up to a certain point even if the game specifications are different, which reduces manufacturing costs and makes it possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 that can suppress cost increases.

[11. Decorative body having a performance board]
Next, a detailed description will be given of a decorative body 3500 having a performance board 3520 provided in a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine 1 or a slot machine, mainly with reference to Figs. 71 to 75. Fig. 71(a) is a front view of a decorative body having a performance board, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the decorative body of (a). Fig. 72 is an explanatory diagram showing the state before the performance board and the discarded board are separated from each other after the periphery of the performance board is formed while leaving a joint portion on the fixed-length board and electronic components such as LEDs are mounted in the production of the performance board of Fig. 71. Fig. 73(a) is an explanatory diagram showing the state before the periphery of the performance board is formed while leaving a joint portion and separated from the discarded board, (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the performance board and the discarded board are separated by cutting the joint portion, and (c) is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the joint portion of the performance board is finished.

Figure 74 (a) is an explanatory diagram showing the performance board in a state where the performance board and the discarded board have been separated from the state of Figure 72, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the state where the outer periphery of the performance board has been finished from the state of (a). Figure 75 (a) is an explanatory diagram showing a different shape of the connecting part from Figure 72, and (b1) to (b3) are explanatory diagrams showing even different shapes of connecting parts and showing the process up to separation from the discarded board and finishing. Note that the decorative body 3500 described here is the first embodiment of multiple embodiments, and may be described as decorative body 3501 to distinguish it from other embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 71, the decorative body 3500 (decorative body 3501 of the first embodiment) comprises a decorative part 3510 formed in a predetermined shape, a performance board 3520 provided behind the decorative part 3510 and having multiple LEDs 3530 mounted thereon, and a decorative base 3540 provided behind the performance board 3520. This decorative body 3500 can illuminate and decorate the decorative part 3510 and the lens part 3545 of the decorative base 3540 by appropriately illuminating the LEDs 3530 mounted on the performance board 3520. Note that the decorative body 3500 shown in FIG. 71 is the same as the back front middle right decorative body 3340 in the back front rising and lowering decorative body unit 3310 of the back front performance unit 3300.

The decorative part 3510 is translucent and is formed three-dimensionally with a substantially uniform thickness throughout. This decorative part 3510 resembles the head of a specific character and is formed in a relief shape. The decorative part 3510 has a side wall part 3511 that extends in the front-rear direction (a direction intersecting with the central part) near the outer periphery, and a rear end surface 3512 that forms the end face of the plate thickness of the side wall part 3511 and faces rearward. In the decorative part 3510 of this embodiment, the central part (front wall part 3513) and the side wall part 3511 are continuous by a smooth curved surface, and there is no clear boundary with the central part (front wall part 3513).

The performance board 3520 is provided behind the decorative part 3510 (rear end surface 3512). The performance board 3520 is formed to have a shape that follows (follows) the outer peripheral shape of the decorative part 3510, and is smaller than the outer periphery of the decorative part 3510. The outer peripheral edge of the performance board 3520 is formed so that it is almost entirely behind the rear end surface 3512 of the decorative part 3510. In other words, the outer peripheral edge of the performance board 3520 is formed so that it is located between the outer periphery and inner periphery of the rear end surface 3512 when it is overlapped with the decorative part 3510 (when assembled into the decorative body 3500).

As shown in FIG. 73, the performance board 3520 has copper foil 3522 that forms an electronic circuit on the surface of the board base material 3521, and a coating film 3523 that covers the copper foil 3522.

The copper foil 3522 is provided at a predetermined distance L1 (for example, 0.5 mm to 3 mm, 1 mm in this embodiment) from the outer edge of the performance board 3520. This copper foil 3522 is provided regardless of the linear or curved parts of the outer edge of the performance board 3520. For example, as shown in FIG. 73, if there is an arc-shaped recess on the outer edge of the performance board 3520, the copper foil 3522 is provided concentrically with the recess. In addition, if the performance board 3520 has a through hole, the copper foil 3522 is provided at a predetermined distance L1 from the periphery of the through hole. This copper foil 3522 can improve insulation against discharges and short circuits such as static electricity, and can suppress damage due to discharges, etc.

The coating film 3523 has a light color and is provided so as to reliably cover the sides of the copper foil 3522. In this embodiment, the coating film 3523 is a white solder resist. This coating film 3523 is applied by screen printing, dry film, etc. Since this coating film 3523 is a light color, it can reflect the light from the LED 3530 mounted on the performance board 3520, and the decorative part 3510 can be more brightly illuminated and decorated. In addition, even when the LED 3530 is not illuminated, it can reflect the light irradiated to the performance board 3520 through the decorative part 3510, so that the decorative part 3510 can be prevented from appearing dark, and the performance board 3520 can be made difficult to notice, improving the appearance of the decorative body 3500.

In this embodiment, the light color of the coating film 3523 is shown as white, but this is not limited to white, and any light color such as yellow, gray, blue, green, or red will do. For example, when the lightness of black is 0 and the lightness of white is 10, it is desirable for the lightness to be within the range of 5 to 10.

The coating film 3523 is provided at a predetermined distance L2 (for example, 0.4 mm to 0.8 mm, 0.5 mm in this embodiment) from the outer periphery of the performance board 3520, and its periphery is located between the periphery of the copper foil 3522 and the periphery of the performance board 3520. This coating film 3523 is provided regardless of the linear or curved parts of the outer periphery of the performance board 3520. For example, as shown in FIG. 73, if there is an arc-shaped recess on the outer periphery of the performance board 3520, the coating film 3523 is provided concentrically with the recess. In addition, if a through hole is provided in the performance board 3520, the coating film 3523 is provided at a predetermined distance L2 from the periphery of the through hole. The shaded areas in FIG. 73 indicate the areas where the coating film 3523 is provided.

The multiple LEDs 3530 mounted on the performance board 3520 are composed of multiple first LEDs 3531 mounted on the front (surface) and multiple second LEDs 3532 mounted on the rear (back). The first LEDs 3531 are a top-view type that irradiates light perpendicular to the surface of the performance board 3520, and the second LEDs 3532 are a side-view type that irradiates light parallel to the surface of the performance board 3520. Both the first LEDs 3531 and the second LEDs 3532 are full-color LEDs.

The decorative base 3540 is entirely colorless and transparent, and has a flat main body 3541 located behind the performance board 3520, a peripheral wall 3542 extending forward from the outer periphery of the main body 3541 like a wall, an opening 3543 penetrating the main body 3541 and into which the second LED 3532 mounted on the rear surface of the performance board 3520 is inserted, a chamfered portion 3544 provided on the periphery of the main body 3541 and formed at an angle so as to be positioned forward as it moves outward from the periphery, and a lens portion 3545 consisting of multiple projections and recesses provided on the front end surface of the peripheral wall 3542.

The peripheral wall portion 3542 of the decorative base 3540 is provided around the entire circumference of the main body portion 3541, and is formed into a short cylindrical shape from front to back. The size of the inner circumference of this peripheral wall portion 3542 is formed slightly larger than the size of the outer circumference of the decorative portion 3510. This allows the decorative portion 3510 to be inserted from the front into the inside of the cylindrical peripheral wall portion 3542. In addition, the peripheral wall portion 3542 is formed so that its front end (lens portion 3545) protrudes forward beyond the rear end surface 3512 of the decorative portion 3510 when assembled into the decorative body 3500.

When this decorative base 3540 is assembled to the decorative body 3500, the side-view type second LED 3532 mounted on the rear surface of the performance board 3520 is inserted into the opening 3543. When the second LED 3532 is illuminated, the light is irradiated onto the inner peripheral surface of the opening 3543 and enters the main body 3541 from the inner peripheral surface. The light that enters the main body 3541 is reflected toward the front peripheral wall 3542 by the chamfered portion 3544 provided on the outer peripheral edge of the main body 3541, and is emitted forward from the lens portion 3545 at the front end of the peripheral wall 3542. As a result, the lens portion 3545 can be illuminated by the illumination of the second LED 3532, and the outer periphery of the decorative portion 3510 can be illuminated and decorated.

In the decorative body 3500 of this embodiment, when the first LED 3531 mounted on the front surface of the performance board 3520 is illuminated, the decorative part 3510 can be illuminated and decorated, and when the second LED 3532 mounted on the rear surface of the performance board 3520 is illuminated, the lens part 3545 of the decorative base 3540 provided on the outer periphery of the decorative part 3510 can be illuminated and decorated. At this time, since a light-colored (here, white) coating film 3523 is provided on the surface (front and rear) of the performance board 3520, the light from the first LED 3531 and second LED 3532 can be reflected, and the decorative part 3510 and lens part 3545 can be illuminated and decorated more brightly.

In addition, because the surface of the performance board 3520 is a light color due to the coating film 3523, even if the performance board 3520 is visible through the decorative part 3510, the performance board 3520 is not very noticeable, and the deterioration of the appearance of the decorative body 3500 can be suppressed. In addition, if the decorative part 3510 has a colored part, because the rear performance board 3520 is a light color due to the coating film 3523, it is possible to prevent the color of the decorative part 3510 from appearing to be a different color or dark, and the decorative effect of the decorative part 3510 can be reliably achieved.

Furthermore, in the decorative body 3500, since the peripheral end surface of the decorative part 3510 is located in front of the outer peripheral edge of the performance board 3520, even if the decorative part 3510 is transparent, the outer peripheral edge of the performance board 3520 can be made difficult to see clearly due to the lens effect of the curved side wall part 3511 provided in front. In addition, since the outer peripheral edge (outer peripheral side) of the performance board 3520 is surrounded by the peripheral wall part 3542 of the decorative base 3540 on the outside, and a lens part 3545 consisting of multiple unevenness is provided at the front end of the peripheral wall part 3542, the outer peripheral edge of the performance board 3520 can be made difficult to see through the peripheral wall part 3542. In this way, since the outer peripheral edge of the performance board 3520 is difficult to see in the decorative body 3500, even if the light-colored coating film 3523 is not provided on the outer peripheral edge (outer peripheral side), the appearance is not deteriorated and the appearance of the decorative body 3500 can be improved.

In addition, in the decorative body 3500, the outside of the performance board 3520 is surrounded by the peripheral wall portion 3542 of the decorative base 3540, so that when assembling the game board 5, the worker does not touch the outer peripheral side of the performance board 3520. As a result, even if the outer peripheral side of the performance board 3520 has jagged parts (for example, the specific trace part 3561 described later) due to differences in the finish of the outer peripheral side, it is possible to prevent the worker from being injured by said parts. In addition, since the coating film 3523 is not provided on the outer peripheral side or near the periphery of the performance board 3520, it is possible to prevent the adhesion of the worker's lipids to said parts, and to suppress the occurrence of problems caused by lipids.

[11-1. Details of the production board]
Next, the details of the performance board 3520 provided in the decorative body 3500 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 71 to 74. First, as in the decorative body 3500 (decorative part 3510) of this embodiment, when the outer peripheral shape is not a simple rectangular shape but an indefinite complex shape by imitating a specific character, if the performance board on which the LEDs for illuminating decoration are mounted is made into a simple rectangular shape, there is a tendency for there to be a portion behind the decorative part 3510 where the performance board (LED) is not provided, and the entire decorative part 3510 cannot be illuminated with uniform brightness due to the presence of the portion, and there is a risk that a sufficient performance effect cannot be obtained. Therefore, by making the outer peripheral shape of the performance board 3520 a shape corresponding to the outer peripheral shape of the decorative part 3510, it is possible to solve the above problem.

One method for forming the outer peripheral shape of the performance board 3520 into an irregular, complex shape is to cut it out (cut) from a rectangular, fixed-length board 3550 using a processing machine such as an NC machine. In this case, a large amount of cutting chips are generated from the board base material 3521 that constitutes the performance board 3520, so it is desirable to cut out (separate) the performance board 3520 before mounting electronic components such as LEDs, sensors, and connectors on the performance board 3520. However, if the outer peripheral shape of the cut performance board 3520 is irregular, a problem occurs in which it becomes difficult to set the performance board 3520 in an insert machine for mounting electronic components.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the production of the performance board 3520 is carried out in the following manner. First, a rectangular fixed-length board 3550 (board base material 3521) is provided with copper foil 3522 that constitutes the circuit, mounting holes and through-holes 3524 for mounting electronic components such as LEDs 3530, and a light-colored coating film 3523 (solder resist). At this time, the outer edge of the copper foil 3522 is positioned a predetermined distance L1 away from the outer edge of the performance board 3520 to be cut out, and the outer edge of the coating film 3523 is positioned a predetermined distance L2 away from the outer edge of the performance board 3520 to be cut out, shorter than the predetermined distance L1 (see FIG. 73).

The coating film 3523 contains a pigment (e.g., titanium oxide) to give it a bright color, so it is harder (a harder material) than one that does not contain the pigment. When cutting is performed as described below, fine chips (powder) are likely to be generated, and the powder of the bright coating film 3523 is difficult to clean. If the powder of the coating film 3523 remains when mounting electronic components such as the LED 3530, problems may occur. In contrast, in this embodiment, the outer edge of the coating film 3523 is set a predetermined distance L2 back from the outer edge of the performance board 3520, so that when cutting the outer shape of the performance board 3520, the coating film 3523 is not cut and no powder of the coating film 3523 is generated.

Before electronic components are mounted on the fixed-length board 3550 using an insert machine, a cutting machine such as an NC machine is used to cut out the performance board 3520 from the fixed-length board 3550, and cutting is performed using an end mill or the like to form slits 3551 that follow the outer periphery of the performance board 3520. At this time, the performance board 3520 is not completely separated, but is left partially connected by a connecting portion 3552. This connecting portion 3552 has a form in which one through hole 3553 is provided between two slits 3551, as shown enlarged in Figure 72.

The location of the connecting portion 3552 is a linear or convex portion on the outer periphery of the performance board 3520, as shown in FIG. 72. This makes it easier to finish the connecting portion 3552 neatly using a file or the like in the finishing process described below.

In addition, since the connecting portion 3552 is provided in the outwardly bulging portion or the linear portion of the outer peripheral edge (outer peripheral shape) of the performance board 3520, in other words, in the linear or convex portion, the following action and effect can be achieved. In detail, when the performance board 3520 is manufactured, if the connecting portion 3552 is provided only in the recessed portion that is recessed toward the center of the board on the outer peripheral edge (board outer shape) of the performance board 3520, the connecting portion 3552 is not present in the outwardly bulging portion between the recessed portion, and the bulging portion becomes more likely to deform downward due to its own weight. Specifically, for example, in the case where the external shape of the performance board 3520 is a gourd shape with two circles joined together and a narrow gap between them, if the connecting part 3552 with the fixed length board 3550 is provided only at the narrow gap, the connecting part 3552 will not be present in the circular parts on both sides, and the circular parts will be more likely to deform downward due to their own weight the further they are from the connecting part 3552. And if the performance board 3520 deforms due to its own weight, it may be difficult to reliably mount electronic components such as LEDs 3530 using an insert machine. In contrast, in this embodiment, the connecting parts 3552 are provided on the outwardly bulging and straight parts of the outer periphery of the performance board 3520, so that when manufacturing the performance board 3520, the parts between the connecting parts 3552 on the performance board 3520 are less likely to deform downward due to their own weight, compared to when the connecting parts 3552 are only provided in the recessed parts of the outer periphery of the performance board 3520, and when electronic components such as LEDs 3530 and ICs are mounted using an insert machine, deformation of the performance board 3520 is suppressed, so the electronic components can be mounted reliably.

As shown in FIG. 72, some of the slits 3551 are provided outward from the outer periphery of the performance board 3520, up to the V-cut 3554. This V-cut 3554 is intended to make it easier to separate the discarded board 3555 and the performance board 3520 by folding and cutting it before separating the performance board 3520 from the fixed-length board 3550. The fixed-length board 3550 also has holes 3556 at its four corners for mounting and positioning.

Then, when the cutting of the slits 3551 is completed on the fixed-length board 3550, the cutting dust is sucked up and cleaned using a dust collector or the like. At this time, since the light-colored coating film 3523 is set back from the outer edge of the performance board 3520, the coating film 3523 is not cut and no powder of the coating film 3523 is generated. Therefore, it can be cleaned neatly without leaving fine cutting dust. Note that, prior to cutting the performance board 3520, only the coating film 3523 may be scraped off with an end mill or the like. By removing the coating film 3523 near the end face (design outline) of the performance board 3520 in advance in this way, it is possible to prevent the scattering of powder of the coating film 3523 due to vibrations in later processes.

Then, the fixed-length board 3550 with the slits 3551 formed therein is set in an insert machine, and electronic components such as LEDs 3530 are mounted on the parts of the performance board 3520. At this time, since the performance board 3520 is not separated from the fixed-length board 3550 and the outer periphery remains rectangular, the performance board 3520 can be easily set in the insert machine via the fixed-length board 3550 and electronic components can be mounted on it. Figure 72 shows the state just before electronic components such as LEDs 3530 are mounted on the performance board 3520 and separated.

Once electronic components such as LEDs 3530 have been mounted, the board is bent and cut at the V-cut 3554. This leaves four discarded boards 3555 connected to the outside of the performance board 3520 by connecting parts 3552. The discarded boards 3555 are then cut at the connecting parts 3552 to separate the performance board 3520 from the performance board (see Figures 73(b) and 74(a)). Note that the connecting parts 3552 have a hole 3556 between the two slits 3551, reducing their strength and rigidity, and can be easily broken and separated by bending.

After the performance board 3520 is separated, the remaining portion (remaining connecting portion 3552a) of the connecting portion 3552 protruding from the outer peripheral shape is scraped off to the virtual line of the outer peripheral shape (shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 74(a)) using a file or the like, and the performance board 3520 is completed (see Fig. 73(c) and Fig. 74(b)). When finishing this remaining connecting portion 3552a, cutting chips are generated, but since the amount of finishing (cutting) is extremely short (small) compared to the entire circumference of the performance board 3520, the amount of cutting chips generated is small and can be sufficiently sucked up by a dust collector or the like, and does not affect electronic components such as the LED 3530 mounted on the performance board 3520. At this time, since the light-colored coating film 3523 is provided at a predetermined distance L2, even if the connecting portion 3552 is cut or finished, powder of the coating film 3523 is not generated.

The finished state of the outer peripheral side of the performance board 3520 is such that the slits 3551 are formed using an end mill or the like, leaving cutting marks (general traces 3560) from the end mill, whereas the connecting parts 3552 are finished using a file or the like, leaving cutting marks (specific traces 3561) different from the general traces 3560. In other words, the performance board 3520 has specific traces 3561, which are marks that are different from the other parts (general traces 3560) when the outer periphery is formed. Therefore, just by looking at the side of the performance board 3520, it is possible to recognize the specific traces 3561 and determine the part where the connecting parts 3552 were provided.

The difference in finish (e.g., surface roughness) between the general trace portion 3560 and the specific trace portion 3561 may be such that the specific trace portion 3561 is finer in roughness than the general trace portion 3560 (e.g., smooth, slick, etc.), or the general trace portion 3560 is finer in roughness than the specific trace portion 3561. The specific trace portion 3561 may also be made mirror-like.

In the above, the connecting portion 3552 is shown to have one hole 3556 between two slits 3551, but this is not limiting and the connecting portion 3552 may be as shown in FIG. 75. More specifically, FIG. 75(a) shows two or more holes 3556 between two slits 3551. Also, FIGS. 75(b1) to (b3) show two slits 3551 that are as close to each other as the width of the slits 3551, and the thickness of the portion between them is thin. In this case, the specific trace portion 3561 is not the entire thickness but only a portion of it, as shown in FIG. 75(b3). The shaded portion in FIG. 75 shows the area where the coating film 3523 is provided.

In this way, according to the performance board 3520 of this embodiment, the connection portion 3552 (specific trace portion 3561) with the fixed length board 3550 (discard board 3555) is provided in a linear or convex portion of the outer periphery of the performance board 3520, making it easier to perform finishing work on the connection portion 3552 (remaining connection portion 3552a), suppressing an increase in the cost of the pachinko machine 1, and making it easier to finish the specific trace portion 3561 neatly, thereby providing a good-looking performance board 3520.

In addition, since the outer periphery of the performance board 3520 is provided with a specific trace portion 3561 by the connecting portion 3552, and the outer periphery of the performance board 3520 is formed by a cutting machine such as an NC machine, it is possible to easily manufacture a performance board 3520 with a complex outer periphery shape, i.e., a highly decorative shape, and it is possible to obtain a performance board 3520 that looks good. Therefore, even if the performance board 3520 is visible, it is unlikely to cause discomfort to the player, and a decrease in interest can be suppressed.

In addition, since a specific trace portion 3561 is provided on the outer periphery of the performance board 3520, when a worker assembles the board, the specific trace portion 3561 can be used as a guide to identify the installation direction of the performance board 3520, etc.

The light-colored coating film 3523 (solder resist) is a harder material than other solder resists, and is therefore prone to turning into powder. Therefore, when cutting is performed to cut out the performance board 3520 from the fixed-length board 3550 with the light-colored coating film 3523 on its surface, a large amount of powder of the light-colored coating film 3523 is generated in addition to a large amount of cutting chips of the board base material 3521. And because the powder of the light-colored coating film 3523 is fine, cleaning (removal) is time-consuming and may increase costs, and because it is time-consuming, there is a risk that the powder will not be completely removed and will remain. In addition, even after the performance board 3520 is cut out from the fixed-length board 3550, if the light-colored coating film 3523 is applied up to the cut edge of the performance board 3520, when another component comes into contact with the cut edge of the performance board 3520, the light-colored coating film 3523, which is a hard material, may turn into powder and scatter, and may adhere to or accumulate on the performance board 3520 or other components (decorative body 3500), etc.

And if the powder of the light-colored coating film 3523 adheres to and accumulates on the performance board 3520, the decorative body 3500, etc., the following problems may occur. For example, if the powder adheres to and accumulates on the LED 3530 as an electronic component mounted on the performance board 3520, the LED 3530 may cast a shadow when it is illuminated, which may cause the appearance of the light-emitting performance to deteriorate. Also, if the powder adheres to and accumulates on the connector as an electronic component mounted on the performance board 3520, poor contact may occur. Furthermore, if the powder adheres to and accumulates on the surface of the performance board 3520, the decorative body 3500 (decorative part 3510), etc., the powder may cause the appearance of the performance board 3520, the decorative body 3500, etc. to deteriorate (be reduced). Such problems may cause discomfort and distrust to the player, which may reduce interest in the game.

In contrast, according to this embodiment, the coating film 3523 made of light-colored solder resist applied to the surface of the performance board 3520 is provided between the cut edge of the performance board 3520 and the edge of the copper foil 3522, and is set back from the cut edge of the performance board 3520 including the edge of the specific trace portion 3561 (here, a predetermined distance L2) inward, so that even if the performance board 3520 is cut out from the fixed-length board 3550 by cutting, the light-colored coating film 3523 is not cut and no powder of the coating film 3523 is generated. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the increase in the cost of cleaning after cutting, and no powder of the light-colored coating film 3523 remains on the performance board 3520. In addition, since the light-colored coating film 3523 is provided at a distance from the cut edge of the performance board 3520, even if other components (such as the decorative part 3510 of the decorative body 3500) come into contact with the cut edge of the performance board 3520, they will not come into contact with the coating film 3523, so no powder of the coating film 3523 will be generated, and the powder of the coating film 3523 will not scatter and adhere to or accumulate on the performance board 3520 or the decorative body 3500. As a result, since the light-colored coating film 3523 does not generate powder, it is possible to prevent problems such as poor appearance due to shadows being cast during the light emission performance caused by the light emission of the LED 3530, poor contact in connectors, and poor appearance of the surfaces of the performance board 3520 and the decorative body 3500, and it is possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 that can entertain players and suppress a decline in interest.

In addition, the light-colored coating film 3523 is provided away from the specific trace portion 3561 (a predetermined distance L2), so even if the specific trace portion 3561 (remaining portion 3552a) is finished with a file or the like, no powder of the light-colored coating film 3523 is generated, and the same effect as above can be achieved.

In the above, a method for cutting out the irregular performance board 3520 from the fixed-length board 3550 and handling them as a single unit in the insert machine was described, in which the performance board 3520 and the fixed-length board 3550 are connected at the connecting portion 3552 using a processing machine such as an NC machine, and then cut so that they are handled as a single unit. However, there is another method (push-back method) in which the performance board is punched out from the fixed-length board using a punching die, and then the performance board is refitted into the punched hole in the fixed-length board, so that they are handled as a single unit.

To explain this push-back method in detail, when a performance board is punched out from a fixed-length board using a punching die, the gap between the punched performance board and the punched hole in the fixed-length board is small, so when the performance board is fitted into the punched hole in the fixed-length board, the performance board is positioned on the fixed-length board, and it becomes possible to handle the performance board and the fixed-length board together. Therefore, unlike the above-mentioned cutting method, the push-back method does not require the provision of a connecting part 3552, so no specific trace part is left on the performance board. Since the push-back method uses a punching die, many performance boards can be punched out in a short time. Even with this push-back method, punching out a light-colored coating film (solder resist) may generate powder, so as with the above, it is desirable to provide the light-colored coating film away from the cut edge of the performance board. Note that in the push-back method, since the punching die is relatively expensive, the method of cutting using a processing machine such as an NC machine is more advantageous in terms of a wide variety of products, small lots, cost, delivery time, etc.

In addition, according to this embodiment, the surface of the performance board 3520 is provided with a coating film 3523 made of light-colored (white) solder resist, so that the light from the LED 3530, etc. can be reflected by the coating film 3523, and the decorative body 3500 can be brightly illuminated and decorated. In this case, the coating film 3523 made of light-colored (white) solder resist is provided behind the outer edge of the performance board 3520. In other words, the color of the outer edge of the board including the specific trace portion 3561 is made different from the other parts (coating film 3523). Therefore, by making the specific trace portion 3561, etc. a color that is difficult to reflect light or a color with no luster, the specific trace portion 3561 can be made to look darker than other parts, and the specific trace portion 3561 can be made less noticeable, which can avoid the decorative body 3500 from looking bad.

This performance board 3520 (performance board 3520A described later) has a coating film 3523 made of light-colored solder resist provided from the outer periphery of the performance board 3520, so the outer periphery of the performance board 3520, including the specific trace portion 3561, is a different color from the light-colored solder resist. It is preferable that the different color of the outer periphery including the specific trace portion 3561 of the performance board 3520 (performance board 3520A) is a darker color than the light-colored solder resist. In addition, it is preferable that the outer periphery of the performance board 3520, etc. is less glossy than the solder resist (coating film 3523). In this embodiment, the outer periphery including the specific trace portion 3561 of the performance board 3520 (performance board 3520A) is a darker color than the light-colored solder resist and less glossy than the light-colored solder resist.

[11-2. Second embodiment of the performance board]
Next, the performance board 3520A of an embodiment different from the performance board 3520 described above will be described in detail with reference to Figures 76 to 79. Figure 76(a) is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged portion of the joint with the waste board in the performance board of the second embodiment, (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the waste board and the performance board are separated from the state of (a), and (c) is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the joint is finished from the state of (b). Figure 77(a) is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged representation of a performance board provided with a coating film of a different form from Figure 76, (b) is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged representation of a performance board provided with a coating film of a further different form, and (c) is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged representation of a performance board provided with a copper foil of a different form from (a).

Furthermore, Figure 78 is an explanatory diagram showing the surface of the performance board of a decorative body of a second embodiment in which the configuration of Figure 76 is applied to the performance board of the decorative body of the first embodiment such as Figure 74. Figure 79 is an explanatory diagram showing the back surface of the performance board of the decorative body of the second embodiment shown in Figure 78. The shaded area in Figure 76 indicates the area where the coating film 3523 is provided. The shaded area in Figure 79 indicates the component placement area 3534.

The second embodiment of the performance board 3520A is provided with the same components as the performance board 3520 provided in the decorative body 3500 (the decorative body 3501 of the first embodiment) and the same reference numerals are used and detailed description is omitted. As shown in FIG. 76, the performance board 3520A has a recess 3557 that is recessed from the outer periphery in a trapezoidal shape, and a connecting portion 3552 is provided at the bottom 3557a of the recess 3557. In other words, the performance board 3520A has a specific trace portion 3561 at the bottom 3557a of the recess 3557, where a trace different from other portions (general trace portion 3560) is generated when the outer periphery is formed. The recess 3557 in the performance board 3520A is provided in a linear or convex portion on the outer periphery, as shown in FIG. 78, for example. Therefore, the bottom 3557a of the recess 3557 is linear or convex in accordance with the outer periphery shape of the performance board 3520A.

In more detail, in the performance board 3520A of this embodiment, the depth of the recess 3557 is the same as the width of the slit 3551 formed along the outer peripheral shape of the performance board 3520A in the fixed-length board 3550. As a result, when the performance board 3520A is separated from the fixed-length board 3550, the narrowest central part of the connecting part 3552 is broken (cut), so that the connecting part 3552a left on the performance board 3520A protrudes outward from the bottom 3557a of the recess 3557 by half the width of the slit 3551 (depth of the recess 3557). Therefore, even if the position where the connecting part 3552 is cut is slightly shifted, the tip of the connecting part 3552a does not protrude outward from the design outline of the performance board 3520A (the line shown by the two-dot chain line in Figure 76 (c) and Figure 78). Incidentally, in the performance board 3520A of this embodiment, the depth of the recess 3557 is the same as the length from the outer edge of the performance board 3520A to the outer edge of the copper foil 3522.

The protruding length of the anchoring portion 3552a is preferably within the range of 1/3 to 2/3 of the depth of the recessed portion 3557, so that the anchoring portion 3552a can be reliably positioned closer to the center of the performance board 3520A than the designed outline. In addition, the depth of the recessed portion 3557 can be prevented from becoming relatively deep compared to the protruding length of the anchoring portion 3552a, so that the recessed portion 3557 does not become unnecessarily large, which would result in a poor appearance, and the light-colored coating film 3523 is reduced by the amount of the recessed portion 3557, which would reduce the reflected light and make the brightness of the light-emitting performance darker or uneven.

As shown in FIG. 76, the outer edge of the coating film 3523 made of light-colored (white) solder resist is set back a predetermined distance L2 from the outer edge of the performance board 3520A in the general area (area excluding the recess 3557), and is set back a predetermined distance L2 from the periphery of the recess 3557 in the recess 3557 area. Therefore, even if the slits 3551 and holes 3556 are cut, the light-colored coating film 3523 is not cut, and fine chips are not generated by the coating film 3523.

In the first embodiment of the performance board 3520, the connecting portion 3552 is provided on the outer periphery of the performance board 3520. When the connecting portion 3552a of the connecting portion 3552 that protrudes beyond the outer periphery is cut and finished after separation from the discarded board 3555, if the finishing of the connecting portion 3552a (specific trace portion 3561) is insufficient, the specific trace portion 3561 will protrude outward from the designed outline of the performance board 3520, and the protruding specific trace portion 3561 may hit the peripheral wall portion 3542 of the decorative base 3540 that surrounds the outer periphery of the performance board 3520 in the decorative body 3500, making it impossible to attach the performance board 3520 to the decorative base 3540.

In contrast, the performance board 3520A of this embodiment has a connecting portion 3552 provided at the bottom 3557a of the recess 3557. Therefore, when the connecting portion 3552 is cut to separate the performance board 3520A from the discarded board 3555, the connecting portion 3552a (specific trace portion 3561) remaining on the performance board 3520A at the connecting portion 3552 does not protrude outward beyond the designed outline of the performance board 3520A (the line shown by the dashed double-dotted line in Figures 76 (c) and 78). Therefore, even if the remaining connecting portion 3552a (specific trace portion 3561) of the connecting portion 3552 protruding from the bottom 3557a is not finished by grinding (even if the specific trace portion 3561 protrudes from the bottom 3557a), the performance board 3520A can be inserted and attached inside the cylindrical peripheral wall portion 3542 of the decorative base 3540, and the decorative body 3500 (decorative body 3502 of the second embodiment) can be reliably assembled.

In addition, with the presentation board 3520A, it is possible to omit the finishing of the specific trace portion 3561 (remaining portion 3552a) protruding from the bottom portion 3557a, thereby reducing the costs of the presentation board 3520A and, ultimately, the pachinko machine 1.

As described above, this performance board 3520A is different from the performance board 3520 of the first embodiment in that the outer periphery of the board is uneven because a recess 3557 is provided on the outer periphery of the board and a specific trace portion 3561 (remaining portion 3552a) protrudes outward from the bottom 3557a of the recess 3557. However, when the performance board 3520A is assembled to the decorative body 3500, as shown in FIG. 71(b), the rear end surface 3512 of the side wall portion 3511 of the decorative portion 3510 is located in front of the outer periphery of the board, and the peripheral wall portion 3542 of the decorative base 3540 is located outside the outer periphery of the board in the direction along the board surface, making it difficult to see the outer periphery of the board from the front. As a result, even if the outer peripheral edge of the substrate has a recess 3557 or a specific trace portion 3561 (remnant portion 3552a) that protrudes outward, the appearance of the decorative body 3500 is not adversely affected because it is hidden by the side wall portion 3511 of the decorative portion 3510 and the peripheral wall portion 3542 of the decorative base 3540.

In addition, the surface of the performance board 3520A is provided with a coating film 3523 made of light-colored (white) solder resist, which can reflect light from the LED 3530, etc., and can brightly illuminate and decorate the decorative body 3500. In this case, the coating film 3523 made of light-colored (white) solder resist is provided away from the outer edge of the performance board 3520A, which includes the specific trace part 3561, which is a trace different from the general trace part 3560. In other words, the color of the outer edge of the board including the specific trace part 3561 is made different from the other parts (coating film 3523). Therefore, by making the specific trace part 3561, etc. a color that is difficult to reflect light or a color with no luster, the specific trace part 3561 can be made to look darker than other parts, making the specific trace part 3561 less noticeable and avoiding the appearance of the decorative body 3500 from being poor.

In addition, in the performance board 3520A, the connecting portion 3552 (specific trace portion 3561) is provided in the outwardly bulging portion or linear portion of the outer peripheral edge (outer peripheral shape) of the performance board 3520A, in other words, in the linear or convex portion, so that the following action and effect can be achieved. In detail, when the performance board 3520A is manufactured, if the connecting portion 3552 is provided only in the recessed portion that is recessed toward the center of the board on the outer peripheral edge (board outer shape) of the performance board 3520A, the connecting portion 3552 does not exist in the outwardly bulging portion between the recessed portion, so that the bulging portion is easily deformed downward by its own weight. Specifically, for example, in the case where the external shape of the performance board 3520A is a gourd shape in which two circles are joined together and there is a narrow gap, if the connecting part 3552 with the fixed length board 3550 is provided only in the narrow gap, the connecting part 3552 does not exist in the circular parts on both sides, so that the circular parts are more likely to deform downward due to their own weight the farther they are from the connecting part 3552. And if the performance board 3520A deforms due to its own weight, it may be difficult to reliably mount electronic components such as LEDs 3530 using an insert machine. In contrast, in this embodiment, the connecting parts 3552 (specific trace parts 3561) are provided in the outwardly bulging and linear parts of the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A, so that when the performance board 3520A is manufactured, the parts between the connecting parts 3552 on the performance board 3520A are less likely to deform downward due to their own weight, compared to when the connecting parts 3552 are only provided in the recessed parts of the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A, and when electronic components such as LEDs 3530 and ICs are mounted using an insert machine, the deformation of the performance board 3520A is suppressed, so the electronic components can be reliably mounted.

In the above embodiment, the specific trace portion 3561 (connecting portion 3552a) protruding from the bottom 3557a of the recess 3557 is not finished, but the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 76(c), the specific trace portion 3561 may be finished. In this case, since the recess 3557 is provided in a linear or convex portion of the outer peripheral shape of the performance board 3520A, the bottom 3557a of the recess 3557 is also linear or convex following the outer peripheral shape. Therefore, a part of the connecting portion 3552 protruding from the bottom 3557a (specific trace portion 3561) can be easily finished using a tool such as a file, which can suppress the increase in cost of the pachinko machine 1 and can provide a good-looking performance board 3520A by neatly finishing the specific trace portion 3561.

In the above embodiment, the outer periphery of the coating film 3523 is set back from the periphery of the recess 3557 at the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A, but this is not limited to this and may be as shown in FIG. 77(a). In the example of FIG. 77(a), the outer periphery of the coating film 3523 is set back a predetermined distance L2 from the periphery of the connecting portion 3552a (specific trace portion 3561) remaining on the performance board 3520A side when the connecting portion 3552 provided on the bottom 3557a of the recess 3557 is cut to separate the performance board 3520A from the discarded board 3555. In this case, the portion protruding from the bottom 3557a (specific trace portion 3561) is not finished. This embodiment can also achieve the same effect as above. In addition, the remaining portion 3552a is also provided with a coating film 3523 made of light-colored (white) solder resist, which allows it to reflect even more light, making the decorative portion 3510 more brightly illuminated and decorated.

In the above embodiment, the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A is difficult to see when assembled into the decorative body 3500, but even if the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A is visible, it is possible to prevent the appearance from becoming poor. In more detail, in this performance board 3520A, a coating film 3523 made of light-colored (white) solder resist is provided along the periphery of the recess 3557 (it is not provided on the connecting portion 3552a), so it is possible to make the connecting portion 3552a (specific trace portion 3561) a dark color different from the other portions (coating film 3523), making it possible to make the connecting portion 3552a difficult to see and preventing the appearance from becoming poor.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the outer edge of the coating film 3523 is set back from the outer edge of the performance board 3520A, but this is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 77(b), the coating film 3523 (shaded part in the figure) may be provided up to the outer edge of the performance board 3520A. As a result, the coating film 3523 made of light-colored (white) solder resist is applied to the entire surface of the performance board 3520A, so that more light can be reflected and the decorative part 3510 can be decorated to emit light more brightly. In this case, in the manufacture of the performance board 3520A, the coating film 3523 may be applied without setting back from the outer edge of the performance board 3520A (or over the entire surface of the fixed-length board 3550) to form the board outline, or the coating film 3523 may be applied after the board outline of the performance board 3520A is formed.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 77(c), the performance board 3520A of the above embodiment may have through holes 3524 near the periphery of the copper foil 3522. This makes it difficult for the copper foil 3522 to peel off from the board base material 3521 due to vibrations, shocks, etc. that occur during the manufacturing process of the performance board 3520A.

Also, as shown in FIG. 77(c), in this embodiment, the outer edge of the copper foil 3522 is set back a certain distance toward the center of the board along the outer edge of the performance board 3520A, and is also set back a certain distance along the periphery of the recess 3557 at the site of the recess 3557. The distance from the outer edge of the performance board 3520A to the outer edge of the copper foil 3522 (the set back distance) is the same as the depth of the recess 3557. Also, the distance from the outer edge of the performance board 3520A to the through hole 3524 is longer than the depth of the recess 3557. In other words, the depth of the recess 3557 is shallower than the distance from the outer edge of the board to the through hole 3524. As a result, even if the position of the recess 3557 is misaligned due to manufacturing errors, the copper foil 3522 will not be scraped off, and even if it is scraped off, the through-hole 3524 will not be scraped off, so the copper foil 3522 can be supported on the substrate base material 3521 by the through-hole 3524, and the copper foil 3522 will not peel off.

Furthermore, to describe the second embodiment of the performance board 3520A in detail, as shown in FIG. 79, the rear surface (back surface) of this performance board 3520A is equipped with multiple side-view type second LEDs 3532, as well as specific electronic components 3533 such as ICs and LED drivers. Since ICs and LED drivers as specific electronic components 3533 are generally black, by providing them on the rear surface of the performance board 3520A, they are not visible from the front, which improves the appearance of the decorative body 3500.

The performance board 3520A is provided so that each of the multiple second LEDs 3532 irradiates light outward from the performance board 3520A and is provided so as to be close to the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A. In more detail, the second LED 3532 is provided on the side of the line segment connecting the center (centre) of the performance board 3520A that passes through the second LED 3532 and the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A, closer to the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A than the centre of the line segment. This allows the outside of the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A (the peripheral wall section 3542 and lens section 3545 of the decorative base 3540) to be illuminated and decorated more brightly.

The rear surface of this performance board 3520A is also provided with a coating film 3523 made of light-colored (white) solder resist, just like the front surface. This allows light emitted from the side-view type second LED 3532 and leaking forward from the main body 3541 of the decorative base 3540 to be reflected backward and returned to inside the main body 3541. This allows the peripheral wall 3542 (lens portion 3545) to be more brightly illuminated and decorated via the main body 3541.

In addition, the performance board 3520A is arranged so that the second LED 3532 is provided near the specific trace portion 3561 (recess 3557) and the specific trace portion 3561 is within the irradiation range of the light of the second LED 3532. In other words, the second LED 3532 is provided near the specific trace portion 3561 and is provided with its light emission surface facing the specific trace portion 3561. The above configuration can also be said to provide the specific trace portion 3561 (recess 3557) in a location near the second LED 3532 and within the irradiation range of its light.

Incidentally, the performance board 3520A has a recess 3557 recessed from the outer periphery, and therefore the coating film 3523 made of light-colored (white) solder resist is not provided in the area of the recess 3557. As a result, the amount of light reflected in the area of the recess 3557 is reduced, and there is a risk that the area of the peripheral wall 3542 of the decorative base 3540 close to the recess 3557 will be darker than other areas.

In contrast, in the second embodiment of the performance board 3520A, the second LED 3532 close to the recess 3557 (specific trace portion 3561) is provided facing the recess 3557, so that the lack of light caused by the provision of the recess 3557 can be compensated for, and the peripheral wall portion 3542 of the decorative base 3540 can be illuminated and decorated with uniform brightness. At this time, the specific trace portion 3561 is protruded outward from the bottom portion 3557a of the recess 3557 by the anchor portion 3552a, so that the reflected light can be increased accordingly, and the lack of light caused by the recess 3557 can be further compensated for. Details will be described later, but as shown in FIG. 80, by providing a coating film 3523 made of light-colored (white) solder resist up to the portion of the anchor portion 3552a, the lack of light of the reflected light can be further compensated for.

As described above, the second embodiment of the performance board 3520A has the specific trace portion 3561 in the light irradiation range of the side-view type second LED 3532, so when the second LED 3532 is illuminated, the specific trace portion 3561 is illuminated and becomes noticeable. However, when this performance board 3520A is assembled to the decorative body 3500, the front, rear, and side of the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A where the specific trace portion 3561 is provided are hidden by the side wall portion 3511 of the decorative portion 3510 and the main body portion 3541 and peripheral wall portion 3542 of the decorative base 3540, so that the effect of the light reflection at the specific trace portion 3561 can be achieved while avoiding the deterioration of the appearance due to the specific trace portion 3561.

In addition, by moving the decorative body 3500 together with the performance board 3520A as the game progresses, even if the positional relationship between the performance board 3520A and the player changes, as described above, the side of the performance board 3520A is hidden by the peripheral wall portion 3542 of the decorative base 3540, so the specific trace portion 3561 is not visible. Therefore, the appearance of the movable performance using the decorative body 3500 is not impaired, and the performance effect of the movable performance of the decorative body 3500 can be reliably exerted, entertaining the player and preventing a decline in interest.

As shown in FIG. 79, the performance board 3520A has electronic components (specific electronic components 3533) mounted on its rear surface (back surface, i.e., the surface opposite the player side) such as ICs, LED drivers, resistors, diodes, and sensors for illuminating the mounted LEDs 3530 (first LED 3531 and second LED 3532). Many of the specific electronic components 3533 are provided near the specific trace portion 3561. More specifically, multiple specific electronic components 3533 are provided within a component placement area 3534 (shaded area) surrounded by multiple (here, three) specific trace portions 3561.

As described above, the performance board 3520A is not separated from the fixed-length board 3550, but is partially connected by the connecting portion 3552, and electronic components including the specific electronic component 3533 are mounted using an insert machine. When the performance board 3520A is partially connected by the connecting portion 3552, the overall strength and rigidity are reduced compared to the original fixed-length board 3550, making it more likely to bend. The amount of bending of the performance board 3520A based on the original fixed-length board 3550 tends to increase the farther it is from the connecting portion 3552. Therefore, when mounting electronic components using an insert machine, there is a risk that the leads or electrodes of the electronic components may be soldered in a state where they are not in sufficient contact with the copper foil 3522, or that the electronic components may be soldered in a tilted state. This problem is also the same for the performance board 3520 of the first embodiment.

And, if the soldering of the electronic components to the performance board 3520A is insufficient, if the electronic components are soldered at an angle, or if there is a mounting defect in the electronic components, the following inconveniences will occur. For example, in the case of specific electronic components 3533 such as ICs and LED drivers as electronic components, there is a risk that they will not function properly due to mounting defects, which may affect many electronic components such as LEDs 3530 mounted on the performance board 3520A. In addition, in the case of specific electronic components 3533 for detection such as position sensors as electronic components, if they are poorly connected or tilted due to mounting defects, it may not be possible to detect the moving position of the movable role (movable decorative body), and it may not be possible to perform a moving performance by the movable role. Furthermore, in the case of specific electronic components 3533 for wiring such as connectors as electronic components, there is a risk that they will not be able to exchange signals with the peripheral control board 1510 due to mounting defects, or that the force of inserting and removing the wiring cable into the connector may cause the connector to come off from the performance board 3520A. If such a problem occurs, the presentation effect of the presentation board 3520A cannot be fully realized, and there is a risk of reducing the interest of the player. To explain further, even if the resistor or LED 3530 is improperly installed (poorly mounted), the impact will only be felt in one unit, but if the LED driver (specific electronic component 3533) is improperly installed, the impact will extend to all of the subordinate LEDs 3530, so the LED driver (specific electronic component 3533) is particularly important and must be properly mounted.

In contrast, in this embodiment, the specific electronic component 3533 is provided near the specific trace portion 3561. Alternatively, the specific electronic component 3533 is provided between two specific trace portions 3561. Furthermore, the specific electronic component 3533 is provided in a component placement area 3534 surrounded by three or more specific trace portions 3561. In other words, the specific electronic component 3533 is provided in a portion of the performance board 3520A that is less likely to bend (a portion with a small amount of bending), so that the leads and electrodes of the specific electronic component 3533 can be soldered in a state where they are in reliable contact with the copper foil 3522, and the specific electronic component 3533 is not attached in a tilted state. This allows the performance using the performance board 3520A to be reliably executed, so that the performance effect of the performance board 3520A can be fully exerted, entertaining the player and suppressing a decline in interest.

[11-2a. Other embodiments of the performance board]
Next, the performance boards of other embodiments will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 80 and 81. Figure 80(a) is a rear view of the performance board of the third embodiment, and (b) is a front view of the performance board of the fourth embodiment. Figure 81(a) is an explanatory diagram showing a performance board in which a specific trace part and a side-view type LED are provided, (b) is an explanatory diagram of a performance board in which an extension part extending outward is provided between the specific trace parts in (a), and (c) is an explanatory diagram showing a performance board of a different form from (a) and (b).

First, as shown in FIG. 80(a), the performance board 3520B has a plurality of specific electronic components 3533 such as ICs, LED drivers, connectors, etc. mounted near the left end when viewed from the back. As shown in the figure, the performance board 3520B has a plurality of specific traces 3561 (recesses 3557) on the upper and lower sides, which are not evenly spaced in the longitudinal direction of each side, but are biased so that there are more on the left side than in the center in the longitudinal direction. The performance board 3520B has a component placement area 3534 (shaded area) formed by the two specific traces 3561 on the left of the upper and lower sides and the specific trace 3561 on the left side, and a plurality of specific electronic components 3533 are provided in the component placement area 3534.

According to this performance board 3520B, the component placement area 3534 surrounded by the multiple specific traces 3561 is an area surrounded by multiple connecting parts 3552 connected to the fixed-length board 3550 during the manufacture of the performance board 3520B, and therefore the presence of the multiple connecting parts 3552 surrounding the area makes the area stronger and more rigid than other parts of the performance board 3520B and less likely to bend. Therefore, since the component placement area 3534 is less likely to bend during the manufacture of the performance board 3520B, when attaching an electronic component (specific electronic component 3533) using an insert machine, the leads and electrodes of the specific electronic component 3533 can be soldered in sufficient contact with the copper foil 3522, or the specific electronic component 3533 can be soldered in a straight state, and no mounting or connection defects will occur. This allows the effects using the performance board 3520B to be executed reliably, allowing the performance effects of the performance board 3520B to be fully utilized, entertaining the player and preventing a decline in interest.

In addition, in the performance board 3520B, the ICs and LED drivers serving as the specific electronic components 3533 are generally black, and so since they are provided on the rear surface of the performance board 3520B, they are not visible from the front, improving the appearance of the decorative body 3500.

Next, the performance board 3520C shown in FIG. 80(b) has, in a front view, one specific trace portion 3561 (remaining portion 3552a) protruding from the bottom 3557a of the recess 3557 on each of the upper and left sides, and two specific trace portions 3561 (remaining portions 3552a) protruding from the bottom 3557a of the recess 3557 on each of the lower and right sides. As a result, the specific trace portions 3561 of different shapes are provided on the outer periphery of the performance board 3520C depending on the part of the outer periphery, so that when assembling the pachinko machine 1 (game board 5), the orientation of the performance board 3520C can be identified not only visually but also by touch, making assembly easier and preventing assembly errors.

Next, the performance board 3520D shown in FIG. 81(a) is provided behind a translucent decorative body (not shown). The performance board 3520D has a plurality of specific traces 3561 (remaining parts 3552a) protruding outward from the outer periphery of the board. This performance board 3520D has a coating film 3523 made of light-colored (white) solder resist applied to the board surface. The coating film 3523 is applied up to the tip of the remaining parts 3552a. This performance board 3520D has a plurality of side-view type LEDs 3535 that irradiate light outward along the board surface. Some of the LEDs 3535 are provided with the light irradiation direction including their optical axis toward the specific traces 3561.

According to this performance board 3520D, some of the LEDs 3535 are arranged so that light is directed toward the specific trace portion 3561 (remaining portion 3552a) that protrudes outward, so that the light emitted from the LEDs 3535 can also be reflected by the specific trace portion 3561, allowing the decorative body located in front to be more brightly illuminated and decorated.

Next, the performance board 3520E shown in FIG. 81(b) is different from the performance board 3520D described above in that at least one side-view type LED 3535 is provided between the LEDs 3535 that are provided facing the specific trace portion 3561, and an extension portion 3525 that extends outward from the outer edge of the board between the specific trace portions 3561 is provided. The performance board 3520E has a coating film 3523 made of light-colored (white) solder resist applied to the surface of the extension portion 3525 as well.

With this performance board 3520E, the light from the side-view type LED 3535, which irradiates light outward along the board surface, can also be reflected by the extension portion 3525 that extends outward from the outer periphery of the board. In addition, light from the front can also be reflected by the extension portion 3525. Therefore, more light can be reflected, and the decorative body installed in the front can be more brightly illuminated and decorated.

Next, although not shown, in addition to the extensions 3525 provided between the specific traces 3561 on the outer periphery of the performance board 3520E, an extension 3525 extending outward from the outer periphery of the board may also be provided on the opposite side of the specific trace 3561 from the extension 3525, and a coating film 3523 made of light-colored (white) solder resist may also be applied to the surface of the extension 3525. This allows light from the LEDs 3535 mounted on the board surface, such as light coming from slightly forward, to be reflected by the extensions 3525 provided on both sides of the specific trace 3561, allowing the decorative body provided in front to be more brightly illuminated and decorated.

In addition, the performance board 3520E is shown with an extension portion 3525 that extends outward at a fixed distance from the outer edge of the board, but this is not limited to this, and only the portion that is the front of the LED 3535, excluding the portion of the specific trace portion 3561, may be extended, or it may be extended outward in a wavy or arc shape.

It is desirable to use performance boards 3520B, 3520D and 3520E, which are provided with the side-view type second LED 3532 and LED 3535 as described above, in decorative bodies whose outer peripheral edge (specific trace portion 3561) becomes invisible or unrecognizable when assembled into a decorative body (character piece), but it is also possible to use them in decorative bodies whose outer peripheral edge becomes visible or recognizable, as described below. In more detail, for example, when using the performance board 3520A, the performance board 3520D, and the performance board 3520E (hereinafter also referred to simply as the performance board 3520D) as the LED board for the decorative body that moves as the game progresses, the position of the movable decorative body changes due to the movable performance, changing the angle from which it is viewed by the player, making the outer edge of the performance board 3520D visible to the player. Even if the specific trace part 3561 (the connecting part 3552a) shines and becomes noticeable due to the light emitted by the LED 3535, the movable performance in which the movable decorative body moves can strongly attract the player's attention to the movable performance, making it difficult to notice the shining specific trace part 3561, preventing the deterioration of appearance due to the visibility of the specific trace part 3561, and allowing the performance effect of the movable performance by the movable decorative body to be fully demonstrated.

In addition, when the above-mentioned performance board 3520D or the like is used as an LED board for a fixed, immovable decorative body, even if the outer edge of the performance board 3520D is visible to the player, since the fixed decorative body does not move, the specific trace part 3561 is located in a position that is difficult for the player to see. Even if the specific trace part 3561 glows due to the light emitted by the LED 3535, it is difficult to notice, and the presence of the specific trace part 3561 can be disguised, and the appearance of the fixed decorative body is not impaired.

Next, the performance board 3520F shown in FIG. 81(c) has a specific trace portion 3561 provided to avoid the range of light irradiation of the side-view type LED 3535. As described above, the specific trace portion 3561 (remnant portion 3552a) protruding outward is provided in the range of light irradiation of the LED 3535, and the specific trace portion 3561 is provided with a coating film 3523 made of a light-colored solder resist, so that the light is reflected and the decorative body 3500 can be decorated to be illuminated more brightly. On the other hand, the specific trace portion 3561 is illuminated and becomes noticeable by reflecting the light from the LED 3535. Since the specific trace portion 3561 of this performance board 3520F is provided to avoid the range of light irradiation of the LED 3535, when the LED 3535 is illuminated, the specific trace portion 3561 can be made darker than other parts of the outer periphery of the board, making it less noticeable.

In more detail, when the performance board 3520F is manufactured, if the connection portion 3552 to the fixed-length board 3550 is cut by breaking to separate the performance board 3520F, burrs due to the breakage are likely to occur on the specific trace portion 3561 (the tip of the remaining connection portion 3552a). If the specific trace portion 3561 having burrs due to breakage is provided within the light irradiation range of the side-view type LED 3535, the burrs of the specific trace portion 3561 will sparkle due to the light from the LED 3535, making the specific trace portion 3561 stand out, and the brightness of the specific trace portion 3561 will be uneven compared to other parts of the performance board, which may reduce the performance effect of the light-emitting performance.

In contrast, in this embodiment, the specific trace portion 3561 is provided outside the range of light irradiation from the side-view type LED 3535. This means that even if the specific trace portion 3561 has burrs, the burrs will not be noticeable due to the glittering light from the LED 3535. This also prevents uneven brightness between the specific trace portion 3561 and other portions of the performance board 3520F, allowing the decorative body 3500 provided in front of the performance board 3520F to be illuminated with a uniform brightness, ensuring the performance effect of the light-emitting performance.

In addition, in the performance board 3520F, the specific trace portion 3561 (remaining portion 3552a) may be provided with a coating film 3523 made of light-colored solder resist as in Figures 77(a) and (b), but it is also possible not to provide the specific trace portion 3561 (remaining portion 3552a) with a coating film 3523 made of light-colored solder resist as in Figure 76(b). Alternatively, the specific trace portion 3561 (remaining portion 3552a) may be a dark color different from the coating film 3523. This makes the specific trace portion 3561 darker than the other portions, making it less noticeable and avoiding the appearance of the decorative body being impaired.

This performance board 3520F can be used for a decorative body whose outer periphery (specific trace portion 3561) is visible or recognizable when assembled into a decorative body (gimmick). In more detail, for example, when the performance board 3520F is used as an LED board for a fixed decorative body that does not move, even if the outer periphery of the performance board 3520F is visible to the player, the specific trace portion 3561 does not shine due to the light emitted by the LED 3535, so the specific trace portion 3561 can be made less noticeable and the appearance of the fixed decorative body is not deteriorated. In addition, since the specific trace portion 3561 (remaining portion 3552a) is not noticeable even when the LED 3535 is illuminated, there is no need to provide a part on the fixed decorative body that makes it difficult to see the specific trace portion 3561, and the increase in the cost of the game board 5 can be suppressed.

In addition, when the performance board 3520F is used as the LED board for a decorative body that moves as the game progresses, even if the angle at which the player sees the decorative body changes due to the movement of the movable decorative body, making the outer edge of the performance board 3520F visible to the player, the specific trace portion 3561 does not light up due to the light emitted by the LED 3535, making the specific trace portion 3561 less noticeable and not detracting from the appearance of the movable decorative body. Also, since the specific trace portion 3561 (the connecting portion 3552a) does not stand out even when the LED 3535 is illuminated, there is no need to provide a part on the movable decorative body that makes the specific trace portion 3561 less noticeable, which helps to suppress an increase in costs associated with the game board 5.

In addition, in the above-mentioned performance board 3520D, performance board 3520E, and performance board 3520F, a coating film 3523 made of a light-colored (white) solder resist is applied to the entire surface of the board, but this is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 77(a), the coating film 3523 may be applied from the edge of the board. In other words, the coating film 3523 may not be applied to a portion of a certain width from the edge of the board. This makes it possible to prevent inconveniences and defects caused by powder of the coating film 3523 during the manufacture of the performance board 3520D, etc., just like the above-mentioned performance board 3520, etc.

In addition, in the above-mentioned performance board 3520, performance board 3520A to performance board 3520F (hereinafter also referred to simply as performance board 3520), either a specific trace part 3561 in which the remaining part 3552a is finished or a specific trace part 3561 in which the remaining part 3552a is not finished is shown, but this is not limited to this, and a specific trace part 3561 in which the remaining part 3552a is finished (a type that does not protrude from the outer edge of the board) and a specific trace part 3561 in which the remaining part 3552a is not finished (a type that protrudes from the outer edge of the board) may be mixed in one board. In this case, it is desirable to use a specific trace part 3561 of the type in which the remaining part 3552a is finished and does not protrude in the part that is easily visible to the player, and a specific trace part 3561 of the type in which the remaining part 3552a is not finished and protrudes in the part that is difficult to see by the player. This improves the appearance of the decoration and reduces costs by reducing the amount of finishing required.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the trace of the connecting portion 3552 during the manufacture of the board is shown as the specific trace portion 3561 of the performance board 3520, but this is not limited to this, and it may be, for example, a trace of being supported (held) by a support device for the board when the performance board 3520 is cut out from the fixed-length board 3550 and then electronic components are mounted using an insert machine, etc.

In the above embodiment, the coating film 3523 made of light-colored (white) solder resist is set back from the outer periphery of the substrate, giving the outer periphery of the substrate, including the specific decorative portion 3561, a color different from the coating film 3523; however, this is not limiting, and the specific trace portion 3561 or a range of a certain width from the outer periphery of the substrate may be colored a color different from the coating film 3523. In this case, if the specific trace portion 3561 or the outer periphery of the substrate is colored a dark, non-glossy color, the specific trace portion 3561 and the outer periphery of the substrate can be made less noticeable. Alternatively, if the specific trace portion 3561 is colored a bright, glossy color, the light reflectance of the entire substrate can be increased, allowing the decorative body to be more brightly illuminated and decorated.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, electronic components such as ICs and LED drivers are shown to be used in their original color, but this is not limited to this, and electronic components such as ICs and LED drivers may be colored a light color such as white. This makes it possible to make the electronic components less noticeable. Also, because electronic components such as ICs and LED drivers can be made less noticeable by coloring them a light color, it becomes possible to provide these electronic components on the front side of the performance board 3520, thereby reducing the cost of the performance board 3520.

In addition, in the performance board 3520 of the above embodiment, letters and symbols representing the electronic components to be mounted, the model number of the board, etc., may be applied in bright colors to the board surface. This makes it possible to prevent mistakes during assembly, etc., by using letters and symbols, and the appearance of the decorative object is not marred even if letters and symbols are applied to the board surface.

[11-3. Other embodiments of decorative objects having a performance board]
Next, the decorative body of another embodiment having a performance board will be described in detail mainly with reference to Fig. 82 and Fig. 83. Fig. 82(a) is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of a main part of the decorative body of the third embodiment, (b) is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of a main part of the decorative body of the fourth embodiment, and (c) is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of a main part of the decorative body of the fifth embodiment. Fig. 83(a) is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of a main part of the decorative body of the sixth embodiment, (b) is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of a main part of the decorative body of the seventh embodiment, and (c) is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of a main part of the decorative body of the eighth embodiment. In the following description, the up-down direction of the paper surface of Fig. 82 and Fig. 83 is described as the front-rear direction. In addition, in the following, the parts having the same configuration as the above-mentioned decorative body 3500 (decorative body 3501 and decorative body 3502) are described with the same reference numerals.

[11-3a. Decoration of the third embodiment]
As shown in Fig. 82(a), the decorative body 3503 of the third embodiment has a decorative part 3510 formed in a predetermined shape and having translucency, and a performance board 3520A on whose surface a plurality of LEDs 3530 are mounted. The decorative part 3510 has a front wall part 3513 facing forward, a peripheral wall part 3514 protruding backward from the outer periphery of the front wall part 3513 in a wall-like shape, and a plated part 3515 having a metallic luster provided on a part of the front wall part 3513 and the peripheral wall part 3514. The decorative part 3510 is formed in a container shape (box shape) that is open to the rear by the front wall part 3513 and the peripheral wall part 3514.

The decorative portion 3510 has a higher light transmittance in the area inside the plated portion 3515 on the front wall portion 3513 than the area of the plated portion 3515. In other words, the plated portion 3515 provides an opening 3516 with a higher light transmittance. The hatched area in the enlarged view of Figure 82(a) is the plated portion 3515.

The performance board 3520A is provided behind the front wall 3513 of the decorative part 3510 and is provided forward of the rear end of the peripheral wall 3514. In other words, the performance board 3520A is provided inside the container-shaped decorative part 3510. The performance board 3520A has an outer peripheral shape that follows (along) the outer peripheral shape of the decorative part 3510 and is formed smaller than the inner peripheral shape of the peripheral wall 3514. This performance board 3520A has a recess 3557 formed on the outer periphery, and a part (remainder) of the connecting part 3552 protrudes from the bottom 3557a of the recess 3557. In other words, the bottom 3557a has a specific trace part 3561 where a trace different from the other part (general trace part 3560) was generated when the outer periphery was formed.

Although not shown in the figure, this performance board 3520A also has a light-colored coating film 3523 applied to its surface, and the outer edge of this coating film 3523 is positioned a predetermined distance L2 away from the outer edge of the performance board 3520A.

When this decorative body 3503 is assembled, the outer peripheral edge of the performance board 3520A overlaps with the plated portion 3515 of the decorative portion 3510 when viewed from the front, making it difficult to see the outer peripheral edge of the performance board 3520A, i.e., the recess 3557 and the specific trace portion 3561, from the front due to the plated portion 3515. In addition, the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A is surrounded by the peripheral wall portion 3542 of the decorative portion 3510, and the plated portion 3515 is also provided on the peripheral wall portion 3514, making it difficult to see the recess 3557 and the specific trace portion 3561 from the side.

In this way, according to the decorative body 3503 of this embodiment, by having a specific trace portion 3561 in which the connecting portion 3552a of the connecting portion 3552 remains on the performance board 3520A, even if the appearance of the performance board 3520A is poor, the poor-looking portion can be hidden by the plated portion 3515, thereby preventing the appearance from worsening and improving the appearance of the decorative body 3503.

In addition, since the specific trace portion 3561 can be hidden by the plated portion 3515, there is no need to finish the specific trace portion 3561 (remaining portion 3552a), which reduces the cost of the performance board 3520A and ultimately suppresses the increase in the cost of gaming machines such as the pachinko machine 1.

In addition, since a specific trace portion 3561 is provided on the bottom 3557a of the recess 3557 that is recessed in a trapezoidal shape from the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A, even if the specific trace portion 3561 protrudes outward from the bottom 3557a, it does not protrude beyond the designed outline of the performance board 3520A, and the performance board 3520A can be securely attached to the inside of the decorative portion 3510.

Furthermore, the performance board 3520A is provided inside the container-shaped decorative part 3510, and the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A is surrounded by the peripheral wall part 3514. Therefore, even if the outer peripheral side of the performance board 3520A has a jagged specific trace part 3561 like a fractured surface where the connecting part 3552a of the connecting part 3552 remains, the peripheral wall part 3514 makes it difficult to touch the specific trace part 3561, and it is possible to prevent the worker from being injured. In addition, it is possible to prevent the adhesion of the worker's lipids to the outer peripheral side or near the periphery of the performance board 3520A, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of problems caused by lipids.

In addition, the specific trace portion 3561 provided on the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A can be hidden by the plating portion 3515, and the light color (white) of the surface makes the performance board 3520A less noticeable, so even if the distance between the front wall portion 3513 of the decorative portion 3510 and the performance board 3520A is shortened (narrowed), the appearance of the decorative portion 3510 is not deteriorated, and the thickness of the decorative body 3503 having the decorative portion 3510 and the performance board 3520A can be thinned. Therefore, the degree of freedom of arrangement of the decorative body 3503 can be increased, so the decorative body 3503 can be provided in a more effective position, and the appearance of the pachinko machine 1 can be improved. In addition, since the decorative body 3503 is thin, it is relatively easier to secure space for providing other decorative bodies, etc., so that the pachinko machine 1 can have more decorative bodies, etc., and a pachinko machine 1 with high appeal that can strongly attract the interest of players can be provided.

In addition, a light-colored coating film 3523 is provided on the surface of the performance board 3520A, which allows light from the LEDs 3530 and the like to be reflected, allowing the decorative body 3503 (inside the opening 3516 in the decorative part 3510) to be brightly illuminated and decorated.

In the above embodiment, the decorative portion 3510 is provided with the plated portion 3515, but this is not limited to the above. The plated portion 3515 may be provided with a colored portion of a predetermined color, a lens portion that diffuses light, or a frosted glass-like texture.

In the above embodiment, the performance board 3520A is shown in which the specific trace portion 3561 is provided on the bottom 3557a of the recess 3557, but this is not limited to this, and the performance board may be one in which the specific trace portion 3561 is provided on the outer periphery that does not have a recess 3557 on the outer periphery. In this case, the specific trace portion 3561 (remaining portion 3552a) may or may not be finished.

[11-3b. Decoration of the fourth embodiment]
As shown in Fig. 82(b), the decorative body 3504 of the fourth embodiment has a decorative part 3510 formed in a predetermined shape and having translucency, a frame-shaped frame part 3570 provided so as to surround the outer periphery of the decorative part 3510, and a performance board 3520A provided within the frame part 3570 behind the decorative part 3510 and having a plurality of LEDs 3530 mounted on the surface. The decorative part 3510 has a front wall part 3513 facing forward, a side wall part 3511 protruding backward from the outer periphery of the front wall part 3513 in a wall-like shape, and a flange part 3517 extending outward from the rear end of the side wall part 3511.

The frame 3570 has a flat plate 3571 whose outer periphery is larger than that of the decorative portion 3510, an opening 3572 that penetrates the flat plate 3571 and through which the front wall 3513 of the decorative portion 3510 can pass, and a peripheral wall 3573 that extends rearward in a wall-like shape from the outer periphery of the flat plate 3571. The frame 3570 has an outer periphery that is formed to follow (along) the outer periphery of the decorative portion 3510. The frame 3570 has an inner periphery of the peripheral wall 3573 that is slightly larger than the outer periphery of the decorative portion 3510. The frame 3570 has a lower light transmittance than the decorative portion 3510 and is formed to be opaque.

The performance board 3520A has an outer peripheral shape that follows (follows) the outer peripheral shape of the frame portion 3570, and is formed smaller than the inner peripheral shape of the peripheral wall portion 3573. This performance board 3520A has a recess 3557 formed on the outer periphery, and the remaining part 3552a of the connecting part 3552 protrudes from the bottom 3557a of the recess 3557. In other words, the bottom 3557a is provided with a specific trace part 3561, where a trace different from the other parts (general trace part 3560) was created when the outer periphery was formed.

Although not shown in the figure, this performance board 3520A also has a light-colored coating film 3523 applied to its surface, and the outer edge of this coating film 3523 is positioned a predetermined distance L2 away from the outer edge of the performance board 3520A.

When this decorative body 3504 is assembled, the decorative part 3510 is inserted into the frame part 3570 from the rear, the front wall part 3513 of the decorative part 3510 faces forward from the opening 3572 of the frame part 3570, and the flange part 3517 abuts against the flat plate part 3571 of the frame part 3570. In addition, the decorative body 3504 is such that the performance board 3520A is located within the frame part 3570, that is, forward of the rear end of the peripheral wall part 3573 of the frame part 3570, and the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A is surrounded by the peripheral wall part 3573.

As shown in the figure, the outer peripheral edge of the decorative body 3504's performance board 3520A overlaps with the flat plate portion 3571 of the opaque frame portion 3570 when viewed from the front, making it difficult to see the outer peripheral edge of the performance board 3520A, i.e., the recess 3557 and the specific trace portion 3561, from the front, due to the flat plate portion 3571. Also, the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A is surrounded by the peripheral wall portion 3573 of the opaque frame portion 3570, making it difficult to see the recess 3557 and the specific trace portion 3561 from the side.

In this way, according to the decorative body 3504 of this embodiment, by having a specific trace portion 3561 in which the connecting portion 3552a of the connecting portion 3552 remains on the performance board 3520A, even if the appearance of the performance board 3520A is poor, the poor-looking portion can be hidden by the opaque frame portion 3570, thereby preventing the appearance from worsening and improving the appearance of the decorative body 3504.

In addition, because the specific trace portion 3561 can be hidden by the opaque frame portion 3570, there is no need to finish the specific trace portion 3561 (connected portion 3552a), which reduces the cost of the performance board 3520A and ultimately suppresses the increase in the cost of gaming machines such as the pachinko machine 1.

In addition, since a specific trace portion 3561 is provided on the bottom 3557a of the recess 3557 that is recessed in a trapezoidal shape from the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A, even if the specific trace portion 3561 protrudes outward from the bottom 3557a, it does not protrude beyond the designed outline of the performance board 3520A, and the performance board 3520A can be securely attached to the inside of the frame portion 3570.

Furthermore, because the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A is surrounded by the peripheral wall portion 3573 of the frame portion 3570, even if the outer peripheral side of the performance board 3520A has a jagged specific trace portion 3561 like a fracture surface where the remaining connecting portion 3552a of the connecting portion 3552 remains, the peripheral wall portion 3573 makes it difficult to touch the specific trace portion 3561, preventing the worker from being injured. In addition, it is possible to prevent the adhesion of the worker's lipids to the outer peripheral side or near the periphery of the performance board 3520A, suppressing the occurrence of problems caused by lipids.

In addition, the specific trace portion 3561 provided on the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A can be hidden by the frame portion 3570, and the light color (white) of the surface makes the performance board 3520A less noticeable, so even if the distance between the front wall portion 3513 of the decorative portion 3510 and the performance board 3520A is shortened (narrowed), the appearance of the decorative portion 3510 is not deteriorated, and the thickness of the decorative body 3504 having the decorative portion 3510, the performance board 3520A, and the frame portion 3570 can be thinned. Therefore, the degree of freedom of arrangement of the decorative body 3504 can be increased, so that the decorative body 3504 can be provided in a more effective position, and the appearance of the pachinko machine 1 can be improved. In addition, since the decorative body 3504 is thin, it is relatively easy to secure space for providing other decorative bodies, etc., so that the pachinko machine 1 can have more decorative bodies, etc., and a pachinko machine 1 with high appeal that can strongly attract the interest of players can be provided.

In addition, a light-colored coating film 3523 is provided on the surface of the performance board 3520A, which allows light from the LEDs 3530, etc. to be reflected, allowing the decorative body 3504 (within the opening 3572 in the frame 3570, i.e., the front wall 3513 of the decorative part 3510) to be brightly illuminated and decorated.

In the above embodiment, the frame portion 3570 is opaque, but the present invention is not limited to this. The frame portion 3570 may be a transparent member having a plated portion on the surface thereof, a transparent member having a colored portion of a predetermined color on the surface thereof, a lens portion that diffuses light on the surface of the transparent member, or a frosted glass-like textured portion on the surface of the transparent member.

In the above embodiment, the performance board 3520A is shown in which the specific trace portion 3561 is provided on the bottom 3557a of the recess 3557, but this is not limited to this, and the performance board may be one in which the specific trace portion 3561 is provided on the outer periphery that does not have a recess 3557 on the outer periphery. In this case, the specific trace portion 3561 (remaining portion 3552a) may or may not be finished.

[11-3c. Decoration of the fifth embodiment]
As shown in Fig. 82(c), the decorative body 3505 of the fifth embodiment includes a decorative part 3510 formed in a predetermined shape and having translucency, a performance board 3520A provided behind the decorative part 3510 and having a plurality of LEDs 3530 mounted thereon, and a transparent decorative base 3540 provided behind the performance board 3520A. This decorative body 3505 uses a performance board 3520A in which a specific trace part 3561 is provided at the bottom 3557a of the recess 3557, in contrast to the configuration of the decorative body 3501 of the first embodiment described above, and has the same configuration except for the performance board 3520A.

The decorative part 3510 is formed three-dimensionally with a substantially constant thickness throughout. The decorative part 3510 has a side wall part 3511 that extends in the front-rear direction (a direction intersecting with the front wall part 3513 of the central part) near the outer periphery, and a rear end face 3512 that forms the end face of the plate thickness of the side wall part 3511 and faces rearward. In the decorative part 3510 of this embodiment, the central part (front wall part 3513) and the side wall part 3511 are continuous by a smooth curved surface, and there is no clear boundary with the central part (front wall part 3513).

The performance board 3520A is provided behind the decorative part 3510 (rear end surface 3512). The performance board 3520A is shaped to follow (follow) the outer peripheral shape of the decorative part 3510, and is formed smaller than the outer periphery of the decorative part 3510. The outer peripheral edge of the performance board 3520A is formed so that it is almost entirely behind the rear end surface 3512 of the decorative part 3510. In other words, the outer peripheral edge of the performance board 3520A is formed so that it is located between the outer periphery and inner periphery of the rear end surface 3512 (the shaded area in the enlarged view of Figure 82 (c)) when it is overlapped with the decorative part 3510 (when assembled into the decorative body 3505).

The performance board 3520A has a recess 3557 formed on its outer periphery, and the connecting portion 3552a of the connecting portion 3552 protrudes from the bottom 3557a of the recess 3557. In other words, the bottom 3557a has a specific trace portion 3561, which is a trace that is different from other portions (general trace portion 3560) that was created when the outer periphery was formed.

The multiple LEDs 3530 mounted on the performance board 3520 are composed of multiple first LEDs 3531 of a top-view type mounted on the front surface, and multiple second LEDs 3532 of a side-view type mounted on the rear surface.

Although not shown in the figure, this performance board 3520A also has a light-colored coating film 3523 applied to its surface, and the outer edge of this coating film 3523 is positioned a predetermined distance L2 away from the outer edge of the performance board 3520A.

The decorative base 3540 has a flat main body 3541 located behind the performance board 3520A, a peripheral wall 3542 extending forward like a wall from the outer periphery of the main body 3541, an opening 3543 penetrating the main body 3541 and into which the second LED 3532 mounted on the rear surface of the performance board 3520A is inserted, a chamfered portion 3544 provided on the periphery of the main body 3541 and formed at an angle so as to be positioned forward as it moves outward from the periphery, and a lens portion 3545 consisting of multiple projections and recesses provided on the front end surface of the peripheral wall 3542.

The peripheral wall portion 3542 of the decorative base 3540 is provided around the entire circumference of the main body portion 3541, and is formed into a short cylindrical shape from front to back. The size of the inner circumference of this peripheral wall portion 3542 is formed slightly larger than the size of the outer circumference of the decorative portion 3510. This allows the decorative portion 3510 to be inserted from the front into the inside of the cylindrical peripheral wall portion 3542. In addition, the peripheral wall portion 3542 is formed so that the lens portion 3545 at the front end protrudes forward beyond the rear end surface 3512 of the decorative portion 3510 when assembled into the decorative body 3500.

When this decorative body 3505 is assembled, the outer edge of the performance board 3520A is located behind the rear end surface 3512 of the decorative part 3510. As a result, when viewed from the front, the outer edge of the performance board 3520A overlaps with the rear end surface 3512 of the decorative part 3510 (the shaded area in the enlarged view of Figure 82 (c)). In addition, the decorative body 3505 is surrounded on the front and rear near the outer edge of the performance board 3520A by the rear end surface 3512 of the decorative part 3510 and the main body part 3541 of the decorative base 3540, and the outside of the outer peripheral side surface of the performance board 3520A is surrounded by the peripheral wall part 3542 of the decorative base 3540.

In this way, according to the decorative body 3505 of this embodiment, the outer edge of the performance board 3520A is provided behind the rear end surface 3512 of the side wall portion 3511 of the decorative portion 3510, which is formed in a curved shape, so that the rear can be distorted due to the lens effect of the curved side wall portion 3511, and the outer edge of the performance board 3520 (the recess 3557 and the specific trace portion 3561) can be made difficult to see clearly from the front. In addition, the outer side surface of the performance board 3520 is surrounded by the peripheral wall portion 3542 of the decorative base 3540, and a lens portion 3545 consisting of multiple unevenness is provided at the front end of the peripheral wall portion 3542, so that the outer edge of the performance board 3520A (the recess 3557 and the specific trace portion 3561) can be made difficult to see from the side.

Therefore, by having a specific trace portion 3561 in which the connecting portion 3552a of the connecting portion 3552 remains on the performance board 3520A, even if the appearance of the performance board 3520A is poor, the poor-looking portion can be hidden by the opaque frame portion 3570, so that deterioration of the appearance can be avoided and the appearance of the decorative body 3505 can be improved.

In addition, since the specific trace portion 3561 can be hidden by the side wall portion 3511 of the decorative portion 3510 and the peripheral wall portion 3542 of the decorative base 3540, there is no need to finish the specific trace portion 3561 (connecting portion 3552), which reduces the cost of the performance board 3520A and ultimately suppresses the increase in the cost of gaming machines such as the pachinko machine 1.

Furthermore, because the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A is surrounded by the peripheral wall portion 3542 of the decorative base 3540, even if the outer peripheral side of the performance board 3520A has a jagged specific trace portion 3561 like a fracture surface where the remaining connecting portion 3552a of the connecting portion 3552 remains, the peripheral wall portion 3542 makes it difficult to touch the specific trace portion 3561, preventing the worker from being injured. In addition, it is possible to prevent the adhesion of oils from the worker to the outer peripheral side or near the periphery of the performance board 3520A, suppressing the occurrence of problems caused by oils.

In addition, a light-colored coating film 3523 is provided on the surface of the performance board 3520A, which allows light from the LEDs 3530, etc. to be reflected, allowing the decorative body 3505 (the decorative part 3510 and the lens part 3545 of the decorative base 3540) to be brightly illuminated and decorated.

In the above embodiment, the connecting portion 3552a of the connecting portion 3552 protruding from the bottom 3557a of the recess 3557 is shown as an unfinished specific trace portion 3561, but this is not limited thereto, and the specific trace portion 3561 (connecting portion 3552a) may be finished.

[11-3d. Decoration of the sixth embodiment]
As shown in Fig. 83(a), the decorative body 3506 of the sixth embodiment has a decorative part 3510 formed in a predetermined shape and having translucency, and a performance board 3520A provided behind the decorative part 3510 and having a plurality of LEDs 3530 mounted on the front surface. The decorative part 3510 has a front wall part 3513 formed in a predetermined three-dimensional shape, and a peripheral wall part 3514 protruding rearward in a wall shape from the outer periphery of the front wall part 3513. The peripheral wall part 3514 of the decorative part 3510 has a rear end surface 3512 facing rearward.

The performance board 3520A is provided so as to abut against the rear end surface 3512 of the decorative part 3510. The performance board 3520A has an outer peripheral shape that follows (along) the outer peripheral shape of the decorative part 3510, and is formed so that the outer peripheral edge overlaps with the rear end surface 3512 of the decorative part 3510. In more detail, the outer peripheral edge of the performance board 3520A is provided so as to be located toward the center of the decorative part 3510 (the inner peripheral edge of the rear end surface 3512) from the line of sight (shown by a dashed line in the figure) of a player (a virtual viewpoint modeled on a typical player seated in front of this pachinko machine 1) who is in contact with the outer peripheral edge of the rear end surface 3512 of the decorative part 3510.

In addition, this performance board 3520A has a recess 3557 formed on the outer periphery, and the remaining part 3552a of the connecting part 3552 protrudes from the bottom 3557a of the recess 3557. In other words, the bottom 3557a has a specific trace part 3561, which is a trace different from other parts (general trace part 3560) that was created when the outer periphery was formed.

Although not shown in the figure, this performance board 3520A also has a light-colored coating film 3523 applied to its surface, and the outer edge of this coating film 3523 is positioned a predetermined distance L2 away from the outer edge of the performance board 3520A.

When this decorative body 3506 is assembled, the outer peripheral edge of the performance board 3520A abuts against the rear end surface 3512 of the decorative part 3510, and the outer peripheral edge of the performance board 3520A is located closer to the inner peripheral edge of the rear end surface 3512 than the player's line of sight where the outer peripheral edge of the performance board 3520A contacts the outer peripheral edge of the rear end surface 3512. This means that the player cannot directly see the outer peripheral side of the performance board 3520A, and it is difficult to see the outer peripheral edge of the performance board 3520A (the recess 3557 and the specific trace portion 3561).

In this way, according to the decorative body 3506 of this embodiment, by having a specific trace portion 3561 in which the connecting portion 3552a of the connecting portion 3552 remains on the performance board 3520A, even if the appearance of the performance board 3520A becomes poor, the poor-looking portion can be hidden by the surrounding wall portion 3514 of the decorative portion 3510, thereby preventing the appearance from worsening and improving the appearance of the decorative body 3506.

In addition, because the specific trace portion 3561 can be hidden by the peripheral wall portion 3514, there is no need to finish the specific trace portion 3561 (connecting portion 3552), which reduces the cost of the performance board 3520A and ultimately suppresses the increase in the cost of gaming machines such as the pachinko machine 1.

In addition, a light-colored coating film 3523 is provided on the surface of the performance board 3520A, which allows light from the LEDs 3530 and the like to be reflected, allowing the decorative body 3506 (decorative part 3510) to be brightly illuminated and decorated.

In the above embodiment, a lens section that scatters (diffuses) light may be provided on the peripheral wall section 3514 of the decorative section 3510, making it more difficult to see the performance board 3520A through the peripheral wall section 3514.

In the above embodiment, the performance board 3520A is shown in which the specific trace portion 3561 is provided on the bottom 3557a of the recess 3557, but this is not limited to this, and the performance board may be one in which the specific trace portion 3561 is provided on the outer periphery that does not have a recess 3557 on the outer periphery. In this case, the specific trace portion 3561 (remaining portion 3552a) may or may not be finished.

[11-3e. Decoration of the seventh embodiment]
As shown in Fig. 83(b), the decorative body 3507 of the seventh embodiment has a decorative part 3510 formed in a predetermined shape and having translucency, and a performance board 3520A provided behind the decorative part 3510 and having a plurality of LEDs 3530 mounted on the front surface. Although not shown, the decorative body 3507 has a rear member (e.g., a decorative base, a reflector, etc.) provided behind the decorative part 3510 and supporting the performance board 3520A. The performance board 3520A is provided at a position rearward of the decorative part 3510 by this rear member.

The decorative part 3510 has a front wall part 3513 formed in a predetermined three-dimensional shape, and a peripheral wall part 3514 that protrudes rearward in a wall-like shape from the outer periphery of the front wall part 3513. The peripheral wall part 3514 of the decorative part 3510 has a rear end surface 3512 that faces rearward.

The performance board 3520A is provided behind the rear end of the decorative part 3510. The performance board 3520A is formed so that its outer peripheral shape imitates (follows) the outer peripheral shape of the decorative part 3510. More specifically, the outer peripheral edge of the performance board 3520A is provided so as to be located toward the center of the decorative part 3510 (front wall part 3513) from the line of sight (shown by a dashed line in the figure) of a player (a virtual viewpoint modeled on a typical player seated in front of this pachinko machine 1) who is in contact with the outer peripheral edge of the rear end surface 3512 of the decorative part 3510.

In addition, this performance board 3520A has a recess 3557 formed on the outer periphery, and the remaining part 3552a of the connecting part 3552 protrudes from the bottom 3557a of the recess 3557. In other words, the bottom 3557a has a specific trace part 3561, which is a trace different from other parts (general trace part 3560) that was created when the outer periphery was formed.

Although not shown in the figure, this performance board 3520A also has a light-colored coating film 3523 applied to its surface, and the outer edge of this coating film 3523 is positioned a predetermined distance L2 away from the outer edge of the performance board 3520A.

When this decorative body 3507 is assembled, the performance board 3520A is located behind the decorative part 3510, and the outer edge of the performance board 3520A is located closer to the inner edge of the rear end face 3512 than the player's line of sight where the outer edge of the rear end face 3512 meets, so the player cannot directly see the outer side of the performance board 3520A and has difficulty seeing the outer edge of the performance board 3520A (the recess 3557 and the specific trace part 3561).

In this way, according to the decorative body 3507 of this embodiment, by having a specific trace portion 3561 in which part of the connecting portion 3552 remains on the performance board 3520A, even if the appearance of the performance board 3520A is deteriorated, the unattractive part can be hidden by the peripheral wall portion 3514 of the decorative portion 3510, so that deterioration of the appearance can be avoided and the appearance of the decorative body 3507 can be improved.

In addition, because the specific trace portion 3561 can be hidden by the peripheral wall portion 3514, there is no need to finish the specific trace portion 3561 (connecting portion 3552), which reduces the cost of the performance board 3520A and ultimately suppresses the increase in the cost of gaming machines such as the pachinko machine 1.

In addition, a light-colored coating film 3523 is provided on the surface of the performance board 3520A, which allows light from the LEDs 3530 and the like to be reflected, allowing the decorative body 3506 (decorative part 3510) to be brightly illuminated and decorated.

In the above embodiment, a lens section that scatters (diffuses) light may be provided on the peripheral wall section 3514 of the decorative section 3510, making it more difficult to see the performance board 3520A through the peripheral wall section 3514.

In the above embodiment, the performance board 3520A is shown in which the specific trace portion 3561 is provided on the bottom 3557a of the recess 3557, but this is not limited to this, and the performance board may be one in which the specific trace portion 3561 is provided on the outer periphery that does not have a recess 3557 on the outer periphery. In this case, the specific trace portion 3561 (remaining portion 3552a) may or may not be finished.

[11-3f. Decorative body of the eighth embodiment]
As shown in FIG. 83(c), the decorative body 3508 of the eighth embodiment has a decorative part 3510 formed in a predetermined shape and having translucency, and a performance board 3520A on whose front surface a plurality of LEDs 3530 are mounted. The decorative part 3510 has a front wall part 3513 formed in a predetermined three-dimensional shape, a peripheral wall part 3514 protruding backward from the outer periphery of the front wall part 3513 in a wall-like shape, and a decorative part 3518 provided on a part of the front wall part 3513 and the peripheral wall part 3514 and having a color. The decorative part 3510 has the front wall part 3513 and the peripheral wall part 3514 formed colorless and transparent, and the decorative part 3518 formed colored and opaque. The decorative part 3518 is not provided up to the rear end of the peripheral wall part 3514, and has a portion (blank part) where the decorative part 3518 is not provided between the rear end of the peripheral wall part 3514. The decorative portion 3518 is formed by screen printing, inkjet printing, or the like, and has a pattern such as a character or a logo.

The performance board 3520A is provided behind the front wall 3513 of the decorative part 3510 and is provided forward of the rear end of the peripheral wall 3514. In other words, the performance board 3520A is provided inside the container-shaped decorative part 3510. The performance board 3520A has an outer peripheral shape that follows (along) the outer peripheral shape of the decorative part 3510 and is formed smaller than the inner peripheral shape of the peripheral wall 3514. In more detail, the outer peripheral edge of the performance board 3520A is provided so as to be located toward the center of the decorative part 3510 (front wall 3513) from the line of sight (shown by a dashed line in the figure) of a player (a virtual viewpoint modeled on a general player seated in front of this pachinko machine 1) who is in contact with the outer peripheral edge of the decorative part 3518 in the decorative part 3510.

In addition, this performance board 3520A has a recess 3557 formed on the outer periphery, and a part (remnant) of the connecting part 3552 protrudes from the bottom 3557a of the recess 3557. In other words, the bottom 3557a has a specific trace part 3561, which is a trace different from the other parts (general trace part 3560) that was created when the outer periphery was formed.

Although not shown in the figure, this performance board 3520A also has a light-colored coating film 3523 applied to its surface, and the outer edge of this coating film 3523 is positioned a predetermined distance L2 away from the outer edge of the performance board 3520A.

When this decorative body 3508 is assembled, the performance board 3520A is located inside the container-shaped decorative part 3510, and the outer edge of the performance board 3520A is located closer to the center of the front wall part 3513 than the line of sight from the player, where the outer edge of the decorative part 3518 is in contact with the outer edge of the decorative part 3518. Therefore, from the player's perspective, the performance board 3520A overlaps with the decorative part 3518, and the performance board 3520A cannot be seen because it is blocked by the decorative part 3518, making it difficult to see the outer edge of the performance board 3520A (the recess 3557 and the specific trace part 3561). In addition, since the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A is surrounded by the peripheral wall part 3542 of the decorative part 3510, the presence of this peripheral wall part 3514 makes it difficult to see the recess 3557 and the specific trace part 3561 of the performance board 3520A from the side.

In this way, according to the decorative body 3508 of this embodiment, by having a specific trace portion 3561 in which the connecting portion 3552a of the connecting portion 3552 remains on the performance board 3520A, even if the appearance of the performance board 3520A is poor, the poor-looking portion can be hidden by the decorative portion 3518 and the surrounding wall portion 3514 of the decorative portion 3510, thereby preventing the appearance from worsening and improving the appearance of the decorative body 3508.

In addition, because the decorative portion 3518 can hide the specific trace portion 3561, there is no need to finish the specific trace portion 3561 (remaining portion 3552a), which reduces the cost of the performance board 3520A and ultimately prevents an increase in the cost of gaming machines such as the pachinko machine 1.

Furthermore, the performance board 3520A is provided inside the container-shaped decorative part 3510, and the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A is surrounded by the peripheral wall part 3514. Therefore, even if the outer peripheral side of the performance board 3520A has a jagged specific trace part 3561 like a fractured surface where the connecting part 3552a of the connecting part 3552 remains, the peripheral wall part 3514 makes it difficult to touch the specific trace part 3561, and it is possible to prevent the worker from being injured. In addition, it is possible to prevent the adhesion of the worker's lipids to the outer peripheral side or near the periphery of the performance board 3520A, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of problems caused by lipids.

In addition, a light-colored coating film 3523 is provided on the surface of the performance board 3520A, which allows light from the LEDs 3530 and the like to be reflected, allowing the decorative body 3508 (decorative part 3510) to be brightly illuminated and decorated.

In the above embodiment, a lens section that scatters (diffuses) light may be provided on the peripheral wall section 3514 of the decorative section 3510, making it more difficult to see the performance board 3520A through the peripheral wall section 3514.

In the above embodiment, the performance board 3520A is shown in which the specific trace portion 3561 is provided on the bottom 3557a of the recess 3557, but this is not limited to this, and the performance board may be one in which the specific trace portion 3561 is provided on the outer periphery that does not have a recess 3557 on the outer periphery. In this case, the specific trace portion 3561 (remaining portion 3552a) may or may not be finished.

In the above embodiment, the performance board 3520 and performance board 3520A on which the light-colored coating film 3523 is provided are shown to have LEDs 3530 mounted as electronic components, but this is not limited to this, and the electronic components may be organic EL, LCD, sensors, connectors, diodes, resistors, ICs, etc., or may not have LEDs 3530 mounted. In addition, examples of the performance board 3520 and performance board 3520A include those that are provided in front of the performance display device 1600, those that are provided inside the rear box 3010 (rear unit 3000), those that are provided in front of the game panel 1100 (front unit 2000), those that are provided in the front component 1000, and those that are provided in the door frame 3.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the coating film 3523 is a solder resist, but this is not limited to this, and the coating film 3523 may be provided separately from the solder resist (coating the solder resist).

In addition, in the above embodiment, the coating film 3523 is provided at a predetermined distance L2 from the outer edge of the performance board 3520, but this is not limited to the present embodiment, and the coating film 3523 may be provided up to the discarded board 3555. In this case, it is preferable to use a coating film 3523 that is unlikely to generate powder when cutting, when another member comes into contact with the cutting edge, etc.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the decorative body 3500 is shown to have a side wall portion 3511 provided along the outer periphery of the performance board 3520, but this is not limited thereto, and the side wall portion 3511 may be provided only in the portion facing the specific trace portion 3561. This allows the specific trace portion 3561 to be hidden by the side wall portion 3511, and the deterioration of the appearance of the decorative body 3500 can be prevented.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the decorative body 3500 is shown to have a side wall portion 3511 provided along the outer periphery of the performance board 3520, but this is not limited to this, and a slit or recess may be provided in the part of the side wall portion 3511 facing the specific trace portion 3561. As a result, in the performance board 3520 in which the specific trace portion 3561 protruding outward from the outer periphery of the board is provided, the specific trace portion 3561 (remaining portion 3552a) is inserted into the slit or recess of the side wall portion 3511, and the specific trace portion 3561 does not abut against the side wall portion 3511. Therefore, there is no need to provide a recess 3557 on the outer periphery of the performance board 3520 and provide the specific trace portion 3561 at its bottom 3557a, which reduces the cost of the performance board 3520. In addition, by inserting the specific trace portion 3561 (remaining portion 3552a) of the performance board 3520 into a slit or recess in the side wall portion 3511, positioning can be performed using the specific trace portion 3561, reducing assembly errors of the decorative body 3500.

When a recess is provided in the side wall portion 3511 into which the specific trace portion 3561 (the anchor portion 3552a) is inserted, the recess may be an arc-shaped or polyhedral lens portion. The lens effect of the recess can make the specific trace portion 3561 difficult to see from the outside.

[11-4. Effects of decorative objects having a performance board]
Thus, according to this embodiment, the outer peripheral shape of the performance board 3520A on which the LED 3530 as an electronic component related to the performance is mounted is made to correspond to the outer peripheral shape of the decorative part 3510 provided at the front, and a specific trace part 3561 having a different roughness from other parts (general trace part 3560) is provided at the bottom 3557a of the trapezoidally concave recess 3557 in a straight or convex part on the outer periphery, so that the specific trace part 3561 makes it possible to suppress the deterioration of the appearance of the performance board 3520A, reducing the discomfort caused to the player by the performance board 3520A and suppressing a decrease in the player's interest in the game.

In more detail, when manufacturing the performance board 3520A (or performance board 3520), if a processing machine such as an NC machine is used to cut out the performance board 3520A from the fixed-length board 3550, and the performance board 3520A is not completely separated but is connected to the fixed-length board 3550 (discard board 3555, or other board) at the specific trace portion 3561 (connecting portion 3552), even if the outer peripheral shape of the performance board 3520A is complex, it is connected to the rectangular fixed-length board 3550 at the specific trace portion 3561, so that the performance board 3520A before separation can be easily set in an insert machine via the fixed-length board 3550, and electronic components (LEDs 3530, etc.) can be mounted on the performance board 3520A before separation. Then, after mounting electronic components on the performance board 3520A before separation, the connection part 3552 (part of the specific trace part 3561) connected to the fixed-length board 3550 is cut, the performance board 3520A is separated from the fixed-length board 3550, and the remaining connection part 3552a of the performance board 3520A that was connected to the fixed-length board 3550 is finished, so that a specific trace part 3561 different from other parts is generated at the part of the remaining connection part 3552a, and the performance board 3520A with the outer periphery formed in a predetermined shape is completed. At this time, since the connection part 3552 (part of the specific trace part 3561) connected to the fixed-length board 3550 is short (small) compared to the entire circumference of the performance board 3520A, even if the connection part 3552 is cut and finished, the amount of cutting chips generated is small, which can be sufficiently sucked up by a dust collector and does not affect the electronic components mounted on the performance board 3520A.

The specific trace portion 3561 is provided on the bottom 3557a of the recess 3557 that is recessed from the outer periphery in a trapezoidal shape, but the bottom 3557a is the bottom 3557a of the recess 3557 that is recessed in a trapezoidal shape in a linear or convex part on the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A, so the shape of the bottom 3557a is parallel to the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A, and is linear or convex. Therefore, when finishing the remaining part 3552a that was connected to the fixed-length board 3550 protruding from the bottom 3557a during the manufacture of the performance board 3520A, a finishing work can be easily performed using a tool such as a flat file, which can suppress the increase in cost of the pachinko machine 1 and can also provide a good-looking performance board 3520A by finishing the specific trace portion 3561 neatly.

In addition, because the outer peripheral shape of the performance board 3520A corresponds to the outer peripheral shape of the decorative part 3510, the outer peripheral shape of the performance board 3520A can bring out its decorativeness. In this case, as described above, because the specific trace part 3561 is provided on the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A, even a highly decorative performance board 3520A with a complex outer peripheral shape can be made to look good, and the decorative effect of the performance board 3520A can be fully brought out, and it is possible to make it difficult for the player to feel uncomfortable, so that the player can be entertained and a decline in interest can be suppressed.

In this way, by providing a specific trace portion 3561 on the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A, it is possible to easily manufacture a performance board 3520A with a complex outer periphery shape, i.e., a highly decorative performance board 3520A, and it is possible to obtain a performance board 3520A that looks good, and even if the performance board 3520A is visible, it is unlikely to cause discomfort to the player, and a decrease in interest can be suppressed.

In addition, because a specific trace portion 3561 is provided on the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A, when the worker assembles the board, the specific trace portion 3561 can be used as a guide to identify the installation direction, etc., of the performance board 3520A.

In addition, because the surface of the performance board 3520A is a bright color, it is possible to easily reflect light from the LED 3530 mounted as an electronic component, as well as light from other LEDs, lighting, etc., forward. This allows the decorative part 3510 provided in front of the performance board 3520A to be more brightly illuminated and decorated, making the illuminated performance of the decorative part 3510 more noticeable, making a strong impact on the player and making the player think that something good is going to happen, thereby providing a pachinko machine 1 that is capable of increasing expectations for the game and preventing a decline in interest.

In addition, because the surface roughness of the specific trace portion 3561 is different from that of the other portions (general trace portion 3560), the position of the specific trace portion 3561 can be identified simply by glancing at the periphery of the performance board 3520A. Therefore, for example, when inspecting a manufactured performance board 3520A, the position of the specific trace portion 3561 can be quickly ascertained, making it easy to check whether the product (performance board 3520A) is good or bad, and shortening the time required for inspection, thereby reducing the cost of the pachinko machine 1.

In addition, since the roughness of the specific trace portion 3561 is varied, for example, by making the roughness finer (reducing the numerical value) and making it mirror-like, it becomes possible to reflect light at the specific trace portion 3561, so that the player can be shown an unprecedented light-emitting effect in which part of the periphery of the performance board 3520A glows, which surprises the player and prevents a decline in interest.

Furthermore, since a specific trace portion 3561 is provided on the bottom 3557a of the recess 3557 that is recessed in a trapezoidal shape from the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A, even if the connecting portion 3552a protrudes outward from the bottom 3557a, the specific trace portion 3561 does not protrude beyond the designed outline of the performance board 3520A, and the performance board 3520A can be securely attached to the object to which it is to be attached (the decorative portion 3510 or the decorative base 3540).

In addition, since the specific trace portion 3561 is provided at the bottom 3557a of the recess 3557 that is recessed in a trapezoidal shape from the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A, even if the performance board 3520A is cut at the location of the specific trace portion 3561, the specific trace portion 3561 does not protrude from the outer edge of the performance board 3520A. This makes it possible to omit finishing the specific trace portion 3561 (remaining portion 3552a), thereby reducing the cost of the pachinko machine 1.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, even if the bottom 3557a of the trapezoidally recessed recess 3557 on the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A on which the LED 3530 that emits light in accordance with the progress of the game is mounted has a specific trace portion 3561 in which a trace different from other portions (general trace portion 3560) is generated when the outer shape is formed, when viewed from the side, the area that is shaded from the player's line of sight by the peripheral wall portion 3514 of the decorative portion 3510 and the peripheral wall portion 3573 of the frame portion 3570 of the decorative body 3500 is The specific trace portion 3561 is located in the area (overlapping the peripheral wall portion 3514) and is made difficult to see by the peripheral wall portion 3514. Even if the peripheral wall portion 3514 is made of a transparent material, the lens portion provided on the peripheral wall portion 3514 can make the specific trace portion 3561 unclear and difficult to see by the lens effect, so that the deterioration of the appearance of the performance board 3520A due to the specific trace portion 3561 and the recess 3557 being clearly visible can be reduced. This action and effect is the same for the performance board 3520. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the decorative portion 3510 from looking bad due to the performance board 3520A (performance board 3520), so that the appearance of the decorative portion 3510 (decorative body 3500) can be relatively improved, and a pachinko machine 1 can be provided that can reliably exert the decorative effect of the decorative portion 3510 and suppress a decrease in the interest of the player.

In addition, by providing a lens portion on the peripheral wall portion 3514 of the decorative portion 3510, or by providing a lens portion 3545 on the peripheral wall portion 3542 of the decorative base 3540, when the LED 3530 mounted on the performance board 3520A (performance board 3520) is illuminated, the light from the lens portion can be used to make the specific trace portion 3561 (the outer peripheral edge of the performance board 3520A (performance board 3520)) difficult to see through the peripheral wall portion 3514 (peripheral wall portion 3542), thereby achieving the same effect as described above. In addition, the LEDs 3530 on the performance board 3520A (performance board 3520) emit light, causing the peripheral wall 3514 (peripheral wall 3542) to light up, which illuminates the outer periphery of the decorative part 3510, making the decorative part 3510 stand out more, allowing players to enjoy the illuminated performance of the front body of the decorative part 3510 (decorative body 3500) and preventing a decline in interest.

In addition, a specific trace portion 3561 is provided at the bottom 3557a of recess 3557, and even if the appearance of the outer peripheral shape of performance board 3520A is deteriorated by providing recess 3557 on the outer peripheral edge of performance board 3520A, specific trace portion 3561 is made difficult to see by being located in an area that is shadowed by the player's line of sight due to peripheral wall portion 3514 (peripheral wall portion 3542, peripheral wall portion 3573) and the lens portion, so that recess 3557 can be made difficult to see along with specific trace portion 3561, and therefore deterioration in the appearance of performance board 3520A caused by recess 3557 and specific trace portion 3561 being clearly visible can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the decorative part 3510 from looking unattractive due to the performance board 3520A, and therefore it is possible to improve the appearance of the decorative part 3510 (decorative body 3500) relatively, thereby ensuring that the decorative effect of the decorative body 3500 is fully realized and preventing a decline in the player's interest.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the coating film 3523 made of a light-colored solder resist applied to the surface of the performance board 3520 or the performance board 3520A is provided between the cut edge of the performance board 3520 or the performance board 3520A and the edge of the copper foil 3522, and is set back from the cut edge of the performance board 3520 or the performance board 3520A including the edge of the specific trace portion 3561 (here, a predetermined distance L2) inward, so that even if the performance board 3520 or the performance board 3520A is cut out from the fixed-length board 3550 by cutting, the light-colored coating film 3523 is not cut and no powder of the coating film 3523 is generated. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the increase in the cost of cleaning after cutting, and no powder of the light-colored coating film 3523 remains on the performance board 3520 or the performance board 3520A. In addition, since the bright-colored coating film 3523 is provided at a distance from the cut edge of the performance board 3520 or the performance board 3520A, even if other components (decorative bodies) etc. come into contact with the cut edge of the performance board 3520 or the performance board 3520A, they will not come into contact with the coating film 3523, so no powder of the coating film 3523 will be generated, and the powder of the coating film 3523 will not scatter and adhere to or accumulate on the performance board 3520 (performance board 3520A) or the decorative body 3500 etc. Because of this, since the powder of the bright-colored coating film 3523 is not generated, it is possible to prevent problems such as the powder causing shadows to be cast during the light-emitting performance, poor contact in connectors, and poor appearance of the surfaces of the performance board 3520 (performance board 3520A) and the decorative body 3500 etc., and it is possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 that can entertain players and suppress a decline in interest.

In more detail, when performance board 3520 and performance board 3520A are manufactured, if performance board 3520 and performance board 3520A are cut out from fixed-length board 3550 by cutting using a processing machine such as an NC machine, and performance board 3520 and performance board 3520A are not completely separated but are connected to fixed-length board 3550 (discard board 3555, or other board) at specific trace portion 3561 (connecting portion 3552), then even if the outer periphery of performance board 3520 and performance board 3520A has a complex shape, they are connected to rectangular fixed-length board 3550 at specific trace portion 3561, and so performance board 3520 and performance board 3520A before separation can be easily set into the insert machine via fixed-length board 3550. In other words, before mounting electronic components such as LED 3530 on the performance board 3520 or 3520A to which the coating film 3523 is applied, most of the outer periphery of the performance board 3520 or 3520A is formed by cutting, leaving the specific trace portion 3561 (connecting portion 3552). As a result, since electronic components such as LED 3530 are not mounted, it is easy to clean the large amount of cutting dust, and since the coating film 3523 is provided inward from the cut edge (here, the design outline) of the performance board 3520 or 3520A, no powder of the coating film 3523 is generated. Next, after cleaning the fixed-length board 3550 and the performance board 3520 or 3520A, electronic components such as LED 3530 are mounted on the performance board 3520 or 3520A. At this time, since the performance board 3520 and the performance board 3520A are connected to the fixed-length board 3550 by the specific trace portion 3561 (connecting portion 3552), the performance board 3520 and the performance board 3520A before separation can be easily set in the insert machine via the fixed-length board 3550, and electronic components such as LEDs 3530 can be mounted on the performance board 3520 and the performance board 3520A. Then, when electronic components such as LEDs 3530 are mounted on the performance board 3520 and the performance board 3520A before separation, by cutting (or breaking) the connecting portion 3552 connected to the fixed-length board 3550, a trace (specific trace portion 3561) different from other portions is generated on the connecting portion 3552, and the performance board 3520 and the performance board 3520A whose outer periphery is formed in a predetermined shape are completed. At this time, since the connecting portion 3552 connected to the fixed length board 3550 is short (small) compared to the entire circumference of the performance board 3520 and the performance board 3520A, even if the connecting portion 3552 is cut, the amount of cutting chips generated is small and can be sufficiently sucked up by a dust collector, and since the coating film 3523 is located inside from the edge of the specific trace portion 3561 (the cut edge of the connecting portion 3552), no powder of the coating film 3523 is generated and there is no effect on electronic components such as the LED 3530 mounted on the performance board 3520 and the performance board 3520A. Therefore, as described above, the light-colored coating film 3523 powder can prevent problems such as poor appearance caused by shadows cast during the light emission performance of the LEDs 3530, poor contact in connectors, and poor appearance of the surfaces of the performance board 3520 (performance board 3520A) and decoration 3500, etc., and can provide a pachinko machine 1 that entertains players and prevents a decline in interest.

In addition, as described above, even if the outer periphery of the performance board 3520 or performance board 3520A is formed by cutting, defects caused by powder of the light-colored coating film 3523 applied to the surface can be prevented, so the outer periphery shape of the performance board 3520 or performance board 3520A can be formed by a processing machine with a high degree of processing freedom, such as an NC machine, and performance boards 3520 and 3520A with complex outer periphery shapes, i.e., highly decorative, can be easily manufactured.

In addition, since the edge of the coating film 3523 is positioned between the cut edge (cut edge of the substrate base material 3521) of the performance board 3520 or the performance board 3520A and the edge of the copper foil 3522, the entire surface of the copper foil 3522 is covered with the coating film 3523, and the copper foil 3522 is not exposed on the surface, so that the entire surface of the performance board 3520 or the performance board 3520A can be made the light color of the coating film 3523. As a result, since the surface of the performance board 3520 or the performance board 3520A is made bright by the coating film 3523, it is possible to easily reflect light from the LED 3530 mounted as an electronic component, and light from other LEDs, lighting, etc. forward. This allows the player to see a brighter light-emitting performance, which entertains the player and suppresses a decline in interest. Furthermore, the coating film 3523 gives the surfaces of the performance board 3520 and performance board 3520A a bright color, making the performance board 3520 and performance board 3520A less noticeable and reducing the effect of the surface color on the components located in front (e.g., the decorative part 3510, decorative body, etc.), allowing the decorative effect of the components to be fully realized and providing a good-looking pachinko machine 1.

In addition, since the specific trace portion 3561 is provided on the outer periphery of the performance board 3520 and the performance board 3520A, as described above, the specific trace portion 3561 is short relative to the entire circumference of the performance board 3520 and the performance board 3520A, and the finishing time of the portion (connecting portion 3552) connected to the fixed length board 3550 can be shortened, and an increase in the cost of the pachinko machine 1 can be suppressed. At the same time, by finishing the specific trace portion 3561 neatly, the appearance of the performance board 3520 and the performance board 3520A can be improved, and even if the performance board 3520 and the performance board 3520A are visible, it is unlikely that the player will feel uncomfortable, and a decrease in interest can be suppressed.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, even if the bottom 3557a of the trapezoidally recessed recess 3557 on the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A, on which the LED 3530 that emits light as the game progresses is mounted, has a specific trace portion 3561 in which a trace different from that of other parts (general trace portion 3560) is generated when the outer shape is formed, the peripheral wall portion 3514 of the decorative portion 3510, the peripheral wall portion 3542 of the decorative base 3540, and the peripheral wall portion 3573 of the frame portion 3570 that are arranged to face the specific trace portion 3561 and surround the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A can prevent other components from coming into contact with the outer periphery including the specific trace portion 3561 of the performance board 3520A, thereby preventing scratches due to contact with the specific trace portion 3561, and a pachinko machine 1 can be provided in which the lack of scratches improves the appearance of other components and suppresses a decrease in the player's interest. In addition, the same effect can be achieved even with a performance board 3520 that does not have a recess 3557.

In addition, the peripheral wall portion 3514 of the decorative portion 3510, the peripheral wall portion 3542 of the decorative base 3540, and the peripheral wall portion 3573 of the frame portion 3570 can avoid contact with the outer peripheral surface including the specific trace portion 3561 of the performance board 3520 or the performance board 3520A. This makes it possible to prevent the fingers of a worker from touching the specific trace portion 3561 of the performance board 3520 or the performance board 3520A during operations such as manufacturing, transporting, installing, and maintaining the pachinko machine 1, thereby preventing scratches and injury. In addition, the peripheral wall portion 3514 of the decorative portion 3510, the peripheral wall portion 3542 of the decorative base 3540, and the peripheral wall portion 3573 of the frame portion 3570 can prevent contact with the outer peripheral surface of the performance board 3520 or performance board 3520A, including the specific trace portion 3561, making it difficult for the worker's fingers to come into contact with the outer peripheral edge of the performance board 3520 or performance board 3520A, thereby preventing the worker's oils from adhering to the performance board 3520 or performance board 3520A and suppressing the occurrence of problems caused by oils.

Furthermore, the peripheral wall portion 3514 of the decorative portion 3510, the peripheral wall portion 3542 of the decorative base 3540, and the peripheral wall portion 3573 of the frame portion 3570 can avoid contact with the specific trace portion 3561 of the performance board 3520 or the performance board 3520A, so that when the performance board 3520 or the performance board 3520A is manufactured, the specific trace portion 3561 can be left in the cut state without being finished, thereby reducing the costs of the performance board 3520 or the performance board 3520A, and ultimately the pachinko machine 1.

In addition, since the outer peripheral surface including the specific trace portion 3561 of the performance board 3520 and the performance board 3520A is difficult to see through the peripheral wall portion 3514 of the decorative portion 3510, the peripheral wall portion 3542 of the decorative base 3540, and the peripheral wall portion 3573 of the frame portion 3570, it is possible to prevent the appearance of the performance board 3520 and the performance board 3520A, and ultimately the front decorative portion 3510 from being deteriorated due to the specific trace portion 3561 and the outer peripheral surface being visible, and the appearance of the decorative portion 3510 can be improved, and the discomfort caused to the player by the specific trace portion 3561 and the outer peripheral surface of the performance board 3520 and the performance board 3520A being visible can be reduced, and a decrease in the interest of the player can be suppressed.

In addition, since a specific trace portion 3561 is provided on the bottom 3557a of the recess 3557 that is recessed in a trapezoidal shape from the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A, even if the specific trace portion 3561 protrudes outward from the bottom 3557a, it does not protrude beyond the designed outline of the performance board 3520A and does not hit the peripheral wall portion 3514 of the decorative portion 3510, the peripheral wall portion 3542 of the decorative base 3540, or the peripheral wall portion 3573 of the frame portion 3570, and the performance board 3520A can be securely attached to the decorative portion 3510, the decorative base 3540, the frame portion 3570, etc.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, even if the bottom 3557a of the trapezoidally recessed recess 3557 on the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A on which the LED 3530 that emits light as the game progresses has a specific trace portion 3561 that is a trace different from other parts (general trace portion 3560) when the outer shape is formed, the specific trace portion 3561 is made difficult to see by the plating portion 3515 of the decorative portion 3510, the frame portion 3570, and the side wall portion 3511 (rear end surface 3512) of the decorative portion 3510 that are arranged to overlap from the front, so that the performance board 3520A can prevent the appearance of the decorative portion 3510 from being deteriorated, and the appearance of the decorative portion 3510 can be improved, and discomfort to the player can be reduced, thereby suppressing a decrease in interest.

In more detail, when cutting out performance board 3520A from fixed-length board 3550 using a processing machine such as an NC machine during the manufacture of performance board 3520A, if performance board 3520A is not completely separated but is connected to fixed-length board 3550 (discard board 3555, or other board) at bottom 3557a of recess 3557 that is trapezoidally recessed from the outer periphery, even if the outer periphery of performance board 3520A has a complex shape, it is connected to rectangular fixed-length board 3550 at bottom 3557a (connecting part 3552) of recess 3557, so that pre-separation performance board 3520A can be easily set in an insert machine via fixed-length board 3550, and electronic components such as LEDs 3530 can be mounted on performance board 3520A before separation. Then, after mounting electronic components on the performance board 3520A before separation, the connecting portion 3552 connected to the fixed-length board 3550 is cut (or broken), and a specific trace portion 3561 different from other portions (general trace portion 3560) is generated on the connecting portion 3552 connected at the bottom 3557a of the recess 3557, and the performance board 3520A is completed with the outer periphery formed into a predetermined shape. At this time, since the connecting portion 3552 (part of the specific trace portion 3561) connected to the fixed-length board 3550 is short (small) compared to the entire circumference of the performance board 3520A, even if the connecting portion 3552 is cut, the amount of cutting chips generated is small and can be sufficiently sucked up by a dust collector, and does not affect the electronic components such as the LED 3530 mounted on the performance board 3520A.

In this way, the specific trace portion 3561 provided on the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A is a trace different from the other parts of the outer periphery (general trace portion 3560), and the specific trace portion 3561 is provided on the bottom 3557a of the recess 3557 that is recessed in a trapezoidal shape from the outer periphery edge, and since it is more noticeable than other parts, there is a risk that the presence of the specific trace portion 3561 and the recess 3557 will deteriorate the appearance of the performance board 3520A. However, the plating portion 3515 of the decorative portion 3510, the frame portion 3570, and the decorative portion 35 Because the side wall portion 3511 (rear end surface 3512) of 10 makes the specific trace portion 3561 and the recessed portion 3557 difficult to see, the specific trace portion 3561 and the recessed portion 3557 of the performance board 3520A are not noticeable, preventing the performance board 3520A from deteriorating the appearance of the decorative portion 3510, improving the appearance of the decorative portion 3510, and preventing the player from feeling uncomfortable due to the specific trace portion 3561 and the recessed portion 3557 of the performance board 3520A, thereby preventing a decrease in the player's interest.

In addition, since the performance board 3520A has a specific trace portion 3561 on its outer periphery and the outer shape of the performance board 3520A is formed by a processing machine with high processing flexibility such as an NC machine, it is possible to easily manufacture a performance board 3520A that corresponds to a decorative portion 3510 with a complex outer periphery shape, i.e., a highly decorative decorative portion, and it is possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 that can reliably demonstrate the decorative effect of the decorative portion 3510 that is illuminated and decorated by the LEDs 3530 of the performance board 3520A.

In addition, since a specific trace portion 3561 is provided on the bottom 3557a of the recess 3557 that is recessed in a trapezoidal shape from the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A, even if the specific trace portion 3561 protrudes outward from the bottom 3557a, it does not protrude beyond the designed outline of the performance board 3520A, and the performance board 3520A can be securely attached to the attachment object such as the decorative portion 3510 or the frame portion 3570.

Furthermore, the specific trace portion 3561 and recess 3557 provided on the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A can be hidden by the plating portion 3515, frame portion 3570, and side wall portion 3511 (rear end surface 3512) of the decorative portion 3510, which are provided so as to overlap from the front, and the light color (white) of the surface makes the performance board 3520A less noticeable, so that even if the front of the performance board 3520A is visible through the decorative portion 3510, the presence of the performance board 3520A does not detract from the appearance of the decorative portion 3510, and the decorative effect of the decorative portion 3510 can be reliably exerted. In addition, as described above, since the performance board 3520A can be made less noticeable, even if the distance between the decorative part 3510 (front wall part 3513) and the performance board 3520A is shortened (narrowed), the appearance of the decorative part 3510 is not deteriorated, and the thickness of the decorative body 3503 and the decorative body 3504 having the decorative part 3510 and the performance board 3520A can be thinned. Therefore, the degree of freedom of arrangement of the decorative part 3510 (decorative body 3503 and decorative body 3504) can be increased, so that the decorative body 3503 and the decorative body 3504 can be provided in a more effective position, and the appearance of the pachinko machine 1 can be improved. In addition, since the decorative body 3503 and the decorative body 3504 are made thinner, it is relatively easier to secure space for providing other decorative bodies, etc., so that the pachinko machine 1 can have more decorative bodies, etc., and a pachinko machine 1 with high appeal that can strongly attract the interest of players can be provided.

In addition, the specific trace portion 3561 of the performance board 3520A is made difficult to see by the plated portion 3515 of the decorative portion 3510, the frame portion 3570, and the side wall portion 3511 (rear end surface 3512) of the decorative portion 3510. Therefore, when manufacturing the performance board 3520A, the specific trace portion 3561 can be left in the cut state without being finished, thereby reducing the costs of the performance board 3520A and, ultimately, the pachinko machine 1.

In addition, the plating portion 3515, frame portion 3570, and side wall portion 3511 (rear end surface 3512) of the decorative portion 3510 are arranged to overlap with the outer peripheral edge of the performance board 3520A, so that the plating portion 3515, frame portion 3570, and side wall portion 3511 (rear end surface 3512) of the decorative portion 3510 are arranged around the entire outer peripheral edge of the decorative portion 3510. The side wall 3511 (rear end surface 3512) of 0 makes it possible to decorate the outer edge of the decorative part 3510, improving the appearance of the decorative part 3510. The good-looking decorative part 3510 can strongly attract the attention of the player, and the player can be entertained by the illuminated decoration of the decorative part 3510 caused by the illumination of the LED 3530 on the performance board 3520A, preventing a decline in the player's interest in the game.

In addition, because the surface of the performance board 3520A is a light color (white), it is possible to easily reflect light from the mounted LED 3530, as well as light from other LEDs, lighting, etc., onto the decorative part 3510. This allows the player to see the brighter light-emitting performance of the decorative part 3510, entertaining the player and preventing a decline in interest. Furthermore, because the surface of the performance board 3520A is a light color (white), it is possible to make the performance board 3520A less noticeable and reduce the impact of the color of the surface on the decorative part 3510, making it possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 that looks good by reliably exerting the decorative effect of the decorative part 3510.

The method of cutting out the performance board 3520 etc. (hereinafter also referred to simply as performance board 3520) from the fixed-length board 3550 shown above, the processing of the specific trace portion 3561 at that time (cutting it off so that it does not protrude, leaving it in the recess 3557, or deliberately leaving it so that it protrudes), and the presence or absence of solder resist (coating film 3523) on the specific trace portion 3561 should be appropriately selected depending on the shape, positional relationship, and appearance of the performance board 3520 and the decorative portion 3510 etc., and are not limited to the combinations introduced as examples.

The relationship between the performance board 3520 and the specific trace portion 3561 may be in the following patterns. For example, a plurality of specific trace portions 3561 may be provided on one performance board 3520, all of which may be provided on the bottom 3557a of the recess 3557 (see FIG. 78). This prevents the specific trace portion 3561 from protruding outward from the imaginary outline of the performance board 3520, and makes it possible to prevent the specific trace portion 3561 from coming into contact with other components. Also, there is no need to scrape the specific trace portion 3561 (remaining portion 3552a) in order to prevent the specific trace portion 3561 from coming into contact with other components.

Also, for example, multiple specific trace portions 3561 may be provided on one performance board 3520, all of which may protrude from the outer shape of the performance board 3520. In this case, the specific trace portions 3561 may protrude from the direct outer periphery of the performance board 3520, or may protrude from the bottom 3557a of the recess 3557 of the performance board 3520. This allows the feel of the specific trace portions 3561 to be used as a guide during the manufacturing process.

Furthermore, for example, a plurality of specific trace portions 3561 may be provided on one performance board 3520, all of which may be provided on protrusions or straight portions of the performance board 3520. This makes it easier to scrape off the specific trace portions 3561 when finishing the external shape of the performance board 3520 using a file or the like, shortening the work time and reducing costs, while improving the appearance of the performance board 3520.

In addition, for example, the specific trace portion 3561 may be provided on the bottom 3557a of the recess 3557 in the performance board 3520, and the specific trace portion 3561 may not be carved away and protrude from the bottom 3557a. This makes it possible to use the recess 3557 as a positioning groove for the performance board 3520.

Also, for example, the specific trace portion 3561 on the side of the performance board 3520 opposite the center of the play area 5a may be scraped off and finished, while the specific trace portion 3561 on the side farther from the center of the play area 5a may be left unfinished. This allows the side of the performance board 3520 to be seen by the player, but the specific trace portion 3561 on the visible side is finished nicely and does not look bad. Also, because the side farther from the center of the performance board is difficult for the player to see, the appearance is not bad even if the specific trace portion 3561 is not finished, and there is no need to finish all of the specific trace portions 3561, which allows costs to be reduced.

In addition, the relationship between the performance board 3520 and the specific trace portion 3561 is not limited to the pattern described above, but should be appropriately selected from various patterns depending on the shape of the performance board 3520, the area of use, etc.

[11-5. Starting port unit of the second embodiment]
Next, the starting hole unit 2150 of the second embodiment in the game board 5 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 84 to 89. Figure 84 is a front view of the game board on which the starting hole unit of the second embodiment is provided. Figure 85 is a perspective view of the game board on which the starting hole unit of the second embodiment is provided, with the rear side of the game panel omitted. Figure 86 (a) is a perspective view of the starting hole unit of the second embodiment together with a part of the game panel, as seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the starting hole unit of (a) seen from the rear. Figure 87 (a) is an exploded perspective view of the starting hole unit of the second embodiment disassembled and seen from the front, and (b) is an exploded perspective view of the starting hole unit of the second embodiment disassembled and seen from the rear. Figure 88 (a) is an explanatory view showing the starting hole unit of the second embodiment from the front, and (b) is an explanatory view showing the starting hole unit of the second embodiment in cross section. Figures 89 (a) and (b) are explanatory views showing the relationship between the through hole of the starting hole front plate and the front plate seal in the starting hole unit of the second embodiment.

First, the side unit 2200 of the game board 5 on which the starting opening unit 2150 of the second embodiment is provided will be described. This side unit 2200 extends along the inner rail 1002 to the left of the starting opening unit 2150 within the game area 5a, and is attached to the game panel 1100 from the front. The side unit 2200 has three general winning openings 2001 that are open to always receive the game ball B. The three general winning openings 2001 of the side unit 2200 are aligned in an arc along the inner rail 1002. The two general winning openings 2001 on the right side open upward, and the general winning opening 2001 on the left side opens to the upper left.

The side unit 2200 comprises three gutter-shaped ball receiving sections 2202 that are open upward and backward and form the general winning opening 2001, and a flat base plate 2203 that connects the ball receiving sections 2202 midway in the front-to-rear direction and is attached to the front of the game panel 1100. Of the three ball receiving sections 2202, the two from the right have lower front ends that are inclined diagonally backward. When this side unit 2200 is assembled to the game board 5, the portion of the ball receiving sections 2202 forward of the base plate 2203 protrudes forward from the front of the game panel 1100 as the general winning opening 2001. The side unit 2200 can guide the game ball B received in the general winning port 2001 (ball receiving section 2202) to the rear of the game panel 1100 and deliver it to the back ball guide unit 3100 of the back unit 3000.

The starting port unit 2150 of the second embodiment is provided near the lower end of the left-right center in the game area 5a, and is located directly above the outlet 1008 and below the center device 2500. The starting port unit 2150 is attached to the game panel 1100 from the front. The starting port unit 2150 has a first starting port 2003 that is always open upward and has a width that can receive only one game ball B. The first starting port 2003 of the starting port unit 2150 is provided directly below the central release section 2513a of the stage 2513 in the center device 2500.

In the game board 5 on which the starting port unit 2150 is provided, a plurality of obstacle nails N are planted in a predetermined gauge arrangement on the front of the game panel 1100 (panel board 1110) in the game area 5a through which the game ball B circulates. In addition, in the game area 5a of the game board 5, a windmill W that rotates when the game ball B comes into contact with it is provided to the left of the center device 2500 at a height between the entrance to the warp passage 2512 and the upper left side unit 2300. The windmill W is provided so that it can rotate by the obstacle nails N. In addition, in the game area 5a of the game board 5, a plurality of obstacle nails N are lined up at intervals that can guide the game ball B from a position lower than the center of the windmill W near the windmill W diagonally downward and to the right (starting port unit 2150).

In this game board 5, the multiple obstacle nails N arranged in a row, the consecutive nails NR (also called path nails), are divided into three groups (consecutive nails NR). Between these consecutive nails NR, there is a gap wide enough for the game ball B to pass through, and the game ball B guided by the consecutive nails NR may flow downward through the gap. The multiple consecutive nails NR are located above a side unit 2200 having multiple (here, three) general winning holes 2001. The two gaps formed by the three consecutive nails NR are located slightly to the left (upstream) of the side unit 2200 directly above the two general winning holes 2001 from the right, and there is a possibility that the game ball B that flows downward through the gap may be received by the general winning hole 2001.

The two obstacle nails N closest to the general prize opening 2001 are spaced apart at a distance equal to the opening width of the general prize opening 2001, and are considered to be important specific obstacle nails N1 that are related to the probability of receiving a prize at the general prize opening 2001 (probability of winning).

In addition, within the game area 5a, a row of nails NR is provided to the right of the starting hole unit 2150, and the nails are arranged in a row so that they become lower toward the starting hole unit 2150. These nails NR arranged on the left and right of the starting hole unit 2150 can guide the game ball B toward the starting hole unit 2150 (first starting hole 2003).

Furthermore, within the play area 5a, the multiple obstacle nails N are provided, which include a pair of specific obstacle nails N1 directly above the first starting hole 2003, spaced apart on the left and right at a distance approximately equal to the opening width of the first starting hole 2003, and a pair of semi-specific obstacle nails N2 located on both the left and right outside of the pair of specific obstacle nails N1 and at a height between the first starting hole 2003 and the specific obstacle nails N1 (see Figures 86(a) and 88(a)).

When the distance between the pair of specific obstacle nails N1 is wider, it becomes easier for the game ball B to be received into the first starting hole 2003, and when the distance between the pair of specific obstacle nails N1 is narrower, it becomes more difficult for the game ball B to be received into the first starting hole 2003, and this greatly affects the probability of receiving the game ball B into the first starting hole 2003 (probability of winning). These pairs of specific obstacle nails N1 are located slightly above the most downstream obstacle nail N of the consecutive nails NR located on both the left and right sides of the starting hole unit 2150.

The quasi-specific obstacle nail N2 is provided with a gap between the nearby specific obstacle nail N1 and the nearby consecutive nails NR so that the game ball B can pass through. The gap between the specific obstacle nail N1 and the quasi-specific obstacle nail N2 is wider than the distance between a pair of specific obstacle nails N1. Also, the gap between the quasi-specific obstacle nail N2 and the consecutive nails NR is wider than the gap between the specific obstacle nail N1 and the quasi-specific obstacle nail N2.

The semi-specific obstacle nail N2 is located below the adjacent consecutive nail NR and slightly above (1 mm to 2 mm) the extension of the consecutive nail NR, or within a distance of 1/10 to 1/3 of the diameter D of the game ball B upward from the extension of the consecutive nail NR. As a result, when the game ball B guided by the consecutive nail NR comes into contact with the semi-specific obstacle nail N2, the game ball B tends to bounce upward and may be received by the first starting hole 2003.

In a game board 5 on which this start port unit 2150 is provided, a game ball B received in the first start port 2003 of the start port unit 2150 is sent to the back ball guide unit 3100 of the back unit 3000 through the opening 1112 of the game panel 1100, and is discharged downward after being detected by the first start port sensor 2101 provided in the back ball guide unit 3100. Also, in a game board 5 on which the start port unit 2150 is provided, a game ball B that flows downward from the start port unit 2150 is discharged from within the game area 5a through the outlet 1008.

As shown in Figure 87 etc., this starting port unit 2150 comprises a starting port main body 2151 that is attached from the front to the front of the game panel 1100 (panel board 1110), a flat starting port front plate 2152 that is attached to the front of the starting port main body 2151, and a front plate seal 2153 that is affixed to the front of the starting port front plate 2152.

The starting port body 2151 of the starting port unit 2150 is equipped with a gutter-shaped ball receiving portion 2151a that is open upward and rearward, a guide rib 2151b that extends upward from the bottom of the ball receiving portion 2151a and slopes so that its upper end becomes lower as it approaches the rear, a flange portion 2151c that extends outward in a flat plate shape from the middle of the outer peripheral surface of the ball receiving portion 2151a in the front-to-rear direction and abuts against the front surface of the game panel 1100, and a positioning pin 2151d that protrudes cylindrically from the rear surface of the flange portion 2151c.

The ball receiving portion 2151a has a U-shaped cross section. When the game board 5 is assembled, the part of the ball receiving portion 2151a behind the flange portion 2151c is inserted into the opening 1112 of the game panel 1100 (panel plate 1110), and the rear end is located on the same plane as the rear surface of the panel plate 1110. The guide rib 2151b has its front end in contact with the rear surface of the front wall of the ball receiving portion 2151a, and is inclined from near the top end of the front wall at an angle of 45 degrees to the horizontal so as to lower backward to near the bottom of the ball receiving portion 2151a, and then is inclined at an angle of about 5 degrees to the horizontal so as to lower to the rear end of the ball receiving portion 2151a, and is bent halfway in the front-to-rear direction (see FIG. 88(b)). Two guide ribs 2151b are provided with a gap between them on the left and right. The flange portion 2151c extends outward on both the left and right sides and downward with respect to the ball receiving portion 2151a. The positioning pins 2151d are provided on both the left and right sides of the ball receiving portion 2151a, and are inserted into the positioning holes 1113 of the game panel 1100.

The starting hole body 2151 also has a number of (three in this example) mounting holes 2151e penetrating the left and right sides and the lower side of the ball receiving portion 2151a in the flange portion 2151c, a pair of bosses 2151f protruding forward in a cylindrical shape from the left and right outer parts of the mounting holes 2151e below the ball receiving portion 2151a in the flange portion 2151c, a pair of inclined wall portions 2151g connecting each of the pair of bosses 2151f to the lower ends of the left and right vertically extending side walls of the ball receiving portion 2151a, a lower wall portion 2151h connecting the pair of bosses 2151f on the front surface of the flange portion 2151c and bending so that the center in the left and right direction is lower, and front plate mounting holes 2151i provided in the lower front surface of the ball receiving portion 2151a and the pair of bosses 2151f, respectively.

The pair of bosses 2151f have their front ends flush with the front surface of the front wall of the ball receiving portion 2151a. The inclined wall portion 2151g and the lower wall portion 2151h are recessed rearward from the front surface of the front wall of the ball receiving portion 2151 near the front ends of the boss portion 2151f. This allows the front end of the boss portion 2151f to be securely inserted into the tube portion 2152e of the starting hole front plate 2152 described later. In addition, because a part of the front end of the inclined wall portion 2151g and the lower wall portion 2151h is recessed rearward, a gap is formed between the starting hole front plate 2152 and the lower wall portion 2151h when the starting hole front plate 2152 is attached. In addition, the lower wall portion 2151h is bent so that the center in the left-right direction is located lower than the lower mounting hole 2151e of the ball receiving portion 2151a. As a result, the mounting hole 2151e is located in an area surrounded by a pair of inclined wall portions 2151g and a lower wall portion 2151h.

The starting hole front plate 2152 is formed larger than the starting hole main body 2151 when viewed from the front. The starting hole front plate 2152 is provided with a pair of first retaining portions 2152a into which the heads of a pair of specific obstacle nails N1 spaced apart from each other directly above the first starting hole 2003 are inserted from the rear, and a second retaining portion 2152b into which the heads of a pair of semi-specific obstacle nails N2 located on both the left and right outer sides and below the pair of specific obstacle nails N1 spaced apart from each other directly above the first starting hole 2003 are inserted from the rear. The first retaining portion 2152a and the second retaining portion 2152b are round holes penetrating the starting hole front plate 2152, and the first retaining portion 2152a is formed with an inner diameter smaller than that of the second retaining portion 2152b.

In this embodiment, the diameter of the head of the obstacle nail N is 4.3 mm, the inner diameter of the first retaining portion 2152a is 6 mm, and the inner diameter of the second retaining portion 2152b is 8 mm.

The starting port front plate 2152 also has a number of through holes 2152c penetrating at positions corresponding to the mounting holes 2151e of the starting port main body 2151, a mounting hole 2152d penetrating at positions corresponding to the front plate mounting holes 2151i of the starting port main body 2151, a pair of tubular sections 2152e extending rearward in a short cylindrical shape from the rear surface into which the tip of the boss section 2151f of the starting port main body 2151 is inserted, a seal attachment section 2152f recessed from the front surface leaving a certain width from the outer periphery and onto which the front plate seal 2153 is attached, and a positioning protrusion 2152g protruding into the seal attachment section 2152f at the center of the upper edge in the left-right direction.

The through hole 2152c is for inserting a screwdriver when attaching the starting port unit 2150 to the game panel 1100. The mounting hole 2152d is for attaching the starting port front plate 2152 to the starting port main body 2151, and the starting port front plate 2152 can be attached to the starting port main body 2151 by screwing the tip of the mounting screw inserted from the front into the front plate mounting hole 2151i of the starting port main body 2151. The pair of cylindrical parts 2152e can be positioned relative to the starting port main body 2151 by inserting the tip of the boss part 2151f of the starting port main body 2151 into each of them. The positioning protrusion 2152g can be inserted into the positioning part 2153a of the front plate seal 2153 to position the front plate seal 2153 relative to the seal attachment part 2152f.

The front plate seal 2153 is translucent and, although not shown, is decorated with a picture, design, lettering, etc. This front plate seal 2153 is formed so that its outer shape is slightly smaller than the inner peripheral shape of the seal attachment portion 2152f of the starting port front plate 2152, and has a positioning portion 2153a that is cut out in the center of the upper edge in the left-right direction. In addition, the front plate seal 2153 has an adhesive portion 2153b on its back side for attaching it to the starting port front plate 2152.

As shown by the hatched area in FIG. 88(a), the adhesive portion 2153b is provided over the entire circumference at a constant width from the outer periphery of the front plate seal 2153. The adhesive portion 2153b is also provided so as to avoid each hole in the starting port front plate 2152, such as the first retaining portion 2152a, the second retaining portion 2152b, the through hole 2152c, the mounting hole 2152d, etc. As a result, when the front plate seal 2153 is attached to the starting port front plate 2152, the adhesive portion 2153b is not exposed to the rear through each hole in the starting port front plate 2152.

When assembled to the game board 5, the front end of the starting hole unit 2150 protrudes slightly forward from the front ends of the side unit 2200 and the upper left side unit 2300. In addition, the front surface of the starting hole unit 2150 (starting hole front plate 2152) is positioned forward from the front end of the obstructing nail N so that the head of the obstructing nail N is positioned inside the first retaining portion 2152a and the second retaining portion 2152b, while the obstructing nail N does not come into contact with the front plate seal 2153.

In addition, when assembled to the game board 5, the mounting hole 2151e of the starting hole main body 2151 in the starting hole unit 2150 is a countersunk hole, and the head of the mounting screw inserted is flat, so the head of the mounting screw does not protrude from the countersunk hole (front surface of the flange portion 2151c) and interfere with the movement of the game ball B. In addition, the mounting hole 2152d of the starting hole front plate 2152 is also a countersunk hole, and the head of the mounting screw is flat, so the head of the mounting screw does not protrude from the countersunk hole (front surface of the seal attachment portion 2152f) and cause wrinkles in the front plate seal 2153.

As shown in FIG. 88, when this starting hole unit 2150 is assembled to the game board 5, the head of the specific obstacle nail N1 is inserted into the first holding portion 2152a of the starting hole front plate 2152, and the head of the quasi-specific obstacle nail N2 is inserted into the second holding portion 2152b. As a result, when the starting hole unit 2150 is installed in a game hall and used for playing, many game balls B come into contact with the specific obstacle nails N1 and the quasi-specific obstacle nails N2, and even if the specific obstacle nails N1, etc. try to bend due to the impact, the heads of the specific obstacle nails N1, etc. come into contact with the inner surface of the first holding portion 2152a, etc., so that the specific obstacle nails N1, etc. can be prevented from bending any further. Therefore, even if the game board 5 (pachinko machine 1) is continuously used, the probability of the game ball B entering the first starting hole 2003 does not change, and the quality of the game board 5 can be maintained for a long period of time. In other words, it is possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 in which the aging caused by the game ball B coming into contact with the specific obstacle nails N1, etc. is not noticeable.

In addition, the inner diameter of the first holding portion 2152a into which the heads of the specific obstacle nails N1 are inserted is smaller than the inner diameter of the second holding portion 2152b into which the heads of the quasi-specific obstacle nails N2 are inserted. This makes it possible to suppress deformation of the obstacle nails N, such as the specific obstacle nails N1 and the quasi-specific obstacle nails N2, the closer they are to the first starting hole 2003. This further reduces the variation in the winning probability of the first starting hole 2003 for each game board 5, making it possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 of consistent quality.

In addition, since the first holding portion 2152a into which the head of the specific obstacle nail N1 is inserted is made smaller than the second holding portion 2152b, even if an attempt is made to bend the specific obstacle nail N in order to change the probability of the game ball B entering the first starting hole 2003 as a fraudulent act, the first holding portion 2152a has a narrow gap between the head of the specific obstacle nail N1 and the specific obstacle nail N1, making it difficult to bend the specific obstacle nail N1. This makes it possible to avoid fraudulent acts, and by recognizing the presence of the starting hole front plate 2152 having the first holding portion 2152a, etc., it is possible to make players hesitate to carry out fraudulent acts, thereby providing a pachinko machine 1 that has a high deterrent effect against fraudulent acts.

Furthermore, the front of the first retaining portion 2152a and the second retaining portion 2152b of the starting opening front plate 2152, into which the heads of the specific obstacle nails N1 and the quasi-specific obstacle nails N2 are inserted, are covered by a front plate seal 2153 affixed to the starting opening front plate 2152. This makes it possible for the starting opening front plate 2152 and the front plate seal 2153 to prevent other members from coming into contact with the specific obstacle nails N1, etc., during the manufacture or transportation of the game board 5, etc., thereby preventing deformation of the specific obstacle nails N1, etc., and ensuring the provision of a game board 5 of the specified quality.

In addition, the adhesive portion 2153b of the front plate seal 2153 is arranged to avoid holes such as the through hole 2152c of the starting port front plate 2152. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 89(a), even if the game ball B comes into contact with the front plate seal 2153 through the through hole 2152c, the game ball B will not stick to the adhesive portion 2153b, and problems such as ball clogging will not occur.

In addition, holes such as the first retaining portion 2152a are provided in the starting port front plate 2152, to which the front plate seal 2153 is attached at the front surface. Therefore, if the front plate seal 2153 is not attached properly during manufacturing or when it is to be discarded, the front plate seal 2153 can be easily peeled off by pressing the front plate seal 2153 from behind through the hole.

Furthermore, the starting hole front plate 2152 of the starting hole unit 2150 is provided with a first holding portion 2152a into which the head of the specific obstacle nail N1 is inserted, and a second holding portion 2152b into which the head of the quasi-specific obstacle nail N2 is inserted. During the manufacture of the game board 5, the starting hole unit 2150 is temporarily fixed to the game panel 1100 by the positioning pin 2151d, and the planting state of the obstacle nail N can be inspected by checking whether the specific obstacle nail N1, etc. is positioned in the center of the first holding portion 2152a, etc.

In addition, since a flat starting hole front plate 2152 is provided on the front of the starting hole unit 2150, when a nail inspection film is placed over the front of the game board 5 during the manufacture of the game board 5 to check whether the multiple obstacle nails N are planted in a specified gauge arrangement, the starting hole front plate 2152 makes the nail inspection film less likely to bend, reducing inspection errors caused by bending and improving the quality of the game board 5, while also simplifying the inspection process and preventing increases in costs.

In the above embodiment, the first retaining portion 2152a and the second retaining portion 2152b into which the head of the obstacle nail N is inserted from the rear are shown as round holes penetrating the starting hole front plate 2152, but this is not limited thereto, and they may be grooves recessed forward from the rear surface of the starting hole front plate 2152 without penetrating the starting hole front plate 2152. This not only provides the same effect as above, but also reliably prevents other members from coming into contact with the obstacle nail N from the front of the starting hole front plate 2152.

In the above embodiment, the adhesive portion 2153b of the front plate seal 2153 is set back from the through hole 2152c of the starting opening front plate 2152 so that the game ball B does not come into contact with the adhesive portion 2153b through the through hole 2152c, but this is not limiting, and as shown in FIG. 89(b), the diameter of the through hole 2152c may be set to a size such that the game ball B does not come into contact with the front plate seal 2153 through the through hole 2152c. Specifically, assuming that the diameter of the through hole 2152c is L5, the depth of the through hole 2152c (the thickness of the starting opening front plate 2152) is L6, and the diameter of the game ball B is D,
L5<2 x (D x L6 - L62) - 2
As a result, the game ball B does not come into contact with the back surface of the front plate seal 2153 through the through hole 2152c or the like, and even if the adhesive portion 2153b is provided on the entire back surface of the front plate seal 2153, the game ball B does not stick to the adhesive portion 2153b.

[11-6. Starting port unit of the third embodiment]
Next, the starting hole unit 2160 of the third embodiment in the game board 5 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 90 to 94. Figure 90 is a front view of a game board provided with a starting hole unit of the third embodiment, with the rear members of the game panel omitted. Figure 91 is a perspective view of the game board of Figure 90, seen diagonally from the front. Figure 92(a) is a perspective view of the starting hole unit of the third embodiment together with a part of the game panel, seen from the front, and (b) is a perspective view of the starting hole unit of (a) seen from the rear. Figure 93(a) is an exploded perspective view of the starting hole unit of the third embodiment disassembled and seen from the front, and (b) is an exploded perspective view of the starting hole unit of the third embodiment disassembled and seen from the rear. Figure 94(a) is an explanatory view showing the starting hole unit of the third embodiment from the front, and (b) is an explanatory view showing the starting hole unit of the third embodiment in cross section.

The starting port unit 2160 of the third embodiment is located within the game area 5a, directly above the outlet 1008 and below the center device 2500, near the lower end in the center of the left-right direction. The starting port unit 2160 is attached to the game panel 1100 from the front. The starting port unit 2160 has a first starting port 2003 that is always open upward and has a width that can receive only one game ball B. The first starting port 2003 of the starting port unit 2160 is located directly below the central release section 2513a of the stage 2513 in the center device 2500.

In the game board 5 on which the starting port unit 2160 is provided, a plurality of obstacle nails N are planted in a predetermined gauge arrangement on the front of the game panel 1100 (panel board 1110) in the game area 5a through which the game ball B circulates. In addition, in the game area 5a of the game board 5, a windmill W that rotates when the game ball B comes into contact with it is provided to the left of the center role 2500 at a height between the entrance to the warp passage 2512 and the upper left side unit 2300. The windmill W is provided so that it can rotate by the obstacle nails N. In addition, in the game area 5a of the game board 5, a plurality of obstacle nails N are lined up at intervals that can guide the game ball B from a position below the center of the windmill W near the windmill W diagonally downward and to the right (starting port unit 2160).

In this game board 5, the multiple obstacle nails N arranged in a row, the consecutive nails NR (also called path nails), are divided into three groups (consecutive nails NR). Between these consecutive nails NR, there is a gap wide enough for the game ball B to pass through, and the game ball B guided by the consecutive nails NR may flow downward through the gap. The multiple consecutive nails NR are located above a side unit 2200 having multiple (here, three) general winning holes 2001. The two gaps formed by the three consecutive nails NR are located slightly to the left (upstream) of the side unit 2200 directly above the two general winning holes 2001 from the right, and there is a possibility that the game ball B that flows downward through the gap may be received by the general winning hole 2001.

The two obstacle nails N closest to the general prize opening 2001 are spaced apart at a distance equal to the opening width of the general prize opening 2001, and are considered to be important specific obstacle nails N1 that are related to the probability of receiving a prize at the general prize opening 2001 (probability of winning).

In addition, within the game area 5a, a row of nails NR is provided to the right of the starting hole unit 2160, and the rows of nails NR are arranged so that they become lower toward the starting hole unit 2150. These nails NR provided on the left and right of the starting hole unit 2160 can guide the game ball B toward the starting hole unit 2160 (first starting hole 2003).

In a game board 5 on which the start port unit 2160 is provided, a game ball B received in the first start port 2003 of the start port unit 2160 is sent to the back ball guide unit 3100 of the back unit 3000 through the opening 1112 of the game panel 1100, and is discharged downward after being detected by the first start port sensor 2101 provided in the back ball guide unit 3100. Also, in a game board 5 on which the start port unit 2160 is provided, a game ball B that flows downward from the start port unit 2160 is discharged from within the game area 5a through the outlet 1008.

93, the starting hole unit 2160 includes a starting hole main body 2161 attached from the front to the front of the game panel 1100 (panel board 1110), a flat starting hole front plate 2162 attached to the front of the starting hole main body 2161, a plurality of nail shafts 2163 bridged between the starting hole main body 2161 and the starting hole front plate 2162, a front plate seal (not shown) attached to the front of the starting hole front plate 2162, and a plurality of mounting screws 2164 that attach the starting hole front plate 2162 to the starting hole main body 2161. When assembled to the game board 5, the front end of the starting hole unit 2160 protrudes slightly forward from the front ends of the side unit 2200 and the upper left side unit 2300.

The starting hole main body 2161 of the starting hole unit 2160 includes a flat base plate 2161a that abuts against the front surface of the game panel 1100, an opening 2161b that penetrates the base plate 2161a to allow the game ball B to pass through, a ball receiving portion 2161c that protrudes forward from the periphery of the opening 2161b on the front surface of the base plate 2161a and is open upward, a gutter portion 2161d that is continuous with the rear end of the ball receiving portion 2161c and protrudes backward in a cylindrical shape from the rear surface of the base plate 2161a, a guide rib 2161e that extends upward from the bottom of the ball receiving portion 2161c and the gutter portion 2161d and is inclined so that the upper end becomes lower as it approaches the rear, and a positioning pin 2161f that protrudes cylindrically from the rear surface of the base plate 2161a.

When viewed from the front, the base plate 2161a is long from left to right, and is formed in an arc shape with the upper and lower edges bulging upward and downward, respectively. The opening 2161b is provided in the center of the base plate 2161a. The ball receiving portion 2161c has a U-shaped cross section. The gutter portion 2161d is formed in a shape in which the upper ends of a U-shape are connected in cross section. When the game board 5 is assembled, this gutter portion 2161d is inserted into the opening 1112 of the game panel 1100 (panel plate 1110), and the rear end is located on the same plane as the rear surface of the panel plate 1110. The guide rib 2161e has its front end in contact with the rear surface of the front wall of the ball receiving portion 2161c, and slopes downward from near the top of the front wall at an angle of 45 degrees to the horizontal to near the bottom of the ball receiving portion 2161c, then slopes downward at an angle of about 5 degrees to the horizontal to the rear end of the gutter portion 2161d, bending midway in the front-to-rear direction (see FIG. 94(b)). One guide rib 2161e is provided in the center of the ball receiving portion 2161c and the gutter portion 2161d in the left-to-right direction. The positioning pins 2161f are provided on both the left and right sides of the ball receiving portion 2161c, and are inserted into the positioning holes 1113 of the game panel 1100.

The starting hole body 2161 also includes a number of support bosses 2161g that are provided along the upper edge of the base plate 2161a and protrude cylindrically rearward from the rear surface of the base plate 2161a, rear support holes 2161h that penetrate the multiple support bosses 2161g from front to rear and into which the rear end of the nail shaft 2163 is inserted, two mounting holes 2161i that penetrate the base plate 2161a at both left and right outer parts of the ball receiving portion 2161c, a pair of boss portions 2161j that protrude cylindrically forward from both left and right lower corners of the base plate 2161a, and front plate mounting holes 2161k that are provided on the lower front surface of the ball receiving portion 2161c and the pair of boss portions 2161j.

There are four of each of the multiple support bosses 2161g and rear support holes 2161h. As shown in FIG. 94(a), the two support bosses 2161g and rear support holes 2161h are provided above the ball receiving portion 2161c, spaced apart on the left and right at a distance approximately equal to the opening width of the first starting hole 2003. The rear end of the specific nail shaft 2163a as the nail shaft 2163 is inserted and held in the two (pair) rear support holes 2161h provided above the first starting hole 2003.

The remaining two support bosses 2161g and rear support holes 2161h are provided on both the left and right outer sides of the two (pair) support bosses 2161g and rear support holes 2161h (specific nail shafts 2163a), and at a height between the first starting hole 2003 and the support bosses 2161g and rear support holes 2161h. The rear end of the quasi-specific nail shaft 2163b as the nail shaft 2163 is inserted and held in these two rear support holes 2161h.

The pair of bosses 2161j are spaced apart from the ball receiving portion 2161c with a distance allowing the game ball B to pass through, and are also spaced apart from the support bosses 2161g and rear support holes 2161h, which are located on the outer left and right sides of the four, with a distance allowing the game ball B to pass through. The front ends of the pair of bosses 2161j are flush with the front surface of the front wall of the ball receiving portion 2161c.

The pair of bosses 2161j are each provided so that a gap is formed in each of the upper, lower, left and right directions through which the game ball B can pass, and the game ball B can come into contact with them. The boss 2161j has a mounting hole 2162c penetrating it into which a mounting screw 2164 is inserted (screwed in). The boss 2161j has the same effect as an obstacle nail N, since it can change the flow direction of the game ball B. In other words, the boss 2161j can be said to be a type of obstacle nail N.

The starting port front plate 2162 is formed to be approximately the same size as the base plate 2161a of the starting port main body 2161. The starting port front plate 2162 is recessed forward from the rear surface and has a plurality of front support holes 2162a into which the front ends of the nail shafts 2163 are inserted, a pair of through holes 2162b penetrating at positions corresponding to the mounting holes 2161i of the starting port main body 2161, a plurality of mounting holes 2162c penetrating at positions corresponding to the front plate mounting holes 2161k of the starting port main body 2161, a pair of cylindrical portions 2162d protruding backward from the rear surface in a short cylindrical shape into which the front ends of the boss portions 2161j of the starting port main body 2161 are inserted, and a seal attachment portion 2162e recessed from the front surface leaving a certain width from the outer periphery and into which a front plate seal is attached.

The multiple (four in this example) front support holes 2162a are provided at positions corresponding to the multiple rear support holes 2161h of the starting hole body 2161. The through hole 2162b is for inserting a screwdriver when attaching the starting hole unit 2160 to the game panel 1100. The mounting hole 2162c is for attaching the starting hole front plate 2162 to the starting hole body 2161, and the starting hole front plate 2162 can be attached to the starting hole body 2161 by screwing the tip of the mounting screw 2164 inserted from the front into the front plate mounting hole 2161k of the starting hole body 2161. The pair of tube portions 2162d can be positioned relative to the starting hole body 2161 by inserting the tip of the boss portion 2161j of the starting hole body 2161 into each of them.

The nail shaft 2163 is formed in a cylindrical shape with the same diameter as the shaft of the obstacle nail N, and is made of the same material (e.g., brass) as the obstacle nail N. In other words, the nail shaft 2163 corresponds to the shaft of the obstacle nail N. The front end of the nail shaft 2163 is inserted into the front support hole 2162a of the starting hole front plate 2162, and the rear end is inserted into the rear support hole 2161h of the starting hole main body 2161. When the starting hole unit 2160 is assembled, there is no gap between the front and rear ends of the nail shaft 2163 and the front and rear support holes 2162a and 2161h. As shown in FIG. 94(b), the rear end side of the nail shaft 2163 is inserted deep into the rear end of the support boss 2161g of the starting hole main body 2161, so that it is difficult to bend even if the game ball B comes into contact with it.

Of the multiple (four in this example) nail shafts 2163, a pair of nail shafts 2163 whose both ends are inserted into the rear support hole 2161h and the front support hole 2162a provided above the first starting hole 2003 (ball receiving portion 2161c) are specific nail shafts 2163a that are closely related to the probability of receiving the game ball B into the first starting hole 2003 (winning probability). The remaining two nail shafts 2163 are semi-specific nail shafts 2163b.

The pair of specific nail shafts 2163a are spaced apart on the left and right directly above the first starting hole 2003 at a distance approximately equal to the opening width of the first starting hole 2003. When the distance between the pair of specific nail shafts 2163a is wider, it becomes easier for the game ball B to be received into the first starting hole 2003, and when the distance is narrower, it becomes more difficult for the game ball B to be received into the first starting hole 2003, which greatly affects the probability of receiving the game ball B into the first starting hole 2003 (winning probability). The pair of specific nail shafts 2163a are provided slightly above the most downstream obstacle nail N of the consecutive nails NR provided on both the left and right sides of the starting hole unit 2160.

The quasi-specific nail shaft 2163b is provided with a gap between the adjacent specific nail shaft 2163a and the adjacent consecutive nail NR, allowing the game ball B to pass through. The gap between the specific nail shaft 2163a and the quasi-specific nail shaft 2163b is wider than the distance between the pair of specific nail shafts 2163a. Also, the gap between the quasi-specific nail shaft 2163b and the consecutive nail NR is wider than the gap between the specific nail shaft 2163a and the quasi-specific nail shaft 2163b.

The semi-specific nail shaft 2163b is located below the adjacent continuous nail NR and slightly above (1 mm to 2 mm) the extension of the continuous nail NR, or within a distance of 1/10 to 1/3 of the diameter D of the game ball B above the extension of the continuous nail NR. As a result, when the game ball B guided by the continuous nail NR comes into contact with the semi-specific nail shaft 2163b, the game ball B tends to bounce upward and may be received by the first starting hole 2003.

The front plate seal (not shown) is translucent and has pictures, designs, letters, etc. applied to it. The outer shape of this front plate seal is formed to be slightly smaller than the inner peripheral shape of the seal attachment portion 2162e of the starting port front plate 2162. This front plate seal has an adhesive portion on the back side for attaching to the starting port front plate 2162. The adhesive portion of the front plate seal is provided around the entire circumference at a constant width from the outer peripheral edge, and is provided so as to avoid the through hole 2162b. As a result, when the front plate seal is attached to the starting port front plate 2162, the adhesive portion is not exposed to the rear through the through hole 2162b.

When the starting port unit 2160 is assembled to the game board 5, the mounting hole 2161i of the starting port main body 2161 is a countersunk hole, and the head of the mounting screw inserted is flat, so the head of the mounting screw does not protrude from the countersunk hole (front surface of the base plate 2161a) and interfere with the movement of the game ball B. In addition, the mounting hole 2162c of the starting port front plate 2162 is also a countersunk hole, and the head of the mounting screw 2164 is flat, so the head of the mounting screw 2164 does not protrude from the countersunk hole (front surface of the seal attachment portion 2162e) and cause wrinkles in the front plate seal.

This starting hole unit 2160 supports (holds) both front and rear ends of a pair of specific nail shafts 2163a provided above the first starting hole 2003 and both front and rear ends of a pair of quasi-specific nail shafts 2163b provided on both the left and right outer sides of the pair of specific nail shafts 2163a with the front support hole 2162a of the starting hole front plate 2162 and the rear support hole 2161h of the starting hole main body 2161 so that they do not move. This prevents many game balls B from coming into contact with the specific nail shafts 2163a and quasi-specific nail shafts 2163b when installed in a game hall and used for play, and prevents the specific nail shafts 2163a, etc. from bending due to the impact. Therefore, even if the game board 5 (pachinko machine 1) is continuously used, the probability of the game ball B entering the first starting hole 2003 does not change, and the quality of the game board 5 can be maintained for a long period of time. In other words, it is possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 in which the deterioration over time caused by the game ball B coming into contact with the specific nail shaft 2163a, etc., is not noticeable.

In addition, as described above, deformation of the nail shafts 2163 such as the specific nail shaft 2163a can be suppressed, so that the variation in the winning probability of the first starting hole 2003 for each game board 5 can be further reduced, making it possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 of consistent quality.

In addition, because both ends of the nail shaft 2163, such as the specific nail shaft 2163a, are held immovably, even if an attempt is made to bend the nail shaft 2163 in order to change the probability of the game ball B entering the first starting hole 2003 as a fraudulent act, it is difficult to bend it because the front end is inserted into the front support hole 2162a of the starting hole front plate 2162, making it possible to avoid fraudulent acts, and because both ends of the nail shaft 2163 are held, it is possible to discourage fraudulent acts, making it possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 that has a high deterrent effect against fraudulent acts.

Furthermore, since a starting port front plate 2162 is provided in front of the nail shafts 2163 such as the specific nail shaft 2163a, it is possible to prevent other members from coming into contact with the nail shafts 2163 during the manufacture or transportation of the game board 5, thereby preventing deformation of the nail shafts 2163 and ensuring the provision of a game board 5 of the specified quality.

In addition, the adhesive part of the front plate seal is arranged to avoid the through hole 2162b of the starting port front plate 2162, so even if the game ball B comes into contact with the front plate seal through the through hole 2162b, the game ball B will not stick to the adhesive part, and problems such as ball clogging will not occur.

In addition, a through hole 2162b is provided in the starting port front plate 2162, to which the front plate seal is attached at the front surface. Therefore, if the front plate seal is not attached properly during manufacturing or when the product is to be discarded, the front plate seal can be easily removed by applying pressure from behind through the through hole 2162b.

Furthermore, since a flat starting hole front plate 2162 is provided on the front of the starting hole unit 2160, when a nail inspection film is placed over the front of the game board 5 during the manufacture of the game board 5 to check whether the multiple obstacle nails N are planted in a specified gauge arrangement, the starting hole front plate 2162 makes the nail inspection film less likely to bend, reducing inspection errors caused by bending and improving the quality of the game board 5, while also simplifying the inspection process and preventing increases in costs.

In addition, in this starting port unit 2160, similar to the through hole 2152c of the starting port front plate 2152 in the starting port unit 2150 described above, the diameter of the through hole 2162b of the starting port front plate 2162 may be set to a size such that the game ball B does not come into contact with the front plate seal through the through hole 2162b. This means that even if an adhesive portion is provided on the entire rear surface of the front plate seal, the game ball B will not stick to the adhesive portion.

In the above embodiment, the nail shaft 2163 (specific nail shaft 2163a) related to the probability of receiving the game ball B is provided in the start port unit 2160 having the first start port 2003, but this is not limited to this. The nail shaft 2163 related to the probability of receiving the game ball B may be provided in the side unit 2200 having the general winning port 2001, the nail shaft 2163 related to the probability of receiving the game ball B may be provided in the normal winning port unit 2600 having the normal winning port 2002, or the nail shaft 2163 related to the probability of receiving the game ball B may be provided in the gate member 2630 having the gate 2010 described later. In other words, the nail shaft 2163 may be provided in a unit in which a gate or a winning port is provided. As a result, the winning probability of the game ball B does not change over time due to the presence of the nail shaft 2163 in other winning ports in addition to the first start port 2003, and the variation is reduced, making it possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 of constant quality.

[11-6a. Starting port unit and front plate of the third embodiment]
Next, the starting hole unit 2160 and the front plate 2170 of the third embodiment will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figures 95 to 97. Figure 95 is a front view of a game board in which the starting hole unit of the third embodiment is provided and the front plate is provided, and the members behind the game panel are omitted. Figure 96 is a perspective view of the game board of Figure 95 seen from the diagonal front. Figure 97 is an exploded perspective view of the game board of Figure 95 shown in a state in which the front plate is separated. The game board 5 of the embodiment shown in Figures 95 to 97 is the one in which the front plate 2170 is added to the configuration of the game board 5 shown in Figures 90 to 94, and the configuration except for the front plate 2170 is the same, and will be described with the same reference numerals.

The game board 5 has a transparent flat front plate 2170 in front of the game panel 1100 (panel plate 1110). The front plate 2170 is provided with a gap between it and the game panel 1100 to allow the game ball B to flow. The front plate 2170 is provided to connect the front end of the inner rail 1002 and the front end of the inflow restriction portion 2511c of the center frame 2511 in the center role 2500. The front plate 2170 is formed in an arc shape so as to cover the front of the game area 5a from the part where the inflow restriction portion 2511c extends vertically at the left side of the center in the left-right direction at the top of the center role 2500 (center frame 2511) to the part where it contacts the attacca unit 2400 in a counterclockwise direction around the center role 2500.

In the game board 5 provided with this front plate 2170, like the game board 5 provided with the starting port unit 2160, a plurality of obstacle nails N are planted in a predetermined gauge arrangement on the front surface of the game panel 1100 (panel plate 1110) in the game area 5a through which the game ball B circulates. In addition, in the game area 5a of the game board 5, a windmill W that rotates when the game ball B comes into contact with it is provided to the left of the center role 2500 at a height between the entrance of the warp passage 2512 and the upper left side unit 2300. The windmill W is provided so that it can rotate by the obstacle nails N. In addition, in the game area 5a of the game board 5, a plurality of obstacle nails N are lined up at intervals that can guide the game ball B from a position lower than the center of the windmill W near the windmill W diagonally downward and to the right (starting port unit 2160).

The multiple consecutive nails NR (also called path nails) of the multiple obstacle nails N arranged in a row are divided into three groups (multiple nails NR). Between these multiple nails NR, there is a gap wide enough for the game ball B to pass through, and the game ball B guided by the multiple nails NR may flow downward through the gap. The multiple consecutive nails NR are located above a side unit 2200 having multiple (three in this case) general winning openings 2001. The two gaps formed by the three consecutive nails NR are located slightly to the left (upstream) of the side unit 2200 directly above the two general winning openings 2001 from the right, and there is a possibility that the game ball B that flows downward through the gap may be received by the general winning opening 2001.

The two obstacle nails N closest to the general prize opening 2001 are spaced apart at a distance equal to the opening width of the general prize opening 2001, and are considered to be important specific obstacle nails N1 that are related to the probability of receiving a prize at the general prize opening 2001 (probability of winning).

In addition, within the game area 5a, a row of nails NR is provided to the right of the starting hole unit 2160, and the rows of nails NR are arranged so that they become lower toward the starting hole unit 2150. These nails NR provided on the left and right of the starting hole unit 2160 can guide the game ball B toward the starting hole unit 2160 (first starting hole 2003).

The consecutive nails NR lined up toward the starting hole unit 2160 are arranged so that the quasi-specific nail shaft 2163b of the starting hole unit 2160 is positioned slightly above (1 mm to 2 mm) the extension line, or within a distance of 1/10 to 1/3 of the diameter D of the game ball B upward from the extension line. As a result, when the game ball B guided by the consecutive nails NR comes into contact with the quasi-specific nail shaft 2163b, the game ball B tends to bounce upward and may be received by the first starting hole 2003.

In this game board 5, the game ball B received in the first start port 2003 of the start port unit 2160 is sent to the back ball guide unit 3100 of the back unit 3000 through the opening 1112 of the game panel 1100, and is discharged downward after being detected by the first start port sensor 2101 provided in the back ball guide unit 3100. Also, in a game board 5 provided with a start port unit 2160, the game ball B that flows downward from the start port unit 2160 is discharged from within the game area 5a through the outlet 1008.

The front plate 2170 of this embodiment has multiple nail holding portions 2171 that penetrate from front to back and into which the heads of the obstacle nails N are inserted from the rear, a windmill holding portion 2172 into which the front end of the windmill W is inserted from the rear, and multiple openings 2173 into which the starting port front plate 2162 of the starting port unit 2160, the front end of the ball receiving portion 2202 in the side unit 2200, the front end of the upper left side unit 2300, etc. are inserted from the rear. The nail holding portions 2171, the windmill holding portions 2172, and the openings 2173 are holes that penetrate the front plate 2170.

For example, in the region of the obstructing nail N where the distance between the heads of the obstructing nails N is greater than the diameter of the heads of the obstructing nails N, the nail holding portion 2171 is formed in a round hole shape larger than the diameter of the heads of the obstructing nails N. Also, for example, in the region of the obstructing nail N where the distance between the heads of the obstructing nails N is greater than the diameter of the heads of the obstructing nails N, the nail holding portion 2171 is formed in a slit shape connected so that the heads of the obstructing nails N that are close to each other can be inserted together. The nail holding portion 2171 is formed so that there is a gap of 0.5 mm to 2 mm between the heads of the obstructing nails N. Note that, in the above, the shape of the nail holding portion 2171 is shown to be round hole-shaped or slit-shaped based on the diameter of the heads of the obstructing nails N as a reference, but this is only a guideline, and something other than the diameter of the heads of the obstructing nails N may be used as a reference.

The windmill holding portion 2172 is formed as a round hole with an inner diameter that leaves a gap of 0.5 mm to 2 mm between it and the outer periphery of the windmill W. The windmill holding portion 2172 is connected to the nail holding portion 2171 into which some of the continuous nails NR are inserted.

When assembled to the game board 5, the front end of the front panel 2170 coincides with the front end of the starting hole unit 2160, and protrudes slightly forward beyond the front ends of the side unit 2200 and the upper left side unit 2300. The front panel 2170 is also attached such that the heads of the obstacle nails N are positioned inside the nail holding portion 2171, while the front ends of the obstacle nails N do not protrude forward beyond the front surface of the front panel 2170.

In this embodiment, the front end of the nail shaft 2163 serving as the obstruction nail N is inserted into the front support hole 2162a of the starting port front plate 2162 of the starting port unit 2160, and the front end (head) of the obstruction nail N is inserted into the nail holding portion 2171 of the front plate 2170, so it can be said that there are two front plates.

According to this front plate 2170, when assembled to the game board 5, the head of the obstacle nail N is inserted into the nail holding part 2171, and the front end of the windmill W is inserted into the windmill holding part 2172. Therefore, when the game board 5 (pachinko machine 1) is installed in a game hall and used for playing, many game balls B come into contact with the obstacle nail N and the windmill W, and even if the obstacle nail N and the windmill W try to bend due to the impact, the head of the obstacle nail N contacts the inner surface of the nail holding part 2171 and the front end of the windmill W contacts the inner surface of the windmill holding part 2172, so that the obstacle nail N and the windmill W can be prevented from bending further. Therefore, even if the game board 5 (pachinko machine 1) is continuously used, the obstacle nail N and the windmill W are almost unchanged from the state at the time of shipment, so that the probability of balls entering the general winning hole 2001, the first starting hole 2003, the entrance to the warp passage 2512, etc. does not change, and the quality of the game board 5 can be maintained for a long period of time. In other words, it is possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 in which deterioration over time caused by the game ball B hitting the obstacle nails N or the windmill W is not noticeable.

In addition, because the heads of the obstructing nails N are inserted into the nail holding portions 2171 of the front plate 2170, even if an attempt is made to commit fraud by bending the obstructing nails N, the nail holding portions 2171 make it difficult for the obstructing nails N to be bent, making it possible to avoid fraudulent acts, and by recognizing the presence of the front plate 2170, players can hesitate to commit fraud, making it possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 that is highly deterrent to fraudulent acts.

In addition, since the front end of the windmill W is inserted into the windmill holding portion 2172 of the front plate 2170, it is possible to suppress deformation of the windmill W so as to tilt due to aging and the like. This can provide the following effects. In detail, as shown in the figure, since a plurality of continuous nails NR are provided in a row from the lower right vicinity of the windmill W toward the right starting port unit 2100, for example, if the windmill W deforms so as to tilt to the right (towards the first starting port 2003), the game ball B flowing down from above the windmill W is likely to flow down to the left of the windmill W due to the windmill W deforming to the right, and is therefore less likely to be guided by the continuous nails NR, which may reduce the probability of acceptance (winning probability) at the first starting port 2003. In contrast, in this embodiment, the windmill W can be prevented from tilting by the windmill holding portion 2172 of the front panel 2170, so the probability of acceptance into the first starting opening 2003 via the windmill W does not change, and a pachinko machine 1 can be provided in which deterioration over time is not noticeable.

Furthermore, the heads of many of the obstacle nails N planted in the game board 5 are inserted into the nail holding portion 2171 of the front plate 2170, and the front end of the windmill W is inserted into the windmill holding portion 2172 of the front plate 2170. This makes it possible for the front plate 2170 to prevent other components from coming into contact with the obstacle nails N and windmills W during the manufacture or transportation of the game board 5, thereby preventing deformation of the obstacle nails N and windmills W and ensuring the provision of a game board 5 of the specified quality.

In addition, the head of the obstructing nail N and the front end of the windmill W are inserted into the nail holding portion 2171 and the windmill holding portion 2172 of the front plate 2170. Therefore, during the manufacture of the game board 5, if the obstructing nail N or the windmill W is deformed when attaching the front plate 2170, it becomes difficult to attach the front plate 2170. Therefore, the front plate 2170 can be used to check whether the obstructing nail N or the windmill W is deformed.

In addition, a transparent, flat front panel 2170 is provided in front of the play area 5a where many obstacle nails N are planted, and a flat starting hole front panel 2162 is provided on the front side of the starting hole unit 2160. Therefore, when a nail inspection film is placed over the front side of the play board 5 during the manufacture of the play board 5 to check whether the multiple obstacle nails N are planted in a specified gauge arrangement, the front panel 2170 and the starting hole front panel 2162 make the nail inspection film less likely to bend, reducing inspection errors caused by bending and improving the quality of the play board 5. It also simplifies the inspection process and prevents costs from increasing.

In addition, the nail holding portion 2171 of the front panel 2170 is small enough that even if force is applied, the range of deformation is limited, and since the deformation is mostly within the range of elastic deformation, it is difficult to bend it enough to deform the obstructing nail N.

In the above embodiment, the nail holding portion 2171 into which the head of the obstacle nail N is inserted from the rear, and the windmill holding portion 2172 into which the front end of the windmill W is inserted from the rear are shown as holes penetrating the front plate 2170, but this is not limited thereto, and they may be grooves recessed forward from the rear surface of the front plate 2170 without penetrating the front plate 2170. This not only provides the same effect as above, but also reliably prevents other members from coming into contact with the obstacle nail N from the front of the front plate 2170.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the multiple nail holding parts 2171 are shown as having the same gap between the head of the obstacle nail N and the inner surface of the nail holding part 2171, but this is not limited to this. For example, the nail holding parts 2171 may be made different in size so that the gap between the head of the obstacle nail N becomes narrower as they approach the first starting opening 2003, the general winning opening 2001, the entrance to the warp passage 2512, etc. The closer they are to the winning openings, etc. that are important to the game, the more difficult it is to deform the obstacle nail N.

Furthermore, the inner diameter of the nail holder 2171 in the front panel 2170, into which the specific obstacle nail N1 provided at the entrance of the general winning opening 2001 is inserted, may be made smaller than the inner diameter of the other nail holders 2171. This makes it possible to suppress deformation of the specific obstacle nail N1, which is closely related to the acceptance of the game ball B into the general winning opening 2001, and further reduces the variation in the winning probability of the general winning opening 2001 for each game board 5, making it possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 of consistent quality.

In the above embodiment, a decorative sticker decorated with a pattern, design, lettering, etc. may be affixed to the front surface of the front panel 2170. When a decorative sticker is affixed to the front surface of the front panel 2170, closing the front end side of the nail holding portion 2171 with the decorative sticker can prevent other members or unauthorized tools from contacting the obstructing nail N from the front through the nail holding portion 2171. In this case, if the decorative sticker is not affixed properly during manufacturing or when the product is to be discarded, the decorative sticker can be pressed from the rear through the nail holding portion 2171, and the decorative sticker can be easily peeled off.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the front panel 2170 is shown as being made of a single plate material, but this is not limited thereto, and the front panel may be divided into multiple plates.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a combination of the start port unit 2160 and the front plate 2170 of the third embodiment is shown, but this is not limited to this, and the start port unit 2150 and the front plate 2170 of the second embodiment may also be combined.

[11-7. Front panel in front of the starting unit and side unit]
Next, as a modified example of the game board 5, the front plate 2180 provided in front of the starting hole unit 2100 and the side unit 2200 will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figs. 98 to 100. Fig. 98 is a front view of the game board in which the front plate is provided in front of the starting hole unit and the side unit, and the members behind the game panel are omitted. Fig. 99 is a perspective view of the game board in Fig. 98 as seen obliquely from the front. Fig. 100 is an exploded perspective view of the game board in Fig. 99, showing the main parts enlarged with the front plate separated.

As shown in Figures 98 to 100, the game board 5 of this embodiment is provided with a start port unit 2100 that is located in the left-right center of the game area 5a between the center role 2500 and the outlet 1008 at the bottom end of the game area 5a and has a first start port 2003, a side unit 2200 that is located to the left of the start port unit 2100 as viewed from the front and along the inner rail 1002 and has three general winning ports 2001, and a transparent flat front panel 2180 that is located in front of the area below the center role 2500 in the game area 5a and is attached to the front ends of the start port unit 2100 and the side unit 2200.

The starting port unit 2100 is provided near the lower end of the left-right center in the game area 5a, and is located directly above the outlet 1008 and below the center device 2500. The starting port unit 2100 is attached to the game panel 1100 from the front. The starting port unit 2100 has a first starting port 2003 that is always open upward and has a width that can receive only one game ball B. The first starting port 2003 of the starting port unit 2100 is provided directly below the central release section 2513a of the stage 2513 in the center device 2500.

This starting hole unit 2100 is equipped with a ball receiving section 2102 that is gutter-shaped and open upward and backward, forming a first starting hole 2003, a base plate 2103 that extends outward in a flat plate shape to the left from the middle of the ball receiving section 2102 in the front-rear direction and is attached to the front of the game panel 1100, and a front plate attachment hole 2104 that is provided at the lower front of the ball receiving section 2102 and is used to attach a front plate 2180. When the starting hole unit 2100 is assembled to the game board 5, the part of the ball receiving section 2102 in front of the base plate 2103 protrudes forward from the front of the game panel 1100 as the first starting hole 2003. The starting hole unit 2100 can guide the game ball B received in the first starting hole 2003 (ball receiving section 2102) to the rear of the game panel 1100 and deliver it to the back ball guide unit 3100 of the back unit 3000.

The side unit 2200 extends along the inner rail 1002 to the left of the starting port unit 2100 within the game area 5a, and is attached to the game panel 1100 from the front. The side unit 2200 has three general winning ports 2001 that are open so that they can always receive game balls B. The three general winning ports 2001 of the side unit 2200 are aligned in an arc along the inner rail 1002. The two general winning ports 2001 on the right side open upward, and the general winning port 2001 on the left side opens to the upper left.

The side unit 2200 comprises three ball receiving sections 2202 that are gutter-shaped and open upward and backward, forming a general winning opening 2001, and a flat base plate 2203 that connects each of the ball receiving sections 2202 midway in the front-to-rear direction and is attached to the front of the game panel 1100. Of the three ball receiving sections 2202, the two from the right have their front ends inclined diagonally toward the rear. The side unit 2200 also comprises a protrusion 2204 provided at the inclined portion of the front end lower part of the two from the right ball receiving sections 2202, and a front panel mounting hole 2205 provided in front of the protrusion 2204 for mounting the front panel 2180.

When this side unit 2200 is assembled to the game board 5, the portion of the ball receiving section 2202 forward of the base plate 2203 protrudes forward from the front of the game panel 1100 as the general winning opening 2001. The side unit 2200 can guide the game ball B received in the general winning opening 2001 (ball receiving section 2202) to the rear of the game panel 1100 and deliver it to the back ball guidance unit 3100 of the back unit 3000.

In this game board 5, multiple obstacle nails N are planted in a predetermined gauge arrangement on the front of the game panel 1100 (panel board 1110) in the game area 5a where the game ball B circulates. Also, in the game area 5a of the game board 5, a windmill W that rotates when the game ball B comes into contact with it is provided to the left of the center device 2500 at a height between the entrance to the warp passage 2512 and the upper left side unit 2300. The windmill W is provided so that it can rotate by the obstacle nails N. Also, in the game area 5a of the game board 5, multiple obstacle nails N are lined up at intervals that can guide the game ball B from a position below the center of the windmill W near the windmill W diagonally downward and to the right (starting opening unit 2100).

The multiple consecutive nails NR (also called path nails) of the multiple obstacle nails N arranged in a row are divided into three groups (multiple nails NR). Between these multiple nails NR, there is a gap wide enough for the game ball B to pass through, and the game ball B guided by the multiple nails NR may flow downward through the gap. The multiple consecutive nails NR are located above a side unit 2200 having multiple (three in this case) general winning openings 2001. The two gaps formed by the three consecutive nails NR are located slightly to the left (upstream) of the side unit 2200 directly above the two general winning openings 2001 from the right, and there is a possibility that the game ball B that flows downward through the gap may be received by the general winning opening 2001.

The two obstacle nails N closest to the general prize opening 2001 are spaced apart at a distance equal to the opening width of the general prize opening 2001, and are considered to be important specific obstacle nails N1 that are related to the probability of receiving a prize at the general prize opening 2001 (probability of winning).

In addition, within the game area 5a, a row of nails NR is provided to the right of the starting hole unit 2100, and the nails are arranged in a row so that they become lower toward the starting hole unit 2100. These nails NR arranged on the left and right of the starting hole unit 2100 can guide the game ball B toward the starting hole unit 2100 (first starting hole 2003).

Furthermore, within the play area 5a, the multiple obstacle nails N are provided, which include a pair of specific obstacle nails N1 directly above the first starting hole 2003, spaced apart on the left and right at a distance approximately equal to the opening width of the first starting hole 2003, and a pair of semi-specific obstacle nails N2 located on both the left and right outside of the pair of specific obstacle nails N1 and at a height between the first starting hole 2003 and the specific obstacle nails N1 (see Figure 100).

When the distance between the pair of specific obstacle nails N1 is wider, it becomes easier for the game ball B to be received into the first starting hole 2003, and when the distance between the pair of specific obstacle nails N1 is narrower, it becomes more difficult for the game ball B to be received into the first starting hole 2003, and this greatly affects the probability of receiving the game ball B into the first starting hole 2003 (the probability of winning). These pairs of specific obstacle nails N1 are located slightly above the most downstream obstacle nail N of the consecutive nails NR located on both the left and right sides of the starting hole unit 2100.

The quasi-specific obstacle nail N2 is provided with a gap between the nearby specific obstacle nail N1 and the nearby consecutive nails NR so that the game ball B can pass through. The gap between the specific obstacle nail N1 and the quasi-specific obstacle nail N2 is wider than the distance between a pair of specific obstacle nails N1. Also, the gap between the quasi-specific obstacle nail N2 and the consecutive nails NR is wider than the gap between the specific obstacle nail N1 and the quasi-specific obstacle nail N2.

The semi-specific obstacle nail N2 is located below the adjacent consecutive nail NR and slightly above (1 mm to 2 mm) the extension of the consecutive nail NR, or within a distance of 1/10 to 1/3 of the diameter D of the game ball B upward from the extension of the consecutive nail NR. As a result, when the game ball B guided by the consecutive nail NR comes into contact with the semi-specific obstacle nail N2, the game ball B tends to bounce upward and may be received by the first starting hole 2003.

The front plate 2180 is provided with a gap between it and the game panel 1100 to allow the game ball B to flow through. The front plate 2180 is provided to cover the area in the game area 5a between the windmill W and the attacca unit 2400 in the left-right direction, and between the inflow restriction portion 2511c of the center frame 2511 of the center gimmick 2500 and the inner circumference of the front component 1000 in the up-down direction.

The front plate 2180 is provided with multiple nail holders 2181 that penetrate from front to back and into which the heads of the obstacle nails N are inserted from the rear, a windmill holder 2182 that is recessed in an arc shape to surround the right side near the first starting hole 2003 at the front end of the windmill W, and multiple mounting holes 2183 consisting of through holes for mounting the front plate 2180 to the starting hole unit 2100 and the side unit 2200. The nail holders 2181 are holes that penetrate the front plate 2180.

For example, in the portion of the obstructing nail N where the heads of the obstructing nails N are spaced apart from each other by a distance greater than the diameter of the heads of the obstructing nails N, the nail holding portion 2181 is formed in a round hole shape larger than the diameter of the heads of the obstructing nails N. Also, for example, in the portion of the obstructing nail N where the heads of the obstructing nails N are spaced apart from each other by a distance greater than the diameter of the heads of the obstructing nails N (here, the portion of the continuous nails NR), the nail holding portion 2181 is formed in a connected slit shape so that the heads of the obstructing nails N that are close to each other can also be inserted together. The nail holding portion 2181 is formed so that there is a gap of 0.5 mm to 2 mm between the heads of the obstructing nails N. Note that, in the above, the shape of the nail holding portion 2181 is shown to be round hole-shaped or slit-shaped based on the diameter of the heads of the obstructing nails N as a reference, but this is only a guideline, and something other than the diameter of the heads of the obstructing nails N may be used as a reference.

The wind turbine holder 2182 is formed so that there is a gap of 0.5 mm to 2 mm between it and the outer periphery of the wind turbine W.

The mounting holes 2183 are provided at locations corresponding to the front plate mounting holes 2104 of the starting port unit 2100 and the front plate mounting holes 2205 of the side unit 2200. The front plate 2180 can be attached by screwing mounting screws through these mounting holes 2183 into the front plate mounting holes 2104 of the starting port unit 2100 and the front plate mounting holes 2205 of the side unit 2200.

When assembled to the game board 5, the front plate 2180 is attached so that the head of the obstacle nail N is positioned inside the nail holding portion 2181, but the front end of the obstacle nail N does not protrude forward beyond the front surface of the front plate 2180.

In addition, when assembled to the game board 5, the mounting holes 2183 of the front plate 2180 are countersunk holes, and the heads of the mounting screws inserted are flat, so that the heads of the mounting screws do not protrude from the countersunk holes (the front surface of the front plate 2180) and come into contact with the components (e.g., the glass 120) in front of the game board 5 in the pachinko machine 1.

According to this front panel 2180, when assembled to the game board 5, the heads of the obstacle nails N are inserted into the nail holder 2181. Therefore, when the game board 5 is installed in a game hall and used for play, many game balls B come into contact with the obstacle nails N, and even if the obstacle nails N try to bend due to the impact, the heads of the obstacle nails N come into contact with the inner surface of the nail holder 2181, preventing the obstacle nails N from bending any further. Therefore, even if the game board 5 (pachinko machine 1) is continuously used, the obstacle nails N will hardly change from the state at the time of shipment, so the probability of balls entering the two general winning holes 2001, the first starting hole 2003, etc. will not change, and the quality of the game board 5 can be maintained for a long period of time. In other words, it is possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 in which the aging caused by the game balls B coming into contact with the obstacle nails N is not noticeable.

In addition, because the heads of the obstructing nails N are inserted into the nail holding portion 2181 of the front plate 2180, even if an attempt is made to commit fraud by bending the obstructing nails N, the nail holding portion 2181 makes it difficult to bend the obstructing nails N, making it possible to prevent fraudulent acts, and by recognizing the presence of the front plate 2180, players can hesitate to commit fraud, making it possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 that is highly deterrent to fraudulent acts.

In addition, the windmill holding portion 2182 of the front plate 2180 surrounds a part of the right outer side near the first starting hole 2003 at the front end of the windmill W, so that it is possible to suppress deformation of the windmill W to tilt to the right due to aging and the like. This can provide the following effects. In detail, as shown in the figure, since a plurality of continuous nails NR are provided in a row from the lower right vicinity of the windmill W toward the starting hole unit 2100, for example, if the windmill W deforms to tilt to the right (towards the first starting hole 2003), the game ball B flowing down from above the windmill W is likely to flow down to the left of the windmill W due to the windmill W deforming to the right, so that it is difficult to be guided by the continuous nails NR, and there is a risk that the probability of receiving the first starting hole 2003 (the probability of winning) will decrease. In contrast, in this embodiment, the wind turbine holder 2182 of the front plate 2180 can prevent the wind turbine W from tilting to the right, so there is no decrease in the probability of the wind turbine W being accepted into the first starting port 2003.

Furthermore, the heads of many of the obstacle nails N planted in the game board 5 are inserted into the nail holding portion 2181 of the front plate 2180, and the right outer side of the front end of the windmill W is surrounded by the windmill holding portion 2182 of the front plate 2180. This makes it possible for the front plate 2180 to prevent other components from coming into contact with the obstacle nails N or the windmill W during the manufacture or transportation of the game board 5, thereby preventing deformation of the obstacle nails N and the windmill W and ensuring the provision of a game board 5 of the specified quality.

In addition, the head of the obstructing nail N is inserted into the nail holding portion 2181 of the front plate 2180, and the windmill holding portion 2182 surrounds the right outer side of the front end of the windmill W. Therefore, during the manufacture of the game board 5, if the obstructing nail N or the windmill W is deformed when attaching the front plate 2180, it becomes difficult to attach the front plate 2180. Therefore, the front plate 2180 can be used to check whether the obstructing nail N or the windmill W is deformed.

Furthermore, since a transparent, flat front panel 2180 is provided in front of the play area 5a where many obstacle nails N are planted, when a nail inspection film is placed over the front of the play board 5 during the manufacture of the play board 5 to check whether the multiple obstacle nails N are planted in a specified gauge arrangement, the front panel 2180 makes the nail inspection film less likely to bend, reducing inspection errors caused by bending and improving the quality of the play board 5, while also simplifying the inspection process and preventing increases in costs.

In addition, since the front panel 2180 is sized to cover the area below the center gimmick 2500 in the play area 5a, when the front panel 2180 expands or contracts due to environmental changes such as temperature and humidity in the play hall, the change in the position of the nail holding portion 2181, etc., caused by the expansion or contraction can be reduced compared to when the front panel 2180 is sized to cover the left half of the play area 5a. This prevents the nail holding portion 2181 from pressing the obstructing nail N due to the position of the nail holding portion 2181 changing due to the expansion or contraction of the front panel 2180, thereby preventing the obstructing nail N from being deformed or the front panel 2180 from being deformed.

In addition, the nail holding portion 2181 of the front panel 2180 is small enough that even if force is applied, the range of deformation is limited, and since the deformation is mostly within the range of elastic deformation, it is difficult to bend it enough to deform the obstructing nail N.

In the above embodiment, the nail holder 2181 into which the head of the obstacle nail N is inserted from the rear is shown as a hole penetrating the front plate 2180, but this is not limited thereto, and it may be a groove recessed forward from the rear surface of the front plate 2180 without penetrating the front plate 2180. This not only provides the same effect as above, but also reliably prevents other members from coming into contact with the obstacle nail N from the front of the front plate 2180.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the multiple nail holding portions 2181 on the front panel 2180 are shown as having the same gap between the head of the obstacle nail N and the inner surface of the nail holding portion 2181, but this is not limited to this. For example, the nail holding portions 2181 may be made different in size so that the gap between the head of the obstacle nail N becomes narrower as they approach the first starting hole 2003, the general winning hole 2001, etc. The closer they are to the winning hole, etc. that are important to the game, the more difficult it is to deform the obstacle nail N.

Furthermore, the inner diameter of the nail holder 2181 in the front panel 2180, into which the specific obstacle nail N1 provided at the entrance of the first starting hole 2003 or the general winning hole 2001 is inserted, may be made smaller than the inner diameter of the other nail holders 2181. This makes it possible to suppress deformation of the specific obstacle nail N1, which is closely related to the acceptance of the game ball B into the first starting hole 2003 or the general winning hole 2001, and further reduces the variation in the winning probability of the general winning hole 2001 for each game board 5, making it possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 of consistent quality.

In the above embodiment, a decorative sticker decorated with a pattern, design, lettering, etc. may be affixed to the front surface of the front panel 2180. When a decorative sticker is affixed to the front surface of the front panel 2180, closing the front end side of the nail holding portion 2181 with the decorative sticker can prevent other members or unauthorized tools from contacting the obstructing nail N from the front through the nail holding portion 2181. In this case, if the decorative sticker is not affixed properly during manufacturing or when it is to be discarded, the decorative sticker can be pressed from the rear through the nail holding portion 2181, and the decorative sticker can be easily peeled off.

[12. Game board of the second embodiment]
Next, the game board 5A of the second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 101 to 111. In the following, the same components as those of the game board 5 of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description will be omitted. Fig. 101 is a front view of the game board of the second embodiment, and Fig. 102 is a rear view of the game board of the second embodiment. Fig. 103 is a front view showing only the front unit of the game board of the second embodiment, and Fig. 104 is a front view showing only the rear unit of the game board of the second embodiment.

The game board 5A is inserted from the front into the game board insertion section 401a of the main frame base 401 in the main frame base unit 400 of the main frame 4, and is placed on the upper end surface of the base wall section 401b, and is removably attached to the main frame 4 (see FIG. 115). This game board 5A is equipped with a front unit 6A that can be removed forward while still attached to the main frame 4, and a rear unit 6B that supports the front unit 6A from the rear and is removably attached to the main frame 4. The front unit 6A and the rear unit 6B are removably fixed at multiple unit fixing parts 1020 (three in this case). The rear unit 6B and the main frame 4 are removably fixed at the board fixing part 1133.

The game board 5A of the second embodiment, which will be described in detail later, is a game board 5 of the first embodiment, in which a mounting unit 1130 is newly provided between the game panel 1100A and the rear unit 3000, and the game panel 1100A is detachably abutted against the front surface of the mounting unit 1130, and the rear unit 3000 and the board holder 1200 are attached to the rear surface of the mounting unit 1130. Therefore, when the exploded perspective view of the game board 5A of the second embodiment is shown as in Figures 54 and 55, which are exploded perspective views of the game board 5 of the first embodiment, the mounting unit 1130 is drawn between the assembly of the front component 1000A and the game panel 1100A, and the rear unit 3000.

The front unit 6A of the game board 5A comprises a front component 1000A that defines the outer periphery of the game area 5a and has a generally rectangular external shape when viewed from the front, a plate-shaped game panel 1100A that is attached to the rear side of the front component 1000A and defines the rear end of the game area 5a, and a front unit 2000 that is attached to the game panel 1100A. A number of obstacle nails N that come into contact with the game ball B are planted in a predetermined gauge arrangement in a portion of the front of the game panel 1100A that is within the game area 5a.

The rear unit 6B of the game board 5A is equipped with a mounting unit 1130 that can support the front unit 6A on its front surface and is removably mounted on the main frame 4, a board holder 1200 attached to the rear lower part of the mounting unit 1130, a main control unit 1300 that is attached to the rear surface of the board holder 1200 and has a main control board 1310 (see Figure 70, etc.) that controls the game content played by shooting the game ball B into the game area 5a, and a function display unit 1400 that displays the game status based on a control signal from the main control board 1310.

The rear unit 6B of the game board 5A further includes a peripheral control unit 1500 located behind the mounting unit 1130, a performance display device 1600 located in the center of the game area 5a when viewed from the front and capable of displaying a predetermined performance image, a panel relay board (not shown) located behind the mounting unit 1130 and relaying the connection between the main control board 1310 and the peripheral control board 1510, and a back unit 3000 attached to the rear surface of the mounting unit 1130.

The rear unit 3000 in the rear unit 6B of the game board 5A includes a rear inter-unit connector 1150 that connects to the front inter-unit connector 1060 of the front unit 6A, a rear box 3010 that is attached to the rear surface of the mounting unit 1130 and has a box shape with an open front and a square opening 3010a in the rear wall, a rear ball guide unit 3100 provided at the bottom of the front end of the rear box 3010, a rear bottom performance unit 3600 provided behind the rear ball guide unit 3100 in the rear box 3010, a rear top performance unit 3620 provided at the top corner of the rear box 3010, a rear left performance unit 3640 provided at the left corner of the rear box 3010, and a rear right performance unit 3660 provided at the right corner of the rear box 3010.

The inter-unit connector rear 1150 is attached to the front of the rear ball guide unit 3100 in the rear unit 3000. In addition, the performance display device 1600 is provided on the rear surface of the rear unit 3000 (rear box 3010), and the peripheral control unit 1500 is provided on the rear surface of the performance display device 1600.

The game board 5A of the pachinko machine 1 has a game area 5a into which a game ball B is inserted by a player operating a handle 160, similar to the game board 5 described above. The game area 5a is provided with a general prize opening 2001, a gate 2010, a first start opening 2003, a second start opening 2004, a large prize opening 2005, and a second large prize opening 2012, which provide a player with a predetermined privilege (e.g., adding a predetermined number of balls to the number of balls held) by receiving or passing a game ball B. This game board 5A is for playing an entertaining game in which the handle 160 is operated to strike the ball B and the ball B circulates within the game area 5a so that the ball B is received by or passes through the general winning opening 2001, the gate 2010, the first starting opening 2003, the second starting opening 2004, the large winning opening 2005, and the second large winning opening 2012, etc., within the game area 5a.

The game board 5A also includes a general winning opening sensor 3001 that detects a game ball B received in the general winning opening 2001, a gate sensor 2011 that detects a game ball B passing through the gate 2010, a first starting opening sensor 2101 that detects a game ball B received in the first starting opening 2003, a second starting opening sensor 2401 that detects a game ball B received in the second starting opening 2004, a large winning opening sensor 2402 that detects a game ball B received in the large winning opening 2005, and a second large winning opening sensor 2452 that detects a game ball B received in the second large winning opening 2012.

In the game board 5A, the general prize opening sensor 3001 and the first start opening sensor 2101 are provided in the rear unit 6B, and the gate sensor 2011, the second start opening sensor 2401, the large prize opening sensor 2402, and the second large prize opening sensor 2452 are provided in the front unit 6A.

By the way, when the large prize winning opening 2005 and the second large prize winning opening 2012 are opening and closing in a predetermined pattern according to the lottery result of the special pattern, if a game ball B enters the large prize winning opening 2005 and the second large prize winning opening 2012, many game balls B are added to the number of balls held as a privilege, so by making the large prize winning opening sensor 2402 and the second large prize winning opening sensor 2452, which are the trigger for adding the number of balls held, visible to the player, the player can be given a sense of security and can be more entertained. On the other hand, in the general prize winning opening 2001, the first start opening 2003, and the second start opening 2004, even if the general prize winning opening sensor 3001, the first start opening sensor 2101, and the second start opening sensor 2401, which detect the entered game ball B, are made visible to the player, it does not have the same effect as if the large prize winning opening sensor 2402 and the second large prize winning opening sensor 2452 were visible. In other words, even if the general winning hole sensor 3001, the first starting hole sensor 2101, and the second starting hole sensor 2401 are not visible to the player, the player's interest is not diminished. For this reason, in this embodiment, the general winning hole sensor 3001 and the first starting hole sensor 2101 are provided in the rear unit 6B (the back ball guide unit 3100 of the rear unit 3000) rather than the front unit 6A.

This allows the number of electrical components provided in the front unit 6A to be reduced, and by providing the general winning hole sensor 3001 and the first starting hole sensor 2101 in the front unit 6A, there is no need to provide a structure to hide the wiring cable extending from them to the front inter-unit connector 1060, thereby reducing the cost of the front unit 6A. In this embodiment, the second starting hole sensor 2401 is provided in the front unit 6A, but since the second starting hole 2004 is provided in the attacca unit 2400, the structure for the second starting hole 2004 can be simplified by providing the second starting hole sensor 2401 in the attacca unit 2400 rather than removing it from the attacca unit 2400 (front unit 6A) and providing it in the rear unit 6B. In addition, all sensors for detecting the game ball B may be provided in the rear unit 6B (see [12-7. Other modified examples of the game board of the second embodiment] described later).

Although the locations of the sensors are omitted, the game board 5A is equipped with multiple magnetic sensors 1030 that detect magnetic fields acting illegally within the game area 5a, and vibration sensors 1040 that detect vibrations acting on the game board 5A (pachinko machine 1). An appropriate number of magnetic sensors 1030 are provided on the front unit 2000 of the front unit 6A and the back unit 3000 of the rear unit 6B, and the vibration sensors 1040 are provided on the back unit 3000 of the rear unit 6B.

The game board 5A is configured so that the back unit 3000's lower back performance unit 3600, upper back performance unit 3620, left back performance unit 3640, right back performance unit 3660, and the display screen of the performance display device 1600 can be seen from the front through the frame of the frame-shaped center device 2500 and the transparent game panel 1100A (panel board 1110).

[12-1. Front unit of the game board]
Next, the front unit 6A of the game board 5A will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 103, Fig. 105 to Fig. 109, etc. Fig. 105(a) is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the game board of the second embodiment is locked to the main frame by the game board locking member, and Fig. 105(b) is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the lock by the game board locking member is released. Fig. 106(a) is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the front unit is fixed to the rear unit by locking with the front unit locking member at the unit fixing portion of the game board of the second embodiment, Fig. 106(b) is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the lock by the front unit locking member is released from the state of (a), and Fig. 106(c) is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the front unit is removed from the rear unit in the state of (b).

Figure 107 is an explanatory diagram showing the positioning of the front unit and the rear unit on the game board of the second embodiment. Figure 108 is an explanatory diagram showing the earth path on the game board of the second embodiment. Figure 109 (a) is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the winning hole of the front unit and the ball receiving hole of the rear unit on the game board of the second embodiment, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the front unit and the rear unit have been separated from the state in (a).

In this embodiment, the front units 6A that are paired with the rear unit 6B include a first front unit 6A1 and a second front unit 6A2 that differ in the arrangement of the obstacle nails N and the front unit 2000, and in the following description, they will be referred to as the front units 6A except when it is necessary to distinguish between them.

As shown in FIG. 103 etc., the front unit 6A of the game board 5A includes a frame-shaped front component 1000A that defines the outer periphery of the game area 5a, a game panel 1100A that is attached to the rear of the front component 1000A and has the game area 5a in front, an outlet 1008 that discharges the game ball B that is shot into the game area 5a outside the game area 5a (behind the game panel 1100A) without returning it, and a front unit 2000 that is attached to the front of the panel board 1110 of the game panel 1100A. The outlet 1008 is formed by the cooperation of the front component 1000A and the game panel 1100A. The front unit 2000 is provided within the frame of the front component 1000A. In the game board 5A, the positional relationship between the front component 1000A, the game panel 1100A, and the front unit 2000 is the same as that of the game board 5 of the first embodiment.

The front unit 6A also includes a plurality of unit fixing parts 1020 for fixing to the rear unit 6B, a unit fixing member 1021 provided on each unit fixing part 1020, a function display unit insertion part 1050 into which the function display unit 1400 of the rear unit 6B is inserted, a panel fixing part insertion groove 1051 into which the panel fixing part 1133 of the rear unit 6B is inserted, a positioning hole 1055 into which the positioning boss 1136 of the rear unit 6B is inserted, and a first connecting fitting 1056 and a second connecting fitting 1057 for forming an earth path.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 105 etc., the front unit 6A is provided with a game board lock groove 1058 into which the game board lock member 406 of the main frame 4 is inserted, and a mounting notch 1059 for avoiding contact with the left position regulating member 402a of the main frame 4. The game board lock groove 1058 is provided in a portion to the left of the outer rail 1001 on the front surface of the lower end. In detail, the game board lock groove 1058 is provided in a portion between the outer rail 1001 and the notch 1010 on the front surface of the front component 1000A, and is recessed from the front and formed in a form that is open downward. By inserting the game board lock member 406 into this game board lock groove 1058, the forward movement of the front unit 6A (game board 5A) is restricted, and the lower edge of the game board 5A is pressed backward. The mounting cutout 1059 is recessed from the left side to the right and is spaced apart vertically to correspond to the left position restriction member 402a provided on the side reinforcing plate 402 of the main body frame 4.

The front unit 2000 of the front unit 6A, which will be described in detail later, includes a start port unit 2100 having a first start port 2003, a side unit 2200 having three general winning ports 2001, an upper left side unit 2300 capable of guiding the game ball B, an attacca unit 2400 having a second start port 2004, a large winning port 2005, and one sub-out port 2021, a second attacca unit 2450 having a second large winning port 2012, a frame-shaped center device 2500, a side middle right unit 2610 having one general winning port 2001 and one sub-out port 2021, and a gate member 2630 having a gate 2010.

The attacca unit 2400 of the front unit 2000 is provided with electrical components such as a second start opening sensor 2401 for detecting game ball B, a large winning opening sensor 2402, an attacca solenoid 2414 for opening and closing the second start opening 2004, and an LED for illuminating and decorating the second start opening 2004 and the large winning opening 2005. The second attacca unit 2450 is provided with electrical components such as a second large winning opening sensor 2452 for detecting game ball B, a second attacca solenoid 2451 for opening and closing the second large winning opening 2012, and an LED for illuminating and decorating the second large winning opening 2012. The gate member 2630 is provided with a gate sensor 2011 for detecting game ball B as an electrical component.

In addition, the attacca unit 2400 and the second attacca unit 2450 of the front unit 2000 are provided with a number of LEDs for illuminating and decorating the second starting hole 2004, the large winning hole 2005, and the second large winning hole 2012.

The front unit 2000 also includes a front inter-unit connector 1060 that is connected to the rear inter-unit connector 1150 of the rear unit 6B, as will be described in detail later. The front inter-unit connector 1060 is attached to the rear of the attacca unit 2400.

The number of LEDs provided in the front unit 2000 of the front unit 6A is less than the number of LEDs provided in the rear unit 6B. Furthermore, the total number of electrical components such as LEDs and sensors in the front unit 6A is less than the total number of electrical components provided in the rear unit 6B. This prevents an increase in the cost of the front unit 6A.

The front unit 2000 may be provided with a decorative body unit consisting of a decorative body with a predetermined decoration and multiple LEDs for illuminating the decorative body, a light guide plate unit consisting of a light guide plate and multiple LEDs for illuminating the image on the light guide plate, a sub-display device capable of displaying performance images separately from the performance display device 1600, a distribution device for distributing game balls B received in the role winning port to either the V winning port or the losing port, etc. Even when such units and devices are provided, it is preferable to make the total number of electrical components such as LEDs, sensors, and solenoids (actuators) in the front unit 6A less than the total number of electrical components provided in the rear unit 6B.

[12-1a. Unit fixing part of front unit]
Next, the unit fixing portion 1020 of the front unit 6A will be described in detail. The unit fixing portion 1020 is a portion for fixing the front unit 6A to the rear unit 6B, and is provided in a plurality of places (here, three places). The unit fixing portion 1020 is provided in three places, the upper left corner, the upper right corner, and the lower right corner, when viewed from the front. The unit fixing portion 1020 of the front unit 6A is provided with an insertion hole 1020a penetrating from the front to the rear and through which the lock claw 1135 of the rear unit 6B is inserted, and a unit fixing member 1021 provided so as to be slidable in the left-right direction so as to hide the insertion hole 1020a from the front (see FIG. 106). The insertion hole 1020a is provided penetrating the front component member 1000A and the panel holder 1120A of the game panel 1100A.

The unit fixing member 1021 of the unit fixing part 1020 is attached to the previous component 1000A in a non-removable state. The unit fixing member 1021 has a lock body 1021a attached to the previous component 1000A so as to be slidable from the front to the left and right, a hook-shaped lock piece 1021b protruding rearward from the lock body 1021a, and a guide part 1021c provided at an angle at the tip of the lock piece 1021b.

This unit fixing member 1021 can fix the front unit 6A to the rear unit 6B in an undetachable state by sliding the lock body 1021a left and right and engaging the lock piece 1021b with the lock claw 1135 inserted in the insertion hole 1020a. In other words, by operating (sliding) the unit fixing member 1021, it is possible to attach and detach the front unit 6A to and from the rear unit 6B.

In addition, on the unit fixing part 1020, a "circle" and an "x" are marked on the front surface of the part adjacent to the unit fixing member 1021, spaced apart in the direction in which the unit fixing member 1021 slides. On the other hand, on the unit fixing member 1021, an arrow is marked pointing in the direction of the "circle" and "x" marks on the unit fixing part 1020. When the arrow on the unit fixing member 1021 points to the "circle" mark on the unit fixing part 1020, it indicates that it is in the locked position, and when the arrow points to the "x" mark, it indicates that it is in the released position.

Of the three unit fixing parts 1020, the two unit fixing parts 1020 at the upper right corner and the lower right corner are provided adjacent to the game board fixing member 1134 (board fixing part 1133) that fixes the rear unit 6B (game board 5A) to the main frame 4. The unit fixing member 1021 used for the unit fixing part 1020 at the lower right corner has a different shape when viewed from the front from the other unit fixing members 1021, and has a stamp pasting part 1012 on the front side. Therefore, when the unit fixing member 1021 is operated to detach the front unit 6A from the rear unit 6B, or the game board fixing member 1134 is operated to detach the game board 5A from the main frame 4, the stamp pasted on the stamp pasting part 1012 provided on the front side of the unit fixing member 1021 at the lower right corner comes into the field of vision of the worker, allowing the worker to confirm the contents of the stamp, and preventing the wrong front unit 6A or game board 5A from being attached.

[12-1b. Functional display unit insertion part of the front unit]
Next, the function display unit insertion part 1050 of the front unit 6A will be described. The function display unit insertion part 1050 is provided below the unit fixing part 1020 provided in the upper left corner when viewed from the front of the front unit 6A, and is formed so that the function display unit 1400 of the rear unit 6B faces forward. The function display unit insertion part 1050 is cut out from the left side toward the right and penetrates from front to back, so that the function display unit 1400 can be inserted to position it in a direction along the surface of the gaming panel 1100A.

[12-1c. Front unit panel fixing part insertion groove]
Next, the board fixing part insertion groove 1051 of the front unit 6A will be described. The board fixing part insertion groove 1051 is provided at the upper right corner and the lower right corner when viewed from the front of the front unit 6A, and the board fixing part 1133 of the rear unit 6B is inserted into the board fixing part insertion groove 1051. The board fixing part insertion groove 1051 is provided by cutting out the front component 1000A and the panel holder 1120A of the game panel 1100A. The unit fixing parts 1020 are provided at the upper right corner and the lower right corner adjacent to the board fixing part insertion groove 1051. The board fixing part insertion groove 1051 can guide the front unit 6A to the rear unit 6B when the front unit 6A is attached to the rear unit 6B, and the board fixing part 1133 of the rear unit 6B is inserted into the board fixing part insertion groove 1051, thereby positioning the front unit 6A relative to the rear unit 6B.

[12-1d. Positioning holes for the front unit]
Next, the positioning holes 1055 of the front unit 6A will be described. The positioning holes 1055 are formed from the rear surface of the front unit 6A toward the front, and a plurality of positioning holes 1055 are provided (see FIG. 107, etc.). By inserting the positioning bosses 1136 of the rear unit 6B into the positioning holes 1055, the front unit 6A is positioned in the up-down and left-right directions relative to the rear unit 6B.

[12-1e. First connecting fitting and second connecting fitting of front unit]
Next, the first connecting fitting 1056 and the second connecting fitting 1057 of the front unit 6A will be described. The front unit 6A has a first connecting fitting 1056 whose front end is attached to the outer rail 1001 and whose rear end protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the front unit 6A, and a second connecting fitting 1057 whose front end protrudes forward from the front surface of the front unit 6A and whose rear end protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the front unit 6A (see FIG. 108). The second connecting fitting 1057 is provided penetrating the front unit 6A from front to rear. Although not shown, the first connecting fitting 1056 and the second connecting fitting 1057 are attached to the front component 1000A.

The first connecting fitting 1056 is provided at the lower left corner of the front unit 6A so as to contact the outside of the outer rail 1001. The front end of this first connecting fitting 1056 is attached to the outer rail 1001 near the location where the game ball B launched from the ball launching unit 450 in the pachinko machine 1 first comes into contact with the outer rail 1001. This first connecting fitting 1056 has a U-shaped rear contact portion 1056a provided at the rear end, and a spring portion 1056b that can bias the rear contact portion 1056a rearward.

The second connecting fitting 1057 is provided at the upper left corner of the front unit 6A, below the unit fixing part 1020 and to the left of the specification display part 1013. This second connecting fitting 1057 has a U-shaped rear contact part 1057a provided at the rear end, a rear spring part 1057b capable of biasing the rear contact part 1057a rearward, a U-shaped front contact part 1057c provided at the front end, and a front spring part 1057d capable of biasing the front contact part 1057c forward.

The rear contact portion 1056a of the first connecting fitting 1056 and the rear contact portion 1057a of the second connecting fitting 1057 contact the mounting reinforcement sheet metal 1132 through the opening 1137 of the rear unit 6B by attaching the front unit 6A to the rear unit 6B. As a result, the first connecting fitting 1056 and the second connecting fitting 1057, which are provided at positions apart from each other, are electrically connected by the mounting reinforcement sheet metal 1132. In addition, when the door frame 3 is closed against the main frame 4 with the game board 5A attached to the main frame 4, the front contact portion 1057c of the second connecting fitting 1057 contacts the door frame reinforcement unit (not shown) made of sheet metal of the door frame 3, and the outer rail 1001 is electrically connected to the door frame reinforcement unit of the door frame 3 via the first connecting fitting 1056, the mounting reinforcement sheet metal 1132, and the second connecting fitting 1057. The door frame reinforcement unit is electrically connected to the ground on the gaming hall side via the door frame upper hinge body and the outer frame upper hinge body 31 of the outer frame 2, creating an earth path for dissipating static electricity from the outer rail 1001.

[12-1f. Front component of front unit]
Next, the front component 1000A of the front unit 6A will be described. The front component 1000A in the front unit 6A has the same configuration as the front component 1000 in the game board 5, and includes an outer rail 1001, an inner rail 1002, an out guide portion 1003, a lower right rail 1004, a right rail 1005, an impact stop portion 1006, a backflow prevention member 1007, an outlet 1008, a security recess 1009, and a cutout portion 1010. The outer rail 1001 of the front component 1000A is formed of a metal plate.

The front component 1000A also includes a stamp attachment section 1012 located in the lower right corner when viewed from the front, and a spec display section 1013 located in the upper left corner. The spec display section 1013 is located above the function display unit insertion section 1050, outside the outer rail 1001, and aligned with the outer rail 1001. The front component 1000A is almost entirely transparent, allowing the game panel 1100A and rear unit 3000 located at the rear to be viewed from the front.

The stamp attached to the stamp attachment section 1012 is a sticker on which information is recorded that can identify the manufacturer, serial number, type of game board, etc. of the pachinko machine 1 (game board 5A). In more detail, the "stamp" has a stamp body that has a modified pentagonal shape with a horizontal rectangle touching the base of a horizontal trapezoid, and a predetermined pattern is applied to the entire surface of the stamp body. The combination certificate of the game machine such as a pachinko machine, the type of game board, and the manufacturer's name are recorded in the horizontal rectangular part of the stamp body. The "stamp" also makes it possible to identify the type of game board by the color of the stamp body. Furthermore, the "stamp" has a serial number label sticker on which the manufacturer's code, serial number, and two-dimensional barcode are recorded attached to the trapezoid part of the stamp body. The two-dimensional barcode on the serial number tag contains information such as the information ID (for example, the ID of the game board, the ID of the paired main control board, the ID of the paired peripheral control board, etc.), type, manufacturer code, year of manufacture, serial number, etc. For this reason, the "certificate stamp" of this embodiment is a combination of the certificate stamp itself (the so-called certificate stamp) and the serial number tag.

The spec sticker attached to the spec display section 1013 is a sticker that lists the specs of the game board 5A, such as the probability of a jackpot, number of winning balls, number of jackpot rounds, and count number. The spec display section 1013 (spec sticker) is located in a position that can be seen from the front through the game window 101 of the door frame 3 when the game board 5A is attached to the pachinko machine 1. These stamps and spec stickers are shipped to the game hall with them already attached.

The certificate stamp affixed to the certificate stamp affixing section 1012 has contents that make it a pair with the management seal affixed to the management seal affixed to the management seal affixing section 1301 of the main control unit 1300 and the management seal affixed to the management seal affixing section 1501 of the peripheral control unit 1500, making it possible to determine whether they are related to each other. For example, the serial number written on the certificate stamp is also written on the management seal affixed to the main control unit 1300 and the peripheral control unit 1500. In this case, the paired information may be on a seal other than the management seal.

[12-1g. Game panel of the previous unit]
Next, the game panel 1100A of the front unit 6A will be described. The game panel 1100 of the front unit 6A has the same structure as the game panel 1100 of the game board 5, and includes a flat panel plate 1110 made of transparent synthetic resin, and a frame-shaped panel holder 1120A that holds the outer periphery of the panel plate 1110 and is attached to the rear side of the front component 1000A. A plurality of obstacle nails N are planted in a predetermined gauge arrangement on the front surface of the game panel 1100A, and the front unit 2000 is attached to it.

The panel plate 1110 of the game panel 1100A is formed from a synthetic resin plate such as acrylic resin, polycarbonate resin, polyarylate resin, polystyrene, or methacrylic resin, or an inorganic plate such as glass or metal. The thickness of this panel plate 1110 is thinner than that of the panel holder 1120A, and is set to the minimum necessary thickness (8 to 10 mm) that is sufficient to hold the obstacle nails N planted on the front side and the front unit 2000 attached. In this embodiment, the panel plate 1110 is formed from a transparent synthetic resin plate.

The attachment of the panel plate 1110 and the panel holder 1120A in this game panel 1100A has the same configuration as the game panel 1100 in the game board 5 described above.

[12-1h. Front unit of the front unit (first front unit)]
Next, the front unit 2000 of the front unit 6A will be described. The front unit 2000 of the first front unit 6A1 as the front unit 6A is equipped with a plurality of (four in this case) general winning openings 2001 which are always open and can receive the game ball B shot into the game area 5a, a gate 2010 which is provided at a predetermined position within the game area 5a and allows the game ball B to pass through, a first starting opening 2003 which is provided in the center in the left-right direction below the center device 2500 and is always open to receive the game ball B, a second starting opening 2004 which can receive the game ball B depending on the result of a lottery for a normal pattern which is drawn when the game ball B passes through the gate 2010, and a large winning opening 2005 and a second large winning opening 2012, either of which can receive the game ball B depending on the result of a lottery for a first special pattern which is drawn when the game ball B is received at the first starting opening 2003 or a second special pattern which is drawn when the game ball B is received at the second starting opening 2004.

The front unit 2000 of the first front unit 6A1 is provided upstream of the outlet 1008, and is always open to receive the game ball B. It also has two sub-outlets 2021 that discharge the received game ball B outside the game area 5a without returning it. The two sub-outlets 2021 are provided in a location above the center in the vertical direction near the right end of the game area 5a, and in a location near the bottom right corner of the game area 5a, respectively.

The front unit 2000 of the first front unit 6A1 also includes a gate sensor 2011 that detects the game ball B passing through the gate 2010, a start port solenoid 2412 that opens and closes the second start port 2004 depending on the result of the lottery for the normal pattern selected by the detection of the game ball B by the gate sensor 2011, and a second start port sensor 2401 that detects the game ball B received in the second start port 2004.

The front unit 2000 of the first front unit 6A1 also includes an attacca solenoid 2414 that opens and closes the large prize opening 2005 in response to the results of a lottery for a special symbol drawn by detection of a game ball B by the first start opening sensor 2101 (see FIG. 104) or the second start opening sensor 2401, a large prize opening sensor 2402 that detects a game ball B received in the large prize opening 2005, and a second attacca solenoid 2451 that opens and closes the second large prize opening 2012 in response to the results of a lottery for a special symbol drawn by detection of a game ball B by the first start opening sensor 2101 or the second start opening sensor 2401.

The front unit 2000 of the first front unit 6A1 comprises a starting port unit 2100 which is attached directly above the bottom end of the play area 5a in the left-right center of the play area 5a and has a first starting port 2003, a side unit 2200 which is arranged along the inner rail 1002 to the left of the starting port unit 2100 when viewed from the front and has three general winning ports 2001, and an upper left side unit 2300 which is arranged slightly above the left of the side unit 2200 when viewed from the front.

The front unit 2000 of the first front unit 6A1 is provided to the right of the start port unit 2100, which is in the lower right corner of the game area 5a when viewed from the front, and is equipped with an attacca unit 2400 that has a second start port 2004, a large prize port 2005, one sub-out port 2021, a second start port sensor 2401, a start port solenoid 2412, an attacca solenoid 2414, and a large prize port sensor 2402.

Furthermore, the front unit 2000 of the first front unit 6A1 is provided with a second attacca unit 2450 that is provided above the attacca unit 2400 and has a second large winning opening 2012, a second attacca solenoid 2451, and a second large winning opening sensor 2452; a frame-shaped center device 2500 that is provided above the starting opening unit 2100 and the side unit 2200 and slightly above the center of the game area 5a when viewed from the front; a side right middle unit 2610 that is provided above the second attacca unit 2450 and has one general winning opening 2001 and one sub-out opening 2021; a gate member 2630 that is provided above the side right middle unit 2610 and has a gate 2010 and a gate sensor 2011; and an inter-unit front connector 1060 that is attached near the right end of the rear surface of the attacca unit 2400.

[12-1h-1. Starting unit]
As shown in Fig. 109, the starting port unit 2100 of the front unit 6A has a receiving portion 2121 that protrudes forward from the front surface of the gaming panel 1100A and opens upward, and a guide portion 2122 that extends rearward in a gutter shape from the receiving portion 2121. The starting port unit 2100 forms a first starting port 2003 with the receiving portion 2121. The guide portion 2122 passes through an opening 1112 of the panel plate 1110 in the gaming panel 1100A and protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the gaming panel 1100A (front unit 6A).

The guiding portion 2122 of the starting port unit 2100 is inserted into the ball receiving port 3101 of the rear ball guiding unit 3100 in the rear unit 3000 with the front unit 6A fixed to the rear unit 6B. Therefore, when attaching the front unit 6A to the rear unit 6B, the guiding portion 2122 is inserted into the ball receiving port 3101, and is guided to a predetermined position in the rear unit 6B.

The induction section 2122 protruding rearward in the front unit 6A is inserted into the inside of the cylindrical or trough-shaped ball receiving opening 3101, forming a step at the rear end of the induction section 2122 such that the bottom of the induction section 2122 is higher than the bottom of the ball receiving opening 3101.

In this embodiment, the game ball B that is received from above (and wins) in a winning hole such as the first starting hole 2003 is first guided backwards and then guided downwards by the back ball guide unit 3100, so the rear wall that guides the game ball downwards may come relatively close to the winning hole. In this case, depending on the momentum of the game ball B that entered the winning hole, the game ball B that hits the rear wall may bounce forward, and even though it won, it may flow back to the position of the winning hole, and the player may become distrustful and lose interest in the game.

As shown in FIG. 109, the game ball B received from above in the winning port (first starting port 2003) is guided backward by the guide section 2122, and is guided downward after being handed over to the ball receiving port 3101. Since the flow of the game ball B is crank-shaped, the circulation speed of the game ball B is likely to slow down. Therefore, when a later (subsequent) game ball B abuts against the game ball B received in the winning port and ahead of it, the subsequent game ball B bounces upstream and may flow back to the winning port.

In contrast, in this embodiment, the guiding section 2122 is inserted into the ball receiving port 3101, so that a step is formed at the rear end of the guiding section 2122. Even if the game ball B is delivered from the guiding section 2122 to the ball receiving port 3101 and hits the rear wall provided at the rear of the ball receiving port 3101 or the later game ball B hits the leading game ball B and bounces upstream, the game ball B can be bounced downstream by hitting the step, preventing it from flowing back to the winning port and preventing the game ball B from returning to the winning port. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the game ball B from flowing back to the winning port after it has been once accepted (won a prize), and the game ball B being seen from the winning port, which causes the player to feel distrustful. This makes it possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 that can reliably allow the player to enjoy the acceptance of the game ball B into the winning port and suppress a decrease in the player's interest in the game.

[12-1h-2. Side unit and upper left side unit]
The side unit 2200 of the front unit 6A has three general winning openings 2001, and is attached to the front of the game panel 1100A (panel plate 1110). Although detailed illustration is omitted, in this side unit 2200, similar to the guiding portion 2122 of the starting opening unit 2100, a guide portion for guiding the game ball B received in the general winning opening 2001 rearward protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the front unit 6A, and is inserted into the ball receiving opening 3101 of the back ball guiding unit 3100 in the back unit 3000.

The upper left side unit 2300 of the front unit 6A has the same configuration as the upper left side unit 2300 of the game board 5. Therefore, a description is omitted.

[12-1h-3. Attacker unit and second attacker unit]
The attacca unit 2400 of the first front unit 6A1 has the same configuration as the attacca unit 2400 of the game board 5. In this attacca unit 2400, like the guiding portion 2122 of the starting hole unit 2100, the guiding portion that guides the game ball B received in the second starting hole 2004 or the big winning hole 2005 to the rear protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the front unit 6A, and is inserted into the ball receiving port 3101 of the back ball guiding unit 3100 in the back unit 3000.

The attacca unit 2400 of the first front unit 6A1 is also equipped with an attacca decorative board with multiple LEDs mounted on the front surface, although this is not shown in the figure. By appropriately illuminating the LEDs on the attacca decorative board, the attacca unit 2400 (the large prize opening 2005, the second starting opening 2004, etc.) can be illuminated and decorated.

The second attacca unit 2450 of the first front unit 6A1 is located to the right of the right side of the inflow restriction portion 2511c of the center frame 2511 of the center device 2500, between the lower right guide passage 2525 and the vertical center of the play area 5a, and is attached to the front of the panel plate 1110 of the play panel 1100A. The second attacca unit 2450 has a second large winning opening 2012 that opens and closes toward the left.

The second attacca unit 2450 of the first front unit 6A1 has a second large prize opening sensor 2452 that detects the game ball B received in the second large prize opening 2012, and a second attacca solenoid 2451 that opens and closes the second large prize opening 2012 depending on the result of the lottery for the special pattern drawn by the detection of the game ball B by the first start opening sensor 2101 or the second start opening sensor 2401.

In the second attacker unit 2450 of this first front unit 6A1, similar to the guiding section 2122 of the starting port unit 2100, a guiding section that guides the game ball B received in the second large winning port 2012 rearward protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the front unit 6A and is inserted into the ball receiving port 3101 of the rear ball guiding unit 3100 in the rear unit 3000.

The second attacca unit 2450 of the first front unit 6A1 is equipped with a second attacca decorative board with multiple LEDs mounted on the front surface, although this is not shown in the figure. By appropriately illuminating the LEDs on the second attacca decorative board, the second attacca unit 2450 (second large winning opening 2012) can be illuminated and decorated.

The rear unit may also be equipped with an LED (attacca decorative board) that illuminates and decorates the attacca unit 2400, and an LED (second attacca decorative board) that illuminates and decorates the second attacca unit 2450.

[12-1h-4. Center role]
The center role 2500 of the first front unit 6A1 is located in the game area 5a, above the starting unit 2100, and slightly above the center when viewed from the front, and is attached to the front of the panel plate 1110 of the game panel 1100A. The center role 2500 is formed in a transparent frame shape, and various performance units such as the performance display device 1600 provided at the rear and the back unit 3000, such as the back lower performance unit 3600, back upper performance unit 3620, back left performance unit 3640, and back right performance unit 3660, can be seen from the front.

The center device 2500 of the first front unit 6A1 includes a transparent center frame 2511 that is attached to the front of the game panel 1100A (panel board 1110), a warp passage 2512 that can guide the game ball B from the outside of the center frame 2511 to the inside of the frame, and a stage 2513 that is provided at the lower edge of the center frame 2511 and that rolls the game ball B that has flowed through the warp passage 2512 in the left-right direction and then releases it into the game area 5a.

The center frame 2511 has a frame-shaped insertion portion 2511a that is inserted into the opening 1112 of the panel plate 1110 of the game panel 1100 and is arranged along the inner peripheral surface of the opening 1112 and extends in the front-to-rear direction, a flat flange portion 2511b that protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the front end of the insertion portion 2511a and abuts against the front surface of the panel plate 1110 of the game panel 1100, an inflow restriction portion 2511c that extends forward from the flange portion 2511b and restricts the game ball B flowing down the game area 5a from flowing into the inside of the opening 1112 of the panel plate 1110 of the game panel 1100, and a flat support portion 2511d that protrudes from the inner periphery of the front end of the insertion portion 2511a.

The warp passage 2512 is open to allow the game ball B in the game area 5a to enter, at a location on the left side of the inflow restriction section 2511c when viewed from the front, and further forward than the front surface of the game panel 1100A (panel board 1110). The warp passage 2512 can guide the game ball B that has entered to the stage 2513.

The stage 2513 is curved with a recessed central side in the left-right direction, and is formed in a wavy (W-shape) such that the position corresponding to directly above the first starting hole 2003 of the starting hole unit 2100, that is, the approximate central position in the left-right direction when the center role 2500 is attached to the panel plate 1110 of the game panel 1100A, is slightly higher than the left and right sides. This stage 2513 is inclined so that the part (central release part 2513a) that is slightly higher than the left and right sides in the left-right center and the lowest part on both sides (side release part 2513b) are lower toward the front, and game ball B can be released into the game area 5a from these parts.

When the stage 2513 is assembled to the game board 5A, its elevated central portion in the left-right direction (central release section 2513a) is located directly above the first starting hole 2003 of the starting hole unit 2100. As a result, when a game ball B is released from the central release section 2513a in the center of the stage 2513, it is received by the first starting hole 2003 with an extremely high probability.

The center device 2500 of the first front unit 6A1 is provided in the upper right corner and has a guide passage group 2520 consisting of two passages through which the game ball B can flow. The guide passage group 2520 guides the game ball B above the gate 2010, the side right center unit 2610, the second attacca unit 2450, and the attacca unit 2400.

When the center device 2500 of the first front unit 6A1 is assembled to the game board 5A, the right end of the guide passage group 2520 (the end of the upper right corner of the center device 2500) is approximately in contact with the inner edge of the play area 5a (the right rail 1005 near the impact stop 1006 of the front component 1000A), and the game ball B hit to the upper right side of the center device 2500 always passes through the guide passage group 2520.

The guide passage group 2520 has a vertical length of approximately 1/7 of the total height of the game area 5a. Each guide passage group 2520 is formed in a groove shape that is open to the front, so that the game ball B flowing inside can be clearly seen from the front.

The guide passage group 2520 is provided outside the inflow restriction portion 2511c of the center frame 2511 in the center role-piece 2500, and is composed of a first guide passage 2521 that is away from the inflow restriction portion 2511c, and a second guide passage 2522 that extends along the inflow restriction portion 2511c to the left of the first guide passage 2521. The entrances of the first guide passage 2521 and the second guide passage 2522 are separated from each other on the left and right. In addition, the exits of the first guide passage 2521 and the second guide passage 2522 are adjacent to each other on the left and right, and open diagonally downward and to the right along the arc of the upper part of the right rail 1005.

The guide passage group 2520 is located above the gate 2010 when the center device 2500 is assembled to the game board 5A. The right end of the entrance of the first guide passage 2521 is located directly below the lower end of the impact stopper 1006 of the previous component 1000A, and is formed so that most of the game balls B that come into contact with the impact stopper 1006 enter the first guide passage 2521.

The center gadget 2500 of the first front unit 6A1 protrudes to the right from the lower right corner of the inflow restriction section 2511c of the center frame 2511, and is equipped with a lower right guide passage 2525 that guides the game ball B from above to the right and then releases it downward. The lower right guide passage 2525 has an entrance that opens upward across the front width in the left-right direction, and an exit that opens diagonally to the lower left with a width equivalent to one game ball B.

When assembled to the game board 5A, the right end of this lower right guide passage 2525 is approximately in contact with the right rail 1005, and it is located between the attacca unit 2400 and the second attacca unit 2450. Therefore, between the guide passage group 2520 and the lower right guide passage 2525, the second attacca unit 2450, the side right middle unit 2610, and the gate member 2630 are arranged.

[12-1h-5. Right center side unit and gate member]
The right center side unit 2610 of the first front unit 6A1 is disposed directly above the second attacker unit 2450 in the game area 5a, and is attached to the front surface of the panel plate 1110 of the game panel 1100A. This right center side unit 2610 has one general winning port 2001 and one sub-out port 2021.

In the side right center unit 2610 of the first front unit 6A1, similar to the guiding section 2122 of the starting port unit 2100, a guiding section that guides the game ball B received in the general winning port 2001 or the sub-out port 2021 rearward protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the front unit 6A and is inserted into the ball receiving port 3101 of the rear ball guiding unit 3100 in the rear unit 3000.

The gate member 2630 of the first front unit 6A1 is disposed within the game area 5a between the guide passage group 2520 of the center gimmick 2500 and the side right center unit 2610, and is attached to the front surface of the panel plate 1110 of the game panel 1100A. The gate member 2630 has a gate 2010 where a lottery is performed for a normal symbol that opens and closes the second starting hole 2004 when a game ball B passes through, and a gate sensor 2011 for detecting that the game ball B has passed through the gate 2010. The gate 2010 is the detection hole in the gate sensor 2011 for detecting the game ball B.

[12-1i. Before the inter-unit connector]
Next, the inter-unit front connector 1060 in the front unit 2000 of the first front unit 6A1 will be described. The inter-unit front connector 1060 is attached near the right end of the rear surface of the attacca unit 2400, which is exposed rearward from the front through the opening 1112 of the game panel 1100 (panel plate 1110).

To this inter-unit connector front 1060, wiring is electrically connected from the second start port sensor 2401, the large prize port sensor 2402, the start port solenoid 2412, the attacca solenoid 2414, the attacca decorative board (LED and LED driver) of the attacca unit 2400, the second attacca solenoid 2451, the second large prize port sensor 2452, the second attacca decorative board (LED and LED driver), the gate sensor 2011, etc. of the second attacca unit 2450.

When the front unit 6A is fixed to the rear unit 6B, the front inter-unit connector 1060 automatically engages and connects to the rear inter-unit connector 1150 (see FIG. 104) of the rear unit 6B. In this embodiment, drawer connectors are used for the front inter-unit connector 1060 and the rear inter-unit connector 1150. Here, the drawer connector is a connector that engages like a drawer of furniture, has a guide function to guide each other, and is a connector that can engage and connect well due to the guide function even if it is slightly tilted or the axis is misaligned. In addition to the drawer connector, connectors that can be used for the front inter-unit connector 1060 and the rear inter-unit connector 1150 include board-to-board connectors (board-to-board connectors) used to link and connect boards together, and general connectors (board-to-cable connectors) that engage with a connector provided at the tip of a wiring cable and are mounted on a board.

As a result, even if electrical components are provided in the front unit 6A, the electrical connection of the rear unit 6B can be easily performed, reducing the effort required for attaching and detaching the front unit 6A. In addition, since the front inter-unit connector 1060 and the rear inter-unit connector 1150 electrically connect the front unit 6A and the rear unit 6B, workers and other components do not come into contact with the electrical wiring when attaching and detaching the front unit 6A, and there is no risk of disconnection. In addition, since the front inter-unit connector 1060 and the rear inter-unit connector 1150 are drawer connectors, a reliable electrical connection can be achieved.

Furthermore, since the front inter-unit connector 1060 is provided near the right end of the rear face of the attacca unit 2400, i.e., near the right end of the front unit 6A, when attaching or detaching the front unit 6A to or from the rear unit 6B, the front inter-unit connector 1060 can be inserted or removed in good condition from the rear inter-unit connector. In more detail, for example, when removing only the front unit 6A from the game board 5A attached to the main body frame 4, in this embodiment, it is possible to remove it from the rear unit 6B (main body frame 4) by moving it forward while releasing the lock by the unit fixing member 1021.

However, depending on the worker and the working conditions, it may be easier to rotate the front unit 6A so that the right side moves forward around the left side of the front unit 6A as the axis, and then move it forward to remove it. In more detail, for example, in this embodiment, the main frame 4 on which the game board 5A is mounted is provided by the outer frame 2 attached to the island equipment of the game hall so that it can be opened and closed with the left side side as the axis of hinge rotation, and the door frame 3 is also provided so that it can be opened and closed with the left side side as the axis of hinge rotation so as to cover the main frame 4 from the front. Therefore, in the island equipment, when the door frame 3 is opened to remove the front unit 6A from the game board 5A mounted on the main frame 4, the work space in front of the left side of the game board 5A (the axis side of the door frame 3 and the main frame 4) is narrowed due to the presence of the door frame 3. For this reason, it is easier to remove the front unit 6A by rotating it so that the right side moves forward around the left side of the front unit 6A, which is closest to the axis of the door frame 3 and main body frame 4, and then moving it forward. In this case, the front inter-unit connector 1060 will be pulled out at an angle to the front-to-rear direction, and excessive force may be applied to the front inter-unit connector 1060 and the rear inter-unit connector 1150, causing damage.

In contrast, in this embodiment, the inter-unit connector front 1060 is provided near the right end of the front unit 6A, that is, at a position far from the left side that serves as the axis during removal work, so that the inter-unit connector front 1060 moves along an arc with a large radius. As a result, at the portion where the inter-unit connector front 1060 and the inter-unit connector rear 1150 are joined, the tangent direction of the arc, which is the movement trajectory of the inter-unit connector front 1060, is close to the front-rear direction (joining direction), so that the inclination of the movement direction of the inter-unit connector front 1060 is slight with respect to the front-rear direction, and no excessive force is applied to the inter-unit connector front 1060 or the inter-unit connector rear 1150, and no damage is caused. This is the same when attaching the front unit 6A to the rear unit 6B, and the inter-unit connector front 1060 can be engaged with the inter-unit connector rear 1150 from a direction close to the front-rear direction, so that it can be reliably engaged with the inter-unit connector rear 1150 and electrically connected.

The front inter-unit connector 1060 is provided near the right end of the rear surface of the attacca unit 2400, that is, near the bottom right corner of the front unit 6A, and the unit fixing part 1020 is provided near this bottom right corner. As a result, when the unit fixing member 1021 of the unit fixing part 1020 is moved from the release position to the lock position when the front unit 6A is attached to the rear unit 6B, the unit fixing member 1021 presses the front unit 6A against the rear unit 6B at the rear, and this force also acts strongly on the front inter-unit connector 1060 close to the unit fixing part 1020, allowing the front inter-unit connector 1060 to be fully engaged with the rear inter-unit connector 1150 and ensured connection.

As described above, the first front unit 6A1 of this embodiment is equipped with multiple electrical components such as the second start opening sensor 2401, the large winning opening sensor 2402, the start opening solenoid 2412, the attacca solenoid 2414, the attacca decorative board (LEDs and LED drivers on the attacca decorative board), the second attacca solenoid 2451, the second large winning opening sensor 2452, the second attacca decorative board (LEDs and LED drivers on the second attacca decorative board), and the gate sensor 2011. These electrical components are provided in an area to the right of the center in the left-right direction in the front unit 6A. In more detail, in the front unit 6A, the electrical components are provided in the right corner area close to the right side, in other words, in an area far from the axis of the main body frame 4 that is provided so as to be able to open and close.

In addition, in the first front unit 6A1, each electrical component such as the second start port sensor 2401 and the large winning port sensor 2402 is provided near each other. The area in which these electrical components are provided should preferably be 1/2, or even 1/3 of the entire play area 5a. Also, it is desirable to provide the inter-unit connector front 1060 in the center or near the center of the area in which the electrical components are provided. For this reason, the electrical components provided in the first front unit 6A1 are provided near the inter-unit connector front 1060.

The electrical components are preferably provided in the area in the lower right corner of the front unit 6A. Alternatively, the electrical components may be provided in an area below the vertical center of the front unit 6A. This allows the electrical components to be gathered in a specific area, making it easier to consolidate the electrical wiring from the electrical components to the front inter-unit connector 1060, and also makes it easier to make the electrical wiring connected to the front inter-unit connector 1060 difficult to see from the front through the transparent game panel 1100A (panel board 1110) by the attacca unit 2400 and second attacca unit 2450 provided in the lower right corner of the first front unit 6A1.

In addition, it is desirable that the wiring path from electrical components such as the second starting port sensor 2401 and the starting port solenoid 2412 to the front inter-unit connector 1060 passes through areas behind patterns and designs on decorative stickers and decorative sheets, areas behind plated parts with metallic luster and opaque members, areas behind wall-like areas extending forward and backward (for example, the insertion part 2511a of the center frame 2511 in the center role 2500), areas behind areas where numerous irregularities such as diffusion lenses and embossing are formed, areas away from the front of light-emitting means such as LEDs provided at the rear, etc. This makes it possible to make the wiring connecting the electrical components and the front inter-unit connector 1060 less visible from the front.

[12-2. Second front unit of the game board]
Next, the second front unit 6A2, which is different from the first front unit 6A1, as the front unit 6A in the game board 5A will be described in detail with reference to Figures 110 and 111. Figure 110(a) is a front view showing the first front unit as the front unit shown in Figure 103 in the game board of the second embodiment, and (b) is a front view showing the second front unit of a different form from the first front unit in the game board of the second embodiment. Figure 111 is a front view showing the game board of the second embodiment in which the second front unit shown in Figure 110(b) is attached to the rear unit, attached to the main frame.

This second front unit 6A2 is different only in the arrangement of the obstacle nails N planted in the game panel 1100A, the front unit 2000, the stamps affixed to the stamp attachment section 1012, and the spec stickers affixed to the spec display section 1013, and is otherwise configured the same as the first front unit 6A1. Below, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same components as the first front unit 6A1, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The front unit 2000 of the second front unit 6A2 is equipped with a plurality of (four in this case) normal winning openings 2001 that are always open and can receive the game ball B that is shot into the game area 5a, a gate 2010 that is provided at a predetermined position in the game area 5a and allows the game ball B to pass through, a first starting opening 2003 that is provided in the center in the left-right direction below the center device 2500 and is always open to receive the game ball B, a second starting opening 2004 that can receive the game ball B depending on the result of the lottery for the normal pattern that is drawn when the game ball B passes through the gate 2010, and a large winning opening 2005, either of which can receive the game ball B depending on the result of the lottery for the first special pattern that is drawn when the game ball B is received at the first starting opening 2003 or the second special pattern that is drawn when the game ball B is received at the second starting opening 2004.

The front unit 2000 of the second front unit 6A2 is located at the most downstream position within the play area 5a, and is always open to receive the play ball B. It also has an outlet 1008 that discharges the received play ball B outside the play area 5a without returning it.

The front unit 2000 of the second front unit 6A2 also includes a gate sensor 2011 that detects the game ball B passing through the gate 2010, a start port solenoid 2412 that opens and closes the second start port 2004 depending on the result of the lottery for the normal pattern selected by the detection of the game ball B by the gate sensor 2011, and a second start port sensor 2401 that detects the game ball B received in the second start port 2004.

In addition, the front unit 2000 of the second front unit 6A2 is equipped with an attacca solenoid 2414 that opens and closes the large prize opening 2005 depending on the result of the lottery for the special pattern drawn by the detection of the game ball B by the first start opening sensor 2101 (see FIG. 104) or the second start opening sensor 2401, and a large prize opening sensor 2402 that detects the game ball B received in the large prize opening 2005.

The front unit 2000 of the second front unit 6A2 is equipped with a starting port unit 2100 which is attached directly above the bottom end of the play area 5a in the left-right center of the play area 5a and has a first starting port 2003, a side unit 2200 which is arranged along the inner rail 1002 to the left of the starting port unit 2100 when viewed from the front and has three general winning ports 2001, and an upper left side unit 2300 which is arranged slightly above the left of the side unit 2200 when viewed from the front.

The front unit 2000 of the second front unit 6A2 is provided to the right of the starting port unit 2100, which is in the lower right corner of the game area 5a when viewed from the front, and is equipped with an attacca unit 2400 which has one general winning port 2001, a second starting port 2004, a large winning port 2005, a second starting port sensor 2401, a starting port solenoid 2412, an attacca solenoid 2414, and a large winning port sensor 2402.

Furthermore, the front unit 2000 of the second front unit 6A2 is provided above the attacker unit 2400 and includes a gate member 2630 having a gate 2010 and a gate sensor 2011.

In the front unit 2000 of the second front unit 6A2, the starting port unit 2100, side unit 2200, and upper left side unit 2300 are the same as those in the first front unit 6A1.

The attacca unit 2400 of the second front unit 6A2 is provided so that the second starting port 2004 is located in the lower right corner of the game area 5a, and the special prize port 2005 is located between the second starting port 2004 and the first starting port 2003. The attacca unit 2400 is also provided so that one general prize port 2001 is located above the second starting port 2004. A gate 2010 is provided directly above this general prize port 2001.

The attacca unit 2400 of the second front unit 6A2 is equipped with an attacca decorative board with multiple LEDs mounted on the front surface, although this is not shown in the figure. By appropriately illuminating the LEDs on the attacca decorative board, the attacca unit 2400 (second starting gate 2004, large winning gate 2005) can be illuminated and decorated.

The attacca unit 2400 of the second front unit 6A2 is provided on its rear surface with a front inter-unit connector 1060 that is connected to the rear inter-unit connector 1150 of the rear unit 6B. This front inter-unit connector 1060 is electrically connected to wiring from the second start port sensor 2401, the large prize port sensor 2402, the start port solenoid 2412, the attacca solenoid 2414, the attacca decorative board, the gate sensor 2011, etc. of the attacca unit 2400.

In the attacker unit 2400 of the second front unit 6A2, similar to the guiding section 2122 of the starting opening unit 2100, a guiding section that guides the game ball B received in the general winning opening 2001, the second starting opening 2004, and the large winning opening 2005 to the rear protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the second front unit 6A2 and is inserted into the ball receiving opening 3101 of the back ball guiding unit 3100 in the back unit 3000.

The center device 2500 of the second front unit 6A2 includes a transparent center frame 2511 that is attached to the front of the game panel 1100A (panel board 1110), a warp passage 2512 that can guide the game ball B from the outside of the center frame 2511 to the inside of the frame, and a stage 2513 that is provided at the lower edge of the center frame 2511 and that rolls the game ball B that has flowed through the warp passage 2512 in the left-right direction and then releases it into the game area 5a.

The center frame 2511 has a frame-shaped insertion portion 2511a that is inserted into the opening 1112 of the panel plate 1110 of the game panel 1100 and is arranged along the inner peripheral surface of the opening 1112 and extends in the front-to-rear direction, a flat flange portion 2511b that protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the front end of the insertion portion 2511a and abuts against the front surface of the panel plate 1110 of the game panel 1100, an inflow restriction portion 2511c that extends forward from the flange portion 2511b and restricts the game ball B flowing down the game area 5a from flowing into the inside of the opening 1112 of the panel plate 1110 of the game panel 1100, and a flat support portion 2511d that protrudes from the inner periphery of the front end of the insertion portion 2511a.

The warp passage 2512 is open to allow the game ball B in the game area 5a to enter, at a location on the left side of the inflow restriction section 2511c when viewed from the front, and further forward than the front surface of the game panel 1100A (panel board 1110). The warp passage 2512 can guide the game ball B that has entered to the stage 2513.

The stage 2513 is curved with a recessed central side in the left-right direction, and is formed in a wavy (W-shape) such that the position corresponding to directly above the first starting hole 2003 of the starting hole unit 2100, that is, the approximate central position in the left-right direction when the center role 2500 is attached to the panel plate 1110 of the game panel 1100A, is slightly higher than the left and right sides. This stage 2513 is inclined so that the part (central release part 2513a) that is slightly higher than the left and right sides in the left-right center and the lowest part on both sides (side release part 2513b) are lower toward the front, and game ball B can be released into the game area 5a from these parts.

When the stage 2513 is assembled to the game board 5A, its elevated central portion in the left-right direction (central release section 2513a) is located directly above the first starting hole 2003 of the starting hole unit 2100. As a result, when a game ball B is released from the central release section 2513a in the center of the stage 2513, it is received by the first starting hole 2003 with an extremely high probability.

The center device 2500 of the second front unit 6A2 is provided with a guide passage 2526 on the right side, above the center in the vertical direction, that is wide enough for game balls B to pass through in a single file. The guide passage 2526 is formed so that game balls B shot into the upper right side of the center device 2500 always pass through the guide passage 2526. A gate member 2630 (gate 2010) is provided downstream of this guide passage 2526.

The gate member 2630 of the second front unit 6A2 is located below the center in the vertical direction within the game area 5a, between the guide passage 2526 of the center gambling device 2500 and the attacca unit 2400, and is attached to the front surface of the panel plate 1110 of the game panel 1100A. The gate member 2630 has a gate 2010 where a lottery is performed for a normal symbol that opens and closes the second starting hole 2004 when a game ball B passes through, and a gate sensor 2011 for detecting that the game ball B has passed through the gate 2010. The gate 2010 is the detection hole in the gate sensor 2011 for detecting the game ball B.

As described above, the second front unit 6A2 of this embodiment is equipped with multiple electrical components such as the second start port sensor 2401, the large winning port sensor 2402, the start port solenoid 2412, the attacca solenoid 2414, the attacca decorative board (LED and LED driver), and the gate sensor 2011. These electrical components are provided in an area to the right of the center in the left-right direction and below the center in the up-down direction in the front unit 6A, that is, in the area of the lower right corner. In more detail, in the front unit 6A, the electrical components are provided in the area of the right corner close to the right side, in other words, in an area far from the axis of the main body frame 4 that is provided so as to be able to open and close.

In this second front unit 6A2, electrical components such as the second start port sensor 2401 and the large prize port sensor 2402 are provided in close proximity to each other. The area in which these electrical components are provided occupies 1/3 of the entire play area 5a. In addition, the front inter-unit connector 1060 is provided in the center or near the center of the area in which the electrical components are provided. For this reason, the electrical components provided in the second front unit 6A2 are provided in the vicinity of the front inter-unit connector 1060.

The configuration of the second front unit 6A2 therefore allows electrical components to be concentrated within a specific area, making it easier to concentrate electrical wiring to the front inter-unit connector 1060, and the attacca unit 2400 provided in the lower right corner of the second front unit 6A2 makes it easier to make the electrical wiring connected to the front inter-unit connector 1060 less visible from the front through the transparent gaming panel 1100A (panel board 1110).

In addition, the second front unit 6A2 of this embodiment does not have a second large winning opening 2012, compared to the first front unit 6A1, allowing the player to enjoy a simpler game.

[12-3. Rear unit of the game board]
Next, the rear unit 6B of the game board 5A will be described in detail with reference to Figures 104, 108, 112, etc. Figure 112 (a) is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the game board of the second embodiment is locked to the main frame by the rear unit locking member, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the lock by the rear unit locking member is released. The rear unit 6B of the game board 5A is equipped with a mounting unit 1130 that can support the front unit 6A on its front surface and is detachably mounted on the main frame 4, a board holder 1200 attached to the rear lower part of the mounting unit 1130, a main control unit 1300 attached to the rear surface of the board holder 1200, and a function display unit 1400 that displays the game status based on a control signal from the main control board 1310.

The main control unit 1300 of the rear unit 6B has a management seal attachment section 1301 to which management seals are attached (see FIG. 102). In this embodiment, the management seal attachment section 1301 is provided on the board cover 1340 of the main control board box 1320. The management seal (not shown) attached to the management seal attachment section 1301 is described with contents that make it paired with the certificate stamp attached to the certificate stamp attachment section 1012 of the front unit 6A and the management seal attached to the management seal attachment section 1501 of the peripheral control unit 1500, making it possible to determine whether they are related to each other.

In more detail, the management seal affixed to the management seal attachment section 1301 of the main control unit 1300 includes a manufacturer's code, a serial number, and a two-dimensional barcode. The two-dimensional barcode on the management seal includes information such as an information ID (e.g., the ID of the game board that is paired, the ID of this main control board, the ID of the peripheral control board that is paired, etc.), type, manufacturer's code, manufacturing year, and serial number. The manufacturer's code on the management seal is the same as the manufacturer's code on the stamp. The serial number on the management seal is the same as the serial number on the stamp, or is associated with the serial number on the stamp. The management seal affixed to the main control unit 1300 has the same configuration as the management seal affixed to the peripheral control unit 1500. This makes it possible to determine whether the seals are related to each other (form a pair) by comparing it with the contents of the stamp affixed to the front unit 6A.

The main control unit 1300 has a locking piece 1321 at one end in the left-right direction that is elastically locked to the substrate holder 1200, and a protrusion (not shown) at the opposite end in the left-right direction that is inserted into the substrate holder 1200. The main control unit 1300 can be removed from the substrate holder 1200 by releasing the locking piece 1321.

The main control unit 1300 of the game board 5A of the second embodiment has the same configuration as the first specification main control unit 1300A of the game board 5 of the first embodiment. It may also have the same configuration as the second specification main control unit 1300B.

The board holder 1200 of the rear unit 6B has the same configuration as the board holder 1200 of the game board 5 described above. The main control unit 1300 is removably attached to the rear surface of the board holder 1200. The function display unit 1400 has the same functions as the function display unit 1400 of the game board 5 described above, and is arranged to protrude from the front surface of the mounting base 1131 of the mounting unit 1130.

The front surface of the functional display unit 1400 is formed to match the front surface of the front component 1000A of the front unit 6A when the front unit 6A is attached to the rear unit 6B. As a result, when the front unit 6A is attached to the rear unit 6B, if the front surface of the functional display unit 1400 matches the front surface of the front component 1000A, it is determined that the unit is attached correctly, and if there is a step between the front surface of the functional display unit 1400 and the front surface of the front component 1000A, it is determined that the unit is not attached correctly (improperly attached).

The rear unit 6B of the game board 5A also includes a peripheral control unit 1500 located behind the mounting unit 1130, a performance display device 1600 located in the center of the game area 5a when viewed from the front and capable of displaying a specified performance image, a panel relay board (not shown) located behind the mounting unit 1130 and relaying the connection between the main control board 1310 and the peripheral control board 1510, and a back unit 3000 attached to the rear surface of the mounting unit 1130.

The rear unit 3000 of the rear unit 6B is attached to the rear surface of the mounting unit 1130 via a rear box 3010. The performance display device 1600 is removably provided on the rear surface of the rear box 3010 of the rear unit 3000, and the peripheral control unit 1500 is removably provided on the rear surface of the performance display device 1600.

[12-3a. Mounting unit]
The mounting unit 1130 is for fixing the rear unit 6B to the main frame 4, and has the function display unit 1400 attached to the front, and the board holder 1200 and the rear unit 3000 attached to the rear via the rear box 3010. The mounting unit 1130 is formed in a flat frame shape with an outer shape that can be inserted into the game board insertion part 401a in the door frame 3, and the decoration of the rear unit 3000, the performance unit, the display screen of the performance display device 1600, etc., which are attached later, can be seen from the front through the frame. The function display unit 1400 is attached near the upper left corner on the front of the mounting unit 1130 in a state of protruding forward.

As shown in Figures 104 and 108, the mounting unit 1130 includes a mounting base 1131 that is formed in a frame shape with a roughly rectangular external shape, and a mounting reinforcement sheet metal 1132 that is attached to the rear side of the mounting base 1131. The mounting unit 1130 also includes board fixing parts 1133 that are provided at the upper right and lower right corners of the mounting base 1131 and are used to fix the mounting unit 1130 to the main frame 4, and a game board fixing member 1134 that is provided on the board fixing part 1133.

The mounting unit 1130 also includes a number of locking claws 1135 that are provided at locations corresponding to the unit fixing portion 1020 in the front unit 6A and protrude forward from the front surface of the mounting base 1131, and a positioning boss 1136 that protrudes forward in a cylindrical shape from the front surface of the mounting base 1131. The mounting unit 1130 also includes an opening 1137 that penetrates the mounting base 1131 and exposes the mounting reinforcing sheet metal 1132 to the front, and two positioning abutments 1138 that are provided vertically spaced apart on the left side of the mounting base 1131.

Furthermore, the mounting unit 1130 has a notch 1139 cut upward from the bottom end at the lower left corner when viewed from the front. This notch 1139 coincides with the notch 1010 of the previous component 1000A and the notch 1122 of the game panel 1100A. When this notch 1139 is attached to the main frame of a pachinko machine that pays out game balls to a player, it penetrates the notch 1010, the notch 1122, and the notch 1139 so that the front end openings of the lower normal payout passage and the lower full payout passage of the lower full ball path unit face forward to supply game balls to the upper and lower trays of the door frame.

The mounting unit 1130 also has an outlet recess 1123 (not shown) that is recessed near the center of the lower edge of the rear surface in the left-right direction and is open in the up-down direction. This outlet recess 1123 is provided at a position corresponding to the outlet 1008 of the front unit 6A.

The mounting reinforcement metal plate 1132 of the mounting unit 1130 is formed in a frame shape and is provided around the entire circumference of the mounting unit 1130. The mounting reinforcement metal plate 1132 has a seat plate portion 1132a that is bent forward from the lower end (see FIG. 108). This mounting reinforcement metal plate 1132 prevents the mounting unit 1130 from warping. The seat plate portion 1132a increases the strength and rigidity of the mounting reinforcement metal plate 1132, and when attached to the main body frame 4, the seat plate portion 1132a abuts against the upper end surface of the base wall portion 401b of the main body frame base 401, so that the load from the performance display device 1600 and the back unit 3000 attached behind the mounting unit 1130 can be fully supported.

When the front unit 6A is attached to the rear unit 6B, the rear contact portion 1056a of the first connecting fitting 1056 and the rear contact portion 1057a of the second connecting fitting 1057 contact the front surface of the mounting reinforcement metal plate 1132 through the opening 1137. This makes the mounting reinforcement metal plate 1132 part of the earth path for dissipating static electricity from the outer rail 1001, etc.

This mounting reinforcement metal plate 1132 is provided at a predetermined distance (e.g., 10 mm to 20 mm or more) from the decorative board and relay board provided on the front unit 2000 and rear unit 3000 of the front unit 6A. As a result, even if the mounting reinforcement metal plate 1132 is used as part of the earth path, no discharge or short circuit will occur between the mounting reinforcement metal plate 1132 and the decorative board, relay board, etc.

The board fixing parts 1133 of the mounting unit 1130 are provided protruding forward from the front surface of the mounting base 1131 at two locations, the upper right corner and the lower right corner when viewed from the front of the mounting base 1131. The external shape of these board fixing parts 1133 is formed so that they can be inserted from the rear into the corresponding board fixing part insertion grooves 1051 in the front unit 6A. As a result, when the two board fixing parts 1133, one above the other, are inserted into the board fixing part insertion grooves 1051 when attaching the front unit 6A to the front surface of the rear unit 6B, it is possible to restrict the up-down and rightward movement of the front unit 6A relative to the rear unit 6B and to guide the front unit 6A rearward.

When the front unit 6A is attached, the front surface of the board fixing part 1133 coincides with the front surface of the front component 1000A. The front surface of the board fixing part 1133 is recessed toward the rear and open to the right, and has a mounting recess 1133a to which the game board fixing member 1134 is attached (see FIG. 112).

The game board fixing member 1134 of the mounting unit 1130 is intended to make the rear unit 6B unremovable by operating it while the rear unit 6B is inserted into the game board insertion portion 401a of the main body frame 4. The game board fixing member 1134 is attached within the mounting recess 1133a of the board fixing portion 1133, and the right end tip side is attached so that it can rotate around an axis in the vertical direction and slide left and right.

The game board fixing member 1134 has a wedge portion 1134a provided at the tip side and an operating portion 1134b provided at the base end side. When the game board fixing member 1134 is in the locked position (see FIG. 112(a)), the wedge portion 1134a protrudes to the right of the right side of the mounting unit 1130, and when in the released position (see FIG. 112(b)), the wedge portion 1134a retracts into the mounting unit 1130. By sliding the game board fixing member 1134 to the locked position and inserting the wedge portion 1134a into the game board lock groove 401o in the main body frame 4, the forward movement of the rear unit 6B can be prevented and the rear unit 6B can be fixed to the main body frame 4.

When the operating part 1134b of this game board fixing member 1134 is pulled forward by operating the operating part 1134b and rotated around the tip end so that the operating part 1134b is positioned further forward than the front of the board fixing part 1133, it becomes slidable left and right, and can be slid to the locked position or the released position. Also, when the operating part 1134b is retracted further back than the front surface of the board fixing part 1133, the operating part 1134b is locked in the mounting recess 1133a and cannot be moved.

The locking claw 1135 of the mounting unit 1130 protrudes forward in an inverted L-shape from the front surface of the mounting base 1131. The locking claw 1135 has a guide portion 1135a that is provided at an angle at the tip. This locking claw 1135 is provided so that it can be inserted into the insertion hole 1020a in the unit fixing portion 1020 of the front unit 6A, and when inserted into the insertion hole 1020a, it is engaged with the locking piece 1021b of the unit fixing member 1021 in the front unit 6A, thereby preventing the front unit 6A from moving forward.

The positioning boss 1136 of the mounting unit 1130 protrudes forward from the front surface of the mounting base 1131 and is arranged so that it can be inserted into the positioning hole 1055 of the front unit 6A. By inserting this positioning boss 1136 into the positioning hole 1055, the front unit 6A can be positioned in the up-down and left-right directions on the front surface of the rear unit 6B. The positioning boss 1136 protrudes forward from the front surface of the mounting base 1131 shorter than the front surface of the board fixing part 1133.

As shown in FIG. 107, this positioning boss 1136 has a first positioning boss 1136a that protrudes forward, and a second positioning boss 1136b that protrudes shorter than the first positioning boss 1136a. This makes it possible to guide the front unit 6A rearward (rear unit 6B) in multiple stages when attaching the front unit 6A to the rear unit 6B, improving the workability of the attachment and allowing for reliable positioning.

As shown in FIG. 108, the opening 1137 of the mounting unit 1130 is for inserting the rear contact portion 1056a of the first connecting fitting 1056 and the rear contact portion 1057a of the second connecting fitting 1057 of the front unit 6A. Through this opening 1137, the rear contact portion 1056a of the first connecting fitting 1056 and the rear contact portion 1057a of the second connecting fitting 1057 come into contact with the front surface of the mounting reinforcement sheet metal 1132.

The positioning abutment portions 1138 of the mounting unit 1130 are recessed rearward from the front surface of the mounting base 1131 and are open to the left. The two positioning abutment portions 1138 are provided at positions corresponding to the left position restriction member 402a on the main body frame 4, and when the rear unit 6B is attached to the main body frame 4, the left position restriction member 402a abuts against the positioning abutment portions 1138 from the front. By abutting the left position restriction member 402a against this positioning abutment portion 1138, movement in the front-rear and up-down directions can be restricted with respect to the left side of the mounting unit 1130 (rear unit 6B), and the left side can be positioned.

[12-3b. Peripheral control unit and performance display device of rear unit]
Next, the peripheral control unit 1500 and the performance display device 1600 of the rear unit 6B will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 102 and Fig. 113. Fig. 113(a) is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of the peripheral control unit attached to the performance display device, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of the peripheral control unit removed from the performance display device. The performance display device 1600 is disposed in the center of the play area 5a when viewed from the front, and is detachably attached to the rear side of the rear box 3010 in the rear unit 3000. The peripheral control unit 1500 is detachably attached to the rear side of the performance display device 1600.

First, the peripheral control unit 1500 of the rear unit 6B includes a peripheral control board 1510 that controls the presentation presented to the player based on control signals from the main control board 1310, a transparent peripheral control board box 1520 that houses the peripheral control board 1510, and a management sticker attachment section 1501 where management stickers are affixed. In this embodiment, the management sticker attachment section 1501 is provided on the rear surface of the peripheral control board box 1520.

The peripheral control board 1510 also includes a peripheral control unit 1511 for controlling light effects, sound effects, and moving effects, and a performance display control unit 1512 for controlling performance images. The peripheral control board 1510 is mounted in the peripheral control board box 1520 so that the surface on which the various electronic components such as the CPU, VDP, ROM, and ICs that make up the peripheral control unit 1511 and performance display control unit 1512 are mounted faces backwards.

The peripheral control unit 1511 is connected to the attacca decorative board and second attacca decorative board of the front unit 2000, the decorative boards provided on the lower back performance unit 3600 of the rear unit 3000, actuators (motors and solenoids), position sensors, etc. The peripheral control unit 1511 is also connected to the first performance button 251 and second performance button 252 in the performance operation unit 250 of the door frame 3, vibrators, decorative boards, top center speaker, top side speaker, etc. Furthermore, the peripheral control unit 1511 is connected to the main frame speaker 403 of the main frame 4.

The management seal (not shown) affixed to the management seal affixing section 1501 is described in such a way that it forms a pair with the stamp affixed to the stamp affixing section 1012 of the front unit 6A and the management seal affixed to the management seal affixing section 1301 of the main control unit 1300, making it possible to determine whether they are related to each other.

In more detail, the management sticker affixed to the management sticker attachment section 1501 of the peripheral control unit 1500 includes a manufacturer's code, a serial number, and a two-dimensional barcode. The two-dimensional barcode on the management sticker includes information such as an information ID (e.g., the ID of the game board that is the pair, the ID of the main control board that is the pair, the ID of this peripheral control board, etc.), type, manufacturer's code, manufacturing year, and serial number. The management sticker affixed to the peripheral control unit 1500 has the same configuration as the management sticker affixed to the main control unit 1300. This makes it possible to determine whether the stickers are related to each other (form a pair) by comparing it with the contents of the certificate attached to the front unit 6A.

The management sticker may be attached to the peripheral control board 1510, or to the ROM, CPU, VDP, etc. mounted on the peripheral control board 1510.

The peripheral control board 1510 of the rear unit 6B has a ground connection part 1513 and a peripheral side connection connector 1514 on the back surface that is attached facing forward. The ground connection part 1513 is provided in a portion close to one of the left and right ends of the peripheral control board 1510. The ground connection part 1513 is connected to the ground (GND) in the electronic circuit of the peripheral control board 1510 and is formed in a planar shape.

When the peripheral control board 1510 is housed in the peripheral control board box 1520, the ground connection part 1513 is aligned with the metal fitting opening 1523 in the front-to-rear direction. When the peripheral control unit 1500 is attached to the rear of the performance display device 1600, the tip of the ground fitting 1623 comes into contact with this ground connection part 1513, and is electrically connected to the shielding metal sheet 1620 via the ground fitting 1623.

The peripheral side connection connector 1514 is provided in a position close to the end opposite the ground connection part 1513 in the left-right direction. The peripheral side connection connector 1514 is inserted into the connection opening 1524 when the peripheral control board 1510 is housed in the peripheral control board box 1520. The peripheral side connection connector 1514 is for transmitting a video signal from the performance display control part 1512 in the peripheral control board 1510 to the performance display device 1600, and is connected to the display side connection connector 1625 attached to the connection relay board 1624 (described later) in the performance display device 1600.

The peripheral control board box 1520 of the rear unit 6B is formed in a transparent, thin box shape with the peripheral control board 1510 housed inside, allowing the peripheral control board 1510 to be seen from the outside. This peripheral control board box 1520 is formed long in the left-right direction, and has an attachment piece 1521 that protrudes outward from one of the left-right end faces, and an attachment recess 1522 that is recessed in the opposite end face.

The peripheral control board box 1520 also has a metal fitting opening 1523 that penetrates the box at a position close to the mounting piece 1521 in the area that becomes the front when attached to the performance display device 1600, and a connection opening 1524 that penetrates the box at a position close to the mounting recess 1522 on the front. The metal fitting opening 1523 is provided in a position that coincides with the ground connection part 1513 of the peripheral control board 1510, and the connection opening 1524 is provided in a position that coincides with the peripheral connection connector 1514.

This peripheral control board box 1520 can be attached to the rear surface of the performance display device 1600 by holding the front surface at an angle to the left and right so that the mounting piece 1521 approaches the surface of the performance display device 1600, engaging the mounting piece 1521 with the mounting engaging portion 1621b of the rear cover 1621, and then aligning the front surface parallel to the rear surface of the performance display device 1600 and sliding the detachable locking member 1622 to insert the protrusion 1622a into the mounting recess 1522.

Although detailed illustration is omitted, when the protrusion 1622a of the detachable locking member 1622 is inserted into the mounting recess 1522, the protrusion 1622a presses the peripheral control board box 1520 (peripheral control unit 1500) forward toward the performance display device 1600 via the mounting recess 1522. This ensures a secure connection between the peripheral side connection connector 1514 and the display side connection connector 1625, which will be described later.

The performance display device 1600 is located in the center of the game area 5a when viewed from the front, and is attached to the rear side of the game panel 1100A via the rear box 3010 of the rear unit 3000. When the game board 5A is assembled, the performance display device 1600 allows the display screen to be viewed from the front (player side) through the transparent game panel 1100A, the frame-shaped center gadget 2500, and the frame of the mounting unit 1130.

The performance display device 1600 is a 19-inch full-color LCD display device with a white LED backlight, and is approximately the same width as the left-right width of the rear wall of the rear box 3010. The performance display device 1600 is connected to the peripheral control board 1510 and can display specified still images and videos.

The performance display device 1600 of the rear unit 6B is equipped with a shielding sheet metal 1620 made of a metal plate provided on the rear side of the display screen, a rear cover 1621 provided behind the shielding sheet metal 1620, and a detachable locking member 1622 slidably attached to the rear cover 1621 for attaching and detaching the peripheral control unit 1500 (peripheral control board box 1520).

The performance display device 1600 of the rear unit 6B also includes a grounding bracket 1623 whose base end is attached to the shielding sheet metal 1620 and whose tip extends rearward through the rear cover 1621, a connection relay board 1624 provided between the shielding sheet metal 1620 and the rear cover 1621, and a display side connection connector 1625 attached to the connection relay board 1624 and connected to the peripheral side connection connector 1514 of the peripheral control board 1510. The connection relay board 1624 may be attached to the shielding sheet metal 1620 or to the rear cover 1621. The connection relay board 1624 in this embodiment is attached to the shielding sheet metal 1620.

Although detailed illustration is omitted, the shielding metal plate 1620 is roughly the same size as the entire rear surface of the display screen (display device body).

The rear cover 1621 is made of transparent resin and has a rectangular mounting area 1621a that is elongated in the left-right direction to which the peripheral control unit 1500 is attached, a mounting locking portion 1621b provided at one left-right end of the mounting area 1621a, a metal fitting opening 1621c that penetrates the mounting area 1621a at a location close to the mounting locking portion 1621b and through which the ground metal fitting 1623 passes, and a connector opening 1621d that penetrates the mounting area 1621a at a location close to the opposite left-right end of the metal fitting opening 1621c and through which the display side connection connector 1625 passes.

The mounting locking portion 1621b of the rear cover 1621 protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the rear cover 1621 in an inverted L-shape, with its tip facing toward the center of the mounting area portion 1621a. The mounting piece 1521 of the peripheral control board box 1520 is inserted between the tip of this mounting locking portion 1621b and the rear surface of the rear cover 1621.

The detachable locking member 1622 is provided so as to protrude rearward from the rear surface of the rear cover 1621, and has a protrusion 1622a protruding in the left-right direction at its rear end. The detachable locking member 1622 is provided outside the mounting area 1621a on the rear surface of the rear cover 1621, on the left-right opposite side of the mounting latching portion 1621b with the mounting area 1621a in between, so as to be slidable in the left-right direction. The detachable locking member 1622 is provided so that the protrusion 1622a protrudes toward the center of the mounting area 1621a. The protrusion 1622a of the detachable locking member 1622 is formed so as to be insertable into the mounting recess 1522 of the peripheral control board box 1520.

The base end of the ground metal fitting 1623 is attached to the rear surface of the shielding sheet metal 1620, and the tip extends from the base end to the rear of the rear cover 1621 through the metal fitting opening 1621c of the rear cover 1621. This ground metal fitting 1623 extends obliquely rearward from the base end, and the area near the tip is bent forward in an arc shape. This ground metal fitting 1623 is made of a metal spring material that is both conductive and elastic, and is electrically connected to the shielding sheet metal 1620.

By attaching the peripheral control unit 1500 to the attachment area 1621a, the tip of the ground metal fitting 1623 comes into contact with the ground connection part 1513 of the peripheral control board 1510 and is electrically connected to the ground of the peripheral control board 1510. Although not shown in detail, the tip of the ground metal fitting 1623 branches into multiple parts like a fork and contacts the ground connection part 1513 at multiple points. Also, multiple ground metal fittings 1623 may be provided.

The connection relay board 1624 is connected to an FPC 1626 (flexible printed circuit board) extending from the display device main body of the performance display device 1600, and wiring from the FPC 1626 is connected to a display side connection connector 1625. In other words, the connection relay board 1624 is provided with a display side connection connector 1625 that is connected to the peripheral side connection connector 1514 and serves as an IN side connector, and an FPC connection connector 1624a that is connected to the FPC 1626 from the performance display device 1600 and serves as an OUT side connector. The display side connection connector 1625 is connected to the peripheral side connection connector 1514 of the peripheral control board 1510 by attaching the peripheral control unit 1500 to the attachment area 1621a.

Next, the attachment and detachment of the peripheral control unit 1500 to the rear surface of the performance display device 1600 in the rear unit 6B will be described with reference to FIG. 113. When the peripheral control unit 1500 is attached to the attachment area 1621a of the performance display device 1600, as shown in FIG. 113(a), the attachment piece 1521 of the peripheral control board box 1520 is engaged with the attachment engagement portion 1621b of the rear cover 1621, and the protrusion 1622a of the attachment/detachment lock member 1622, which is positioned in the locked position, is inserted into the attachment recess 1522 of the peripheral control board box 1520. This renders the peripheral control board box 1520 (peripheral control unit 1500) unremovable.

Although detailed illustration is omitted, as shown in FIG. 102, multiple connectors are exposed to the rear on the rear surface of the peripheral control unit 1500, and connectors of wiring (harness) connected to the main control board 1310, relay board, etc. are connected to these connectors.

In this state, the tip of the ground metal fitting 1623 of the performance display device 1600 is in contact with the ground connection part 1513 of the peripheral control board 1510. This ground metal fitting 1623 is formed from a resilient metal spring material, and the tip is in contact so as to press (bias) the ground connection part 1513 backward. As a result, the ground of the electronic circuit of the peripheral control board 1510 is connected to the shielding metal sheet 1620 via the ground connection part 1513 and the ground metal fitting 1623.

In more detail, the shielding metal plate 1620 on the back side of the performance display device 1600 (liquid crystal display device) is intended to improve noise resistance, and is preferably electrically connected to the ground (GND) of the peripheral control board 1510. To that end, in this embodiment, a grounding metal fitting 1623 made of an elastic metal piece is raised from the shielding metal plate 1620 on the back side of the performance display device 1600, and electrically connected to the GND (ground connection part 1513) of the peripheral control board 1510. Furthermore, the tip of the grounding metal fitting 1623 is branched like a fork, so that one of the branched tips can come into contact with the ground connection part 1513 to ensure a reliable electrical connection.

In addition, in this state, the peripheral side connection connector 1514 of the peripheral control board 1510 is connected to the display side connection connector 1625 of the performance display device 1600. This allows a video signal from the performance display control unit 1512 in the peripheral control board 1510 to be sent to the performance display device 1600 via the peripheral side connection connector 1514 and the display side connection connector 1625 to display a performance image.

When removing the peripheral control unit 1500 from the performance display device 1600, first remove all of the wiring connectors connected to the peripheral control unit 1500 from the rear. Then, slide the detachable locking member 1622 away from the peripheral control unit 1500 (release position) to remove the tip protrusion 1622a from the mounting recess 1522 of the peripheral control board box 1520 in the peripheral control unit 1500. In this state, rotate the peripheral control unit 1500 using the mounting piece 1521 on the opposite side in the left-right direction as a fulcrum so that the mounting recess 1522 side of the peripheral control unit 1500 moves backward, so that it is inclined relative to the rear of the performance display device 1600.

At this time, the peripheral control unit 1500's peripheral connection connector 1514 moves in an arc shape centered on the attachment piece 1521 side, and the peripheral connection connector 1514 moves in a direction tilted relative to the front-to-rear direction. In contrast, in this embodiment, the peripheral connection connector 1514 is provided at a position far from the attachment piece 1521, so the peripheral connection connector 1514 moves along an arc with a large radius. As a result, at the portion where the peripheral connection connector 1514 and the display side connection connector 1625 are joined, the tangent direction of the arc, which is the movement trajectory of the peripheral connection connector 1514, becomes close to the front-to-rear direction (joining direction), so the inclination of the movement direction of the peripheral connection connector 1514 becomes slight relative to the front-to-rear direction, and the peripheral connection connector 1514 smoothly comes out of the display side connection connector 1625 of the performance display device 1600.

Then, the peripheral control unit 1500 can be removed from the performance display device 1600 by moving the peripheral control unit 1500 diagonally backward and removing the mounting piece 1521 from between the mounting locking portion 1621b and the rear cover 1621.

On the other hand, if you want to install the peripheral control unit 1500 behind the performance display device 1600, you can do so by following the steps above in reverse.

Incidentally, conventionally, input to a liquid crystal display device such as the performance display device 1600 is generally performed via an FPC (flexible printed circuit board) or an FFC (flexible flat cable). In the factory, the FPC extending from the liquid crystal display device is connected to a connector provided on a peripheral control board. This connection work is difficult unless you are an experienced worker, and connection failures often occur due to connection at an angle or shallow insertion.

In view of these problems, in this embodiment, in order to prevent the person replacing the peripheral control unit 1500 from having to connect the FPC etc., a connection relay board 1624 is provided on the back side of the performance display device 1600, and the connection between the FPC 1626 and the connection relay board 1624 (FPC connection connector 1624a) is performed by an experienced person at the factory, allowing for a simple connection between the connection relay board 1624 and the peripheral control board 1510. In other words, by providing the connection relay board 1624, the type of connector to be connected can be converted.

Therefore, for example, if the peripheral side connection connector 1514 and the display side connection connector 1625 are used as drawer connectors and the connection between the connection relay board 1624 and the peripheral control board 1510 is made using the drawer connectors, the connection can be made without worrying about detailed positioning. Note that since drawer connectors are relatively expensive and costly, the peripheral side connection connector 1514 and the display side connection connector 1625 may be board-to-board connectors (board-to-board connectors) that are generally used when installing boards one on top of the other.

In this way, in this embodiment, the performance display device 1600 is newly provided with a connection relay board 1624, which has not been provided in previous pachinko machines, and the connection relay board 1624 is provided with a display side connection connector 1625 that is directly connected to the peripheral side connection connector 1514 of the peripheral control unit 1500. This display side connection connector 1625 is an IN side connector of the connection relay board 1624, and connects the FPC 1626 extending from the performance display device 1600 to the FPC connection connector 1624a, which is an OUT side connector of the connection relay board 1624. The display side connection connector 1625 and the peripheral side connection connector 1514 are made to be connectors of a type that even an amateur can reliably connect (for example, a drawer connector, a board-to-board connector (board-to-board connector), etc.). In other words, by providing the connection relay board 1624 between the peripheral control board 1510 and the performance display device 1600, the type of connector to be connected is changed.

As a result, in the pachinko machine 1 factory, an expert first connects the connector of the FPC 1626 to the FPC connection connector 1624a of the connection relay board 1624, and then the connection (insertion and removal) can be performed at the display side connection connector 1625. Since there is no need to touch the FPC 1626, even an unskilled person can reliably connect the display side connection connector 1625 to the peripheral side connection connector 1514, and even an amateur can attach and detach the peripheral control unit 1500 to the performance display device 1600 without causing any malfunction. In other words, the peripheral control board 1510 (peripheral control unit 1500) can be replaced without touching the FPC 1626 extending from the performance display device 1600. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the cost of reusing the performance display device 1600 and provide a pachinko machine 1 in which the performance display device 1600 is easily reusable.

In addition, since the connection relay board 1624 is attached to the performance display device 1600 (shielding sheet metal 1620), even if the display side connection connector 1625 of the connection relay board 1624 is repeatedly inserted and removed from the peripheral side connection connector 1514, the connection relay board 1624 is immovable, so the FPC 1626 from the performance display device 1600 does not move, and noise is not easily picked up due to changes in the position of the FPC 1626. Therefore, even if the peripheral control unit 1500 is replaced, noise is not introduced, and the player can enjoy a good performance image without noise, and a pachinko machine 1 can be provided that is capable of suppressing a decline in the player's interest.

When attaching or detaching the peripheral control unit 1500 to or from the performance display device 1600, the peripheral control unit 1500 is attached or detached by rotating the mounting piece 1521 of the peripheral control board box 1520, which is far from the peripheral side connection connector 1514 in the peripheral control unit 1500. As a result, the peripheral side connection connector 1514 moves along an arc with a large radius, and at the part where the peripheral side connection connector 1514 and the display side connection connector 1625 are joined, the tangent direction of the arc, which is the movement trajectory of the peripheral side connection connector 1514, becomes close to the front-to-back direction (joining direction), so that the inclination of the movement direction of the peripheral side connection connector 1514 is slight with respect to the insertion/removal direction (joining direction) of the display side connection connector 1625 and the peripheral side connection connector 1514, and the peripheral side connection connector 1514 can be smoothly and directly connected to the display side connection connector 1625, making it easy to attach and detach the peripheral control unit 1500.

In the above, the peripheral side connection connector 1514 provided on the peripheral control board 1510 of the peripheral control unit 1500 and the display side connection connector 1625 provided on the connection relay board 1624 of the performance display device 1600 are directly connected, but this is not limited to the configuration, and the configuration shown in FIG. 114 may be used. FIG. 114(a) is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of the peripheral control unit attached to the performance display device in a form different from that of FIG. 113, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the connection between the peripheral control board and the connection relay board in (a).

In the embodiment of FIG. 114, the peripheral control board 1510 and the connection relay board 1624 each have a signal conversion function, and the peripheral side connection connector 1514 and the display side connection connector 1625 are connected via a specified harness 1630 having connectors 1631 on both ends.

In more detail, the peripheral control board 1510 is provided with a transceiver IC 1515 that converts a video signal into a serial signal, and the connection relay board 1624 is provided with a receiver IC 1627 that converts a serial signal into a video signal. Then, the peripheral control board 1510 and the connection relay board 1624 are connected to the peripheral side connection connector 1514 connected to the transceiver IC 1515 of the peripheral control board 1510 and the display side connection connector 1625 connected to the receiver IC 1627 of the connection relay board 1624 by joining connectors 1631 at both ends of a harness 1630 made of a twisted cable (see FIG. 114(b)).

In this embodiment, a peripheral connection connector 1514 is provided on the surface (rear) of the peripheral control board 1510, and a connection opening 1524 is provided on the rear side of the peripheral control board box 1520. Also, in the performance display device 1600, the connector opening 1621d (connection relay board 1624) of the rear cover 1621 is provided in a location outside the mounting area 1621a.

The transceiver IC 1515 on the peripheral control board 1510 and the receiver IC 1627 on the connection relay board 1624 are the same, and for example, "V-by-One (trademark)" manufactured by THine or "BU17074KV" manufactured by ROHM can be used.

The video signal (RGB signal) transmitted between the peripheral control board 1510 and the connection relay board 1624 (performance display device 1600) requires at least 28 signal lines, roughly speaking: DE (data enable signal), HS (horizontal synchronization signal), VS (vertical synchronization signal), 8 bits of R (red signal), 8 bits of G (green signal), 8 bits of B (blue signal), and PCLK (clock signal). However, for example, with the transceiver IC "BU17074KV" manufactured by ROHM, it is possible to transmit this with only two wires (DFTX+ and DFTX-). The signal frequency is higher, but by transmitting it as a differential signal and transmitting it with a twisted cable (harness 1630), it is possible to run it over a relatively long distance. In addition to the two wires (DFTX+ and DFTX-) in Figure 114 (b), the ground line is also twisted. This configuration makes the cable much more resistant to noise than regular twisted pair wires.

Therefore, by using a configuration like this embodiment, if the video signal is transmitted as a serial signal, the number of wires can be dramatically reduced compared to the LVDS and RGB methods, the cost of the connectors for connection can be reduced, and even inexperienced workers can make reliable connections, making the connection work easier. In this embodiment, by implementing the above-mentioned measures, the reliability of the replacement work of the front unit 6A can be further improved.

The embodiment of FIG. 114 can achieve the same effect as the embodiment of FIG. 113.

In the above-mentioned peripheral control unit 1500, the peripheral control unit 1511 and the performance display control unit 1512 are provided on one peripheral control board 1510, but this is not limited to the above. A performance display control board on which the performance display control unit 1512 is provided may be provided separately from the peripheral control board 1510 on which the peripheral control unit 1511 is provided. In this case, the peripheral side connection connector 1514, which is connected to the display side connection connector 1625 of the connection relay board 1624, is provided on the performance display control board.

[12-3c. Back unit of rear unit]
Next, the rear unit 3000 of the rear unit 6B will be described. The rear unit 3000 includes a general winning port sensor 3001 for detecting the game ball B received in the general winning port 2001 of the front unit 2000, a first starting port sensor 2101 for detecting the game ball B received in the first starting port 2003 of the front unit 2000, a rear box 3010 that is attached to the rear surface of the mounting unit 1130 in the rear unit 6B behind the game panel 1100A (front unit 6A) and has a box shape with an open front and a square opening 3010a in the rear wall, a lock slider 3020 that detachably attaches the performance display device 1600 to the rear wall of the rear box 3010, and a rear board unit 3040 that is disposed behind the performance display device 1600 and attached to the rear wall of the rear box 3010.

The rear unit 3000 of the rear unit 6B also includes a rear inter-unit connector 1150 that is connected to the front inter-unit connector 1060 of the front unit 6A, a rear ball guiding unit 3100 provided at the bottom of the front end within the rear box 3010, a rear lower performance unit 3600 provided behind the rear ball guiding unit 3100 within the rear box 3010, a rear upper performance unit 3620 provided at the upper corner within the rear box 3010, a rear left performance unit 3640 provided at the left corner within the rear box 3010, and a rear right performance unit 3660 provided at the right corner within the rear box 3010.

The back unit 3000's lower back performance unit 3600, upper back performance unit 3620, left back performance unit 3640, and right back performance unit 3660 can show the player specific moving and light-emitting effects depending on the progress of the game.

The rear inter-unit connector 1150 of the rear unit 6B is located in the lower right corner of the rear unit 3000 when viewed from the front, and is attached to the front of the rear ball guide unit 3100. The rear inter-unit connector 1150 is exposed to the front through the frame of the frame-shaped mounting unit 1130. The rear inter-unit connector 1150 is connected to wiring that runs from the main control board 1310, panel relay board, peripheral control board 1510, performance drive board, etc. to the front unit 6A. This rear inter-unit connector 1150 is a drawer connector.

The back ball guiding unit 3100 in the back unit 3000 of the rear unit 6B is attached to the lower part of the front end inside the back box 3010, and is formed in a shape in which both ends extending to the left and right are bent upward. The back ball guiding unit 3100 is formed to be almost entirely transparent. The back ball guiding unit 3100 is equipped with a general winning port sensor 3001 that detects a game ball B received in the general winning port 2001, and a first starting port sensor 2101 that detects a game ball B received in the first starting port 2003.

The back ball guide unit 3100 receives the game ball B that is received by the general winning port 2001, the first starting port 2003, the second starting port 2004, the large winning port 2005, and the second large winning port 2012 in the front unit 2000 of the front unit 6A and guided to the rear of the game panel 1100A, and discharges it toward the safe ball receiving port 500b of the circulating ball path unit 500 in the lower main body frame 4. The back ball guide unit 3100 receives the game ball B that is received by the sub-out port 2021 and guided to the rear of the game panel 1100A, and discharges it toward the out ball receiving port 500a of the circulating ball path unit 500 in the lower main body frame 4.

This back ball guide unit 3100 has a ball receiving port 3101 into which the game ball B is handed over after being received by a winning port such as the general winning port 2001 or the sub-out port 2021 in the front unit 2000 and guided to the rear of the game panel 1100A. The ball receiving port 3101 protrudes forward in a cylindrical or gutter-like shape, and when the front unit 6A is attached to the front surface of the rear unit 6B, a gutter-shaped guide section 2122 protruding rearward from the front unit 6A (front unit 2000) is inserted inside (see FIG. 109).

The tip of the ball receiving port 3101 of the back ball guiding unit 3100 protrudes forward beyond the front surface of the mounting base 1131 of the mounting unit 1130. Therefore, when attaching the front unit 6A to the rear unit 6B, the guiding portion 2122 of the front unit 6A is inserted to guide the front unit 6A to a predetermined position on the rear unit 6B.

When the guiding section 2122 is inserted into the ball receiving port 3101, a step is formed at the rear end of the guiding section 2122 such that the bottom of the guiding section 2122 is higher than the bottom of the ball receiving port 3101. Due to this step, even if the game ball B received in a winning port such as the first starting port 2003 is delivered from the guiding section 2122 to the ball receiving port 3101 and bounces upstream by hitting the rear wall provided at the rear of the ball receiving port 3101 or by a later game ball B hitting a leading game ball B, the bouncing game ball B can be made to bounce downstream by hitting the step, preventing it from flowing back into the winning port and preventing the game ball B from returning to the winning port. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the game ball B from being accepted (winning) once, but then flowing back to the winning opening, causing the player to feel distrustful because the game ball B is visible from the winning opening. This allows the player to enjoy the acceptance of the game ball B into the winning opening, and provides a pachinko machine 1 that can prevent the player's interest in the game from declining.

[12-4. Attachment/detachment to/from the main body frame and replacement of the front unit in the game board of the second embodiment]
Next, the attachment/detachment to/from the main frame 4 and replacement of the front unit 6A in the game board 5A of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 115 to 117. Fig. 115 is a front view showing the game board of the second embodiment shown in Fig. 101 attached to the main frame. Fig. 116 is a front view showing the game board in the state shown in Fig. 115 with the front unit removed. Fig. 117(a) is an explanatory diagram showing the game board of the second embodiment attached to the main frame from a side view, and Fig. 117(b) is an explanatory diagram showing the state shown in Fig. 117(a) with the front unit removed. First, the attachment/detachment to/from the main frame 4 in the game board 5A will be described.

The game board 5A is shipped from the factory with the front unit 6A (first front unit 6A1) and the rear unit 6B attached to each other. There are cases where only the game board 5A is shipped, and cases where the game board 5A is shipped together with the outer frame 2, door frame 3, and main body frame 4, i.e., the entire pachinko machine 1. Here, we will explain the case where only the game board 5A is shipped.

At the time of shipping of the game board 5A, the contents of the stamp affixed to the stamp affixing section 1012 of the first front unit 6A of the game board 5A, the contents of the management sticker affixed to the management sticker affixing section 1301 of the main control unit 1300 attached to the rear unit 6B, and the contents of the management sticker affixed to the management sticker affixing section 1501 of the peripheral control unit 1500 are all related to each other.

In more detail, the stamp affixed to the first front unit 6A1 contains the combination certificate of the gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, the type of gaming board, the manufacturer's name, the manufacturer's code, the serial number, and a two-dimensional barcode. On the other hand, the management stickers affixed to the main control unit 1300 and the peripheral control unit 1500 of the rear unit 6B contain the manufacturer's code, the serial number, and a two-dimensional barcode. The manufacturer's code on the stamp and the management sticker is the same, and the serial numbers are the same or are related. The contents (information) of the two-dimensional barcodes on the stamp and the management sticker can be displayed by using a specified barcode reader. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not the stamps and management stickers are related to each other based on the contents of the affixed stamps and management stickers.

First, at the gaming hall where the game board 5A (pachinko machine 1) is installed, the door frame 3 of the corresponding pachinko machine 1 attached to the island equipment is opened, and the game board attached to the main frame 4 is removed. To remove the game board, the game board locking member 406 attached to the front of the main frame 4 is rotated from the locked position to the unlocked position, and the locking member (a member similar to the game board fixing member 1134) provided on the game board is slid from the locked position to the unlocked position. In this state, the right side of the game board is pulled toward you to make it slanted, and the left side of the game board is moved forward so as to be pulled out from the side reinforcing plate 402 of the main frame 4, whereby the game board can be removed from the main frame 4.

The game board 5A is attached to the main frame 4 by inserting it into the game board insertion portion 401a of the main frame 4 with the game area 5a of the game board 5A facing forward and tilted so that the left side of the game board 5A is positioned further back than the right side, and while placing the bottom surface of the game board 5A on the top end surface of the base wall portion 401b of the main frame 4, inserting the left side of the game board 5A into the U-shaped side reinforcement plate 402. At this time, the game board 5A is inserted so that the positioning abutment portion 1138 provided on the left side of the game board 5A abuts behind the left positioning member 402a of the main frame 4.

Then, the right side of the game board 5A is moved backward and inserted into the game board insertion portion 401a. As a result, a part of the out recess 1123 of the game board 5A is inserted into the game board restriction portion 401c of the main body frame 4, and the movement of the game board 5A in the left-right and rearward directions is restricted.

In this state, the game board fixing member 1134 provided on the board fixing portion 1133 of the game board 5A (rear unit 6B) is slid from the release position to the lock position to the right, and the wedge portion 1134a is inserted into the game board lock groove 401o of the main body frame 4 (see FIG. 112). In addition, the game board lock member 406 of the main body frame 4 is rotated from the release position to the lock position, and a part of the game board lock member 406 is inserted into the game board lock groove 1058 of the game board 5A (front unit 6A) (see FIG. 105).

This causes the game board 5A to be attached to the main body frame 4 (see Figure 115). In this state, the game board 5A is pressed backward against the main body frame 4.

After the game board 5A is attached to the main frame 4, the main frame 4 is opened forward relative to the outer frame 2, and at the rear of the game board 5A, the main control unit 1300 (main control board 1310) and peripheral control unit 1500 (peripheral control board 1510) are connected to the frame control board 640 and interface board 660 of the frame board unit 630 of the main frame 4 using the specified wiring cables.

Then, the main frame 4 is closed against the outer frame 2, and the door frame 3 is closed to complete the installation of the game board 5A. When the door frame 3 is closed, the front contact portion 1057c of the second connecting fitting 1057 protruding from the front of the game board 5A (front unit 6A) comes into contact with the rear surface of the door frame reinforcement unit (not shown) made of a metal plate of the door frame 3. This creates an earth path for dissipating static electricity from the outer rail 1001 to the earth on the game hall side.

Next, we will explain how to replace the front unit 6A while the game board 5A is attached to the main frame 4. When replacing the front unit 6A by replacing the first front unit 6A1 with the second front unit 6A2, a game board replacement set (not shown) is shipped from the factory. The game board replacement set includes the second front unit 6A2, a main control unit 1300 for the second front unit 6A2, a peripheral control unit 1500 for the second front unit 6A2, etc.

First, in the island equipment of the game hall, the door frame 3 is opened forward relative to the main body frame 4 to expose the front surface of the main body frame 4 forward. The door frame 3 may be removed. Then, in the unit fixing parts 1020 provided in the upper left corner, upper right corner, and lower right corner of the game board 5A (first front unit 6A1), the unit fixing members 1021 are slid from the locked position to the unlocked position.

In more detail, when the first front unit 6A1 (front unit 6A) is fixed and locked to the rear unit 6B by the unit fixing portion 1020, as shown in FIG. 106(a), the unit fixing member 1021 is in the locked position, and the lock piece 1021b is engaged with the lock claw 1135 of the rear unit 6B inserted into the insertion hole 1020a. This prevents the first front unit 6A1 from moving forward, making it unremovable. When the unit fixing member 1021 is moved (slid) to the release position, the lock piece 1021b moves away from the lock claw 1135 and is no longer engaged with the lock claw 1135 (see FIG. 106(b)).

The game board locking member 406 provided on the main body frame 4 is rotated from the locked position to the unlocked position to remove the game board locking member 406 from the game board locking groove 1058 of the first front unit 6A1 (front unit 6A).

In this state, the first front unit 6A can be moved forward relative to the rear unit 6B, so the first front unit 6A is moved forward and removed from the rear unit 6B. At this time, the front inter-unit connector 1060 provided on the rear surface of the first front unit 6A is disengaged from the rear inter-unit connector 1150 provided on the front surface of the rear unit 6B, and the electrical connection, such as electrical signals, between the first front unit 6A1 and the rear unit 6B is released.

In addition, when the first front unit 6A1 is removed from the rear unit 6B and moved forward, the rear contact portion 1056a of the first connecting fitting 1056 and the rear contact portion 1057a of the second connecting fitting 1057 protruding from the rear surface of the first front unit 6A1 move away from the mounting reinforcement metal plate 1132 of the mounting unit 1130 in the rear unit 6B, and the electrical connection between the first connecting fitting 1056 and the second connecting fitting 1057 is released.

With the first front unit 6A removed, only the rear unit 6B of the game board 5A remains attached to the main frame 4 (see Figure 116). In this state, the movement of the rear unit 6B is restricted by the left positioning restriction member 402a of the main frame 4, whose left side is in contact with the two upper and lower positioning abutments 1138, and by the game board lock groove 401o of the main frame 4, into which the wedge portions 1134a of the two upper and lower game board fixing members 1134 are inserted on the right side. Therefore, the rear unit 6B will not come off the main frame 4.

The center of gravity of the rear unit 6B is located rearward of the mounting unit 1130 attached to the main frame 4 (see FIG. 117). Therefore, even if the restriction on movement by the game board fixing member 1134 or the like is released for some reason, the rear unit 6B will not fall forward out of the game board insertion portion 401a of the main frame 4. This ensures safety during the replacement work of the front unit 6A.

In this embodiment, the game board fixing member 1134 and the unit fixing member 1021 are provided separately, but if the center of gravity of the rear unit 6B is positioned sufficiently far back so that the rear unit 6B is unlikely to come off and tip forward, the game board fixing member 1134 may serve as the unit fixing member 1021.

After removing the first front unit 6A1, the second front unit 6A2 is attached to the front of the rear unit 6B. The second front unit 6A2 is attached by inserting its left side between the front of the mounting unit 1130 of the rear unit 6B and the left position restriction member 402a of the main body frame 4 with its playing area 5a facing forward, and then abutting the rear surface of the right side against the front surface of the rear unit 6B. The unit fixing members 1021 provided at the upper left, upper right, and lower right corners of this second front unit 6A2 are in the released position (arrows pointing to "X" marks).

At this time, the rear unit 6B has a board fixing part 1133 that protrudes forward from the front surface of the mounting base 1131, so that the board fixing part 1133 can be inserted into the board fixing part insertion groove 1051, allowing the second front unit 6A2 to be roughly aligned with the rear unit 6B. Then, when the tip of the board fixing part 1133 engages with the board fixing part insertion groove 1051, it becomes possible to use the board fixing part 1133 as a guide, and the second front unit 6A2 is moved rearward along the board fixing part 1133.

As the second front unit 6A2 moves rearward, first the first positioning boss 1136a, which protrudes forward longer, is inserted into the corresponding positioning hole 1055, and then the second positioning boss 1136b, which is shorter than the first positioning boss 1136a, is inserted into the corresponding positioning hole 1055. As a result, the second front unit 6A2 is gradually positioned relative to the rear unit 6B, and then completely positioned.

In addition, in the second front unit 6A2 (front unit 6A), the guiding portion 2122 of the starting port unit 2100 protrudes rearward, and the guiding portion 2122 is inserted into the ball receiving port 3101 of the back ball guiding unit 3100 in the back unit 3000 of the rear unit 6B, and is also guided by the ball receiving port 3101.

In addition, when the second front unit 6A2 moves backward toward the rear unit 6B, the front inter-unit connector 1060 provided behind the attacca unit 2400 in the second front unit 6A2 engages with the rear inter-unit connector 1150 provided in front of the back ball guide unit 3100 in the rear unit 6B. In this embodiment, a drawer connector is used for the front inter-unit connector 1060 and the rear inter-unit connector 1150, and electrical connections such as electrical signals are reliably made between the second front unit 6A2 and the rear unit 6B via the front inter-unit connector 1060 and the rear inter-unit connector 1150.

Furthermore, when the second front unit 6A2 moves rearward, the rear contact portion 1056a of the first connecting fitting 1056 and the rear contact portion 1057a of the second connecting fitting 1057 protruding from the rear surface of the second front unit 6A2 pass through the opening 1137 of the mounting base 1131 in the mounting unit 1130 of the rear unit 6B and come into contact with the front surface of the mounting reinforcement sheet metal 1132. At this time, the spring portion 1056b of the first connecting fitting 1056 and the rear spring portion 1057b of the second connecting fitting 1057 elastically deform, and the respective rear contact portions 1056a and 1057a come into contact while biasing the mounting reinforcement sheet metal 1132 rearward.

When the rear contact portion 1056a of the first connecting fitting 1056 and the rear contact portion 1057a of the second connecting fitting 1057 come into contact with the mounting reinforcement plate 1132, the first connecting fitting 1056 and the second connecting fitting 1057, which are located at positions separated from each other, are electrically connected.

In addition, as the second front unit 6A2 moves toward the rear unit 6B, the locking claw 1135 protruding forward from the mounting base 1131 of the rear unit 6B is inserted into the insertion hole 1020a of the unit fixing part 1020 of the second front unit 6A2. Then, when the rear surface of the second front unit 6A2 is abutted against the front surface of the rear unit 6B (mounting unit 1130), the unit fixing members 1021 provided on each of the unit fixing parts 1020 provided at the upper left corner, upper right corner, and lower right corner of the second front unit 6A2 are slid from the release position to the lock position (the position where the arrow of the unit fixing member 1021 points to the "circle" mark).

As a result, the lock piece 1021b of the unit fixing member 1021 engages with the lock claw 1135 inserted into the insertion hole 1020a, and the second front unit 6A is fixed to the rear unit 6B in an undetachable state. At this time, even if there is a gap between the second front unit 6A2 and the rear unit 6B, the second front unit 6A2 is guided rearward by the guiding action of the inclined guide part 1021c and guide part 1135a due to the guide part 1021c provided at the tip of the lock piece 1021b and the guide part 1135a provided at the tip of the lock claw 1135, so that the rear surface of the second front unit 6A2 is reliably abutted against the front surface of the rear unit 6B.

The front inter-unit connector 1060 and rear inter-unit connector 1150 are provided behind the unit fixing part 1020 in the lower right corner, so that, as described above, the front inter-unit connector 1060 can be strongly pressed against the rear inter-unit connector 1150 by the rearward pressure caused by moving the unit fixing member 1021 to the lock position, thereby allowing the front inter-unit connector 1060 and the rear inter-unit connector 1150 to be fully engaged.

In this embodiment, a stamp attachment section 1012 is provided on the front of the unit fixing member 1021 provided on the unit fixing section 1020 in the lower right corner of the second front unit 6A2 (front unit 6A), and a stamp is attached to the stamp attachment section 1012. Therefore, when an operator slides the unit fixing member 1021, the stamp attached to the stamp attachment section 1012 comes into view, allowing the operator to confirm the contents of the stamp, and thus preventing the wrong second front unit 6A2 from being erroneously attached.

In addition to the fixing (locking) by the unit fixing member 1021, the game board locking member 406 provided on the main frame 4 is rotated from the release position to the lock position, and a part of the game board locking member 406 is inserted into the game board locking groove 1058. As a result, the second front unit 6A2 is pressed against the rear unit 6B by the game board locking member 406, and the second front unit 6A2 is attached to the rear unit 6B.

In this way, the second front unit 6A2 can be attached to the rear unit 6B, and the replacement work from the first front unit 6A1 to the second front unit 6A2 is completed. Note that simply replacing the second front unit 6A2 does not make the main control unit 1300 and peripheral control unit 1500 compatible, so the main control unit 1300 and peripheral control unit 1500 must also be replaced.

To replace the main control unit 1300 and the peripheral control unit 1500, first open the main body frame 4 forward relative to the outer frame 2 and remove the wiring connected to the main control unit 1300 (main control board 1310) and the peripheral control unit 1500 (peripheral control board 1510). Then, operate the locking piece 1321 of the main control unit 1300 to release it from the board holder 1200, and remove the main control unit 1300 from the board holder 1200.

In addition, in the peripheral control unit 1500, the detachable locking member 1622 on the rear side of the performance display device 1600 is slid from the locked position to the unlocked position, and the protrusion 1622a of the detachable locking member 1622 is removed from the mounting recess 1522 of the peripheral control unit 1500. Then, the mounting recess 1522 side of the peripheral control unit 1500 is moved backward and, while tilting it, the mounting piece 1521 on the opposite side to the mounting recess 1522 is removed from the mounting engagement portion 1621b, and the peripheral control unit 1500 is removed.

When removing the peripheral control unit 1500, the peripheral side connection connector 1514 is disengaged from the display side connection connector 1625 by moving the peripheral control unit 1500 backward, and the connection between the peripheral control board 1510 and the connection relay board 1624 is released. In addition, the ground connection part 1513 of the peripheral control board 1510 is separated from the ground metal fitting 1623, and the connection between the GND (ground) of the peripheral control board 1510 and the shield metal plate 1620 is released.

After removing the main control unit 1300 and the peripheral control unit 1500, attach the main control unit 1300 included in the game board replacement set to the board holder 1200, and attach the peripheral control unit 1500 to the rear of the performance display device 1600. These are attached in the reverse order to the above. Also, when attaching the main control unit 1300 and the peripheral control unit 1500, check the contents of the management stickers affixed to their management sticker attachment parts 1301 and the contents of the management stickers affixed to their management sticker attachment parts 1501 to ensure that they are attached correctly.

After replacing the main control unit 1300 and the peripheral control unit 1500, connect the previously removed wiring to their respective designated connectors. This completes the replacement work on the rear side of the game board 5A.

Then, the main frame 4 is closed against the outer frame 2, and the door frame 3 is closed. When the door frame 3 is closed, the front contact portion 1057c of the second connecting fitting 1057 protruding forward of the second front unit 6A2 attached to the main frame 4 via the rear unit 6B comes into contact with the door frame reinforcement unit (not shown) made of sheet metal of the door frame 3. At this time, the front spring portion 1057d of the second connecting fitting 1057 is elastically deformed, and the front contact portion 1057c is biased (pressed) against the door frame reinforcement unit. As a result, the outer rail 1001 of the second front unit 6A2 is electrically connected to the ground on the game hall side via the first connecting fitting 1056, the mounting reinforcement sheet metal 1132, the second connecting fitting 1057, and the door frame reinforcement unit, and an earth path is established to release static electricity from the outer rail 1001.

In this way, the replacement work using the game board replacement set at the game hall is completed, and the player can enjoy playing with the second front unit 6A2, which is different from the first front unit 6A1, without having to replace the entire game board 5A.

In the above, an example was shown in which the peripheral control unit 1500 was replaced together with the main control unit 1300 in the rear unit 6B, but it is also possible to replace only the main control unit 1300 without replacing the peripheral control unit 1500. Examples of cases in which the peripheral control unit 1500 is not replaced include when the performance content is not changed, when multiple performance contents corresponding to the game specifications (main control unit 1300) are pre-stored in the peripheral control board 1510 of the peripheral control unit 1500, when a changeover switch corresponding to the game specifications is provided in the peripheral control unit 1500, etc.

[12-5. Modification 1 of the game board of the second embodiment]
Next, a first modified example of the game board 5A of the second embodiment will be described. In the above embodiment, the exchange of electrical signals between the game board 5A and the main frame 4 is shown using a wiring cable with connectors on both ends, but this is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in Figs. 118 and 119, a direct connection by connectors may be used. Fig. 118 shows a first modified example of the game board of the second embodiment, where (a1) is an explanatory diagram showing the right lower corner of the game board from the front when the game board is attached to the main frame, (a2) is an explanatory diagram showing (a1) from the side, (b1) is an explanatory diagram showing the right lower corner of the game board from the front when it is removed from the main frame, and (b2) is an explanatory diagram showing the game board together with the main frame from the side when it is removed. Fig. 119(a) is an explanatory diagram showing Fig. 118(a1) in a plan view, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing Fig. 118(b2) in a plan view.

In more detail, the main body frame 4 is provided with a connector support portion 415 provided in the game board insertion portion 401a of the main body frame base 401, and a main body frame side connection connector 416 attached to the front surface of the connector support portion 415. The main body frame side connection connector 416 has a first main body frame side connection connector 416a connected to the frame control board 640, and a second main body frame side connection connector 416b connected to the door frame sub-relay board (not shown) via the interface board 660. The first main body frame side connection connector 416a and the second main body frame side connection connector 416b are arranged in a row in the left-right direction.

The connector support part 415 is located in the lower right corner of the game board insertion part 401a when viewed from the front. The front surface of the connector support part 415 is inclined so that the right end is located further back than the left end. The main body frame side connection connector 416 is attached so that it protrudes perpendicularly from the front surface of the connector support part 415.

The main frame 4 also has a game board fixing groove 417 that is recessed downward in a portion in front of the connector support portion 415 on the upper end surface of the base wall portion 401b. A part of the fixed operation portion 1145 of the game board 5A is inserted into this game board fixing groove 417. The game board fixing groove 417 is inclined so that the front wall is located further rearward than the upper end. As a result, the game board 5A can be pushed rearward via the fixed operation portion 1145 by the inclined front wall as the fixed operation portion 1145 is rotated and its tip is inserted downward, and the game board side connection connector 1142 can be firmly engaged with the main frame side connection connector 416 all the way.

On the other hand, the game board 5A is provided with a mounting seat 1140 that protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the mounting unit 1130 of the rear unit 6B in the lower right corner when viewed from the front, a connector board 1141 that is attached to the rear surface of the mounting seat 1140, and a game board side connection connector 1142 that is attached to the rear surface of the connector board 1141. When the game board 5A is attached to the main body frame 4, the mounting seat 1140 is located in front of the connector support portion 415 of the main body frame 4, and is inclined so that the right end is located further rearward than the left end, so that its rear surface is parallel to the front surface of the connector support portion 415 of the main body frame 4 (see FIG. 119(a)).

The connector board 1141 is elongated from side to side and is attached to the rear surface of the mounting base 1140. The game board side connector 1142 is attached to the rear surface of the connector board 1141 so as to protrude perpendicularly to the board surface of the connector board 1141.

The game board side connector 1142 has a first game board side connector 1142a connected to the main control board 1310, and a second game board side connector 1142b connected to the peripheral control board 1510. The first game board side connector 1142a and the second game board side connector 1142b are arranged in a row in the left-right direction. The first game board side connector 1142a engages with the first main body frame side connector 416a, and the second game board side connector 1142b engages with the second main body frame side connector 416b.

The game board 5A also has a recess 1144 that is recessed from the front and opens downward in front of the mounting seat 1140, and a fixed operation part 1145 that is rotatably provided in the recess 1144. The fixed operation part 1145 is formed in a semi-disk shape, and the rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction is located between the first game board side connection connector 1142a and the second game board side connection connector 1142b in a front view. This fixed operation part 1145 is rotatably provided between a release position (see FIG. 118(b1)) where the entire part is located above the bottom end of the game board 5A, and a lock position (see FIG. 118(a1)) where a part of the fixed operation part 1145 protrudes downward from the bottom end of the game board 5A.

In this variant 1, the types of connectors used for the main frame side connector 416 and the game board side connector 1142 include drawer connectors, board-to-board connectors, etc.

In this modified example 1, when the game board 5A is attached to the main body frame 4, the connector support portion 415 of the main body frame 4 and the mounting seat portion 1140 (connector board 1141) of the game board 5A face each other, and the first main body frame side connector 416a and the first game board side connector 1142a are engaged, and the second main body frame side connector 416b and the second game board side connector 1142b are engaged. As a result, the frame control board 640 and the main control board 1310 are connected via the first main body frame side connector 416a and the first game board side connector 1142a. Also, the interface board 660 (door frame secondary relay board (not shown)) and the peripheral control board 1510 are connected via the second main body frame side connector 416b and the second game board side connector 1142b.

In this state, the front surface of the connector support portion 415 of the main frame 4 and the rear surface of the mounting seat portion 1140 of the game board 5A are parallel to each other, and are inclined so that their right ends are located further back than their left ends. Therefore, the engagement direction between the main frame side connector 416 and the game board side connector 1142, which is perpendicular to the front surface of the connector support portion 415 and the rear surface of the mounting seat portion 1140, is inclined so that it is located to the right as it moves forward.

In addition, in this state, the fixed operation part 1145 is in the locked position, a part of the fixed operation part 1145 is inserted (fitted) into the game board fixing groove 417 of the main body frame 4, and the game board 5A is pressed backward by the fixed operation part 1145. Since this fixed operation part 1145 is provided between the first game board side connection connector 1142a and the second game board side connection connector 1142b when viewed from the front, the backward pressing force from the fixed operation part 1145 acts evenly on the first game board side connection connector 1142a and the second game board side connection connector 1142b. Due to this pressing force, the game board side connection connector 1142 is firmly engaged all the way to the back with the main body frame side connection connector 416.

Next, when removing the game board 5A from the main frame 4, the fixed operation part 1145 is rotated from the locked position to the unlocked position, a part of the fixed operation part 1145 is removed from the game board fixing groove 417, and the entire fixed operation part 1145 is positioned above the bottom end of the game board 5A. Then, as described above, the right side of the game board 5A is pulled toward you, and the game board is rotated so that the left side becomes the central axis and tilted, and the left side of the game board is moved forward so as to be pulled out from the side reinforcing plate 402 of the main frame 4, and removed from the main frame 4.

At this time, since the engagement direction between the main frame side connector 416 and the game board side connector 1142 is tilted to the right as it moves forward, the game board side connector 1142 moves in a direction close to the engagement direction. This allows the game board side connector 1142 to smoothly come out (disconnect) from the main frame side connector 416.

On the other hand, when attaching the game board 5A to the main body frame 4, the game board 5A can be attached to the main body frame 4 by performing the steps in reverse to those described above, and the game board side connection connector 1142 can be engaged in good condition with the main body frame side connection connector 416.

In this way, according to this modified example 1, simply by attaching the game board 5A to the main body frame 4, the main body frame side connection connector 416 and the game board side connection connector 1142 engage with each other, and wiring connections for electrical signals, etc. between the main body frame 4 and the game board 5A can be automatically made. Therefore, when attaching or detaching the game board 5A, the worker does not need to plug and unplug the wiring cable connector, which reduces the effort required for replacement work and eliminates the occurrence of problems such as broken wiring cables and incorrect connections.

In addition, according to this modified example 1, when the game board 5A is attached to the main body frame 4, the main body frame 4 and the game board 5A are automatically electrically connected by the main body frame side connector 416 and the game board side connector 1142, and when the game board 5A is removed from the main body frame 4, the main body frame side connector 416 and the game board side connector 1142 automatically release the electrical connection between the main body frame 4 and the game board 5A, making it easy to attach and remove the game board 5A to the main body frame 4. At this time, the board fixing part 1133 for attaching the game board 5A to the main body frame 4 is provided in front of the main body frame side connector 416 and the game board side connector 1142, so that the game board 5A can be pressed against the main body frame 4 by fixing with the board fixing part 1133, and the connection between the main body frame side connector 416 and the game board side connector 1142 can be ensured.

In addition, according to this modified example 1, the main body frame 4 and the game board 5A are electrically connected by the main body frame side connection connector 416 and the game board side connection connector 1142, so no wiring cable extends between the main body frame 4 and the game board 5A, and the wiring cable will not get caught or pinched by other parts. In addition, there is no risk of a break in the wire between the main body frame 4 and the game board 5A, and problems with the electrical connection can be prevented.

For example, if the main body frame side connection connector 416 and the game board side connection connector 1142 are made into drawer connectors, they can be connected without worrying about precise positioning, which can improve the workability of replacement work.

[12-6. Modification 2 of the game board of the second embodiment]
Next, a second modified example of the game board 5A of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 120 and the like. Fig. 120 shows a second modified example of the game board of the second embodiment, in which (a) is an explanatory diagram showing a front unit provided with a movable stamp pasting auxiliary member together with the rear unit and the main body frame from a side view, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing a front unit provided with a movable stamp pasting auxiliary member of a different form from (a) together with the rear unit and the main body frame from a side view. In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the stamp pasting part 1012 is provided on the front surface of the unit fixing part 1021 of the unit fixing part 1020 in the front unit 6A of the game board 5A is shown, but this is not limited to this, and a configuration as shown in Fig. 120 may also be used.

In the second modification, the front unit 6A of the game board 5A is provided with a storage recess 1065 recessed from the front side, and a stamp affixing auxiliary member 1066 that is provided so as to be able to be accommodated in the storage recess 1065 and one end of which is rotatably supported. This stamp affixing auxiliary member 1066 is provided with a stamp affixing section 1012 on the surface that faces forward and backward when accommodated in the storage recess 1065.

In the example of Fig. 120(a), the stamp affixing auxiliary member 1066 is flat and its rotation axis is provided near the front end of the front unit 6A. In the example of Fig. 120(b), the stamp affixing auxiliary member 1066 is L-shaped in side view and its rotation axis is provided near the rear end of the front unit 6A.

This stamp affixing auxiliary member 1066 is provided so that at least a portion of it protrudes outward from the front projection range of the front unit 6A when not housed in the housing recess 1065. Therefore, in this state, when an attempt is made to attach the front unit 6A to the front of the rear unit 6B attached to the main body frame 4, the stamp affixing auxiliary member 1066 abuts against the main body frame 4. This makes it possible for the worker replacing the front unit 6A to be aware of the presence of the stamp affixing auxiliary member 1066, and to visually confirm the stamp affixed to the stamp affixing portion 1012 of the stamp affixing auxiliary member 1066. This allows the contents written on the stamp to be confirmed, and prevents the wrong front unit 6A from being attached.

In the case where the stamp affixing auxiliary member 1066 can be attached even when the front unit 6A is attached to the rear unit 6B attached to the main body frame 4, as in the modified example of FIG. 120(a), a unit fixing portion 1020 (unit fixing member 1021) for attaching the front unit 6A to the rear unit 6B may be provided at the bottom of the accommodation recess 1065. As a result, in order to operate the unit fixing member 1021, it is necessary to rotate the stamp affixing auxiliary member 1066, and the stamp affixed to the stamp affixing portion 1012 of the stamp affixing auxiliary member 1066 can be visually confirmed to confirm the contents written on the stamp, thereby achieving the same effect as above even more.

The stamp affixing auxiliary member 1066 may also be formed from a transparent member. This allows the back side of the stamp affixed to the stamp affixing portion 1012 of the stamp affixing auxiliary member 1066 to be seen, making it possible to confirm the color of the stamp even from the back side and to make it easier to find any traces of fraud on the stamp. In more detail, for example, if the stamp is colored so that the game board 5A can be distinguished by its color, it can be determined whether the front unit 6A to which the stamp is affixed is correct or not without looking at the stamp from the front side.

[12-7. Other Modifications of the Gaming Board of the Second Embodiment]
Next, other modified examples of the game board 5A of the second embodiment different from the above will be described. First, in the above embodiment, the stamp pasting section 1012 is provided on a movable member such as the unit fixing member 1021 or the stamp pasting auxiliary member 1066, but this is not limiting, and the stamp pasting section 1012 may be provided on a non-movable portion of the front unit 6A.

In this case, it is desirable to provide the stamp pasting section 1012 adjacent to the unit fixing section 1020 for fixing the front unit 6A and the rear unit 6B to each other. This allows the worker to see the stamp pasted on the adjacent stamp pasting section 1012 when manipulating the unit fixing member 1021 of the unit fixing section 1020 during the replacement work of the front unit 6A, allowing the worker to confirm the contents of the stamp and preventing the wrong front unit 6A from being attached.

In the above embodiment, the means for determining that the front unit 6A and the rear unit 6B are a pair (pair discrimination means) is shown to be determined by the contents written on the certificate stamp attached to the front unit 6A and the management sticker attached to the main control unit 1300 or the peripheral control unit 1500 of the rear unit 6B, but this is not limited to this and the following configurations may be used. As another configuration of the discrimination means, for example, it may be determined by using a speckle attached to the front unit 6A and a management sticker or a sticker other than the management sticker attached to the main control unit 1300 or the peripheral control unit 1500. Alternatively, the pair discrimination means may be a dedicated sticker other than the certificate stamp, spec sticker, or management sticker as described above. In addition, the pair discrimination means may be a color, pattern, design, barcode, two-dimensional barcode, etc.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the arrangement of the obstacle nails N and the front unit 2000 in the second front unit 6A2 are shown to be different from those of the first front unit 6A1, but this is not limited thereto and they may be the same as the first front unit 6A1. In this case, it is desirable to make the difference in the game specifications between the first front unit 6A1 and the second front unit 6A2 stand out by making the shape and color of the design parts (e.g., the side unit 2200, the center gimmick 2500, etc.) of the front unit 2000, the shape and color of the spec sticker, etc. different. With such a configuration, the shape and color of the design parts, the shape and color of the spec sticker, etc. function as a "pair discrimination means" that indicates that the main control unit 1300 and the peripheral control unit 1500 are paired.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the unit fixing member 1021 for fixing the front unit 6A and the rear unit 6B to each other is shown as sliding between the locked position and the released position, but this is not limited thereto, and it may be one that rotates between the locked position and the released position.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the game board fixing member 1134 for attaching the rear unit 6B of the game board 5A to the main frame 4 is provided on the rear unit 6B, but this is not limited to this and may be provided on the main frame 4.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the front unit 6A and rear unit 6B of the game board 5A are directly connected by the front inter-unit connector 1060 and rear inter-unit connector 1150, which are made up of drawer connectors, but this is not limited to this, and the front unit 6A and rear unit 6B may be electrically connected using a wiring cable with connection connectors on both ends. In this case, costs are reduced because a relatively expensive drawer connector is not used.

In the above embodiment, the front inter-unit connector 1060 of the front unit 6A is provided on the rear surface of the attacca unit 2400, but this is not limited thereto, and the front inter-unit connector 1060 may be provided on the rear surface of the panel plate 1110, the panel holder 1120A, the starting port unit 2100, the second attacca unit 2450, the center role 2500, etc. When the front inter-unit connector 1060 is provided on the rear surface of the panel holder 1120A, the panel holder 1120A, most of which is located outside the play area 5a, makes it difficult to see the front inter-unit connector 1060 and the wiring between the front inter-unit connector 1060 and the electrical components from the front, and a pachinko machine 1 with a good appearance can be provided.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the rear inter-unit connector 1150 of the rear unit 6B is provided on the front surface of the rear unit 3000, but this is not limited to the above. The rear inter-unit connector 1150 may be provided on the front surface of the mounting unit 1130, or the mounting unit 1130 may be provided with an opening or notch through which the rear inter-unit connector 1150 faces forward, and then provided on the front surface of the fixed piece portion 3010e of the rear box 3010.

In the above embodiment, the wiring from the electrical components such as the second start port sensor 2401 and the start port solenoid 2412 provided in the front unit 6A is collected in the inter-unit connector front 1060, and the wiring extending from the main control board 1310 and the peripheral control board 1510 provided in the rear unit 6B to the front unit 6A side is collected in the inter-unit connector rear 1150, and the front unit 6A and the rear unit 6B are electrically connected by connecting the inter-unit connector front 1060 and the inter-unit connector rear 1150, but this is not limited to this, and the front unit 6A and the rear unit 6B may be electrically connected without using the inter-unit connector front 1060 and the inter-unit connector rear 1150. Specifically, for example, the connector provided in the electrical components of the front unit 6A and the connector provided in the main control board 1310, the peripheral control board 1510, the relay board, etc. of the rear unit 6B may be connected to each other using a wiring cable having connection connectors at both ends. In this case, it is desirable to provide a through hole or cutout portion through which the wiring cable passes in the mounting unit 1130 or the rear box 3010 of the rear unit 3000 in the rear unit 6B. In such a configuration, when replacing the front unit 6A, the connectors on both ends of the wiring cable may be removed only from the connectors of the front unit 6A so that the wiring cable can be reused, or may be removed only from the connectors of the rear unit 6B so that the wiring cable can be replaced as a whole. This eliminates the need to use a relatively expensive drawer connector, and helps to prevent an increase in costs associated with the game board 5A.

As described above, when the electrical connection between the front unit 6A and the rear unit 6B is made using a wiring cable having connectors on both ends, the connectors on the front unit 6A and the rear unit 6B may face to the side (e.g., to the right), and the connector on the rear unit 6B may face backward.

In addition, as described above, when a wiring cable having connectors at both ends is used to electrically connect the front unit 6A and the rear unit 6B, many wiring cables will extend between the front unit 6A and the rear unit 6B, so it is desirable to provide a wiring bundling means (e.g., a spiral tube, a cable tie, a harness holder, etc.) to bundle the wiring cables. This will prevent the loose wiring cables from getting in the way or getting caught on other components and breaking.

In addition, the electrical connection between the front unit 6A and the rear unit 6B may be, for example, such that a front inter-unit connector 1060 is provided on the rear surface of the panel holder 1120A of the front unit 6A, and a through hole or cutout portion through which the front inter-unit connector 1060 protrudes rearward is provided in the mounting unit 1130 of the rear unit 6B and the fixed piece portion 3010e of the rear box 3010, and the rear inter-unit connector 1150 or a connector at the end of a wiring cable extending from the main control board 1310, the peripheral control board 1510, etc. is connected to the front inter-unit connector 1060 protruding rearward from the rear surface of the fixed piece portion 3010e.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the mounting unit 1130 is configured separately from the rear unit 3000 in the rear unit 6B of the game board 5A, but this is not limited to this, and the mounting unit 1130 may be configured to be part of the rear unit 3000. Specifically, for example, in the rear box 3010 of the rear unit 3000, the flange-shaped fixing piece portion 3010e extending outward from the front end is formed to a size and shape that can be attached to the game board insertion portion 401a of the main body frame 4, and a reinforcing sheet metal is provided on the front or rear surface. Then, the fixing piece portion 3010e of the rear box 3010 is provided with the board fixing portion 1133, the game board fixing member 1134, the locking claw 1135, the positioning boss 1136, the positioning abutment portion 1138, and the cutout portion 1139, similar to the mounting unit 1130, and the function display unit 1400 is attached. This eliminates the need to provide a separate mounting unit 1130, and helps prevent increases in costs for the game board 5A.

In the above embodiment, the front unit 6A of the game board 5A is provided with electrical components such as the second start port sensor 2401, the start port solenoid 2412, and the attacca decorative board (LED and LED driver), but this is not limited to this, and the front unit 6A may not be provided with electrical components. Specifically, for example, in the case of a winning port unit having a winning port door that opens and closes the winning port such as the attacca unit 2400, the entire winning port unit may be provided in the rear unit 6B, and an opening into which the winning port unit is inserted from the rear may be provided in the game panel 1100A (panel plate 1110), so that the winning port and the winning port door protrude forward from the front surface of the panel plate 1110. Alternatively, the front unit 6A may be provided with a winning hole and a winning hole door for opening and closing the winning hole, while the rear unit 6B may be provided with a sensor for detecting the game ball B received in the winning hole and an actuator (e.g., a solenoid, a motor) for opening and closing the winning hole door, and the actuator may be configured to transmit the drive from the actuator to the winning hole door. In other words, electrical components such as the second starting hole sensor 2401, the starting hole solenoid 2412, the attacca solenoid 2414, and the large winning hole sensor 2402 may be provided in the rear unit 6B, and when the front unit 6A is assembled to the rear unit 6B, they may be connected to the ball passage and opening and closing mechanism of the second starting hole 2004 and the large winning hole 2005.

As described above, when no electrical components are provided in the front unit 6A, the gate 2010 may be configured such that the gate sensor 2011 is provided in the rear unit 6B, and the gate member 2630 of the front unit 6A is provided so as to be open to the rear, and the gate sensor 2011 is inserted into the gate member 2630 from the rear. Alternatively, the gate 2010 may be configured as a passage-like gate passage that guides the player from the front of the game panel 1100A to the rear and then returns to the front of the game panel 1100A, like the second guide passage 2522 in the game board 5 of the first embodiment, and the gate passage may be divided into two, the front unit 6A side and the rear unit 6B side, and the gate sensor 2011 may be provided on the rear unit 6B side of the gate passage.

Furthermore, in the case where no electrical components are provided in the front unit 6A as described above, the following configurations can be mentioned. For example, the rear unit 6B may be configured to have a light-emitting means such as an LED that irradiates light forward at a position behind the part of the front unit 6A that is to be illuminated and decorated. Alternatively, the front unit 6A may be configured to have a light-guiding means that illuminates and decorates a specific part with light from the rear, and the rear unit 6B may be configured to have a light-emitting means such as an LED that irradiates light to the light-guiding means. In this way, by configuring the front unit 6A not to have electrical components, it is possible to suppress increases in costs associated with the front unit 6A.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the mounting reinforcement sheet metal 1132 is shown to be formed in a frame shape, but this is not limited to this, and it may be formed in a U-shape, an L-shape, a strip shape, or composed of multiple metal plates, etc.

In the above embodiment, the electrical connection between the outer rail 1001 and the mounting reinforcement metal plate 1132, and the electrical connection between the mounting reinforcement metal plate 1132 and the door frame reinforcement unit of the door frame 3 are shown to be made by contact with the first connecting fitting 1056 and the second connecting fitting 1057, but this is not limited to this. The electrical connection may be made by directly connecting (joining) the connection connectors provided on both sides, or the connection connectors provided on both sides may be electrically connected by a wiring cable with connection connectors on both ends.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the earth path of the mounting reinforcement metal plate 1132 is shown as penetrating the game panel 1100A and connecting to the front door frame 3, but this is not limited to this. It may also be penetrating the game panel 1100A and connecting to the main body frame 4, or it may bypass the side of the game panel 1100A and connect to the front door frame 3 or main body frame 4.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the ground connection part 1513 of the peripheral control board 1510 and the shielding metal plate 1620 of the performance display device 1600 are electrically connected by a leaf spring-shaped ground fitting 1623, but this is not limited to this, and the electrical connection may be made using a leaf spring formed from conductive resin, a coil spring formed from metal or conductive resin, conductive foam, conductive sponge, etc.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the peripheral control board 1510 is provided with a ground connection part 1513 connected to ground, but this is not limited to this. A metal plate connected to the ground of the peripheral control board 1510 may be provided on the outer surface of the peripheral control board box 1520, and the ground metal fitting 1623 may be brought into contact with the metal plate.

[12-8. Effects of the game board according to the second embodiment]
According to the game board 5A of the second embodiment, the front unit 6A as a functional part having a plurality of obstacle nails N, a plurality of winning holes such as the general winning hole 2001 and the first starting hole 2003, the game panel 1100A, and a certificate (certificate sticker attachment part 1012) is provided so as to be replaceable from the game board 5A attached to the main frame 4. Therefore, when it is desired to change the game specifications or model of the game board 5A of the pachinko machine 1 attached to the island equipment of the game hall, it is possible to remove only the front unit 6A without removing the entire game board 5A from the main frame 4. Then, by replacing the front unit 6A with a different game specification or model prepared in advance, the game specification or model can be changed in the game hall, and a pachinko machine 1 capable of easily changing the game specification or model can be provided.

In addition, as described above, by replacing the front unit 6A as a functional part in the game hall, the game specifications and model can be easily changed, so the time required to change the game specifications and model can be shortened as much as possible, the cost of the change can be reduced, and a decrease in the operating rate of the pachinko machine 1 (island equipment) in the game hall can be suppressed, and the burden on the game hall can be reduced.

In addition, the stamp attachment section 1012, to which a stamp is affixed, is provided on the front surface of the unit fixing member 1021 in the front unit 6A as a functional section. Therefore, when an operator turns his or her gaze toward the unit fixing member 1021 to operate the unit fixing member 1021 in order to replace the front unit 6A, the stamp attached to the stamp attachment section 1012 comes into view, and the stamp will not be overlooked. This allows the contents of the stamp attached to the front unit 6A to be reliably confirmed, and prevents replacement with a wrong or unauthorized front unit.

In addition, in the front unit 6A as a functional part, the stamp attachment auxiliary member 1066 to which the stamp is attached is provided movably adjacent to the unit fixing member 1021 operated when replacing the game board 5A attached to the main body frame 4. Therefore, when the stamp attachment auxiliary member 1066 is moved outward from the game board 5A and the front unit 6A is attached to the remaining part (rear unit 6B) of the game board 5A attached to the main body frame 4, the stamp attachment auxiliary member 1066 moving outward may interfere with the attachment, or even if the front unit 6A is attached, the stamp attachment auxiliary member 1066 moving forward may prevent the door frame 3 from being closed from the front against the main body frame 4. Therefore, when the front unit 6A to be replaced is attached to the rear unit 6B attached to the main body frame 4, the stamp attachment auxiliary member 1066 can be moved to be accommodated in the accommodation recess 1065. When moving this stamp affixing auxiliary member 1066, the stamp affixed to the stamp affixing portion 1012 of the stamp affixing auxiliary member 1066 comes into the worker's field of vision, allowing the worker to reliably confirm the contents of the stamp. The contents of the stamp can be used to confirm (verify) its consistency with the rear unit 6B attached to the main body frame 4, and the attachment of an incorrect or unauthorized front unit can be prevented.

Furthermore, when the front unit 6A as a functional part has electrical components such as the gate sensor 2011, the starting port solenoid 2412, and a decorative board on which an LED is mounted, there is no need to provide the front unit 6A with extra mechanisms such as a mechanism for transmitting drive from an actuator such as a solenoid provided in the rear unit 6B, or a mechanism for guiding light from an LED provided in the rear unit 6B, compared to when the front unit 6A does not have any electrical components, so it is possible to suppress an increase in the cost of the front unit 6A and to suppress the costs associated with changing game specifications and models.

In addition, as described above, if the front unit 6A has electrical components, there is no need to provide the front unit 6A as a functional part with extra mechanisms such as a mechanism for transmitting drive from an actuator such as a solenoid provided in the rear unit 6B, or a mechanism for guiding light from an LED provided in the rear unit 6B. Therefore, the provision of such mechanisms does not complicate the attachment and detachment of the front unit 6A to the rear unit 6B, and the attachment and detachment of the front unit 6A can be simplified, making it possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 that allows easy changes to the game specifications and model in game parlors.

Furthermore, since the front unit 6A as a functional part has electrical components such as the gate sensor 2011, the starting port solenoid 2412, and a decorative board on which an LED is mounted, it is possible to replace the front unit 6A with a different winning port (winning port that opens and closes) and light-emitting decorations, making it possible to significantly change the appearance, and therefore it is not limited to simply changing the game specifications, but can also be changed to make it more appealing to players, and a pachinko machine 1 can be provided that is expected to provide benefits that exceed the cost of replacing the front unit 6A.

In addition, the wiring from the electrical components in the front unit 6A, which is a functional part, is collected and connected to the rear inter-unit connector 1150 of the rear unit 6B via the front inter-unit connector 1060. Therefore, when replacing the front unit 6A, the electrical connection can be removed and reattached simply by removing and attaching the front unit 6A to the rear unit 6B, making the replacement work of the front unit 6A easy.

In addition, because the front inter-unit connector 1060 and the rear inter-unit connector 1150 are directly connected, no wiring cable extends between the front unit 6A and the rear unit 6B, so the wiring cable will not get caught or pinched between other parts, and there is no risk of a disconnection between the front unit 6A and the rear unit 6B, preventing problems with the electrical connection.

The front unit 6A, which acts as a functional part, can be replaced without using tools such as a screwdriver, so the amusement hall can easily replace the front unit 6A without having to prepare tools, and even an attendant at the amusement hall can easily perform the replacement work.

Furthermore, according to the second embodiment of the game board 5A, the game panel 1100A, which has multiple obstacle nails N and multiple winning holes such as the general winning hole 2001 and the first starting hole 2003, is provided so as to be separable from the game board 5A. For example, when changing the game specifications or model of the game board 5A mounted on the main frame 4 attached to the island equipment of the game hall, it is possible to remove only the game panel 1100A (front unit 6A) from the main frame 4 without removing the entire game board 5A. Then, by replacing it with a game panel 1100A (front unit 6A) with a different game specification or model that has been prepared in advance, the game specifications or model can be changed in the game hall, and a pachinko machine 1 that allows easy changes in game specifications and models can be provided. In this case, electrical components such as the second start hole sensor 2401 and the large winning hole sensor 2402 are provided on the side farther from the axis of the main frame 4 on the left-right center of the game panel 1100A, and on the right side of the left-right center as a specific area. By connecting to the rear inter-unit connector 1150 of the remaining part of the game board (rear unit 6B) via the front inter-unit connector 1060 connected to the electrical components, when installing or removing the game panel 1100A (front unit 6A), it is not necessary to perform the work related to the electrical connection with the rear unit 6B in various places on the game panel 1100A (front unit 6A), and the work can be performed efficiently within the specific area in the lower right corner, and a pachinko machine 1 that makes it possible to easily install or remove the game panel 1100A (front unit 6A) can be provided.

In addition, when the game board 5A is attached to the main frame 4 and the main frame 4 is opened from the island equipment of the game hall by rotating the hinge, the specific area of the game panel 1100A (front unit 6A) is located near the free end side of the main frame 4, so that it is easy to connect and disconnect electrical components such as the second start hole sensor 2401 and the large prize hole sensor 2402 provided in the specific area to the rear unit 6B. In more detail, in this embodiment, the front inter-unit connector 1060 connected to electrical components such as the second start hole sensor 2401 and the large prize hole sensor 2402 is directly connected to the rear inter-unit connector 1150 provided in the rear unit 6B. When removing the game panel 1100A (front unit 6A) from the game board 5A attached to the main frame 4, since the main frame 4 rotates on a hinge and the working space on the axis side is narrow due to the island equipment and the door frame 3, it is easier to perform the installation and removal work by rotating the game panel 1100A at an angle while rotating it on the side close to the axis of the main frame 4 (the left end side) as the axis. At this time, the game panel 1100A (front unit 6A) is in an inclined state with respect to the rear unit 6B, but since the front inter-unit connector 1060 that is directly connected to the position far from the axis is provided, the inclination of the movement direction of the front inter-unit connector 1060 is slight with respect to the original insertion and removal direction (here, the front-to-rear direction) of the front inter-unit connector 1060, and the connection and release between the front inter-unit connector 1060 of the game panel 1100A (front unit 6A) and the rear inter-unit connector 1150 of the rear unit 6B can be smoothly performed. For this reason, when installing or removing the gaming panel 1100A (front unit 6A), the work involved in electrically connecting with the rear unit 6B is easy, which makes it easy to install or remove the gaming panel 1100A (front unit 6A), and provides a pachinko machine 1 that can reliably achieve the above-mentioned effects.

In addition, since the gaming panel 1100A (front unit 6A) has a front inter-unit connector 1060 as a wiring means, the wiring cables from electrical components such as the second start port sensor 2401 and the large winning port sensor 2402 will not come undone when installing or removing the gaming panel 1100A, and it is possible to prevent the disconnected wiring cables from getting caught on other components and interfering with the work, and it is possible to provide a gaming machine that makes it easy to install and remove the gaming panel 1100A (front unit 6A).

Furthermore, as described above, the front inter-unit connector 1060 as a wiring wrapping means makes it difficult for the wiring cable to get caught on other components, eliminating the risk of a disconnection in the electrical connection between the gaming panel 1100A (front unit 6A) and the rear unit 6B, and preventing malfunctions in the electrical connection.

In addition, because electrical components such as the second start port sensor 2401 and the big prize port sensor 2402 are provided in specific areas of the gaming panel 1100A (front unit 6A), when a transparent material is used for the gaming panel 1100A, it is possible to consolidate the configuration (idea) for hiding the wiring cables extending from the electrical components to a certain extent, which suppresses increases in costs and makes it difficult for the configuration for hiding the wiring cables to hinder the benefit of making the gaming panel 1100A transparent, making it possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 that has the intended effect and is highly appealing to players.

Furthermore, according to the second embodiment of the game board 5A, the performance display device 1600 serving as a display unit on the game board 5A is newly provided with a connection relay board 1624, which has not been provided in previous pachinko machines, and the connection relay board 1624 is provided with a display side connection connector 1625 which is connected to the peripheral side connection connector 1514 of the peripheral control unit 1500. Then, the connection relay board 1624 is provided with an FPC connection connector 1624a to which an FPC 1626 extending from the performance display device 1600 is connected, the performance display device 1600 and the connection relay board 1624 are connected by the FPC 1626, and the FPC connection connector 1624a and the display side connection connector 1625 are connected by the wiring circuit of the connection relay board 1624, so that the connection with the peripheral control board 1510 side can be made by the display side connection connector 1625 instead of the FPC connection connector 1624a, and the display side connection connector 1625 can be a type of connector (for example, a drawer connector, a board-to-board connector, etc.) that can be reliably connected even by an amateur. In other words, the type of connector to be connected can be changed in the connection relay board 1624. Therefore, at the pachinko machine 1 factory, an expert first connects the connector of the FPC 1626 to the connector of the connection relay board 1624, and then the connection (insertion and removal) can be performed at the display side connection connector 1625, so that even an unskilled person can reliably connect the display side connection connector 1625 to the peripheral side connection connector 1514, and even an amateur can attach and detach the peripheral control unit 1500 to the performance display device 1600 without causing any malfunctions. As a result, it is possible to reduce the cost of reusing the performance display device 1600, and to provide a pachinko machine 1 in which the performance display device 1600 is easy to reuse.

In addition, since the connector of the FPC 1626 from the performance display device 1600 is connected to the connection relay board 1624, and the connection relay board 1624 is attached to the performance display device 1600 (shielding sheet metal 1620), even if the display side connection connector 1625 of the connection relay board 1624 is repeatedly inserted and removed, the connection relay board 1624 is immovable, so the FPC 1626 from the performance display device 1600 does not move and does not become more susceptible to picking up noise. Therefore, even if the peripheral control unit 1500 is replaced, noise will not be introduced, and the player can enjoy a good performance image without noise, and a pachinko machine 1 can be provided that can suppress a decline in the player's interest.

Furthermore, because the peripheral side connection connector 1514 is attached to the peripheral control board 1510, there is no need to provide a connection relay board for attaching the peripheral side connection connector 1514 in the peripheral control unit 1500 separately from the peripheral control board 1510, which makes it possible to suppress an increase in the cost of the peripheral control unit 1500.

In addition, when the peripheral control unit 1500 is attached to the performance display device 1600, the display side connection connector 1625 and the peripheral side connection connector 1514 are automatically connected, so that when removing or replacing the peripheral control unit 1500, the electrical connection work with the performance display device 1600 can be omitted, making the removal and installation of the peripheral control unit 1500 easier.

In addition, because the display side connection connector 1625 and the peripheral side connection connector 1514 are directly connected, no wiring cable extends between the performance display device 1600 and the peripheral control unit 1500. This means that the wiring cable will not get caught or pinched between other parts, and there is no risk of a disconnection between the performance display device 1600 and the peripheral control unit 1500. This means that the performance image from the peripheral control board 1510 can be reliably displayed on the performance display device 1600, and a pachinko machine 1 can be provided that allows players to enjoy the performance images and prevents a decline in interest.

Furthermore, the ground of the performance display device 1600 (shielding metal sheet 1620) and the ground of the peripheral control unit 1500 (ground connection part 1513 of the peripheral control board 1510) are electrically connected by a grounding metal fitting 1623, which makes it more resistant to noise and stabilizes the operation of the electrical circuits in the performance display device 1600 and the peripheral control board 1510.

In addition, when the peripheral control unit 1500 is attached to the performance display device 1600, the tip of the grounding fitting 1623 attached to the shield metal sheet 1620 elastically contacts the ground connection part 1513 on the opposite peripheral control board, so that the ground connection between the performance display device 1600 and the peripheral control board 1510 can be automatically made, making the connection work even easier.

Furthermore, the peripheral control unit 1500 can be attached to and detached from the performance display device 1600 by rotating around an attachment piece 1521 provided on one edge of the peripheral control board box 1520. This attachment piece 1521 allows the peripheral control unit 1500 to be positioned relative to the performance display device 1600, making it easy to attach and detach the peripheral control unit 1500.

In addition, when the peripheral control unit 1500 is attached to or detached from the performance display device 1600, the peripheral connection connector 1514 moves in an arc toward the display side connection connector 1625 because the mounting piece 1521 of the peripheral control board box 1520 in the peripheral control unit 1500 is the center of rotation. However, because the mounting piece 1521 is located far from the peripheral connection connector 1514, the inclination of the movement direction of the peripheral connection connector 1514 is slight with respect to the insertion/removal direction (here, the front-to-back direction) between the display side connection connector 1625 and the peripheral connection connector 1514, so the peripheral connection connector 1514 can be smoothly and directly connected to the display side connection connector 1625, making it easy to attach and detach the peripheral control unit 1500.

Furthermore, as described above, the performance display device 1600 and the peripheral control unit 1500 as the display unit can be easily attached and detached, so that the following excellent operational effects can be achieved. In more detail, the game hall side where the pachinko machine 1 is installed may want to change the pachinko machine with a certain game specification that was once installed in the island equipment to a different game specification. In such a case, the pachinko machine manufacturer will take the pachinko machine from the game hall side to a factory, clean it, change the game specification to the desired one, and ship it to the game hall side. However, when the pachinko machine is taken to the factory, it takes time for the pachinko machine with the changed game specification to be returned, and during that time, the part of the island equipment where the pachinko machine is installed remains vacant, which causes a decrease in the operation rate of the game hall and places a burden on the game hall side. In contrast, in this embodiment, even an amateur can easily attach and detach the performance display device 1600 and the peripheral control unit 1500, so when it is desired to change the game specifications or model of the pachinko machine 1 installed on the island equipment of the game hall, the staff of the game hall can remove and replace the peripheral control unit 1500 while the pachinko machine 1 is installed on the island equipment, and the game specifications and model can be easily changed without replacing the entire pachinko machine 1. In addition, since it is only necessary to replace the peripheral control unit 1500 while leaving the performance display device 1600 in the pachinko machine 1, the cost of changing the game specifications and model can be reduced compared to replacing the entire pachinko machine 1. It goes without saying that when changing the game specifications or model, it is necessary to replace the main control unit 1300 having the main control board 1310 for controlling the game.

In addition, as described above, since the performance control unit can be replaced at the amusement hall without having to take the pachinko machine 1 back to the factory, the time required to change the game specifications or model can be shortened as much as possible, reducing the cost of the change and preventing a decrease in the operating rate of the pachinko machine (island equipment) at the amusement hall, thereby reducing the burden on the amusement hall.

In addition, the tip of the grounding fitting 1623 is branched into multiple parts like a fork to make elastic contact with the ground connection part 1513 of the peripheral control board 1510. This increases the number of contact points, reducing poor contact and ensuring a reliable ground connection between the performance display device 1600 and the peripheral control board 1510.

Furthermore, according to the second embodiment of the game board 5A, the game ball B is guided into the game area 5a by the metal outer rail 1001 in the front component 1000A of the front unit 6A of the game board 5A, so that the generation of static electricity due to contact with the game ball B can be reduced compared to the case of guiding by a resin rail. And, the part of the outer rail 1001 that the game ball B first contacts (the part near the downstream end) is the part where the game ball B abuts most strongly, so that high static electricity is likely to be generated, and since the part of the outer rail 1001 is electrically connected to the mounting reinforcement plate 1132 of the rear unit 6B via the first connecting fitting 1056, the static electricity generated by the abutment of the game ball B can be immediately released through the mounting reinforcement plate 1132 that is connected to earth, and the occurrence of discharge or short circuit between the outer rail 1001 and other components can be prevented, and the occurrence of malfunctions can be suppressed. In this case, because the mounting reinforcing metal plate 1132 is provided behind the game panel 1100A, the mounting reinforcing metal plate 1132 can be made difficult to see from the front, and the appearance of the pachinko machine 1 is not marred, making it possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 that looks good while preventing malfunctions caused by static electricity.

In addition, since the metal outer rail 1001 that guides the game ball B to the play area 5a is connected to earth via the mounting reinforcing sheet metal 1132, even if a statically charged (charged) game ball B is supplied into the play area 5a, the game ball B comes into contact with the outer rail 1001 and is guided thereto, so that the static electricity can be removed from the game ball B. Therefore, since an uncharged game ball B can be supplied into the play area 5a, malfunctions caused by a charged game ball B being supplied into the play area 5a (for example, malfunctions caused by discharge or short circuit between the game ball B and the sensor, malfunctions caused by discharge or short circuit between the game ball B and the LED or board, etc.) can be avoided, so that it is possible to prevent the player from feeling uncomfortable due to interruptions to the game caused by malfunctions, and to suppress a decrease in the player's interest in the game.

Furthermore, the mounting reinforcing metal plate 1132 is located away from electrical components such as the main control board 1310 and the gate sensor 2011, and the earth path of the mounting reinforcing metal plate 1132 penetrates the game panel 1100 and connects to the front, so that the mounting reinforcing metal plate 1132 and its earth path are kept away from electrical components provided behind the game panel 1100A. This makes it possible to avoid discharges and short circuits between the mounting reinforcing metal plate 1132 (earth path) and electrical components provided behind the game panel 1100A, thereby preventing malfunctions such as damage to electrical components and noise caused by static electricity, and reliably providing a pachinko machine 1 that can prevent players from feeling uncomfortable and losing interest in the game due to interruptions in play caused by malfunctions.

In addition, a mounting reinforcement metal plate 1132 that is connected to earth is provided behind the game panel 1100A, and the mounting reinforcement metal plate 1132 has a larger area (volume) than the outer rail 1001. This is expected to diffuse and weaken (reduce voltage) static electricity from the outer rail 1001, making it less likely for discharges or short circuits to occur.

In addition, when the front unit 6A and the rear unit 6B are attached to each other, the first connecting fitting 1056 and the second connecting fitting 1057 automatically electrically connect the outer rail 1001 and the mounting reinforcement plate 1132, making it easy to separate and attach the front unit 6A and the rear unit 6B, and shortening the time required to change the game specifications or model by replacing the front unit 6A as much as possible.

Furthermore, according to the second embodiment of the game board 5A, the game board 5A is composed of a front unit 6A and a rear unit 6B that can be separated into front and rear, so that when you want to change the game specifications or the type of the game board 5A that is attached to the main frame 4 that is attached to the island equipment of the game hall, you only need to replace the front unit 6A of the game board 5A, and you can easily change the game specifications or the type of the game without replacing the entire game board 5A, and you can reduce the cost of changing the game specifications or the type of the game compared to when you replace the entire game board 5A. At this time, the front unit 6A and the rear unit 6B are made to stand on their own while inserted into the game board insertion part 401a of the main frame base 401 in the main frame 4, so that even if you remove the front unit 6A from the game board 5A attached to the main frame 4 and only the rear unit 6B is attached to the main frame 4, the rear unit 6B inserted into the game board insertion part 401a of the main frame 4 will not stand on its own and fall forward. Therefore, there is no need to support the rear unit 6B so that it does not fall off the main frame 4, and the effort required for removing (replacing) the front unit 6A can be simplified, improving workability. In this way, the front unit 6A in the game board 5A can be easily attached and detached from the main frame 4 of the pachinko machine 1 installed in the island equipment of the game hall, so that the replacement work of the front unit 6A can be performed in the game hall without having to take the game board 5A (front unit 6A) to the factory. This makes it possible to shorten the time required to change the game specifications and model as much as possible, reducing the cost of the change, and suppressing the decrease in the operating rate of the pachinko machine 1 (island equipment) in the game hall, thereby reducing the burden on the game hall.

In addition, the rear unit 6B of the game board 5A is provided with a reinforcing metal plate 1132 that is the same size as the outer shape of the game board 5A, and the presence of the reinforcing metal plate 1132 increases the strength and rigidity of the rear unit 6B. This makes it easier to equip the rear unit 6B with a heavy performance device (such as the rear-bottom performance unit 3600, the performance display device 1600, etc.), allowing for a performance device that is more entertaining to players to be installed, and a pachinko machine 1 that is highly appealing to players to be provided.

In addition, because the strength and rigidity of the rear unit 6B is high due to the mounting reinforcing metal plate 1132, there is no need to share the strength with the game panel 1100A of the front unit 6A, and it is possible to make the front unit 6A (game panel 1100A) thinner or out of a cheaper material with weaker strength, which allows the front unit 6A to be made lighter and less costly.

Furthermore, since the rear unit 6B is provided with a plurality of positioning bosses 1136, when the rear unit 6B and the front unit 6A are attached to each other, the positioning bosses 1136 guide the front unit 6A to the correct position relative to the rear unit 6B. Therefore, even if the front unit 6A and the rear unit 6B are made separable, problems due to misalignment between the front unit 6A and the rear unit 6B do not occur, and it is possible to easily separate the front unit 6A and the rear unit 6B. As a result, it is possible to make the pachinko machine 1 easy to replace the front unit 6A, and it is possible to easily change the game specifications and model by replacing the front unit 6A, and it is possible to reliably provide a pachinko machine 1 that achieves the same effects as those described above.

In addition, since the multiple positioning bosses 1136 are composed of the first positioning boss 1136a and the second positioning boss 1136b, which have different forward protruding lengths, when attaching the front unit 6A and the rear unit 6B to each other, the first positioning boss 1136a, which protrudes forward a long way, first guides the front unit 6A, and as the front unit 6A approaches the rear unit 6B, the second positioning boss 1136b, which protrudes a short way, also guides the front unit 6A, so that the front unit 6A can be guided in multiple stages relative to the rear unit 6B. Therefore, in the initial stage, the alignment between the front unit 6A and the rear unit 6B can be roughly performed, making it easier to attach the front unit 6A to the rear unit 6B.

In addition, since the front unit 6A is provided with a stamp attachment section 1012 where a stamp can be affixed, a stamp is also provided on the front unit 6A (first front unit 6A1) of the game board 5A that was initially attached to the main frame 4. By comparing the contents of the stamp with the contents of the management sticker affixed to the management sticker attachment section 1301 of the main control unit 1300 of the rear unit 6B, the consistency of the front unit 6A can be confirmed, and it is possible to avoid attaching an incorrect or unauthorized front unit 6A.

[13. Details of the center role on the game board]
Next, the center gimmick 2500 provided on the game board 5 and the game board 5A will be described in detail.

[13-1. Center feature of the first embodiment]
The center role 2500 of the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 121 to 124. Fig. 121 is an explanatory diagram showing the center role of the first embodiment, cut in the middle in the vertical direction with the center role attached to the game panel, together with the front component. Fig. 122(a) is an explanatory diagram showing the decorative body of the center role from the front in a state where it is disassembled into a front decorative part and a rear decorative part, and Fig. 122(b) is an explanatory diagram showing the decorative body consisting of the front decorative part and the rear decorative part from the front. Fig. 123 is an explanatory diagram showing the center role of Fig. 121 with the rear end facing down and the center frame placed on the stand. Fig. 124 is an explanatory diagram showing a center role with a center frame to which a decorative body different from that of Fig. 121 is attached, in a partial cross section.

The center device 2500 of the first embodiment is provided on the game board 5 of the first embodiment shown in Figures 50 to 55. This center device 2500 is equipped with a transparent center frame 2511 attached to the front of the game panel 1100 (panel board 1110), warp passages 2512 capable of guiding game balls B from the outside of the center frame 2511 to the inside of the frame, and a stage 2513 provided on the lower side within the frame of the center frame 2511, which rolls the game balls B that have flowed through the warp passage 2512 in the left-right direction and then releases them into the game area 5a.

The center feature 2500 also includes a decorative body 2570 that is attached to the center frame 2511 and has a predetermined decoration applied to it.

The center frame 2511 has a frame-shaped insertion portion 2511a that is inserted into the opening 1112 of the panel plate 1110 of the game panel 1100 and is arranged along the inner peripheral surface of the opening 1112 and extends in the front-to-rear direction, a flat flange portion 2511b that protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the front end of the insertion portion 2511a and abuts against the front surface of the panel plate 1110 of the game panel 1100, an inflow restriction portion 2511c that extends forward from the flange portion 2511b and restricts the game ball B flowing down the game area 5a from flowing into the inside of the opening 1112 of the panel plate 1110 of the game panel 1100, and a flat support portion 2511d that protrudes from the inner periphery of the front end of the insertion portion 2511a.

The rear end of the center frame 2511 (insertion portion 2511a) is positioned forward of the rear end (rear surface) of the gaming panel 1100 (panel holder 1120). Note that the rear end of the center frame 2511 may not protrude rearward beyond the rear surface of the gaming panel 1100, or may protrude rearward beyond the rear surface of the gaming panel 1100.

As shown in FIG. 121, the decorative body 2570 has a flat transparent front plate 2571 attached to the front end of the center frame 2511, a front decorative part 2572 attached to the front surface of the front plate, and a rear decorative part 2573 provided forward of the rear end of the center frame 2511 (insertion part 2511a). In other words, the decorative body 2570 is provided so as to extend within the frame of the center frame 2511, and has a rear decorative part 2573 provided forward of the rear end of the center frame 2511, and a front decorative part 2572 provided so as to overlap at least a portion of the front of the rear decorative part 2573. The front decorative part 2572 and the rear decorative part 2573 are decorated in a coordinated manner.

The front plate 2571 is arranged so that its rear surface abuts against the front end surface of the inflow restriction portion 2511c. This front plate 2571 forms a ball passage 2517 between itself and the support portion 2511d, through which the game ball B can flow.

The front decorative part 2572 of the decorative body 2570 is decorated with a specific pattern (here, a pattern of a cloud-like design arranged around the face of an ogre) as shown in FIG. 122. The front decorative part 2572 has a transparent translucent part 2572a provided in front of the spherical passage 2517, and a number of opaque dot parts 2572b provided in the translucent part 2572a that form part of the decorative pattern (see FIG. 122(a)).

The transparent portion 2572a of the front decorative portion 2572 is formed to be colorless transparent or colored transparent. The colored transparent portion 2572a is colored the same color as the pattern so as to form part of the pattern. In this embodiment, the transparent portion 2572a in the demon's face portion is colored transparent, and the transparent portion 2572a in the cloud design portion is colorless transparent.

Each dot 2572b of the front decorative part 2572 is colored the same color as the pattern. As shown enlarged in Figure 122 (a), each of the multiple dots 2572b is formed in a circle and is arranged diagonally at an angle of 45 degrees above and below the horizontal at intervals equal to the diameter of the circle.

The rear decorative part 2573 is attached to the rear side of the transparent support part 2511d in the center frame 2511. The rear decorative part 2573 is arranged to extend within the frame of the frame-shaped insertion part 2511a in the center frame 2511. The decoration of the rear decorative part 2573 is an opaque design with the same pattern as the front decorative part 2572 arranged in front. Note that if the gaming panel 1100 is made of a transparent material, the rear decorative part 2573 may be on the back surface of the gaming panel 1100. In this case, there is an effect of allowing the area of the decoration to be made larger.

The front decorative part 2572 and the rear decorative part 2573 are made by printing decorative patterns on transparent resin film. In this embodiment, the front decorative part 2572 and the rear decorative part 2573 are formed in a film shape.

As shown in FIG. 122(b), when this decorative body 2570 is viewed from the front (front), the decoration (pattern) of the rear decorative part 2573 located at the rear can be seen through the transparent translucent part 2572a in the decoration (pattern) of the front decorative part 2572, and the pattern of the rear decorative part 2573 complements the translucent part 2572a, so that the original pattern can be seen as if the translucent part 2572a did not exist.

On the other hand, when game ball B flows through the ball passage 2517 provided between the front decorative part 2572 and the rear decorative part 2573, game ball B becomes visible through the transparent transmission part 2572a in the front decorative part 2572. This makes it possible to avoid causing distrust or anxiety to the player by making game ball B invisible, even if only temporarily, and allows the player to enjoy playing with game ball B and prevents a decline in interest.

In this embodiment, the decorative body 2570 is attached to the center frame 2511 at a position forward of the rear end of the insertion portion 2511a. In other words, when the decorative body 2570 is attached to the center frame 2511, no part of the decorative body 2570 protrudes rearward from the rear end of the center frame 2511. As a result, as shown in FIG. 123, when the decorative body 2570 is attached to the center frame 2511 and the center frame 2511 is placed with its rear end facing down on a stand TA, only the rear end surface of the insertion portion 2511a abuts (touches) the stand TA.

In this embodiment, the center role 2500 is not described in detail, but in addition to the decorative body 2570, a pattern display 2518, a first distribution device 2530, a second distribution device 2540, a lottery role 2550, etc. are attached to the center frame 2511. The pattern display 2518 displays the special pattern and the fourth pattern, etc., that are drawn by receiving the game ball B into the first start hole 2003 or the second start hole 2004.

Although detailed illustration is omitted, solenoids such as the first distribution solenoid 2534 of the first distribution device 2530 and the second distribution solenoid 2544 of the second distribution device 2540, which are attached to the center frame 2511, are attached so that their metal cases are located at the rear end. This means that when the center frame 2511 (center role 2500) is placed with its rear end facing down on the stand TA, the sturdy metal case of the solenoid comes into contact with the stand TA, making it less likely to be damaged during assembly work, etc. At this time, a resin cover may be provided to cover the metal case of the solenoid.

Furthermore, although not shown in the figure, the center role 2500 is provided with wiring connected to the LED board, relay board, solenoid, etc. The wiring is provided so as to follow the insertion part 2511a of the center frame 2511 of the center role 2500, and is provided so as to be hidden by the decoration of the decorative body 2570. This prevents the wiring from being visible to the player, which would cause the appearance to deteriorate. Note that the insertion part 2511a of the center frame 2511 may be formed into a double wall shape, and the wiring may be passed between the walls. In this case, it is preferable to use a flexible flat cable (FFC) as the wiring.

In the above embodiment, the transparent portion 2572a and the dot portion 2572b may be reversed. In more detail, the transparent portion 2572a may be an opaque portion with a pattern, and the dot portion 2572b may be a transparent portion.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the transmissive portion 2572a is shown as a transparent portion, but this is not limited thereto, and the transmissive portion may be a portion that penetrates from front to back.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the decorative body 2570 consisting of the front decorative part 2572 having a transparent part 2572a and a dot part 2572b in the applied decoration (pattern) and the rear decorative part 2573 having a decoration (pattern) that complements the transparent part 2572a is provided on the center frame 2511 of the center role 2500, but this is not limited to this, and the decorative body 2570 may be provided on the starting opening unit 2100, the side unit 2200, the attacca unit 2400, the back unit 3000, etc.

In the above embodiment, the decoration of the front decorative part 2572 and the rear decorative part 2573 constituting the decorative body 2570 is shown as a transparent film with a printed pattern, but this is not limited to this, and the decorative body 2570A may be a center gimmick 2500 equipped with a center frame 2511 to which the decorative body 2570A is attached as shown in FIG. 124. This decorative body 2570A is equipped with a flat front decorative part 2572 attached to the front end of the inflow restriction part 2511c in the center frame 2511, and a three-dimensionally formed rear decorative part 2573 attached within the frame of the frame-shaped insertion part 2511a behind the front decorative part 2572.

The front decorative portion 2572 and the rear decorative portion 2573 of the decorative body 2570A are each decorated with a three-dimensionally shaped ornament, though detailed illustrations are omitted. The front decorative portion 2572 and the rear decorative portion 2573 are each decorated with ornaments that coordinate with each other. Furthermore, the front decorative portion 2572 and the rear decorative portion 2573 are arranged so that at least a portion of them overlap when viewed from the front.

The decorative body 2570A (rear decorative portion 2573) is located forward of the rear end of the center frame 2511. Therefore, when the decorative body 2570A is attached to the center frame 2511, no part of the decorative body 2570A protrudes rearward from the rear end of the center frame 2511.

This decorative body 2570A may be made by molding a pre-colored resin, or it may be painted or have a sticker attached after molding. Metallic pigments or plating may also be used to decorate the decorative body 2570A, and the glittering decoration can strongly attract the player's attention, providing a pachinko machine 1 that is highly appealing to players.

In addition, the decorative body 2570A may have a portion of the rear decorative part 2573 protruding forward to the same position as the front decorative part 2572. This makes it easier to create a sense of depth in the decorative body 2570A, further enhancing the decorative effect.

According to this embodiment, a decorative body 2570 consisting of a rear decorative part 2573 arranged forward of the rear end of the center frame 2511 and a front decorative part 2572 arranged to overlap at least a portion of the front of the rear decorative part 2573 is provided on a transparent center frame 2511 attached to the gaming panel 1100 of the gaming board 5. Therefore, since the center frame 2511 is transparent, it is possible to make the decorative body 2570 stand out relatively by making it less noticeable, and since a portion of the front decorative part 2572 and the rear decorative part 2573 of the decorative body 2570 overlap, it is possible to make the boundary between the decoration of the front decorative part 2572 and the decoration of the rear decorative part 2573 difficult to distinguish, and the decoration of the front decorative part 2572 and the rear decorative part 2573 can be shown to the player in good condition. This allows the front decorative part 2572 and the rear decorative part 2573 to form a decorative body 2570 with a high decorative effect, which strongly attracts the player's attention and makes it difficult for the player to become bored, making it possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 that can prevent the player's interest from declining.

In addition, according to this embodiment, the decoration of a part (the area in front of the ball passage 2517) of the front decorative part 2572 constituting the decorative body 2570 is composed of a transparent part 2572a and a number of dot parts 2572b, and a rear decorative part 2573 with a decoration (decoration with the same pattern) that coordinates with the decoration of the front decorative part 2572 is provided behind that part. Therefore, the rear decorative part 2573, which can be seen through the transparent transparent part 2572a, complements the part of the transparent part 2572a, and a single good decoration (pattern) can be shown as if the transparent part 2572a did not exist, and the good decoration has a high decorative effect, allowing players to enjoy it.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, as described above, the decoration of the front decorative part 2572 in the front part of the ball passage 2517 is composed of the transparent part 2572a and multiple dot parts 2572b, so that the game ball B flowing through the ball passage 2517 can be seen from the front through the transparent part 2572a. As a result, when the game ball B is not flowing through the ball passage 2517, the decoration of the rear decorative part 2573 at the rear can be seen through the transparent part 2572a, allowing the player to enjoy the excellent decoration by the front decorative part 2572 and the rear decorative part 2573, while when the game ball B is flowing through the ball passage 2517, the game ball B can be seen through the transparent part 2572a, which avoids the player feeling distrustful or anxious because the game ball B becomes invisible, and the player can enjoy playing with the game ball B and suppress a decrease in interest.

In addition, according to this embodiment, the rear decorative portion 2573 of the decorative body 2570 is provided forward of the rear end of the center frame 2511, so when the decorative body 2570 is attached to the center frame 2511 and the center frame 2511 is placed on the stand TA with its rear end facing down, only the rear end surface of the insertion portion 2511a abuts against the stand TA. Therefore, when the center frame 2511 is placed on the stand TA with its rear end facing down for assembly or disassembly work, the center frame 2511 does not wobble, and a pachinko machine 1 that is easy to assemble and disassemble can be provided.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the rear decorative portion 2573 of the decorative body 2570 is provided forward of the rear end of the center frame 2511, so that the decorative body 2570 does not protrude rearward beyond the rear end of the center frame 2511, making it easier to secure space behind the center frame 2511 (game panel 1100). Therefore, it becomes possible to provide a large decorative body, a movable decorative body, etc. behind the center frame 2511, making it easier to construct a pachinko machine 1 that can provide more entertainment to players.

In addition, according to this embodiment, the pattern display 2518 for displaying special patterns is attached to the center frame 2511, so that the pattern display 2518 can be attached to the game panel 1100 together with the center frame 2511, and the labor required for assembling the pachinko machine 1 can be reduced compared to when the pattern display 2518 is attached separately.

The decoration of the center frame 2511 (decorative body 2570, decorative body 2570A) may be coordinated with the decoration applied to the game panel 1100.

[13-2. Center feature of the second embodiment]
The center role 2500 of the second embodiment will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figure 125. Figure 125(a) is an explanatory diagram of the main part of the center role of the second embodiment seen from inside the frame, (b) is a cross-sectional view cut along line A-A in (a), and (c) is an explanatory diagram showing the center role of (a) with the rear end facing down and the center frame placed on a stand.

Although detailed illustrations are omitted, the center device 2500 of the second embodiment, like the center device 2500 of the first embodiment, is equipped with a transparent center frame 2511 attached to the front of the game panel 1100 (panel plate 1110), warp passages 2512 capable of guiding game balls B from the outside of the center frame 2511 to the inside of the frame, and a stage 2513 provided at the lower edge within the frame of the center frame 2511, which rolls the game balls B that have flowed through the warp passages 2512 in the left-right direction and then releases them into the game area 5a.

The center feature 2500 also includes a decorative body 2580 that is attached to the center frame 2511 and has a predetermined decoration applied to it.

The center frame 2511 has a frame-shaped insertion portion 2511a that is inserted into the opening 1112 of the panel plate 1110 of the game panel 1100 and is arranged along the inner peripheral surface of the opening 1112 and extends in the front-to-rear direction, a flat flange portion 2511b that protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the front end of the insertion portion 2511a and abuts against the front surface of the panel plate 1110 of the game panel 1100, an inflow restriction portion 2511c that extends forward from the flange portion 2511b and restricts the game ball B flowing down the game area 5a from flowing into the inside of the opening 1112 of the panel plate 1110 of the game panel 1100, and a flat support portion 2511d that protrudes from the inner periphery of the front end of the insertion portion 2511a.

The rear end of the center frame 2511 (insertion portion 2511a) is positioned forward of the rear end (rear surface) of the gaming panel 1100 (panel holder 1120). Note that the rear end of the center frame 2511 may not protrude rearward beyond the rear surface of the gaming panel 1100, or may protrude rearward beyond the rear surface of the gaming panel 1100.

The decorative body 2580 has a front decorative part 2581, a rear decorative part 2582, a transparent front cover 2583 covering the front side of the rear decorative part 2582, a flat diffusion lens 2584 provided on the rear side of the rear decorative part 2582 and capable of irradiating light incident from the side forward, a transparent rear cover 2585 attached to the rear side of the front cover 2583 so as to cover the diffusion lens 2584 from the rear, and an LED board 2586 on which an LED 2586a is mounted that irradiates light onto the side of the diffusion lens 2584.

The front decorative part 2581 is located forward of the rear decorative part 2582. The front decorative part 2581 is attached to the rear side of the transparent support part 2511d of the center frame 2511.

The rear decorative portion 2582 extends within the frame of the center frame 2511, and a portion of it protrudes rearward beyond the rear end of the center frame 2511 (insertion portion 2511a).

The front decorative portion 2581 and the rear decorative portion 2582 are decorated in a coordinated manner and are arranged so that at least a portion of them overlap when viewed from the front. Although not shown in the figures, the decoration of the front decorative portion 2581 and the decoration of the rear decorative portion 2582 are each decorated with a pattern of the corresponding portion of a single design, separated by the portion where they overlap when viewed from the front.

The front decorative part 2581 and the rear decorative part 2582 are entirely opaque. In other words, the front decorative part 2581 and the rear decorative part 2582 are composed of opaque parts. In addition, the front decorative part 2581 and the rear decorative part 2582 are translucent. Note that the front decorative part 2581 and the rear decorative part 2582 may be provided with a transparent part (transparent part) as part of the decoration.

The front decorative part 2581 and the rear decorative part 2582 are made by printing decorative patterns on transparent resin film. In this embodiment, the front decorative part 2581 and the rear decorative part 2582 are formed in a film shape.

The LED board 2586 is provided behind the front decorative part 2581. As a result, the LED board 2586 and the wiring connected to the LED board 2586 are hidden by the front decorative part 2581 so that they cannot be seen from the front. The LED board 2586 can illuminate and decorate the rear decorative part 2582 by illuminating the multiple LEDs 2586a mounted thereon.

When the decorative body 2580 of this embodiment is attached to the center frame 2511, a portion of it protrudes rearward from the rear end of the center frame 2511. As a result, as shown in FIG. 125(c), when the decorative body 2580 is attached to the center frame 2511 and the center frame 2511 is placed with its rear end facing down on the stand TA, the rear end of the decorative body 2580 (rear decorative part 2582) abuts (touches) the stand TA, and a portion of the rear end of the center frame 2511 abuts the stand TA.

In this embodiment, the center role 2500 is not described in detail, but in addition to the decorative body 2580, a pattern display 2518, a first distribution device 2530, a second distribution device 2540, a lottery role 2550, etc. are attached to the center frame 2511. The pattern display 2518 displays the special pattern and the fourth pattern, etc., that are drawn by receiving the game ball B into the first start hole 2003 or the second start hole 2004.

Although detailed illustration is omitted, solenoids such as the first distribution solenoid 2534 of the first distribution device 2530 and the second distribution solenoid 2544 of the second distribution device 2540, which are attached to the center frame 2511, are attached so that their metal cases are located at the rear end. This means that when the center frame 2511 (center role 2500) is placed with its rear end facing down on the stand TA, the sturdy metal case of the solenoid comes into contact with the stand TA, making it less likely to be damaged during assembly work, etc. At this time, a resin cover may be provided to cover the metal case of the solenoid.

In the above embodiment, the insertion portion 2511a of the center frame 2511 may be formed into a double wall shape, and the wiring of the LED board 2586 may be passed between the walls. In this case, it is preferable to use a flexible flat cable (FFC) as the wiring.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the decoration of the front decorative part 2581 and the rear decorative part 2582 constituting the decorative body 2580 is shown as a transparent film with a pattern printed thereon, but this is not limited to this, and the front decorative part 2581 and the rear decorative part 2582 may also be three-dimensionally shaped. Alternatively, the configuration of the decorative body 2570 shown in FIG. 122 may be applied to this embodiment.

According to this embodiment, a decorative body 2580 consisting of a rear decorative portion 2582, a part of which protrudes rearward from the rear end of the center frame 2511, and a front decorative portion 2581, which is provided forward of the rear decorative portion 2582, is provided on a transparent center frame 2511 attached to the gaming panel 1100 of the gaming board 5. Since the center frame 2511 is transparent, it is less noticeable and the decorative body 2580 stands out in comparison, and the front decorative portion 2581 and rear decorative portion 2582 of the decorative body 2580 allow the player to see a decoration with depth. In this case, the rear decorative part 2582 and the front decorative part 2581 are decorated in a coordinated manner, and are arranged so that a part of each overlaps when viewed from the front, so that the boundary between the decoration of the front decorative part 2581 and the decoration of the rear decorative part 2582 is difficult to distinguish when viewed from the front (front), and the large decoration of the front decorative part 2581 and the rear decorative part 2582 can be shown to the player in a good condition, and the rear decorative part 2582 and the front decorative part 2581 can form a large, deep decorative body 2580 with a high decorative effect. Therefore, since the decorative body 2580 with a high decorative effect can be provided on the center frame 2511, the decorative body 2580 can strongly attract the interest of the player and make it difficult for the player to get bored, and a pachinko machine 1 that can suppress a decline in the player's interest can be provided.

In addition, according to this embodiment, the rear decorative portion 2582 constituting the decorative body 2580 extends within the frame of the center frame 2511, so that the rear decorative portion 2582 does not narrow the game area 5a on the front side of the game panel 1100 or make it difficult to see the game ball B flowing down the game area 5a, allowing the player to enjoy playing with the game ball B in the game area 5a in good conditions.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the rear decorative portion 2582 constituting the decorative body 2580 is extended within the frame of the center frame 2511, so that it is possible to decorate the periphery of the performance display device 1600 (display screen) for the performance display device 1600, the back front performance unit 3300, the back rear performance unit 3400, etc., which are provided behind the game panel 1100, and to show decorations (performances) with a higher decorative effect in cooperation with the decorative bodies (movable decorative bodies) of the back front performance unit 3300 and the back rear performance unit 3400, making it possible to provide a highly appealing pachinko machine 1 that can strongly attract the interest of players.

In addition, according to this embodiment, the opaque parts of the decorative body 2580 make it difficult to see the wiring of electronic components such as the LED board 2586 from the front, and the wiring can be hidden by the opaque parts, which prevents the wiring from being visible and thus reduces the appearance, making it easier to achieve the decorative effect of the decorative body 2580.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the decorative body 2580 (front decorative portion 2581) is provided in front of the LED board 2586, so that the LED board 2586 can be hidden by the decorative body 2580 (decoration), which can avoid the poor appearance caused by the LED board 2586 being visible, and makes it easier to achieve the decorative effect of the decorative body 2580.

In addition, according to this embodiment, the pattern display 2518 for displaying special patterns is attached to the center frame 2511, so that the pattern display 2518 can be attached to the game panel 1100 together with the center frame 2511, and the labor required for assembling the pachinko machine 1 can be reduced compared to when the pattern display 2518 is attached separately.

The decoration of the center frame 2511 (decorative body 2580) may be coordinated with the decoration applied to the game panel 1100.

[13-3. Center feature of the third embodiment]
Next, the center role 2500A of the third embodiment will be described in detail mainly with reference to Figs. 126 to 129. Fig. 126 is a front view of a game board on which the center role of the third embodiment is provided, with the rear side of the game panel omitted. Fig. 127 is an exploded perspective view of the center role and the game panel of Fig. 126 in a disassembled state, as seen from the front. Fig. 128 is an exploded perspective view of the center role of Fig. 126 in a disassembled state, as seen from the front. Figs. 129(a) to (g) are explanatory diagrams showing various joining patterns between the first frame and the second frame in the center role. In the following, the same reference numerals are used for the same configuration as the center role 2500 described above, and detailed description will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 126, the center device 2500A of the third embodiment is located in the game area 5a, above the starting unit 2100, and slightly above the center when viewed from the front, and is attached to the front of the game panel 1100. Note that the game panel 1100 of this embodiment is made of a single plate material, as shown in FIG. 127.

The center gimmick 2500A includes a transparent center frame 2700 formed in a frame shape, a warp passage 2512 capable of guiding the game ball B from the outside of the center frame 2700 to the inside of the frame, and a stage 2513 provided at the lower edge of the center frame 2700, which rolls the game ball B that has passed through the warp passage 2512 in the left-right direction and then releases it into the game area 5a. As will be described in detail later, the frame-shaped center frame 2700 is divided into multiple frames in the circumferential direction of the frame. In addition, the decorative body 2570 shown in FIG. 122 or the decorative body 2580 shown in FIG. 125 may be provided in this embodiment. In addition, the decoration of the center frame 2700 (decorative body 2570, decorative body 2570A, decorative body 2580) may be linked to the decoration applied to the game panel 1100.

In addition, the center role piece 2500A has a connecting retainer 2710 that connects adjacent frames to each other among the multiple frames that make up the center frame 2700.

Furthermore, the center device 2500A has a pattern display 2518 that displays the lottery result of the special pattern drawn by receiving the game ball B into the first starting hole 2003 or the second starting hole 2004, a second starting hole unit 2720 that has a gate 2010 and the second starting hole 2004, an attacca unit 2730 that has a big winning hole 2005, and a device winning hole unit 2740 that has a device winning hole 2006.

[13-3a. Center frame]
The center frame 2700 in the center device 2500A of the third embodiment is provided to correspond to the edge of the opening 1112 formed in the game panel 1100, and has an inflow restriction portion 2700a that restricts the game ball B flowing down the game area 5a from flowing into the inside of the opening 1112, and a flange portion 2700b extending from the rear end of the inflow restriction portion 2700a in a direction parallel to the front surface of the game panel 1100.

The inflow restriction portion 2700a of the center frame 2700 protrudes forward from the front surface of the gaming panel 1100 when the center frame 2700 is attached to the gaming panel 1100.

The flange portion 2700b extends flatly to the outside or inside of the frame depending on the circumferential location on the center frame 2700. When the center frame 2700 is attached to the front surface of the gaming panel 1100, a portion of the rear surface of the flange portion 2700b abuts against the front surface of the gaming panel 1100.

The center frame 2700 also has a non-flange portion 2700c where the flange portion 2700b does not extend from the rear end of the inflow restriction portion 2700a on at least one of the outer and inner sides of the frame, and an insertion portion (not shown) that extends rearward beyond the flange portion 2700b and is inserted into the opening 1112 of the gaming panel 1100. At the location of this non-flange portion 2700c, the rear surface of the inflow restriction portion 2700a coincides with the rear surface of the flange portion 2700b. The insertion portion is provided on a portion of the entire circumference of the center frame 2700.

The frame-shaped center frame 2700 of this embodiment is divided into multiple parts in the circumferential direction. More specifically, the center frame 2700 is divided into five parts: a first frame 2701, a second frame 2702, a third frame 2703, a fourth frame 2704, and a fifth frame 2705, each of which is formed with the same configuration. This center role 2500A has a connecting retaining portion 2710 that connects adjacent frames.

The first frame 2701 constitutes the upper part of the top and left sides of the center frame 2700 from the vertical center. The second frame 2702 constitutes the lower part and bottom side of the left side of the center frame 2700 from the vertical center to the vertical center, so as to be continuous with the lower end of the left side of the first frame 2701. The third frame 2703 constitutes the upper part of the right side of the center frame 2700, so as to be continuous with the right end of the first frame 2701. The fourth frame 2704 constitutes the middle part of the right side of the center frame 2700, so as to be continuous with the lower end of the third frame 2703. The fifth frame 2705 constitutes the lower part of the center frame 2700, so as to be continuous with the lower end of the fourth frame 2704 and the right end of the second frame 2702.

The warp passage 2512 and stage 2513 are attached to the second frame 2702. The role winning port unit 2740 is attached to the third frame 2703. The second starting port unit 2720 is attached to the fourth frame 2704. The attacca unit 2730 is attached to the fifth frame 2705.

Below, we will provide a detailed explanation of the first frame 2701 and the second frame 2702 as representative of the multiple frames that make up the center frame 2700.

First, the first frame 2701 of the center frame 2700 is formed to be transparent. This first frame 2701 is formed to constitute the upper side portion and the upper portion of the left side in the vertical direction of the center frame 2700 (center role piece 2500A).

The first frame 2701 is provided to correspond to the edge of the opening 1112 formed in the gaming panel 1100, and has a first inflow restriction portion 2701a that restricts the game ball B flowing down the gaming area 5a from flowing into the inside of the opening 1112, a flat first flange portion 2701b that is connected to the rear end of the first inflow restriction portion 2701a and extends along the front surface of the gaming panel 1100, and a first non-flange portion 2701c at the rear end of the first inflow restriction portion 2701a where the first flange portion 2701b is not provided on at least one of the outside and inside of the frame.

The first inflow restriction section 2701a of the first frame 2701 slopes linearly from near the center of the top edge in the left-right direction so that the right side becomes lower to the right, and then the left side of that section bends in multiple stages to become lower as it moves to the left, and the bottom end of the left side extends vertically downward.

One end of the connecting retainer 2710 is removably attached to the inner portion of the frame near the right end of the first inflow restricting portion 2701a and to the inner portion of the frame at the portion extending vertically downward from the lower left end.

The first flange portion 2701b is provided so as to extend both outside and inside the frame in the portion of the upper edge of the first inflow restriction portion 2701a that is inclined linearly so as to become lower to the right. Also, the first flange portion 2701b is provided so as to extend outside the frame except near the left end in the portion of the first inflow restriction portion 2701a that is bent in multiple stages so as to become lower toward the left, and is provided so as to extend inside the frame near the left end (the portion above the portion that extends vertically downward from the lower left end of the first inflow restriction portion 2701a).

The first flange portion 2701b has mounting holes at appropriate positions for mounting to the game panel 1100.

The first non-flange portion 2701c is provided only on the inside of the frame at the right end of the first inflow restriction portion 2701a, and is provided on both the outside and inside of the frame at the portion that extends vertically downward from the lower left end of the first inflow restriction portion 2701a.

Next, the second frame 2702 of the center frame 2700 is formed to be transparent. This second frame 2702 is formed to constitute the lower portion in the vertical direction on the left side and the lower side portion of the center frame 2700 (center role 2500A). The warp passage 2512 and stage 2513 are attached to the second frame 2702.

The second frame 2702 of the center frame 2700 is provided to correspond to the edge of the opening 1112 formed in the gaming panel 1100, and has a second inflow restriction portion 2702a that restricts the game ball B flowing down the gaming area 5a from flowing into the inside of the opening 1112, a flat second flange portion 2702b that is connected to the rear end of the second inflow restriction portion 2702a and extends along the front surface of the gaming panel 1100, and a second non-flange portion 2702c at the rear end of the second inflow restriction portion 2702a where the second flange portion 2702b is not provided on at least one of the outside and inside of the frame.

The second inflow restriction portion 2702a of the second frame 2702 is provided separately on the left side at a portion of the left side extending up and down, and on a portion of the right end of the bottom side, and is not provided between these portions. In detail, the second inflow restriction portion 2702a on the left side extends downward from the upper end of the left side along the left side, then transitions to the bottom side, and extends a short distance to the right (bottom right) along the bottom side so that the right end is lower. The second inflow restriction portion 2702a on the right side extends up and down along the right end of the bottom side.

One end of the connecting retainer 2710 is removably attached to the inner portion of the frame at the upper end of the left second inflow restriction portion 2702a and to the right side (right side surface) of the right second inflow restriction portion 2702a.

The left second inflow restriction section 2702a has an entrance to the warp passage 2512, and a stage 2513 is provided between the left and right second inflow restriction sections 2702a.

The second flange portion 2702b is provided so as to extend inwardly of the frame at the portion (left side portion) of the second inflow restriction portion 2702a on the left side that extends up and down, and is provided so as to extend both outwardly and inwardly of the frame at the portion extending to the lower right along the bottom side of the second inflow restriction portion 2702a on the left side. This second flange portion 2702b is provided so as to extend significantly outwardly of the frame at the bottom side, connecting the two second inflow restriction portions 2702a that are separated to the left and right by this portion.

The second flange portion 2702b has mounting holes at appropriate positions for mounting to the game panel 1100.

The second non-flange portion 2702c is provided on the outside of the frame in the portion that extends vertically along the left side of the left second inflow restriction portion 2702a, and is provided on the right side (right side surface) of the right second inflow restriction portion 2702a.

This second frame 2702 extends rearward beyond the second flange portion 2702b and further has a second insertion portion (not shown) that is inserted into the opening 1112 of the gaming panel 1100. The second insertion portion protrudes rearward from the second flange portion 2702b so as to connect the two second inflow restriction portions 2702a that are separated to the left and right. The stage 2513 is attached to this second insertion portion.

Next, the attachment of the center frame 2700 to the gaming panel 1100 will be described using the first frame 2701 and the second frame 2702 as examples. The first frame 2701 and the second frame 2702 are attached to the gaming panel 1100 with mounting screws through mounting holes provided in the first flange portion 2701b and the second flange portion 2702b.

For example, between the first frame 2701 and the second frame 2702, as shown in Figures 126 and 129 (a), the first inflow restriction portion 2701a of the first frame 2701 and the second inflow restriction portion 2702a of the second frame 2702 are attached to the gaming panel 1100 so as to be adjacent to each other.

In more detail, the first frame 2701 and the second frame 2702 are attached to the front of the gaming panel 1100 with the second inflow restriction portion 2702a of the second frame 2702 positioned to the right of the first inflow restriction portion 2701a of the first frame 2701 so that their vertical positions slightly overlap. In other words, the right side of the first inflow restriction portion 2701a on which the first non-flange portion 2701c is provided and the left side of the second inflow restriction portion 2702a on which the second non-flange portion 2702c is provided are attached so as to face each other. This makes it possible for the first non-flange portion 2701c and the second non-flange portion 2702c to bring the first inflow restriction portion 2701a and the second inflow restriction portion 2702a as close together as possible.

However, in the case of a center device 2500 of the first embodiment that uses a center frame 2511 that is not divided in the circumferential direction of a frame, if it is desired to change the size of the play area 5a on the front side of the play panel 1100 due to a design change or the like, it is necessary to remake the center frame 2511, which may increase costs.

In contrast, in this embodiment, the center frame 2700 is divided into multiple frames (here, five frames: a first frame 2701 to a fifth frame 2705) in the circumferential direction of the frame, so the size of the play area 5a can be freely changed by changing the mounting position of each frame.

Specifically, for example, when enlarging the area below the second frame 2702 in the play area 5a, the second frame 2702 is moved upward from the state shown in FIG. 129(a) and attached as shown in FIG. 129(b). This makes it possible to accommodate the expansion and contraction of the play area 5a (the opening 1112 of the play panel 1100) in the vertical direction.

Alternatively, if the area to the left of the second frame 2702 in the play area 5a is to be made smaller, as shown in FIG. 129(c), the second frame 2702 is moved leftward from the state shown in FIG. 129(a) so that the second inflow restriction portion 2702a of the second frame 2702 is positioned to the left of the first inflow restriction portion 2701a of the first frame 2701. This makes it possible to accommodate expansion and contraction of the play area 5a (opening 1112 of the play panel 1100) in the left-right direction.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 129(d), the lower end of the first inflow restriction portion 2701a of the first frame 2701 and the upper end of the second inflow restriction portion 2702a of the second frame 2702 may be opposed to each other and butted together to be attached to the gaming panel 1100. This makes it possible to make the area to the left and below the second frame 2702 in the gaming area 5a smaller than in the state shown in FIG. 129(a). In this case, the first inflow restriction portion 2701a and the second inflow restriction portion 2702a are butted together, making it possible to make the first frame 2701 and the second frame 2702 appear to be one unit.

Also, as shown in FIG. 129(e), a gap C may be formed between the first inflow restriction portion 2701a of the first frame 2701 and the second inflow restriction portion 2702a of the second frame 2702. In this case, it is desirable to make the gap C smaller than the diameter of the game ball B. Note that if the gap C is larger than the diameter of the game ball B, an obstacle nail N may be planted to prevent the game ball B from passing through the gap C.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 129(f), a second non-flange portion 2702c where the second flange portion 2702b is not formed may be provided on both the left and right sides of the second inflow restriction portion 2702a side of the second frame 2702. As a result, the first non-flange portion 2701c is provided on both the left and right sides of the first inflow restriction portion 2701a, and the second non-flange portion 2702c is provided on both the left and right sides of the second inflow restriction portion 2702a, so that the first inflow restriction portion 2701a and the second inflow restriction portion 2702a can be brought as close as possible in the left-right direction. Therefore, the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the second frame 2702 relative to the first frame 2701 can be increased, and it is possible to accommodate various sizes of the play area 5a due to design changes, etc. In other words, it is possible to easily accommodate the expansion and contraction of the play area 5a (the opening 1112 of the play panel 1100) in the vertical and horizontal directions.

Also, as shown in FIG. 129(g), a first flange portion 2701b may be provided up to the lower end of the first inflow restriction portion 2701a in the first frame 2701. This increases the rigidity of the first inflow restriction portion 2701a due to the presence of the first flange portion 2701b, making it less likely to be damaged even if the game ball B comes into contact with the first inflow restriction portion 2701a.

In this center frame 2700, a clearance is provided between adjacent frames. Although no particular reference numeral is given to the clearance, as shown in FIG. 129, it is a portion (a portion around the end of the frame) that allows relative movement with respect to the ends of adjacent frames. If the opening 1112 of the game panel 1100 can expand and contract in the left-right direction, at least two clearances are required to allow movement in the left-right direction. Similarly, if the opening 1112 can expand and contract in the up-down direction, at least two clearances are required to allow movement in the up-down direction. Furthermore, if the opening 1112 can expand and contract in the up-down, left-right, and up-down directions, at least two clearances are required to allow movement in the up-down direction and at least two clearances are required to allow movement in the left-right direction.

Specifically, there is a clearance in the vertical direction at two locations on both ends of the second frame 2702, that is, between the first frame 2701 and the second frame 2702, and between the second frame 2702 and the fifth frame 2705 (see Figures 126 to 128). In addition, there is a clearance in the horizontal direction at two locations on both ends of the third frame 2703, that is, between the first frame 2701 and the third frame 2703, and between the third frame 2703 and the fourth frame 2704. Note that although the clearance in the vertical direction is shown in Figure 129, the same applies to the clearance in the horizontal direction.

However, in the area between the first frame 2701 and the third frame 2703, for example, where there is a clearance in the left-right direction, the game ball B rolls on the upper surface of the part of the first inflow restriction part 2701a of the first frame 2701 that extends left-right. Therefore, if the first frame 2701 is moved to the left and attached, a gap will be formed between the first frame 2701 and the third frame 2703, and the flow of the game ball B may be obstructed by the gap. In such a case, spacers or obstacle nails N are provided in the clearance area so as not to obstruct the flow of the game ball B. For this reason, it is more difficult to expand the game area 5a (the opening 1112 of the game panel 1100) left-right than to expand it up-down, due to the flow of the game ball B, etc.

In this way, according to this embodiment, the frame-shaped center frame 2700 in the center role 2500A is divided into multiple frames such as the first frame 2701, the second frame 2702, etc. in the circumferential direction of the frame. Therefore, when it is necessary to change the size of the play area 5a due to design changes or the like, it is possible to easily respond by changing the mounting positions of the divided frames such as the first frame 2701 and the second frame 2702 without having to redesign the entire center frame 2700, thereby providing a pachinko machine 1 with a high degree of design freedom.

In addition, according to this embodiment, the center frame 2700 in the center role 2500A is divided into multiple frames such as the first frame 2701 and the second frame 2702. Therefore, when partially changing the design of the center role 2500A, the center role 2500A can be easily changed to the desired design by changing only the frame corresponding to the part to be changed. This makes it possible to reduce the cost of changing models and provide a pachinko machine 1 that can easily accommodate model changes.

In addition, according to this embodiment, the frame-shaped center frame 2700 is divided into multiple frames, such as the first frame 2701 and the second frame 2702, in the circumferential direction of the frame. By changing the mounting position of each frame relative to the game panel, the size of the game area 5a can be easily changed without having to remake the entire center frame 2700, thereby reducing the cost of the pachinko machine 1.

In addition, according to this embodiment, the frame-shaped center frame 2700 in the center role 2500A is divided into multiple frames such as the first frame 2701 and the second frame 2702 in the circumferential direction of the frame. Therefore, when a malfunction occurs in the pattern display 2518, the second starting unit 2720, the attacca unit 2730, etc., provided in the center role 2500A, it is not necessary to remove the entire center frame 2700 from the game panel 1100. Instead, it is sufficient to remove only the frame in which the malfunctioning unit is provided, which simplifies the labor required for maintenance work.

[13-3b. Connection holding part]
The connecting and holding portion 2710 connects adjacent frames of a center frame 2700, which is divided into a plurality of frames such as a first frame 2701 and a second frame 2702 in the circumferential direction of the frame. It is something.

As described above, the center frame 2700 of this embodiment is divided into multiple frames in the circumferential direction of the frame, and therefore there is a risk that some of the frames may fall and be damaged during installation and removal work during assembly, maintenance, and the like. In response to this, in this embodiment, a connecting and retaining portion 2710 is provided to connect adjacent frames. As shown in Figures 126 to 128, the connecting and retaining portion 2710 is formed of a flexible linear (string-like) member. From the viewpoint of fall protection, it is desirable for the length of this connecting and retaining portion 2710 to be such that, for example, when the center frame 2700 is removed with the game board 5 upright, it does not reach the bottom end of the game board 5.

In this embodiment, the connecting and holding part 2710 uses a decorative ball chain. This allows the connecting and holding part 2710 to be visible, but because it is decorative, it can also serve as a decoration, so the overall appearance of the game board 5 is not marred.

For example, between the first frame 2701 and the second frame 2702, one end of the connecting and holding portion 2710 is detachably attached to the first inflow restriction portion 2701a of the first frame 2701, and the other end is detachably attached to the second inflow restriction portion 2702a of the second frame 2702. The attachment of this connecting and holding portion 2710 is similar between the other frames.

In Figures 126 to 128, the first frame 2701 and the second frame 2702, the first frame 2701 and the third frame 2703, and the second frame 2702 and the fifth frame 2705 are shown connected by connecting and holding parts 2710, but the third frame 2703 and the fourth frame 2704, and the fourth frame 2704 and the fifth frame 2705 are also connected by similar connecting and holding parts 2710.

This connecting and retaining portion 2710 connects adjacent frames together among multiple frames such as the first frame 2701 and the second frame 2702 that make up the center frame 2700. Therefore, even if one frame is removed during installation or removal, the removed frame will not fall onto a workbench or floor, preventing damage to the frame due to falling.

In the above embodiment, the connecting and holding portion 2710 is shown to be decorative, but this is not limiting and it may be non-decorative. In this case, it is desirable to provide the connecting and holding portion 2710 in a location that is hidden by the center frame 2700 or decorative body and is difficult to see from the front.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the connecting and holding portion 2710 is shown to be visible to the player, but this is not limited to the above, and it may be completely invisible to the player under normal conditions. In other words, if the connecting and holding portion 2710 is provided in a portion of the center frame 2700 that is not visible to the player, it will not be seen by the player under normal conditions, such as during play.

In the above embodiment, all adjacent frames are connected to each other by the connecting and retaining parts 2710, but this is not limiting. Frames that do not need to be removed from the gaming panel 1100 for maintenance or the like may not be connected to adjacent frames by the connecting and retaining parts 2710. For example, the first frame 2701 and the second frame 2702 do not have any movable objects, so they do not need maintenance, and are light in weight, so there is no risk of damage even if they are dropped, so they do not need to be connected. On the other hand, the third frame 2703 to the fifth frame 2705 have movable objects and are heavy, so the need for connection increases. Therefore, it is preferable to simplify the first frame 2701 and the second frame 2702 by not connecting them, and to detachably connect the third frame 2703 to the fifth frame 2705 to other sturdy members on the back of the gaming board 5 (gaming panel 1100) rather than to other frames.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, multiple (pieces) of connecting and retaining parts 2710 may be provided. In this case, it is desirable to bundle the multiple connecting and retaining parts 2710 together so that the connecting and retaining parts 2710 do not become entangled with the obstructing nails N during manufacturing or maintenance, etc., and thus bend the obstructing nails N.

In addition, if multiple connection holders 2710 are provided and connected to multiple locations on the back of the game board 5 (game panel 1100), it becomes possible to maintain the position of the center frame 2700 (each frame) even when the mounting screws that attach the center frame 2700 to the game panel 1100 are removed. This eliminates the need to support the center frame 2700 during manufacturing and maintenance, improving workability.

In this way, according to this embodiment, the center frame 2700 is divided into multiple frames such as the first frame 2701, the second frame 2702, etc. in the circumferential direction of the frame, and adjacent frames are connected to each other by the connecting and retaining parts 2710. Therefore, even if some of the frames come off the game panel 1100 and attempt to fall by removing the mounting screws attached to the game panel 1100 during installation and removal work during assembly or maintenance, the frames are connected to the other frames by the flexible string-like connecting and retaining parts 2710, which act like a lifeline and keep the detached frames hanging down. This prevents the detached frames from falling onto a workbench, floor, etc., and prevents them from being damaged.

In addition, according to this embodiment, the connecting and holding part 2710 is detachably attached to the first inflow restriction part 2701a, the second inflow restriction part 2702a, etc., so that the first frame 2701, etc. can be removed separately from the gaming panel 1100 by removing the attachment part of the connecting and holding part 2710 from the first inflow restriction part 2701a, etc.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, adjacent frames are connected to each other by a flexible string-like connecting and holding portion 2710. Therefore, even if the position of the second frame 2702 is changed relative to the first frame 2701 due to a design change or the like, the connecting and holding portion 2710 can deform and follow the change in position, thereby providing a pachinko machine 1 with a high degree of design freedom.

For example, as shown in FIG. 129(a), when the first frame 2701 and the second frame 2702 are attached to the gaming panel 1100 so that a gap C is formed between the first inflow restriction portion 2701a of the first frame 2701 and the second inflow restriction portion 2702a of the second frame 2702, the connecting and retaining portion 2710 that connects (connects) the first inflow restriction portion 2701a and the second inflow restriction portion 2702a may be made to function as a restriction portion that prevents the game ball B from passing through the gap C.

[14. Relationship between the present invention and the embodiment]
The game panel 1100 consisting of the panel plate 1110 and the panel holder 1120 in the game board 5 of this embodiment corresponds to the game panel of the present invention, the opening 1112 of the panel plate 1110 in this embodiment corresponds to the opening of the game panel of the present invention, the center frame 2511 of the center device 2500 in this embodiment corresponds to the center frame of the present invention, the ball passage 2517 in this embodiment corresponds to the ball passage of the present invention, the decorative body 2570 and the decorative body 2570A in this embodiment correspond to the decorative body of the present invention, the front decorative portion 2572 in this embodiment corresponds to the front decorative portion of the present invention, the transparent portion 2572a in this embodiment corresponds to the transparent portion of the present invention, the dot portion 2572b in this embodiment corresponds to the dot portion of the present invention, and the rear decorative portion 2573 in this embodiment corresponds to the rear decorative portion of the present invention.

[15. Characteristic Effects of the Present Embodiment]
According to this embodiment, a decorative body 2570 (decorative body 2570A) consisting of a rear decorative portion 2573 located forward of the rear end of the center frame 2511 and a front decorative portion 2572 located so as to overlap with at least a portion of the front of the rear decorative portion 2573 is provided on a transparent center frame 2511 attached to the game panel 1100 of the game board 5.Since the center frame 2511 is transparent, it is less noticeable and the decorative body 2570 (decorative body 2570A) can be made to stand out in comparison, and the front decorative portion 2572 and rear decorative portion 2573 of the decorative body 2570 (decorative body 2570A) can give the player a decoration with depth. In this case, the rear decorative part 2573 and the front decorative part 2572 are decorated in a coordinated manner, and are arranged so that a part of each overlaps when viewed from the front, so that the boundary between the decoration of the front decorative part 2572 and the decoration of the rear decorative part 2573 is difficult to distinguish when viewed from the front (front), and the large decoration of the front decorative part 2572 and the rear decorative part 2573 can be shown to the player in a good condition, and the rear decorative part 2573 and the front decorative part 2572 can form a large, deep decorative body 2570 (decorative body 2570A) with a high decorative effect. Therefore, since the decorative body 2570 (decorative body 2570A) with a high decorative effect can be provided on the center frame 2511, the decorative body 2570 (decorative body 2570A) can strongly attract the interest of the player and make it difficult for the player to get bored, and a pachinko machine 1 that can suppress a decline in the player's interest can be provided.

In addition, according to this embodiment, in the decorative body 2570, the rear decorative part 2573 is provided with a decoration (rear decoration) that is the same as the part of the decoration (front decoration) of the front decorative part 2572 that overlaps in front of it when viewed from the front, and the front decorative part 2572 is provided with a transparent part 2573 that allows the decoration of the rear decorative part 2573 and the game ball B flowing through the ball passage 2517 to be visible from the front in a part in front of the ball passage 2517 through which the game ball B flows, which is provided in at least a part between the front decorative part 2572 and the rear decorative part 2573 in the decoration of the front decorative part 2572. 572a, and a plurality of dots 2572b that are smaller than the game ball B and are provided in the transparent portion 2572a and are decorated to form part of the decoration of the front decorative portion 2572. Therefore, when the game ball B is not flowing through the ball passage 2517 provided between the front decorative portion 2572 and the rear decorative portion 2573, the decoration of the rear decorative portion 2573 provided at the rear can be seen through the transparent portion 2572a provided in the front part of the ball passage 2517 in the decoration of the front decorative portion 2572. At this time, since the decoration of the rear decorative portion 2573 is the same as that of the front decorative portion 2572, the decoration of the rear decorative portion 2573 complements the transparent portion 2572a in the decoration of the front decorative portion 2572, so that the original decoration can be shown to the player as if the transparent portion 2572a did not exist in the decoration of the front decorative portion 2572, and the decorative effect of the decorative body 2570 can be reliably exerted.

On the other hand, when game ball B is flowing through the ball passage 2517 provided between the front decorative part 2572 and the rear decorative part 2573, game ball B can be seen through the transparent part 2572a in the decoration of the front decorative part 2572, so it is possible to avoid the player feeling distrustful or anxious due to the game ball B becoming invisible, even if only temporarily, and it is possible to enjoy playing with game ball B and prevent a decline in interest. In this case, since the transparent portion 2572a is provided with a plurality of dot portions 2572b that constitute part of the decoration of the front decorative portion 2572, even if the decoration of the rear decorative portion 2573 that can be seen through the transparent portion 2572a in the decoration of the front decorative portion 2572 is blocked and becomes invisible by the game ball B flowing through the ball passage 2517 provided between the front decorative portion 2572 and the rear decorative portion 2573, the decoration of the plurality of dot portions 2572b provided in the transparent portion 2572a in front of the game ball B can be seen, allowing the player to see the game ball B in the ball passage 2517 while avoiding the appearance of the decorative body 2570 being impaired, and the decorative effect of the decorative body 2570 can be fully demonstrated.

In addition, according to this embodiment, the rear decorative part 2573 of the decorative body 2570 (decorative body 2570A) is provided forward of the rear end of the center frame 2511, and there is no part that would get in the way during the manufacture of the pachinko machine 1 by protruding backward from the center frame 2511, so that the handling (manufacturing ease) during manufacturing can be improved, and the increase in manufacturing costs can be suppressed by improving workability. Specifically, for example, when the rear end side of the center frame 2511 is placed on a workbench TA or the like with the rear end side facing down, the center frame 2511 does not rattle. Alternatively, when the center frame 2511 is handled during assembly work, transportation work, etc., a part of the decorative body 2570 (decorative body 2570A) does not protrude backward from the rear end of the center frame 2511, so there is no risk of the part protruding from the center frame 2511 coming into contact with other members or the like and being scratched or damaged. For this reason, there is no need to work with extreme caution, and workability can be improved.

In addition, according to this embodiment, the rear decorative part 2573 constituting the decorative body 2570 (decorative body 2570A) extends within the frame of the center frame 2511, so that the rear decorative part 2573 does not narrow the game area 5a on the front of the game panel 1100 or make it difficult to see the game ball B flowing down the game area 5a, allowing the player to enjoy playing with the game ball B in the game area 5a in good conditions.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the rear decorative portion 2573 constituting the decorative body 2570 (decorative body 2570A) is extended within the frame of the center frame 2511, so that it is possible to decorate the periphery of the performance display device 1600 (display screen) for the performance display device 1600, the back front performance unit 3300, the back rear performance unit 3400, etc., which are provided behind the game panel 1100, and to show decorations (performances) with a higher decorative effect in cooperation with the decorative bodies (movable decorative bodies) of the back front performance unit 3300 and the back rear performance unit 3400, making it possible to provide a highly appealing pachinko machine 1 that can strongly attract the interest of players.

In addition, according to this embodiment, the opaque parts of decorative body 2570 (decorative body 2570A) make it difficult to see the wiring of electronic components such as an LED board from the front, and the wiring can be hidden by the opaque parts, which prevents the wiring from being visible and thus prevents the appearance from being deteriorated, making it easier to achieve the decorative effect of decorative body 2570 (decorative body 2570A).

[16. Other features included in this embodiment]
[16-1. First technical feature]
This specification has the following technical features different from those described above.

[16-1a. Background of the first technical feature]
There is known a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine that is equipped with a center role that is attached from the front to an opening of a gaming panel that forms a gaming area into which gaming balls can flow, and has a decorative body that is decorated with a predetermined ornament (for example, Patent Document A: JP 2017-074434 A). In the technology of Patent Document A, the decorative body provided on the center role improves the appearance of the gaming machine.

However, in the technology of Patent Document A, a flat decorative body is placed near the front end of the center role, so even if the decorative body is decorated with a relief-like decoration, it lacks a sense of depth, and some players may quickly tire of looking at it, which could reduce the player's interest.

In view of the above situation, the following means aims to provide a gaming machine that can prevent players from losing interest by providing decorative elements with a more decorative effect.

[16-1b. Solution of the first technical feature]
Means 1: In the gaming machine,
"In a gaming machine equipped with a gaming board having a gaming panel in which a gaming area in which gaming balls can flow is formed,
The game board is
A center frame is attached from the front to an opening formed in the game panel;
a decorative body attached to the center frame and having a predetermined decoration;
Equipped with
The decorative body is
A rear decorative portion extends within the frame of the center frame and a portion of the rear decorative portion protrudes rearward beyond the rear end of the center frame, and a front decorative portion is provided forward of the rear decorative portion,
The rear decorative portion and the front decorative portion are decorated in a coordinated manner.
The present invention is characterized in that

Here, examples of "game panel" include "opaque panels such as plywood," "panel boards made of transparent resin," and "those composed of a panel board made of transparent resin and a frame-shaped panel holder that holds the outer edge of the panel board."

Examples of "center frames" include "those having a flat flange portion capable of contacting the front surface of the gaming panel, and an inflow restriction portion extending forward from the flange portion to restrict gaming balls flowing down the gaming area from flowing into the opening of the gaming panel," and "those having an insertion portion that is inserted into the opening of the gaming panel and is provided along the inner peripheral surface of the opening, a flat flange portion that extends from the front end of the insertion portion in a direction along the surface of the gaming panel and is capable of contacting the front surface of the gaming panel, and an inflow restriction portion that extends forward beyond the flange portion to restrict gaming balls flowing down the gaming area from flowing into the opening of the gaming panel."

Examples of "decorative objects" include "objects decorated with patterns printed or painted on," "objects decorated with three-dimensionally shaped decorations," "objects decorated with a metallic luster such as plating," etc.

Further examples of "decorative objects" include "those that are illuminated by the light emitted by LEDs mounted on an LED board", "those that have opaque sections to make the wiring of the electronic components (e.g., LED board, relay board, ball sensor, magnetic sensor, display (display with special design), solenoid, etc.) located at the rear difficult to see from the front", and "those that have electronic components (e.g., LED board, relay board, ball sensor, magnetic sensor, display (display with special design), solenoid, etc.) that protrude rearward beyond the rear end of the center frame".

Examples of "decorations that harmonize with each other" include "decorations in which the decoration of the front decorative part and the decoration of the back decorative part form a single decoration (pattern)", "decorations in which the decoration of the front decorative part and the decoration of the back decorative part are continuous with each other in a pattern (figure)", "decorations in which the decoration of the front decorative part or the decoration of the back decorative part enhances (emphasizes) the decoration of the back decorative part or the decoration of the front decorative part", etc.

According to the configuration of the first means, in a gaming machine equipped with a gaming board having a gaming panel in which a gaming area is formed in which gaming balls can flow down, the gaming board is equipped with a frame-shaped center frame that is attached from the front to an opening formed in the gaming panel, and a decorative body that is attached to the center frame and is decorated with a predetermined decoration, and the decorative body has a rear decorative part that extends within the frame of the center frame and a part of which protrudes rearward beyond the rear end of the center frame, and a front decorative part that is provided forward of the rear decorative part, and the rear decorative part and the front decorative part are decorated in a coordinated manner. (See the description of the chapter [13-2. Center gimmick of the second embodiment] and Figure 125, etc. in [Form for carrying out the invention].)

As a result, a decorative body consisting of a rear decorative part, part of which protrudes rearward from the rear end of the center frame, and a front decorative part, which is provided forward of the rear decorative part, is provided on the center frame attached to the game panel of the game board, so that the front decorative part and the rear decorative part of the decorative body can create a decorative body with depth for the player. In this case, because the rear decorative part and the front decorative part are decorated in a coordinated manner, a large decoration can be presented to the player, and the rear decorative part and the front decorative part can form a decorative body that is large, deep, and highly decorative. Therefore, because a decorative body with a high decorative effect can be provided on the center frame, the decorative body can strongly attract the player's attention, making it difficult for the player to become bored, and a gaming machine can be provided that can suppress a decline in the player's interest.

In addition, because the rear decorative part that constitutes the decorative body extends within the framework of the center frame, the rear decorative part does not narrow the playing area on the front of the playing panel or make it difficult to see the playing balls flowing down the playing area, allowing players to enjoy playing with the playing balls in the playing area in good conditions.

Furthermore, since the rear decorative part that constitutes the decorative body extends within the framework of the center frame, if a performance display device, movable decorative body, decorative body, etc. are provided behind the gaming panel, the rear decorative part can decorate the area around the performance display device (display screen) or work together with the decorative body (movable decorative body) to present a decoration (performance) with a more decorative effect, making it possible to provide a highly appealing gaming machine that can strongly attract the interest of players.

It is desirable to arrange the front decorative portion and the rear decorative portion so that they at least partially overlap when viewed from the front. This makes it possible to make it difficult to distinguish the boundary between the decoration of the front decorative portion and the decoration of the rear decorative portion when viewed from the front (front), allowing the player to see the large decoration made up of the front decorative portion and the rear decorative portion in a better condition, and further enhancing the decorative effect of the decorative body.

It is also desirable to form the center frame transparent. This makes it difficult for players to see the center frame and makes it less noticeable, while making the decorative body (front decorative portion and rear decorative portion) stand out in comparison, further enhancing the decorative effect of the decorative body.

Furthermore, the decorative body may have an opaque section that makes it difficult to see the wiring of the electronic components attached to the center frame from the front. In this way, the opaque section of the decorative body makes it difficult to see the wiring of the electronic components from the front, and the opaque section can hide the wiring, preventing the wiring from being visible and thus preventing the appearance from being impaired, making it easier to bring out the decorative effect of the decorative body.

The decorative body may also be provided in front of the LED board on which the LEDs are mounted. This allows the decorative body (decoration) to hide the LED board, which avoids the poor appearance caused by the LED board being visible, making it easier to achieve the decorative effect of the decorative body.

A display device capable of displaying the results of a lottery for a special symbol drawn by the starting ball entry of a gaming ball in the gaming area may also be attached to the center frame. In this way, since the display device for displaying the special symbol is attached to the center frame, the display device can be attached to the gaming panel together with the center frame, and the effort required for assembling the gaming machine can be reduced compared to when the display device is attached separately.

Means 2: In the configuration of Means 1,
"The front decorative portion and the rear decorative portion are arranged so as to overlap at least partially when viewed from the front."
The present invention is characterized in that

According to the configuration of means 2, the front decorative part and the rear decorative part are arranged so that they at least partially overlap when viewed from the front. (See the description of the decorative body 2580 in [Embodiment for carrying out the invention].)

As a result, the front and rear decorative parts, which are decorated in a coordinated way, are arranged so that they overlap partially when viewed from the front, making it difficult to distinguish the boundary between the decoration of the front decorative part and the decoration of the rear decorative part when viewed from the front (front), allowing the player to see the large decoration made up of the front and rear decorative parts in a better condition and further enhancing the decorative effect of the decorative body.

Means 3: In the configuration of means 1 and means 2,
The center frame is characterized by being transparent.

According to the configuration of the third aspect, the center frame is made transparent. In other words, the center frame is made of a transparent material. (See the description of the center frame 2511 in the [Description of the Invention].)

As a result, because the center frame is transparent, it is difficult for players to see the center frame and it is difficult to stand out, which makes the decorative body (front decorative part and rear decorative part) stand out in comparison, further enhancing the decorative effect of the decorative body.

In addition, because the center frame is transparent, if the game panel is also made transparent and a decoration or performance display device is provided behind the game panel, the center frame becomes less noticeable, making the decoration or performance image visible through the transparent game panel more noticeable, and providing a gaming machine that provides more enjoyment to players.

Means 4: In any one of the configurations of means 1 to 3,
"The decorative body is
It has an opaque section that makes it difficult to see the wiring of the electronic components attached to the center frame from the front.
The present invention is characterized in that

Here, "electronic components" include "LED boards," "relay boards," "ball sensors that detect game balls," "magnetic sensors," "displays for displaying special patterns," "solenoids for opening and closing the variable winning openings," and "solenoids or drive motors for moving the movable decorative bodies," etc.

According to the configuration of the fourth aspect, the decorative body has an opaque portion that makes it difficult to see the wiring of the electronic components attached to the center frame from the front. (See the description of the decorative body 2580 in the [Form for carrying out the invention].)

As a result, the opaque parts of the decorative body make it difficult to see the wiring of the electronic components from the front, and the opaque parts allow the wiring to be hidden, preventing the wiring from being visible and spoiling the appearance, making it easier to bring out the decorative effect of the decorative body.

Means 5: In any one of the configurations of means 1 to 4,
"The decorative body is
It is provided in front of the LED board on which the LEDs are mounted.
The present invention is characterized in that

According to the configuration of means 5, the decorative body is provided in front of the LED board on which the LEDs are mounted. (See the description of the LED board 2586 of the decorative body 2580 in [Embodiment for carrying out the invention].)

As a result, the decorative body is placed in front of the LED board, and the LED board can be hidden by the decorative body (decoration), which prevents the LED board from being visible and makes it easier to achieve the decorative effect of the decorative body.

In addition, if the light from the LEDs mounted on the LED board is irradiated onto the decorative object, the LED board can cause the decorative object to emit light, making the decorative object look bright and beautiful, entertaining the player and preventing a decline in interest.

Means 6: In any one of the configurations of means 1 to 5,
"The center frame has
A display capable of displaying the results of a special pattern drawn by a starting ball entry by a gaming ball in the gaming area is attached.
The present invention is characterized in that

According to the configuration of means 6, a display capable of displaying the results of a special pattern drawn by the starting ball in the play area is attached to the center frame. (See the description of the pattern display 2518 in [Embodiment for carrying out the invention].)

As a result, the display for displaying the special symbols is attached to the center frame, so the display can be attached to the gaming panel together with the center frame, reducing the effort required for assembling the gaming machine compared to when the display is attached separately.

Means 7: In the gaming machine,
"In a gaming machine equipped with a gaming board having a gaming panel in which a gaming area in which gaming balls can flow down is formed,
The game board is
A display device capable of displaying the result of a lottery for a special pattern drawn by a starting ball entry by a game ball in the game area is attached, and a frame-shaped transparent center frame is attached from the front to an opening formed in the game panel;
a decorative body attached to the center frame, having a predetermined decoration and having an opaque portion that makes it difficult to see wiring of electronic components attached to the center frame from the front, and provided in front of an LED board on which an LED is mounted;
Equipped with
The decorative body is
A rear decorative portion extends within the frame of the center frame and a portion of the rear decorative portion protrudes rearward beyond the rear end of the center frame, and a front decorative portion is provided forward of the rear decorative portion,
The rear decorative portion and the front decorative portion are decorated in a coordinated manner and are arranged so as to overlap at least partially when viewed from the front.
The present invention is characterized in that

According to the configuration of Means 7, the gaming machine is provided with a gaming board having a gaming panel in which a gaming area is formed in which gaming balls can flow down, the gaming board is provided with a display capable of displaying the result of a lottery for a special pattern drawn by a starting ball entry by a gaming ball in the gaming area, a frame-shaped transparent center frame attached from the front to an opening formed in the gaming panel, and a decorative body attached to the center frame and provided with a predetermined decoration, having an opaque part that makes it difficult to see the wiring of the electronic components attached to the center frame from the front, and provided in front of the LED board on which the LED is mounted, the decorative body having a rear decorative part that extends within the frame of the center frame and a part of which protrudes rearward beyond the rear end of the center frame, and a front decorative part provided forward of the rear decorative part, the rear decorative part and the front decorative part are provided with decorations that coordinate with each other, and are provided so that at least a part of them overlap when viewed from the front.

As a result, a decorative body consisting of a rear decorative part, part of which protrudes rearward from the rear end of the center frame, and a front decorative part, which is provided forward of the rear decorative part, is provided on a transparent center frame attached to the game panel of the game board, so that the transparent center frame makes the decorative body less noticeable and makes it stand out relatively, and the front decorative part and the rear decorative part of the decorative body can show a decoration with depth to the player. In this case, the rear decorative part and the front decorative part are decorated in a coordinated manner, and are provided so that they overlap each other when viewed from the front, so that it is possible to make it difficult to distinguish the boundary between the decoration of the front decorative part and the decoration of the rear decorative part when viewed from the front (front), and the large decoration of the front decorative part and the rear decorative part can be shown to the player in a good condition, and the rear decorative part and the front decorative part can form a decorative body with a large and deep and highly decorative effect. Therefore, since a decorative body with a high decorative effect can be provided on the center frame, the decorative body can strongly attract the interest of the player and make it difficult for the player to get bored, and a gaming machine that can suppress a decline in the player's interest can be provided.

In addition, because the rear decorative part that constitutes the decorative body extends within the framework of the center frame, the rear decorative part does not narrow the playing area on the front of the playing panel or make it difficult to see the playing balls flowing down the playing area, allowing players to enjoy playing with the playing balls in the playing area in good conditions.

Furthermore, since the rear decorative part that constitutes the decorative body extends within the framework of the center frame, if a performance display device, movable decorative body, decorative body, etc. are provided behind the gaming panel, the rear decorative part can decorate the area around the performance display device (display screen) or work together with the decorative body (movable decorative body) to present a decoration (performance) with a more decorative effect, making it possible to provide a highly appealing gaming machine that can strongly attract the interest of players.

In addition, the opaque parts of the decorative body make it difficult to see the wiring of the electronic components from the front, and the opaque parts allow the wiring to be hidden, preventing the wiring from being visible and spoiling the appearance, making it easier to bring out the decorative effect of the decorative body.

Furthermore, since the decorative body is provided in front of the LED board, the LED board can be hidden by the decorative body (decoration), which avoids the poor appearance caused by the LED board being visible, and makes it easier to bring out the decorative effect of the decorative body.

In addition, because the display for displaying the special symbols is attached to the center frame, the display can be attached to the gaming panel together with the center frame, reducing the effort required for assembling the gaming machine compared to when the display is attached separately.

In this way, the above solution makes it possible to provide a gaming machine that can prevent players from losing interest by providing decorative objects with a more decorative effect.

[16-1c. Relationship between the solution of the first technical feature and the embodiment]
The game panel 1100 consisting of the panel board 1110 and the panel holder 1120 in the game board 5 of this embodiment corresponds to the game panel of the above-mentioned solution means, the opening 1112 of the panel board 1110 in this embodiment corresponds to the opening of the game panel of the above-mentioned solution means, the center frame 2511 of the center gimmick 2500 in this embodiment corresponds to the center frame of the above-mentioned solution means, the pattern display 2518 in this embodiment corresponds to the display of the above-mentioned solution means, the decorative body 2580 in this embodiment corresponds to the decorative body of the above-mentioned solution means, the front decorative portion 2581 in this embodiment corresponds to the front decorative portion of the above-mentioned solution means, the rear decorative portion 2582 in this embodiment corresponds to the rear decorative portion of the above-mentioned solution means, and the LED board 2586 in this embodiment corresponds to the LED board of the above-mentioned solution means.

[16-1d. Characteristic effect of the first technical feature]
According to this embodiment, a decorative body 2580 consisting of a rear decorative portion 2582, a part of which protrudes rearward beyond the rear end of the center frame 2511, and a front decorative portion 2581, which is provided forward of the rear decorative portion 2582, is provided on a transparent center frame 2511 attached to the game panel 1100 of the game board 5.Since the center frame 2511 is transparent, it is less noticeable, making the decorative body 2580 stand out in comparison, and the front decorative portion 2581 and rear decorative portion 2582 of the decorative body 2580 allow the player to see a decoration with depth. In this case, the rear decorative part 2582 and the front decorative part 2581 are decorated in a coordinated manner, and are arranged so that a part of each overlaps when viewed from the front, so that the boundary between the decoration of the front decorative part 2581 and the decoration of the rear decorative part 2582 is difficult to distinguish when viewed from the front (front), and the large decoration of the front decorative part 2581 and the rear decorative part 2582 can be shown to the player in a good condition, and the rear decorative part 2582 and the front decorative part 2581 can form a large, deep decorative body 2580 with a high decorative effect. Therefore, since the decorative body 2580 with a high decorative effect can be provided on the center frame 2511, the decorative body 2580 can strongly attract the interest of the player and make it difficult for the player to get bored, and a pachinko machine 1 that can suppress a decline in the player's interest can be provided.

In addition, according to this embodiment, the rear decorative portion 2582 constituting the decorative body 2580 extends within the frame of the center frame 2511, so that the rear decorative portion 2582 does not narrow the game area 5a on the front side of the game panel 1100 or make it difficult to see the game ball B flowing down the game area 5a, allowing the player to enjoy playing with the game ball B in the game area 5a in good conditions.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the rear decorative portion 2582 constituting the decorative body 2580 is extended within the frame of the center frame 2511, so that it is possible to decorate the periphery of the performance display device 1600 (display screen) for the performance display device 1600, the back front performance unit 3300, the back rear performance unit 3400, etc., which are provided behind the game panel 1100, and to show decorations (performances) with a higher decorative effect in cooperation with the decorative bodies (movable decorative bodies) of the back front performance unit 3300 and the back rear performance unit 3400, making it possible to provide a highly appealing pachinko machine 1 that can strongly attract the interest of players.

In addition, according to this embodiment, the opaque parts of the decorative body 2580 make it difficult to see the wiring of electronic components such as the LED board 2586 from the front, and the wiring can be hidden by the opaque parts, which prevents the wiring from being visible and thus reduces the appearance, making it easier to achieve the decorative effect of the decorative body 2580.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the decorative body 2580 (front decorative portion 2581) is provided in front of the LED board 2586, so that the LED board 2586 can be hidden by the decorative body 2580 (decoration), which can avoid the poor appearance caused by the LED board 2586 being visible, and makes it easier to achieve the decorative effect of the decorative body 2580.

In addition, according to this embodiment, the pattern display 2518 for displaying special patterns is attached to the center frame 2511, so that the pattern display 2518 can be attached to the game panel 1100 together with the center frame 2511, and the labor required for assembling the pachinko machine 1 can be reduced compared to when the pattern display 2518 is attached separately.

[16-2. Second technical feature]
This specification has the following technical features different from those described above.

[16-2a. Background of the second technical feature]
There is known a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine that is equipped with a center role piece that is attached from the front to an opening of a gaming panel that forms a gaming area through which gaming balls can flow, and that acts as an inflow restriction section that restricts gaming balls flowing down the gaming area from flowing into the opening of the gaming panel (for example, Patent Document A: JP 2017-074434 A). According to the technology of Patent Document A, the center role piece can partition the gaming area to a desired size.

However, with the technology of Patent Document A, if the size of the opening of the gaming panel differs depending on the model of gaming machine, it is necessary to manufacture a center device (inflow restriction part) separately, making it difficult to reuse the inflow restriction part.

In view of the above situation, the following means aims to provide a gaming machine that can reuse the inflow restriction section even if the opening of the gaming panel differs depending on the model.

[16-2b. Solution of the second technical feature]
Means 1: In the gaming machine,
"In a gaming machine equipped with a gaming board having a playing area through which gaming balls can flow,
The game board is
A game panel on the front side of which the game area is formed;
An inflow restriction portion that is provided corresponding to an edge portion of an opening formed in the game panel and restricts game balls flowing down the game area from flowing into the inside of the opening;
Equipped with
The inflow regulating portion has at least a first inflow regulating portion and a second inflow regulating portion,
The first inflow restriction portion and the second inflow restriction portion each have a flange portion formed along the front surface of the gaming panel, and at least one of their ends has a non-flange portion where the flange portion is not formed, and the end of the first inflow restriction portion and the end of the second inflow restriction portion are attached to the front surface of the gaming panel by an attachment portion provided on the flange portion so that the end of the first inflow restriction portion and the end of the second inflow restriction portion are adjacent to each other.
The present invention is characterized in that

Here, examples of "game panel" include "opaque panels such as plywood," "panel boards made of transparent resin," and "those composed of a panel board made of transparent resin and a frame-shaped panel holder that holds the outer edge of the panel board."

Examples of "flange portion" include "one that extends toward the outside of the opening in the gaming panel, with the inflow restriction portion as the boundary," "one that extends toward the inside of the opening in the gaming panel, with the inflow restriction portion as the boundary," and "one that extends toward both the outside and inside of the opening in the gaming panel, with the inflow restriction portion as the boundary."

The "non-flange portion" may be provided on the side of the inflow restriction portion facing the center of the gaming panel, or on the side of the inflow restriction portion facing outward away from the center of the gaming panel, or on both sides of the inflow restriction portion.

Furthermore, examples of the configuration in which "the end of the first inflow regulating part and the end of the second inflow regulating part are attached so as to be adjacent to each other" include "the end face of the end of the first inflow regulating part and the end face of the end of the second inflow regulating part are attached so as to face each other", "the inner side of the end of the first inflow regulating part and the outer side of the end of the second inflow regulating part are attached so as to face each other", "the outer side of the end of the first inflow regulating part and the inner side of the end of the second inflow regulating part are attached so as to face each other", and the like. In addition, the end of the first inflow regulating part and the end of the second inflow regulating part may be in contact with each other or may be separated from each other.

According to the configuration of the first means, in a gaming machine equipped with a gaming board having a gaming area through which gaming balls can flow, the gaming board is equipped with a gaming panel on which the gaming area is formed on the front side, and an inflow restriction part that is provided corresponding to the edge of the opening formed in the gaming panel and restricts the gaming balls flowing down the gaming area from flowing into the inside of the opening, and the inflow restriction part has at least a first inflow restriction part and a second inflow restriction part, and the first inflow restriction part and the second inflow restriction part each have a flange part formed along the front side of the gaming panel, and at least one of the ends of each has a non-flange part that does not have a flange part formed thereon, and the end of the first inflow restriction part and the end of the second inflow restriction part are attached to the front side of the gaming panel by the attachment part provided on the flange part so that the end of the first inflow restriction part and the end of the second inflow restriction part are adjacent to each other. (See the description of [13-3. Center gimmick of the third embodiment] and Figures 126 to 129 in [Form for carrying out the invention].)

As a result, the inflow restriction section, which is provided corresponding to the edge of the opening of the game panel on the front side where the game area is formed and restricts the inflow of game balls into the opening, is composed of at least a first inflow restriction section and a second inflow restriction section, and is attached so that the end of the first inflow restriction section and the end of the second inflow restriction section are adjacent to each other on the front side of the game panel via the mounting section of the flange section provided on each section. Therefore, by appropriately selecting the relationship of the mounting positions of the first inflow restriction section and the second inflow restriction section relative to the game panel, the inflow restriction section can be attached to game panels having openings of various sizes and shapes without having to be newly manufactured, and the inflow restriction section can be reused even if the model is different.

In more detail, for example, by attaching the end of the first inflow restriction part and the end of the second inflow restriction part so that they are spaced apart from each other, it is possible to accommodate gaming panels with large openings. In this case, it is desirable that the gap between the end of the first inflow restriction part and the end of the second inflow restriction part is large enough that gaming balls cannot pass through, but if the gap is large enough that gaming balls can pass through, obstacle nails may be planted in to prevent the gaming balls from passing through.

Alternatively, the end of the first inflow regulating part and the end of the second inflow regulating part can be attached so that their respective side surfaces face each other, making it possible to accommodate gaming panels with small openings. In this case, since a non-flange portion is provided at least on one end of the first inflow regulating part and the second inflow regulating part, it is possible to bring the side of the end of the first inflow regulating part and the side of the end of the second inflow regulating part as close as possible, which increases the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the first inflow regulating part and the second inflow regulating part, making it easier to accommodate gaming panels with openings of various sizes.

In addition, as described above, since it is possible to accommodate game panels with openings of various sizes, if it is desired to change the size of the game area due to design changes, etc., the size of the game area can be easily changed by changing the relationship between the mounting positions of the first inflow restriction unit and the second inflow restriction unit, thereby increasing the design freedom of the gaming machine. Therefore, there is no need to manufacture a new inflow restriction unit to match the size of the game area to be changed, and increases in the costs of the gaming machine can be suppressed.

The game board may further include a plurality of frames from the first frame on which the first inflow restriction portion is provided to the nth frame on which the nth inflow restriction portion (n is an integer of 2 or more) is provided, and a connecting and retaining portion that prevents at least one of the frames from falling off the game panel. As a result, since the inflow restriction portion is made up of a plurality of frames, the same effect as above can be achieved by appropriately setting the mounting position of each frame relative to the game panel. Also, since the inflow restriction portion is made up of a plurality of frames, if a malfunction occurs in one of the frames, only that frame needs to be replaced, and the maintenance costs can be reduced. Furthermore, since the connecting and retaining portion is provided, it is possible to prevent the frames from falling off the game panel and being scratched or damaged during the assembly or maintenance of the game machine.

Furthermore, as described above, when providing a connecting and retaining portion, it is desirable that the connecting and retaining portion be formed in a flexible string-like shape. As a result, since the connecting and retaining portion is made in a flexible string-like shape, even if the relationship between the mounting positions of the first inflow restriction portion (first frame) and the second inflow restriction portion (second frame) is changed, the connecting and retaining portion can follow by flexibly deforming, and can accommodate the size and shape of the opening of the gaming panel while preventing the frame from falling off the gaming panel.

Furthermore, as described above, by providing a flexible string-like connecting and retaining part, when the frame tries to come off the gaming panel, the connecting and retaining part tries to flexibly deform, providing resistance and preventing the frame from immediately coming off the gaming panel. Furthermore, if the frame comes off the gaming panel, the connecting and retaining part flexibly deforms, making it possible to reduce the falling speed and absorb the impact, thereby preventing damage to the frame.

Furthermore, as described above, when providing a connecting retaining portion, it is desirable to connect adjacent frames together with the connecting retaining portion. This makes it easier to handle multiple frames as a single unit compared to when one end of the connecting retaining portion is connected to a gaming panel or other member, and improves workability during the manufacture of gaming machines, etc.

In addition, when providing a connecting and retaining part as described above, it is desirable to provide the connecting and retaining part so that it can be attached and detached from the frame. This allows, for example, when attaching multiple frames to the game panel in sequence, or when removing some of the frames from the game panel for maintenance, etc., to improve the handling and maneuverability of the frames by removing and attaching the connecting and retaining part, thereby improving workability.

In addition, as described above, by making the connecting and retaining parts detachable, it becomes possible to connect the frame to the gaming panel using the connecting and retaining parts until the frame is attached to the gaming panel, and then to remove the connecting and retaining parts once the frame is attached to the gaming panel, thereby preventing the connecting and retaining parts from spoiling the appearance.

Furthermore, when multiple frames are provided as described above, the gaming board may further include electronic components attached to at least one of the frames. This allows electronic components to be attached to at least one of the frames, and since the weight of the frame to which the electronic components are attached becomes heavy, if the frame comes off the gaming panel and falls during assembly work of the gaming machine, the weight of the frame makes it more likely to be damaged. However, since a connecting retaining portion is provided to prevent the frame from falling, the frame will not fall onto a workbench, floor, etc. and be damaged. Therefore, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can reliably exert the effects of the electronic components attached to the frame.

Means 2: In the configuration of Means 1,
"The game board is,
A plurality of frames from a first frame in which the first inflow regulation portion is provided to an nth frame in which an nth inflow regulation portion (n is an integer of 2 or more) is provided;
and a connecting and retaining portion that prevents at least one of the frames from falling off the game panel.

The number of multiple frames, "n," is preferably in the range of 2 to 6. If the number of frames is greater than this range, it may be more time-consuming to attach the frames during the manufacture of the gaming machine, which could increase costs. Electronic components such as LED boards may be attached to some of the multiple frames.

Examples of the "connecting and holding part" include "flexible string-like parts" and "flexible band-like parts". Examples of the "connecting and holding part" include "parts that connect adjacent frames together", "parts that connect a frame to another component", and "parts that connect a frame to a game panel". Furthermore, the "connecting and holding part" may or may not be decorative. It is desirable for the "connecting and holding part" to be long enough that when the frame comes off the game panel and falls while the game board is upright, the frame does not come into contact with the base, floor, etc.

According to the configuration of the second means, the game board further comprises a plurality of frames, from the first frame on which the first inflow restriction portion is provided to the nth frame on which the nth inflow restriction portion is provided (n is an integer of 2 or more), and a connecting and retaining portion that prevents at least one of the frames from falling off the game panel. (See the description of the center frame 2700 and the connecting and retaining portion 2710 in [Embodiment for carrying out the invention].)

As a result, since the inflow restriction section is made up of multiple frames, the same effect as above can be achieved by appropriately setting the mounting position of each frame relative to the gaming panel. Also, since the inflow restriction section is made up of multiple frames, if a malfunction occurs in one of the frames, only that frame needs to be replaced, reducing maintenance costs. Furthermore, since a connecting retaining section is provided, it is possible to prevent the frames from falling off the gaming panel and being scratched or broken during assembly or maintenance of the gaming machine.

Means 3: In the configuration of Means 2,
"The connecting and holding portion is
It is characterized by being "formed in a flexible string shape."

According to the configuration of means 3, the connection holding part is formed in a flexible string shape. (See the description of the connection holding part 2710 in [Embodiment for carrying out the invention].)

As a result, because the connecting and retaining part is made flexible and string-like, even if the mounting position relationship between the first inflow restriction part (first frame) and the second inflow restriction part (second frame) is changed, the connecting and retaining part can flexibly deform to follow, and can accommodate the size and shape of the opening in the gaming panel while preventing the frame from falling off the gaming panel.

In addition, because the connecting and retaining parts are made in the form of flexible strings, when the frame tries to come off the gaming panel, the connecting and retaining parts try to flexibly deform, providing resistance and preventing the frame from immediately coming off the gaming panel. And, if the frame does come off the gaming panel, the connecting and retaining parts flexibly deform, making it possible to reduce the falling speed and absorb the impact, thereby preventing damage to the frame.

Means 4: In the configuration of means 2 or 3,
"The connecting and holding portion is
The frame is characterized in that it connects adjacent frames together.

According to the configuration of means 4, the connecting and holding part connects adjacent frames. (See the description of the connecting and holding part 2710 in [Embodiment of the invention].)

This makes it easier to handle multiple frames as a single unit compared to connecting one end of the connecting retainer to a gaming panel or other component, improving workability during the manufacture of gaming machines, etc.

Means 5: In any one of the configurations of means 2 to 4,
"The connecting and holding portion is
The present invention is characterized in that the device is "detachably attached to the frame."

According to the configuration of means 5, the connecting and holding part is detachably attached to the frame. (See the description of the connecting and holding part 2710 in [Embodiment for carrying out the invention].)

This allows, for example, when multiple frames are attached to a gaming panel in sequence, or when some of the frames are removed from the gaming panel for maintenance, etc., to easily move and handle the frames by removing and attaching the connecting retaining parts, improving workability.

In addition, because the connecting and retaining parts are detachable, the frame can be connected by the connecting and retaining parts until it is attached to the game panel, and then the connecting and retaining parts can be removed once the frame is attached to the game panel, preventing the connecting and retaining parts from spoiling the appearance.

Means 6: In any one of the configurations of means 2 to 5,
"The game board is,
At least one electronic component attached to the frame,
The present invention is characterized in that it further comprises:

Here, "electronic components" include "LED boards," "relay boards," "ball sensors," "magnetic sensors," "displays (displays with special designs)," "solenoids," "motors," etc.

According to the configuration of means 6, the game board further includes electronic components attached to at least one frame. (See the description of the symbol display 2518 and center frame 2700 in [Embodiment for carrying out the invention].)

As a result, electronic components can be attached to at least one of the frames, and since the weight of the frame to which the electronic components are attached becomes heavy, if the frame comes off the gaming panel and falls during assembly work of the gaming machine, the weight of the frame makes it more susceptible to damage. However, since a connecting retaining section is provided to prevent the frame from falling, the frame will not fall onto a workbench, floor, etc. and be damaged. Therefore, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can reliably exert the effects of the electronic components attached to the frame.

Means 7: In the gaming machine,
"In a gaming machine equipped with a gaming board having a playing area through which gaming balls can flow,
The game board is
A game panel on the front side of which the game area is formed;
an inflow restriction portion provided in correspondence with an edge portion of an opening formed in the game panel, restricting game balls flowing down the game area from flowing into the inside of the opening, the inflow restriction portion having a first inflow restriction portion to an n-th inflow restriction portion (n is an integer of 2 or more);
A plurality of frames from a first frame in which the first inflow regulation portion is provided to an nth frame in which an nth inflow regulation portion (n is an integer of 2 or more) is provided;
At least one connecting and retaining portion for preventing the frame from falling off the game panel;
At least one electronic component attached to the frame;
Equipped with
The inflow restriction portion is
The m inflow regulation portion (m is an integer between 1 and n-1) and the (m+1) inflow regulation portion each have a flange portion formed along the front surface of the game panel, and at least one of their ends is formed with a non-flange portion where the flange portion is not formed, and the m inflow regulation portion and the (m+1) inflow regulation portion are attached to the front surface of the game panel by an attachment portion provided on the flange portion so that the end of the m inflow regulation portion and the end of the (m+1) inflow regulation portion are adjacent to each other;
The connection holding portion is
It is formed in a flexible string shape, connects adjacent frames together, and is detachably attached to the frames.
The present invention is characterized in that

According to the configuration of Means 7, in a gaming machine equipped with a gaming board having a gaming area through which gaming balls can flow down, the gaming board comprises a gaming panel on the front side of which the gaming area is formed, an inflow restriction portion provided in correspondence with the edge of an opening formed in the gaming panel and restricting gaming balls flowing down the gaming area from flowing into the opening and having a first inflow restriction portion to an nth inflow restriction portion (n is an integer of two or more), a plurality of frames from a first frame on which the first inflow restriction portion is provided to an nth frame on which the nth inflow restriction portion (n is an integer of two or more) is provided, a connecting retaining portion that prevents at least one frame from falling from the gaming panel, and at least one frame. and electronic components attached to the m-th inflow restriction section (m is an integer between 1 and n-1) and the (m+1)-th inflow restriction section, each of which has a flange section formed along the front surface of the game panel, and at least one of the ends of each of which has a non-flange section where no flange section is formed, the end of the m-th inflow restriction section and the end of the (m+1)-th inflow restriction section are attached to the front surface of the game panel so that they are adjacent to each other by the attachment section provided on the flange section, and the connecting and holding section is formed in a flexible string shape, connects adjacent frames together, and is provided detachably to the frames.

As a result, the inflow restriction section, which is provided corresponding to the edge of the opening of the game panel on the front side where the game area is formed and restricts the inflow of game balls into the opening, is composed of at least a first inflow restriction section to an nth inflow restriction section (n is an integer of 2 or more), and is attached to the front side of the game panel so that the end of the mth inflow restriction section (m is an integer between 1 and n-1) and the end of the (m+1)th inflow restriction section are adjacent to each other via the mounting section of the flange section provided on each section. Therefore, by appropriately selecting the relationship of the mounting positions of the mth inflow restriction section and the (m+1)th inflow restriction section relative to the game panel, the inflow restriction section can be attached to game panels having openings of various sizes and shapes without having to be newly manufactured, and the inflow restriction section can be reused even if the model is different.

In the following detailed explanation, assuming m is 1, for example, by attaching the end of the first inflow restriction part and the end of the second inflow restriction part so that they are spaced apart from each other, it is possible to accommodate gaming panels with large openings. In this case, it is desirable that the gap between the end of the first inflow restriction part and the end of the second inflow restriction part is large enough that gaming balls cannot pass through, but if the gap is large enough that gaming balls can pass through, obstacle nails may be planted to prevent the gaming balls from passing through.

Alternatively, the end of the first inflow regulating part and the end of the second inflow regulating part can be attached so that their respective side surfaces face each other, making it possible to accommodate gaming panels with small openings. In this case, since a non-flange portion is provided at least on one end of the first inflow regulating part and the second inflow regulating part, it is possible to bring the side of the end of the first inflow regulating part and the side of the end of the second inflow regulating part as close as possible, which increases the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the first inflow regulating part and the second inflow regulating part, making it easier to accommodate gaming panels with openings of various sizes.

In addition, as described above, since it is possible to accommodate game panels with openings of various sizes, if it is desired to change the size of the game area due to design changes, etc., the size of the game area can be easily changed by changing the relationship between the mounting positions of the first inflow restriction unit and the second inflow restriction unit, thereby increasing the design freedom of the gaming machine. Therefore, there is no need to manufacture a new inflow restriction unit to match the size of the game area to be changed, and increases in the costs of the gaming machine can be suppressed.

Furthermore, since the inflow restriction section is made up of multiple frames, the same effect as above can be achieved by appropriately setting the mounting position of each frame relative to the gaming panel. Also, since the inflow restriction section is made up of multiple frames, if a malfunction occurs in one of the frames, only that frame needs to be replaced, reducing maintenance costs. Furthermore, since a connecting and retaining section is provided, it is possible to prevent the frames from falling off the gaming panel and being scratched or damaged during assembly or maintenance of the gaming machine.

In addition, because the connecting and retaining part is made flexible and string-like, even if the mounting position relationship between the first inflow restriction part (first frame) and the second inflow restriction part (second frame) is changed, the connecting and retaining part can flexibly deform to follow, and can accommodate the size and shape of the opening in the gaming panel while preventing the frame from falling off the gaming panel.

In addition, because a flexible string-like connecting and retaining part is provided, when the frame tries to come off the game panel, the connecting and retaining part tries to flexibly deform, providing resistance and preventing the frame from immediately coming off the game panel. And, if the frame comes off the game panel, the connecting and retaining part flexibly deforms, making it possible to reduce the falling speed and absorb the impact, thereby preventing damage to the frame.

Furthermore, because adjacent frames are connected together by the connecting and retaining parts, it is easier to handle multiple frames as a single unit compared to when one end of the connecting and retaining part is connected to a gaming panel or other component, improving workability during the manufacture of gaming machines, etc.

In addition, because the connecting and retaining parts are detachably attached to the frame, for example, when attaching multiple frames to the game panel in sequence or removing some of the frames from the game panel for maintenance, the connecting and retaining parts can be detached and attached to improve the handling and maneuverability of the frames, thereby improving workability.

In addition, because the connecting and retaining parts are removable, the frame can be connected by the connecting and retaining parts until it is attached to the game panel, and then the connecting and retaining parts can be removed once the frame is attached to the game panel, preventing the connecting and retaining parts from spoiling the appearance.

Furthermore, electronic components are attached to at least one of the frames, and since the weight of the frame to which the electronic components are attached becomes heavy, if the frame comes off the gaming panel and falls during assembly work of the gaming machine, the weight of the frame makes it more susceptible to damage. However, since a connecting retaining part is provided to prevent the frame from falling, the frame will not fall onto a workbench, floor, etc. and be damaged. Therefore, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can reliably exert the effects of the electronic components attached to the frame.

In this way, the above solution makes it possible to provide a gaming machine that can reuse the inflow restriction section even if the opening of the gaming panel differs depending on the model.

[16-2c. Relationship between the solution of the second technical feature and the embodiment]
The game panel 1100 (see FIG. 127) in the game board 5 of this embodiment corresponds to the game panel of the above-mentioned solving means, the opening 1112 of the game panel 1100 of this embodiment corresponds to the opening of the game panel of the above-mentioned solving means, the pattern display 2518, the second start opening unit 2720, the attacca unit 2730, and the role winning opening unit 2740 of this embodiment correspond to the electronic components of the above-mentioned solving means, and the inflow restriction portion 2700a of the center frame 2700 in the center role 2500A of this embodiment corresponds to the above-mentioned The flange portion 2700b of the center frame 2700, the first flange portion 2701b of the first frame 2701, and the second flange portion 2702b of the second frame 2702 in this embodiment correspond to the flange portions of the above-mentioned solution means, and the non-flange portion 2700c of the center frame 2700, the first non-flange portion 2701c of the first frame 2701, and the second non-flange portion 2702c of the second frame 2702 in this embodiment correspond to the inflow regulating portion of the solution means, respectively.

In addition, the first frame 2701, the second frame 2702, the third frame 2703, the fourth frame 2704, and the fifth frame 2705 in this embodiment correspond to the frames of the above-mentioned solution means, the first inflow restriction portion 2701a in this embodiment corresponds to the first inflow restriction portion of the above-mentioned solution means, the second inflow restriction portion 2702a in this embodiment corresponds to the second inflow restriction portion of the above-mentioned solution means, the mounting holes provided in the flange portion 2700b such as the first flange portion 2701b and the second flange portion 2702b in this embodiment correspond to the mounting portion of the above-mentioned solution means, and the connecting and retaining portion 2710 in this embodiment corresponds to the connecting and retaining portion of the above-mentioned solution means.

[16-2d. Characteristic effect of the second technical feature]
According to this embodiment, in the center frame 2700 in the center gimmick 2500A of the game board 5, the inflow restriction portion 2700a is provided corresponding to the edge portion of the opening 1112 of the game panel 1100 in which the game area 5a is formed on the front side, and restricts the game ball B from flowing into the inside of the opening 1112. The inflow restriction portion 2700a is composed of at least a first inflow restriction portion 2701a and a second inflow restriction portion 2702a, and the inflow restriction portion 2700a is attached to the game panel 1100 via the mounting portion of the flange portion 2700b (the first flange portion 2701b and the second flange portion 2702b) provided on each of the first inflow restriction portion 2701a and the second inflow restriction portion 2702a. Since the end of the first inflow regulating portion 2701a and the end of the second inflow regulating portion 2702a are attached adjacent to each other on the front surface, by appropriately selecting the relationship of the attachment positions of the first inflow regulating portion 2701a and the second inflow regulating portion 2702a relative to the gaming panel 1100, the inflow regulating portion 2700a (center frame 2700) can be attached to gaming panels 1100 having openings 1112 of various sizes and shapes without having to manufacture a new inflow regulating portion 2700a (center frame 2700), and the inflow regulating portion 2700a (center frame 2700) can be reused even if the model is different.

In more detail, for example, by attaching the end of the first inflow restriction portion 2701a and the end of the second inflow restriction portion 2702a so that they are spaced apart from each other, it is possible to accommodate a gaming panel 1100 with a large opening 1112. In this case, it is desirable that the gap C between the end of the first inflow restriction portion 2701a and the end of the second inflow restriction portion 2702a is large enough that the gaming ball B cannot pass through, but if it is large enough that the gaming ball B can pass through, an obstacle nail N may be planted to prevent the gaming ball B from passing through.

Alternatively, the end of the first inflow restriction portion 2701a and the end of the second inflow restriction portion 2702a can be attached so that their respective side surfaces face each other to accommodate a gaming panel 1100 with a small opening 1112. In this case, since a non-flange portion 2700c (first non-flange portion 2701c or second non-flange portion 2702c) is provided at least on one end of the first inflow restriction portion 2701a and the second inflow restriction portion 2702a, it is possible to bring the side of the end of the first inflow restriction portion 2701a and the side of the end of the second inflow restriction portion 2702a as close as possible, so that the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the first inflow restriction portion 2701a (first frame 2701) and the second inflow restriction portion 2702a (second frame 2702) can be increased, and it is possible to easily accommodate gaming panels 1100 with openings 1112 of various sizes.

In addition, as described above, since it is possible to accommodate game panels 1100 having openings 1112 of various sizes, if it is desired to change the size of the play area 5a due to design changes or the like, the size of the play area 5a can be easily changed by changing the relationship between the mounting positions of the first inflow restriction part 2701a (first frame 2701) and the second inflow restriction part 2702a (second frame 2702), thereby increasing the design freedom of the pachinko machine 1. Therefore, there is no need to newly manufacture an inflow restriction part 2700a (center frame 2700) to match the play area 5a of a different size, and an increase in the cost of the pachinko machine 1 can be suppressed.

Furthermore, since the inflow restriction section 2700a (center frame 2700) is composed of multiple frames such as the first frame 2701 to the fifth frame 2705, the same effect as above can be achieved by appropriately setting the mounting position of each frame relative to the gaming panel 1100. Also, since the inflow restriction section 2700a is composed of multiple frames, if a malfunction occurs in one of the frames, only that frame needs to be replaced, reducing maintenance costs. Furthermore, since the connecting and holding section 2710 is provided, it is possible to prevent the frames from falling off the gaming panel 1100 and being scratched or damaged during assembly or maintenance of the pachinko machine 1.

In addition, because the connecting and holding portion 2710 is made flexible and string-like, even if the mounting position relationship between the first inflow restriction portion 2701a (first frame 2701) and the second inflow restriction portion 2702a (second frame 2702) is changed, the connecting and holding portion 2710 can flexibly deform to follow, and can accommodate the size and shape of the opening 1112 of the gaming panel 1100 while preventing the frame from falling off the gaming panel 1100.

In addition, because a flexible string-like connecting and retaining portion 2710 is provided, when a frame such as the first frame 2701 attempts to come off from the gaming panel 1100, the connecting and retaining portion 2710 attempts to flexibly deform, providing resistance and preventing the frame from immediately coming off the gaming panel 1100. Furthermore, if the frame comes off the gaming panel 1100, the connecting and retaining portion 2710 flexibly deforms, making it possible to reduce the falling speed and absorb the impact, thereby preventing damage to the frame.

Furthermore, since adjacent frames such as the first frame 2701 and the second frame 2702 are connected to each other by the connecting and holding portion 2710, it is easier to handle multiple frames as a single unit compared to when one end of the connecting and holding portion 2710 is connected to the game panel 1100 or other components, and this improves workability during the manufacture of the pachinko machine 1, etc.

In addition, because the connecting and holding portion 2710 is detachably attached to the frame, for example, when attaching multiple frames to the gaming panel 1100 in sequence or removing some of the frames from the gaming panel for maintenance, the connecting and holding portion 2710 can be removed and attached to improve the handling and maneuverability of the frames, thereby improving workability.

In addition, because the connecting and holding part 2710 is removable, it is possible to connect the frame to the gaming panel 1100 using the connecting and holding part 2710 until the frame is attached to the gaming panel 1100, and then remove the connecting and holding part 2710 once the frame is attached to the gaming panel 1100, thereby preventing the presence of the connecting and holding part 2710 from spoiling the appearance.

Furthermore, electronic components such as a pattern display 2518 can be attached to at least one of the frames, and since the weight of the frame to which the electronic components are attached becomes heavy, if the frame falls off the game panel 1100 during assembly work of the pachinko machine 1, the weight of the frame makes it more susceptible to damage. However, since a connecting retaining portion 2710 is provided to prevent the frame from falling, the frame will not fall onto a workbench, floor, etc. and be damaged. Therefore, it is possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 that can reliably exert the effects of the electronic components attached to the frame.

[16-3. Third technical feature]
This specification has the following technical features different from those described above.

[16-3a. Background of the third technical feature]
As a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, a gaming machine (so-called sealed gaming machine, managed gaming machine) is known in which a large number of gaming balls enclosed inside are circulated during play, and the player does not touch the gaming balls (for example, Patent Document B: JP 2020-089489 A). In the technology of this Patent Document B, a game board having a game area where a game is played with a game ball that is detachably attached to a main body frame, and a door frame that allows the game area to be viewed from the front and is provided so as to be opened and closed relative to the main body frame, and a ball launching means for shooting a game ball for playing into the game area is provided in a portion of the main body frame outside the game board.

However, with the technology of Patent Document B, when the door frame is opened forward, the game area (game board) is opened forward. Therefore, when game balls are launched from the ball launching means with the door frame open, the game balls that have been shot into the game board are released to the outside, causing the problem of the game balls being scattered. In addition, when the game balls are released to the outside, the number of game balls enclosed decreases, causing problems such as the inability to launch game balls continuously.

In addition, in gaming machines in which the gaming balls used for games are sealed inside, such as those in Patent Document B, it is desirable to use stainless steel balls as the gaming balls, which are less likely to rust. However, in such cases, depending on the amusement hall, these machines may be mixed with conventional gaming machines that use iron balls as gaming balls. This raises the risk of iron balls getting mixed in through the outlet of the ball launching means during maintenance, etc., which could cause various inconveniences.

In view of the above situation, the following means aims to provide a gaming machine that can prevent gaming balls from being released to the outside from the ball launcher when the door frame is opened.

[16-3b. Solution of the third technical feature]
Means 1: In the gaming machine,
"A gaming machine comprising: a game board supported on a main frame from the front so as to be detachable therefrom, and having a game area in which games are played with game balls; a door frame which allows the game area of the game board to be viewed from the front and is provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the main frame; a ball launching means which is provided on the main frame below the game board and which is capable of supplying game balls to the game area; a foul ball collecting means which collects game balls which have been launched by the ball launching means but not supplied to the game area; and a ball circulating means which collects game balls launched by the ball launching means and supplies them to the ball launching means again; and the ball launching means is adapted to launch game balls based on the digitalized ball data of a player,
A ball supply blocking means is provided to block the supply of game balls from the ball launching means to the game board when the door frame is open.
The present invention is characterized in that

Here, examples of "ball supply blocking means" include "means having a shutter that opens and closes to close the exit on the ball launching means side when the door frame is opened", "means having a guide position where the game balls launched from the ball launching means are guided to the foul ball collection means by the force of a spring, and a shutter that slides from the guide position to a non-guide position by the force of the spring when pressed by the door frame moving in the closing direction", "means having a shutter that slides from the non-guide position to the guide position when the door frame is opened to guide the game balls launched from the ball launching means to the foul ball collection means, a door opening/closing switch that detects the opening/closing of the door frame, and an electric actuator that slides the shutter between the guide position and the non-guide position by turning the door opening/closing switch ON/OFF", "means that stops the launching of game balls by the ball launching means", "means that temporarily suspends play on the game board when the door frame is opened, and resumes play when the door frame is closed", etc.

According to the configuration of the means 1, the gaming machine is provided with a game board that is supported on the main frame from the front and has a game area where a game is played with game balls, a door frame that allows the game area of the game board to be viewed from the front and is provided on the main frame so as to be openable and closable, a ball launching means that is provided on the main frame below the game board and capable of supplying game balls to the game area, a foul ball recovery means that recovers game balls that have been launched by the ball launching means but not supplied to the game area, and a ball circulation means that recovers game balls launched by the ball launching means and supplies them to the ball launching means again, and is configured to launch game balls by the ball launching means based on the digitized ball data of the player, and is provided with a ball supply blocking means that blocks the supply of game balls from the ball launching means to the game board when the door frame is open. (See chapter [4-3. Foul unit] and the descriptions of Figures 17 to 19 in [Form for carrying out the invention].)

In this way, in a gaming machine (so-called enclosed gaming machine, managed gaming machine) in which the gaming balls launched from the ball launching means that launches the gaming balls into the playing area are collected by the ball circulation means and supplied to the ball launching means, and the gaming balls are launched from the ball launching means based on the ball data of the player, when the door frame that is openable and closable on the main frame that supports the gaming board is opened, the playing area of the gaming board is exposed forward and the gaming balls can be released to the outside, but since the ball supply prevention means prevents the supply of the gaming balls from the ball launching means to the gaming board, the gaming balls are not released to the outside and are not scattered. Therefore, the number of enclosed gaming balls does not decrease, and it is possible to avoid the occurrence of problems that would prevent the launching of consecutive gaming balls, so that the player can reliably enjoy the launching of consecutive gaming balls and suppress a decline in the player's interest in the game.

In addition, since a ball supply blocking means is provided that blocks the supply of game balls from the ball launching means to the game board when the door frame is open, if the ball supply blocking means has a shutter that closes the outlet on the ball launching means side when the door frame is opened, the shutter can block the game balls launched from the ball launching means when the door frame is opened, preventing them from being released to the outside, and the shutter can prevent game balls from being mixed in from the outside through the outlet of the ball launching means. Therefore, when stainless steel balls are used as the enclosed game balls, even if the game machine is installed in an amusement hall so that it is mixed with conventional game machines that use iron balls as game balls, increasing the possibility of iron balls being mixed in, the shutter can prevent iron balls from being mixed in from the outside through the outlet of the ball launching means, and various inconveniences due to the mixing in of iron balls will not occur. In addition, it is possible to avoid fraudulent acts due to the mixing in of iron balls, and a game machine with high security can be provided.

The ball supply blocking means may have a shutter that slides from a non-guiding position to a guiding position when the door frame is opened, guiding the game balls launched from the ball launching means to the foul ball recovery means. In this way, when the door frame is opened, the shutter slides from the non-guiding position to the guiding position, and the game balls launched from the ball launching means come into contact with the shutter and are guided to the foul ball recovery means, so that the game balls are not released to the outside and scattered, and the same effect as above can be achieved.

In addition, when a shutter is provided on the ball supply blocking means as described above, the shutter guides the game balls launched from the ball launching means to the foul ball recovery means, so that game balls launched with the door frame open can be treated as foul balls, reducing the disadvantage to the player and preventing a decline in the player's interest.

Furthermore, in the case where the shutter slides from the non-guiding position to the guiding position when the door frame is opened as described above to guide the game balls launched from the ball launching means to the foul ball collecting means, the shutter can prevent other game balls from being mixed into the foul ball collecting means or the ball launching device when the door frame is opened. As a result, when stainless steel balls are used as the enclosed game balls, even if this game machine is installed in an amusement hall mixed with conventional game machines that use iron balls as game balls, the shutter can prevent iron balls from being mixed in from the outside via the foul ball collecting means or the ball launching means, and various inconveniences caused by the mixing in of iron balls will not occur. Furthermore, fraudulent acts caused by the mixing in of iron balls can be avoided, and a game machine with high security can be provided.

In addition, when a shutter is provided in the ball supply blocking means as described above, it is desirable that the shutter is biased to the guiding position by the biasing force of a spring, and is pressed by the door frame moving in the closing direction to slide from the guiding position to the non-guiding position against the biasing force of the spring. In this way, when the door frame that is provided so as to be openable and closable relative to the main frame supporting the game board is opened, the game area of the game board is exposed forward and game balls can be released to the outside, but in the ball supply blocking means, the door frame moves in the opening direction, causing the shutter to slide from the non-guiding position to the guiding position by the biasing force of the spring, and the shutter is in the guiding position, so that game balls launched from the ball launching means come into contact with the shutter and can be guided to the foul ball recovery means, and the game balls are reliably prevented from being released to the outside and scattered, thereby achieving the same effect as described above.

Furthermore, when the shutter provided in the ball supply blocking means is biased from the non-guiding position to the guiding position by the biasing force of the spring as described above, when the door frame is changed from an open state to a closed state, the shutter can be slid from the guiding position to the non-guiding position against the biasing force of the spring by the pressure caused by the movement of the door frame in the closing direction. Therefore, the shutter does not obstruct the game balls launched from the ball launching means, and the game balls can be supplied to the game area of the game board, allowing the player to enjoy the game.

In addition, when the shutter provided in the ball supply blocking means is biased from the non-induction position to the induction position by the biasing force of the spring as described above, the shutter is slid between the induction position and the non-induction position by the biasing force of the spring and the movement caused by the opening and closing of the door frame. This makes it possible to simplify the structure of the gaming machine compared to when the shutter is slid by an electric actuator, and realize a gaming machine that achieves the above-mentioned effects. It is also possible to eliminate malfunctions caused by erroneous electrical signals, and the shutter can be reliably slid to the induction position when the door frame is opened.

Furthermore, a foul ball recovery means may be provided between the game board and the ball launching means so that the game ball launched from the ball launching means passes through it before being launched into the game board. In this way, the game ball launched from the ball launching means is launched into the game board through the foul ball recovery means, so that if the launched game ball is launched into the game board but returns without reaching the play area, it will enter the foul ball recovery means just before the ball launching means, and the returning game ball (foul ball) can be easily collected.

In addition, as described above, when the game ball launched from the ball launching means passes through the foul ball recovery means, even if the launch strength of the ball launching means is too weak for the game ball to pass through the foul ball recovery means and reach the game board, the game ball has entered the foul ball recovery means and can be recovered directly by the foul ball recovery means.

Furthermore, as described above, when the game balls launched from the ball launching means pass through the foul ball collecting means, by providing a shutter that appears when the door frame is opened in the path of the game balls launched by the ball launching means in the foul ball collecting means, it is possible to prevent the game balls from being shot into the game board and to have the game balls collected by the foul ball collecting means as foul balls. Also, in this case, by providing a shutter that appears when the door frame is opened, it is possible to prevent other game balls, such as iron balls, from being mixed in from the outside through the foul ball collecting means.

In addition, as described above, when game balls launched from the ball launching means pass through the foul ball collecting means, it is desirable to provide the foul ball collecting means with ball supply blocking means. In this way, since the foul ball collecting means is provided with ball supply blocking means that blocks game balls launched from the ball launching means from being supplied to the game board when the door frame is open, the blocked game balls can be collected by the foul ball collecting means as foul balls, reducing the disadvantage to the player by treating them as foul balls and suppressing a decline in the player's interest.

In addition, as described above, when the game balls launched from the ball launching means pass through the foul ball collecting means and the foul ball collecting means is provided with a ball supply blocking means that blocks the supply of game balls from the ball launching means to the game board when the door frame is open, if the ball supply blocking means has a shutter that closes the ball receiving port of the foul ball collecting means when the door frame is opened, the shutter can prevent other game balls from being mixed in from the outside through the ball receiving port of the foul ball collecting means when the door frame is opened. Therefore, when stainless steel balls are used as the enclosed game balls, even if this game machine is installed in a game hall together with conventional game machines that use iron balls as game balls, the shutter can prevent iron balls from being mixed in from the outside through the ball receiving port of the foul ball collecting means, and various inconveniences due to the mixing of iron balls do not occur. In addition, it is possible to avoid fraudulent acts due to the mixing of iron balls, and a game machine with high security can be provided.

Means 2: In the gaming machine of means 1,
"The ball supply blocking means is
The door frame has a shutter that slides from a non-guiding position to a guiding position when the door frame is opened, and guides the game balls shot from the ball shooting means to the foul ball recovery means.
The present invention is characterized in that

Here, examples of "shutter" include "one that is biased to a guided position by the biasing force of a spring, and slides from the guided position to a non-guided position against the biasing force of the spring when pressed by the door frame moving in the closing direction," and "one that slides between the guided position and the non-guided position by an electric actuator that operates by detecting the opening and closing of the door frame."

According to the configuration of means 2, the ball supply blocking means has a shutter that slides from a non-guiding position to a guiding position when the door frame is opened, and guides the game balls shot from the ball shooting means to the foul ball collecting means. (See the description of the foul shutter 471 of the foul unit 470 in [Form for carrying out the invention].)

As a result, when the door frame is opened, the shutter slides from the non-guiding position to the guiding position, and the game balls launched from the ball launching means come into contact with the shutter and are guided to the foul ball recovery means, so the game balls are not released to the outside and scattered, and the same effect as above can be achieved.

In addition, because the game balls launched from the ball launching means are guided to the foul ball recovery means by the shutter, game balls launched with the door frame open can be treated as foul balls, reducing the disadvantage to the player and preventing a decline in the player's interest.

In addition, when the door frame is opened, the shutter slides from a non-guiding position to a guiding position to guide the game balls launched from the ball launching means to the foul ball collection means, so that when the door frame is opened, the shutter can prevent other game balls from being mixed into the foul ball collection means or the ball launching device. As a result, when stainless steel balls are used as the enclosed game balls, even if this game machine is installed in an amusement hall mixed with conventional game machines that use iron balls as game balls, the shutter can prevent iron balls from being mixed in from the outside via the foul ball collection means or ball launching means, and various inconveniences caused by the mixing in of iron balls will not occur. Furthermore, fraudulent acts caused by the mixing in of iron balls can be avoided, and a game machine with high security can be provided.

Means 3: In the configuration of Means 2,
"The shutter is
The door is biased toward the guiding position by the biasing force of a spring, and when pressed by the door frame moving in the closing direction, it slides from the guiding position to the non-guiding position against the biasing force of the spring.
The present invention is characterized in that

According to the configuration of the third means, the shutter is biased to the guided position by the biasing force of the spring, and is pushed by the door frame moving in the closing direction, so that it slides from the guided position to the non-guided position against the biasing force of the spring. (See the description of the fall shutter 471 and spring 475 of the fall unit 470 in [Embodiment for carrying out the invention].)

As a result, when the door frame, which is provided so as to be able to open and close relative to the main frame supporting the game board, is opened, the game area of the game board is exposed forward, making it possible for game balls to be released to the outside, but in the ball supply prevention means, the door frame moves in the opening direction, causing the shutter to slide from the non-guiding position to the guiding position due to the spring force, and when the shutter is in the guiding position, the game balls launched from the ball launching means come into contact with the shutter and can be guided to the foul ball recovery means, reliably preventing the game balls from being released to the outside and scattered, achieving the same effect as described above.

In addition, when the door frame is changed from an open state to a closed state, the shutter can be slid from the guided position to the non-guided position against the spring force by the pressure caused by the movement of the door frame in the closing direction, so that the shutter does not obstruct the game balls launched from the ball launching means, and the game balls can be supplied to the game area of the game board, allowing the player to enjoy the game.

Furthermore, because the shutter is slid between the induction position and the non-induction position by the spring force and the movement caused by the opening and closing of the door frame, the structure of the gaming machine can be simplified compared to when the shutter is slid by an electric actuator, and a gaming machine that achieves the above-mentioned effects can be realized, while malfunctions caused by erroneous electrical signals can be eliminated, and the shutter can be reliably slid to the induction position when the door frame is opened.

Means 4: In any one of the configurations of means 1 to 3,
"The foul ball recovery means is
It is provided between the game board and the ball launching means so that the game balls launched from the ball launching means pass through and are shot into the game board.
A gaming machine characterized by:

According to the configuration of means 4, the foul ball recovery means is provided between the game board and the ball launching means so that the game balls launched from the ball launching means pass through and are shot into the game board. (See the description of the foul unit 470 in [Form for carrying out the invention].)

As a result, the game ball launched from the ball launching means is shot into the game board through the foul ball collecting means, so that if the launched game ball is shot into the game board but returns without reaching the play area, it will enter the foul ball collecting means just before the ball launching means, making it easy to collect the returning game ball (foul ball).

In addition, because the game ball launched from the ball launching means passes through the foul ball recovery means, even if the launch strength of the ball launching means is too weak for the game ball to pass through the foul ball recovery means and reach the game board, the game ball has entered the foul ball recovery means and can be recovered directly by the foul ball recovery means.

Furthermore, since the game balls launched from the ball launching means pass through the foul ball collecting means, by providing a shutter that appears when the door frame is opened in the path of the game balls launched by the ball launching means in the foul ball collecting means, it is possible to prevent the game balls from being shot into the game board and to have the game balls collected by the foul ball collecting means as foul balls. Also, by providing a shutter that appears when the door frame is opened, it is possible to prevent other game balls, such as iron balls, from being mixed in from outside through the foul ball collecting means.

Means 5: In the configuration of Means 4,
"The ball supply blocking means is
The foul ball recovery means is provided with
The present invention is characterized in that

According to the configuration of means 5, the ball supply blocking means is provided in the foul ball recovery means. (See the description of the foul unit 470 in [Embodiment for carrying out the invention].)

As a result, the foul ball recovery means is provided with a ball supply blocking means that blocks game balls launched from the ball launching means from being supplied to the game board when the door frame is open, so the blocked game balls can be collected by the foul ball recovery means as foul balls, reducing the disadvantage to the player by treating them as foul balls and preventing a decline in the player's interest.

In addition, since the foul ball collecting means is provided with a ball supply blocking means that blocks the supply of game balls from the ball launching means to the game board when the door frame is open, if the ball supply blocking means has a shutter that closes the ball receiving port of the foul ball collecting means when the door frame is opened, the shutter can prevent other game balls from being mixed in from the outside through the ball receiving port of the foul ball collecting means when the door frame is opened. Therefore, when stainless steel balls are used as the enclosed game balls, even if this game machine is installed in an amusement hall together with conventional game machines that use iron balls as game balls, the shutter can prevent iron balls from being mixed in from the outside through the ball receiving port of the foul ball collecting means, and various inconveniences caused by the mixing in of iron balls will not occur. In addition, it is possible to avoid fraudulent acts caused by the mixing in of iron balls, and a game machine with high security can be provided.

Means 6: In the gaming machine,
"A gaming machine comprising: a game board supported on a main frame from the front so as to be detachable therefrom, and having a game area in which games are played with game balls; a door frame which allows the game area of the game board to be viewed from the front and is provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the main frame; a ball launching means which is provided on the main frame below the game board and which is capable of supplying game balls to the game area; a foul ball collecting means which collects game balls which have been launched by the ball launching means but not supplied to the game area; and a ball circulating means which collects game balls launched by the ball launching means and supplies them to the ball launching means again; and the ball launching means is adapted to launch game balls based on the digitalized ball data of a player,
The foul ball recovery means is
A ball launching means is provided between the game board and the ball launching means so that the game balls launched from the ball launching means pass through the ball launching means and are shot into the game board.
A shutter is provided in the foul ball collecting means, which slides from a non-guiding position to a guiding position when the door frame is opened to guide the game balls shot from the ball launching means to the foul ball collecting means, and is biased to the guiding position by the biasing force of a spring, and has a shutter that slides from the guiding position to the non-guiding position against the biasing force of the spring when pressed by the door frame moving in the closing direction, and is provided with a ball supply blocking means that blocks the supply of game balls from the ball launching means to the game board when the door frame is open.
The present invention is characterized in that

According to the configuration of means 6, the gaming machine is equipped with a gaming board that is supported on the main frame from the front so as to be detachable therefrom and has a gaming area where games are played with gaming balls, a door frame that allows the gaming area of the gaming board to be viewed from the front and is provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the main frame, a ball launching means that is provided on the main frame below the gaming board and is capable of supplying gaming balls to the gaming area, a foul ball recovery means that recovers gaming balls that have been launched by the ball launching means but not supplied to the gaming area, and a ball circulation means that recovers gaming balls launched by the ball launching means and supplies them again to the ball launching means, and is configured to launch gaming balls using the ball launching means based on the digitized ball data of the player. The foul ball collecting means is provided between the game board and the ball launching means so that the game balls launched from the ball launching means pass through and are shot into the game board. The foul ball collecting means is further provided with a shutter that slides from a non-guiding position to a guiding position when the door frame is opened to guide the game balls launched from the ball launching means to the foul ball collecting means, and is biased to the guiding position by the biasing force of a spring, and has a shutter that slides from the guiding position to the non-guiding position against the biasing force of the spring when pressed by the door frame moving in the closing direction, and a ball supply blocking means is provided to block the supply of game balls from the ball launching means to the game board when the door frame is open.

In this way, in a gaming machine (so-called enclosed gaming machine, managed gaming machine) in which gaming balls launched from a ball launching means that launches gaming balls into the playing area are collected by a ball circulation means and supplied to the ball launching means, and the gaming balls are launched from the ball launching means based on the ball data held by the player, when the door frame that is openable and closable relative to the main frame supporting the gaming board is opened, the playing area of the gaming board is exposed to the front and the gaming balls are able to be released to the outside, but in the ball supply preventing means, the door frame moves in the opening direction, causing the shutter to slide from the non-guiding position to the guiding position due to the spring force, and when the shutter is in the guiding position, the gaming balls launched from the ball launching means come into contact with the shutter and can be guided to the foul ball recovery means, thereby reliably preventing the gaming balls from being released to the outside and scattered. Therefore, the number of enclosed game balls does not decrease, and it is possible to avoid problems that would prevent game balls from being fired continuously, so that players can enjoy firing game balls continuously and prevent a decline in the player's interest in the game.

Furthermore, when the door frame is opened, the shutter slides from the non-guiding position to the guiding position to guide the game balls launched from the ball launching means to the foul ball recovery means, so that when the door frame is opened, the shutter can prevent game balls from entering the foul ball recovery means from the outside. As a result, when stainless steel balls are used as the enclosed game balls, even if this game machine is installed in an amusement hall so that it is mixed with conventional game machines that use iron balls as game balls, and there is a high possibility of iron balls being mixed in, the shutter in the guiding position can prevent iron balls from being mixed in from the outside via the foul ball recovery means, and various inconveniences due to the mixing in of iron balls will not occur. Furthermore, fraudulent acts due to the mixing in of iron balls can be avoided, and a game machine with high security can be provided.

On the other hand, when the door frame is changed from an open state to a closed state, the shutter can be slid from the guided position to the non-guided position against the spring force by the pressure caused by the movement of the door frame in the closing direction, so that the shutter does not obstruct the game balls launched from the ball launching means, and the game balls can be supplied to the game area of the game board, allowing the player to enjoy the game.

In addition, the ball supply blocking means slides the shutter between the induction position and the non-induction position by the force of the spring and the movement caused by the opening and closing of the door frame. This allows the gaming machine to have a simpler configuration than when the shutter is slid by an electric actuator, and it is possible to realize a gaming machine that achieves the above-mentioned effects while eliminating malfunctions caused by erroneous electrical signals, allowing the shutter to reliably slide to the induction position when the door frame is opened.

In addition, the game balls launched from the ball launching means pass through the foul ball collecting means, and the shutter of the ball supply blocking means is provided on the foul ball collecting means. This means that the shutter can block the game balls launched from the ball launching means when the door frame is open, reliably preventing them from being shot into the game board. In addition, the blocked game balls can be collected by the foul ball collecting means as foul balls, reducing the disadvantage to the player by treating them as foul balls and preventing a decline in the player's interest.

Furthermore, since the game ball launched from the ball launching means is shot into the game board through the foul ball collecting means, if the launched game ball is shot into the game board but returns without reaching the play area, it will enter the foul ball collecting means just before the ball launching means, and the returning game ball (foul ball) can be easily collected.

In addition, because the game ball launched from the ball launching means passes through the foul ball recovery means, even if the launch strength of the ball launching means is too weak for the game ball to pass through the foul ball recovery means and reach the game board, the game ball has entered the foul ball recovery means and can be recovered directly by the foul ball recovery means.

In this way, the above solution makes it possible to provide a gaming machine that can prevent gaming balls from being released to the outside from the ball launcher when the door frame is opened.

[16-3c. Relationship between the solution of the third technical feature and the embodiment]
In this embodiment, the ball launching unit 450 of the main frame 4 corresponds to the ball launching means of the above-mentioned solution means, the foul unit 470 in this embodiment corresponds to the foul ball recovery means of the above-mentioned solution means, the foul shutter 471 and spring 475 of the foul unit 470 in this embodiment correspond to the ball supply preventing means of the above-mentioned solution means, the foul shutter 471 in this embodiment corresponds to the shutter of the above-mentioned solution means, and the circulating ball path unit 500, ball lifting unit 550, and ball sending unit 600 in this embodiment correspond to the ball circulating means of the above-mentioned solution means.

[16-3d. Characteristic effect of the third technical feature]
According to this embodiment, the game ball B launched from the ball launching unit 450, which launches the game ball B into the game area 5a of the game board 5, is collected by the foul unit 470 and the circulating ball path unit 500 and supplied to the ball launching unit 450, and the game ball B is launched from the ball launching unit 450 based on the ball data of the player. In this pachinko machine 1 (a so-called enclosed game machine, a managed game machine), when the door frame 3 that is provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the main body frame 4 that supports the game board 5 is opened, the game area 5a of the game board 5 is exposed forward and the game ball B is launched to the outside. In the foul unit 470 of the main frame 4, the door frame 3 moves in the opening direction, and the foul shutter 471 slides from the non-guiding position (open position) to the guiding position (closed position) by the biasing force of the spring 475. When the foul shutter 471 is in the guiding position (closed position), the game ball B shot from the ball shooting unit 450 comes into contact with the foul shutter 471 and can be guided downward inside the foul unit 470, and the game ball B can be reliably prevented from being released to the outside and scattered. Therefore, the number of enclosed game balls B does not decrease, and the occurrence of a trouble that makes it impossible to shoot consecutive game balls can be avoided, so that the player can reliably enjoy shooting consecutive game balls B, and a decrease in the interest of the player in the game can be suppressed.

When the door frame 3 is opened, the foul shutter 471 of the foul unit 470 slides from the open position to the closed position to guide the game ball B shot from the ball launching unit 450 into the foul unit 470, so that when the door frame 3 is opened, the foul shutter 471 can prevent the game ball B from entering the foul unit 470 from the outside. As a result, in the case of the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment in which stainless steel balls are used as the enclosed game balls B, even if the pachinko machine 1 is installed in a game hall so that it is mixed with conventional pachinko machines that use iron balls SB as game balls, and the possibility of iron balls SB being mixed in increases, the foul shutter 471 in the closed position can prevent the iron balls SB from being mixed in from the outside through the foul unit 470 (foul upper opening 470a), and various inconveniences due to the mixing of iron balls SB do not occur. In addition, it is possible to avoid fraudulent acts due to the mixing of iron balls SB, and a pachinko machine 1 with high security can be provided.

On the other hand, when the door frame 3 is changed from an open state to a closed state, the foul shutter 471 can be slid from the guiding position (closed position) to the non-guiding position (open position) against the force of the spring 475 by the pressure caused by the movement of the door frame 3 in the closing direction. Therefore, the foul shutter 471 does not obstruct the game ball B launched from the ball launching unit 450, and the game ball B can be supplied to the game area 5a of the game board 5, allowing the player to enjoy the game.

In addition, in the fall unit 470, the fall shutter 471 is slid between the induction position (closed position) and the non-induction position (open position) by the force of the spring 475 and the movement caused by the opening and closing of the door frame 3. This simplifies the configuration of the pachinko machine 1 compared to when the fall shutter 471 is slid by an electric actuator, making it possible to realize a pachinko machine 1 that achieves the above-mentioned effects, and also eliminating malfunctions caused by erroneous electrical signals, allowing the fall shutter 471 to reliably slide to the induction position (closed position) when the door frame 3 is opened.

In addition, the game ball B launched from the ball launching unit 450 passes through the foul unit 470, and the foul shutter 471 is provided to open and close the foul-top opening 470a of the foul unit 470. This means that when the door frame 3 is open, the game ball B launched from the ball launching unit 450 is blocked by the foul shutter 471, reliably preventing it from being hit into the game board 5. In addition, the blocked game ball B can be collected by the foul unit 470 as a foul ball, reducing the disadvantage to the player by treating it as a foul ball and preventing a decline in the player's interest.

Furthermore, since the game ball B launched from the ball launching unit 450 is launched into the game board 5 through the foul unit 470, if the launched game ball B is launched into the game board 5 but returns without reaching the game area 5a, it will enter the foul unit 470 just before the ball launching unit 450, and the returning game ball B (foul ball) can be easily collected.

In addition, because the game ball B launched from the ball launching unit 450 passes through the foul unit 470, even if the launch strength of the ball launching unit 450 is too weak for the game ball B to pass through the foul unit 470 and reach the game board 5, the game ball B has entered the foul unit 470 and can be retrieved directly into the foul unit 470.

[16-4. Fourth technical feature]
This specification has the following technical features different from those described above.

[16-4a. Background of the fourth technical feature]
There are known gaming machines such as pachinko machines that circulate a large number of gaming balls enclosed inside during play, and do not allow players to touch the gaming balls (so-called enclosed gaming machines, managed gaming machines) (for example, Patent Document C: JP 2014-184062 A). The technology in Patent Document C allows the enclosed gaming balls to be removed during maintenance, etc.

However, with the technology of Patent Document C, although the game balls can be ejected to the outside (rear) of the gaming machine by operating the ball ejection member for removing the enclosed game balls, there is a problem that the ejected game balls will scatter to the outside if left as is.

In view of the above situation, the following means aims to provide a gaming machine that allows the enclosed gaming balls to be removed in a bundle.

[16-4b. Solution of the fourth technical feature]
Means 1: In the gaming machine,
"A game area in which a game is played with a game ball;
A ball launching means capable of supplying game balls to the game area;
A ball circulation means for collecting the game balls shot by the ball shooting means and supplying them to the ball shooting means again is provided.
A gaming machine in which a game ball is shot by the ball shooting means based on the digitized ball data of a player,
The ball circulating means has a ball removing means for removing the circulating game balls,
It further includes a ball receiving portion for receiving the game ball removed by the ball removing means.
The present invention is characterized in that

Here, examples of "ball removal means" include "one that can open and close a ball removal opening that penetrates the ball passage from top to bottom (in the bottom wall of the ball passage)", "one that can open and close a ball removal opening that penetrates the ball passage from front to back (in the side wall of the ball passage)", "one that can open and close a ball removal opening that penetrates the ball passage from left to right (in the side wall of the ball passage)", "one that opens and closes the ball removal opening by sliding", "one that opens and closes the ball removal opening by rotating on a hinge", etc.

Examples of "ball receiving portion" include "a container-like structure that is open upward and can slide," "a recess that is recessed downward," and "one that has a step in the vertical direction."

According to the configuration of means 1, the gaming machine is equipped with a gaming area where games are played with gaming balls, a ball launching means capable of supplying gaming balls to the gaming area, and a ball circulating means for collecting the gaming balls launched by the ball launching means and supplying them again to the ball launching means, and is configured to launch gaming balls using the ball launching means based on the digitalized ball data of the player, and the ball circulating means has a ball removal means for removing the circulating gaming balls, and further has a ball receiving section for receiving the gaming balls removed by the ball removal means. (See chapters [4-4. Circulating ball path unit] and [4-7. Ball receiving tray] in [Form for implementing the invention], and the description in Figures 20 to 25, etc.)

In this way, in a gaming machine (so-called sealed gaming machine, managed gaming machine) in which the gaming balls launched from the ball launching means that launches the gaming balls into the play area are collected by the ball circulating means and supplied to the ball launching means, and the gaming balls are launched from the ball launching means based on the ball data held by the player, when the circulating gaming balls (sealed gaming balls) are removed by the ball removal means provided in the ball circulating means during maintenance, etc., the game balls can be received by the ball receiving section, so the sealed gaming balls are not scattered to the outside, and the sealed gaming balls can be removed in a bundle by the ball receiving section, reducing the burden on maintenance, etc.

It is desirable to provide the ball receiving section below the ball removal means in a container-like shape that is open upward and can slide back and forth. In this way, when the game balls enclosed in the ball removal means are removed, they can be received in the container-like ball receiving section provided below, and then by sliding the ball receiving section back and forth, the game balls can be removed together with the ball receiving section, making it easy to remove the game balls.

The ball receiving section may also be placed on an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the front, and a restricting section may be used to restrict forward movement, allowing the ball receiving section to slide forward by releasing the restricting section. As a result, even if game balls removed from the ball circulation means by the ball removal means accumulate in the ball receiving section and the ball receiving section attempts to slide forward along the inclined surface due to its weight, the restricting section can restrict the ball receiving section from sliding forward, and the ball receiving section can receive the game balls removed by the ball removal means until the restriction by the restricting section is released. Then, when the restriction by the restricting section is released while multiple game balls are stored in the ball receiving section, the weight of the game balls stored in the ball receiving section causes the ball receiving section to slide forward along the inclination of the inclined surface, allowing many game balls to be easily removed in a bundle.

In addition, as described above, when the ball receiving part is placed on an inclined surface and the restricting part restricts the ball from sliding forward, the part on which the ball receiving part is placed is an inclined surface that is lower toward the front. Therefore, when the game ball is removed from the ball circulation means by the ball removal means without the ball receiving part being placed on the inclined surface, the inclination of the inclined surface allows the game ball to be guided forward and discharged, making it possible to prevent the game ball from scattering.

Furthermore, the ball removal means may have a magnetic force generating means for applying a magnetic force to the game balls. As a result, when stainless steel balls made of non-magnetic stainless steel such as SUS304 are used as the circulating game balls, if this game machine is installed in an amusement hall so that it is mixed with conventional game machines that use iron balls as game balls, there is a high possibility that iron balls will be mixed in when the stainless steel balls are replaced or replenished for maintenance, etc. If iron balls are mixed in during maintenance, etc., the iron balls can be magnetically attached to the ball removal means by the magnetic force from the magnetic force generating means, and can be separated from the stainless steel balls. Then, the iron balls that are magnetically attached to the ball removal means by the magnetic force generating means can be easily removed to the outside by the ball removal means.

The above-mentioned ball removal means having a magnetic force generating means can be used to remove iron balls by, for example, providing a ball removal opening that penetrates the bottom wall of the ball passage from top to bottom, providing the ball removal means with a door that prevents game balls from passing through the ball removal opening, and making the ball removal means slidable between a closed position where the door closes the ball removal opening and an open position where the ball removal opening is opened. When the ball removal means is in the normal closed position and an iron ball flows through the ball passage, the iron ball is magnetically attached to the upper surface of the door of the ball removal means by the magnetic force generating means. In this state, when the ball removal means is slid from the closed position to the open position, the magnetically attached iron ball slides together with the door, but the iron ball abuts against the side wall of the ball passage, preventing only the iron ball from sliding. Then, when only the ball removal means slides further, the door that supported the iron ball from below disappears, and the iron ball moves downward and passes through the ball removal opening. At this time, the iron ball does not leave the door due to the magnetic force of the magnetic force generating means, and tries to go around to the underside of the door while still magnetically attached. In this state, when the ball removal means is slid from the open position to the closed position, the ball removal opening is closed and the iron ball remains magnetically attached to the underside of the door, and does not fall to be received in the ball receiving section. This allows the iron ball to be removed by removing the iron ball that is magnetically attached to the underside of the door, and allows only the stainless steel ball to be received in the ball receiving section.

In addition, as described above, when the ball removal means has a magnetic force generating means, if stainless steel balls are used as the circulating game balls, even if iron balls are mixed in as game balls for cheating, the iron balls can be magnetized to the ball removal means by the magnetic force from the magnetic force generating means, so that iron balls for cheating can be prevented from being launched into the play area by the ball launching means, and it is possible to provide a gaming machine with high security by preventing the achievement of cheating.

In addition, as described above, when the ball removal means has a magnetic force generating means, stainless steel balls are used as the circulating game balls, the ball removal means is provided at a location where the game balls circulate in a single file, and a ball sensor for detecting the game balls is provided downstream of the ball removal means. When an iron ball is magnetized to the ball removal means by the magnetic force generating means, the magnetized iron ball impedes the flow of game balls, and the downstream ball sensor never detects the game ball (stainless steel ball). This means that the ball removal means can detect that the iron ball is magnetized, and the ball sensor can alert the user to the presence of an iron ball, allowing the mixed-in iron ball to be removed.

The ball circulation means may further include a ball passage that allows game balls launched by the ball launching means and collected to flow below the ball launching means, and a ball lifting means that lifts the game balls from the downstream end of the ball passage above the ball launching means and supplies them to the ball launching means, and the ball removal means may be provided near the downstream end of the ball passage. As a result, the ball removal means for removing the enclosed game balls is provided near the downstream end of the ball passage that supplies the game balls to the ball lifting means, and therefore the ball removal means is provided near the lowest position in the game ball circulation path. Therefore, even if the game balls discharged to the outside from the ball removal means are not received by the ball receiving section and spill, the game balls will not easily scatter over a wide area because they fall from a relatively low position, and the effort required for ball removal can be reduced.

In addition, as described above, when the ball circulation means is provided with a ball passage and a ball lifting means, and a ball removal means is provided near the downstream end of the ball passage, the ball removal means is provided near the lower end (entrance) of the ball lifting means in the ball passage, so that the game balls upstream of the ball removal means can be naturally removed due to the slope of the ball passage, and it is only necessary to lift some of the game balls being lifted by the ball lifting means, which shortens the time required for ball removal compared to the conventional method and reduces the burden on maintenance, etc.

Furthermore, as described above, when the ball circulation means is provided with a ball passage and a ball lifting means, and a ball removal means is provided near the downstream end of the ball passage, the ball removal means may be provided adjacent to the downstream side of the speed reduction section that slows down the circulation speed of the game balls in the ball passage. In this way, since the ball removal means is provided adjacent to the downstream side of the speed reduction section in the ball passage, when the game balls are removed to the outside from the ball removal means, the circulation speed of the game balls is slowed down by the speed reduction section, so that it is possible to prevent the game balls from jumping over the ball removal means and not being discharged to the outside from the ball removal means, and the game balls can be reliably removed to the outside from the ball removal means.

In addition, as described above, if a ball removal means is provided adjacent to the downstream side of the speed reduction section in the ball passage, the game ball can be removed from the ball removal means to the outside (ball receiving section) while the flow speed is slowed down by the speed reduction section, so that the momentum of the game ball discharged from the ball removal means is weakened, thereby reducing the impact acting on the ball receiving section and preventing damage to the ball receiving section.

Furthermore, as described above, when the ball circulation means is provided with a ball passage and a ball lifting means, and a ball removal means is provided near the downstream end of the ball passage, the ball removal means may be configured to open and close a ball removal port that penetrates the ball passage from top to bottom. In this way, the ball removal port that penetrates the ball passage from top to bottom is opened and closed by the ball removal means, so that when the ball removal port is opened by the ball removal means, the bottom wall of the ball passage is opened, and compared to when the ball removal port is provided on the side wall of the ball passage, game balls can be reliably removed from the ball passage to the outside and the game balls can be received in the ball receiving section.

In addition, as described above, when the ball circulation means is provided with a ball passage and a ball lifting means, and a ball removal means is provided near the downstream end of the ball passage, the ball lifting means may be operated to lift the game balls when the game balls are removed by the ball removal means. In this way, when the game balls are being removed by the ball removal means, the ball lifting means is operated to lift the game balls, so that the game balls at the lower end (entrance) side of the ball lifting means in the ball passage and the game balls being lifted by the ball lifting means can be sent to the ball removal means, and all of the enclosed game balls can be removed to the outside. The ball lifting means may be operated by operating the ball removal means, or a ball removal switch or the like may be provided and the ball lifting means may be operated by operating that switch.

The gaming machine may further comprise a gaming board having a gaming area supported on the main frame so as to be detachable from the front, and a door frame which allows the gaming area of the gaming board to be viewed from the front and is provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the main frame, and the ball removal means may be provided so as to be slidable between an open position where gaming balls can be removed from the ball circulation means and a closed position where gaming balls cannot be removed from the ball circulation means, and the ball removal means may be made unable to slide from the closed position to the open position when the door frame is closed with respect to the main frame. As a result, in the normal state, the door frame is closed with respect to the main frame, and the ball removal means is in the closed position. In this state, the ball removal means is prevented from sliding to the open position by the door frame, so that the ball removal means will not slide from the closed position to the open position by itself due to vibrations during play, etc., and gaming balls will not fall out of the ball removal means into the ball receiving section. Therefore, the number of enclosed game balls does not decrease, and it is possible to avoid the occurrence of problems that would prevent the continuous firing of game balls, so that the player can enjoy the continuous firing of game balls and prevent the player's interest in the game from decreasing. When the enclosed game balls are to be removed to the outside (ball receiving section), the door frame is opened from the main body frame and the ball removal means is slid from the closed position to the open position, whereby the game balls can be removed from the ball circulation means to the ball receiving section, and the same effect as above can be achieved.

In addition, as described above, if the ball removal means cannot slide from the closed position to the open position when the door frame is closed, the ball removal means cannot slide from the closed position to the open position when the door frame is closed. This makes it possible to prevent illegal balls (e.g., iron balls) used to commit fraud from being mixed in from the ball removal means to the ball circulation means, thereby providing a highly secure gaming machine that can prevent fraudulent acts from being achieved by the mixing in of illegal balls.

Means 2: In the configuration of Means 1,
"The ball receiving portion is
Below the ball removal means, a container-like device that is open upward and can slide back and forth is provided.
The present invention is characterized in that

According to the configuration of means 2, the ball receiving portion is provided below the ball removing means in the form of a container that is open upward and can slide back and forth.
(See the description of the ball tray 620 in the [Description of the Preferred Embodiments].)

As a result, when the game balls enclosed inside are removed by the ball removal means, they can be received in the container-shaped ball receiving section located below, and then by sliding the ball receiving section back and forth, the game balls can be removed together with the ball receiving section, making it easy to remove the game balls.

Means 3: In the configuration of means 1 or means 2,
"The ball receiving portion is
It is placed on an inclined surface that is inclined downward toward the front, and its forward movement is restricted by a restricting portion, and it is provided so that it can slide forward by releasing the restricting portion.
The present invention is characterized in that

According to the configuration of the third aspect, the ball receiving part is placed on an inclined surface that is inclined downward toward the front, and a restricting part is used to restrict forward movement, and the ball receiving part is made slidable forward by releasing the restricting part. (See the description of the tray insertion recess 401f and the locking claw 401n of the main body frame base 401 in the [Embodiment for carrying out the invention].)

As a result, when game balls removed from the ball circulation means by the ball removal means accumulate in the ball receiving section, even if the ball receiving section tries to slide forward along the inclined surface due to its weight, the regulating section can regulate the forward sliding, and the game balls removed by the ball removal means can be received by the ball receiving section until the regulation by the regulating section is released. Then, when the regulation by the regulating section is released while multiple game balls are stored in the ball receiving section, the weight of the game balls stored in the ball receiving section causes the ball receiving section to slide forward along the inclination of the inclined surface, and many game balls can be easily removed together.

In addition, because the area on which the ball receiving section is placed is an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the front, if a game ball is removed from the ball circulation means by the ball removal means when the ball receiving section is not placed on the inclined surface, the inclination of the inclined surface allows the game ball to be guided forward and discharged, making it difficult for the game ball to scatter.

Means 4: In any one of the configurations of means 1 to 3,
"The ball extracting means is
It has a magnetic force generating means that applies a magnetic force to the game ball.
The present invention is characterized in that

Here, examples of "magnetic force generating means" include "permanent magnets" and "electromagnets."

Conventionally, iron balls have been used as game balls, and in game halls that have installed game machines (also called conventional game machines or non-enclosed game machines) that allow players to touch game balls (iron balls), game balls discharged from the game machines are collected, and rusted game balls are removed before being supplied to the game machines and players. On the other hand, in game machines that enclose many game balls and circulate them internally (so-called enclosed game machines or managed game machines), if the game balls rust, the sphericity decreases due to the rust, causing a problem that the desired game cannot be played, so it is desirable to use game balls (stainless steel balls) made of rust-resistant stainless steel such as SUS304.

However, in an arcade where both non-sealed and sealed machines are installed, if stainless steel balls are sealed in the sealed machines, there is a risk that the iron balls used in the non-sealed machines will become mixed in when the stainless steel balls are removed and replaced during maintenance, etc., and various inconveniences may occur due to the mixing of iron balls.

According to the configuration of means 4, the ball ejection means has a magnetic force generating means that applies a magnetic force to the game ball. (See the description of the ball ejection shutter 515 and magnet 516 in the [Description of the Invention].)

As a result, since the ball removal means has a magnetic force generating means, if stainless steel balls made of non-magnetic stainless steel such as SUS304 are used as circulating game balls, and this game machine is installed in an amusement hall so that it is mixed with conventional game machines that use iron balls as game balls, there is a high possibility that iron balls will be mixed in when the stainless steel balls are replaced or replenished for maintenance, etc. If iron balls are mixed in during maintenance, etc., the iron balls can be magnetically attached to the ball removal means by the magnetic force from the magnetic force generating means, and can be sorted out from the stainless steel balls. The iron balls that have been magnetically attached to the ball removal means by the magnetic force generating means can be easily removed to the outside by the ball removal means.

The above-mentioned ball removal means having a magnetic force generating means can be used to remove iron balls by, for example, providing a ball removal opening that penetrates the bottom wall of the ball passage from top to bottom, providing a door section in the ball removal means that prevents game balls from passing through the ball removal opening, and making the ball removal means slidable between a closed position in which the door section closes the ball removal opening, and an open position in which the ball removal opening is opened. When the ball removal means is in the normal closed position and an iron ball flows through the ball passage, the iron ball is magnetically attached to the upper surface of the door section of the ball removal means by the magnetic force generating means. In this state, when the ball removal means is slid from the closed position to the open position, the magnetically attached iron ball slides together with the door section, but the iron ball abuts against the side wall of the ball passage, preventing only the iron ball from sliding. Then, when only the ball removal means slides further, the door section that supported the iron ball from below disappears, and the iron ball moves downward and passes through the ball removal opening. At this time, the iron ball does not leave the door section due to the magnetic force of the magnetic force generating means, and tries to go around to the underside of the door section while remaining magnetically attached. In this state, when the ball removal means is slid from the open position to the closed position, the ball removal opening is closed and the iron ball remains magnetically attached to the underside of the door, and does not fall to be received in the ball receiving section. This allows the iron ball to be removed by removing the iron ball that is magnetically attached to the underside of the door, and allows only the stainless steel ball to be received in the ball receiving section.

In addition, when stainless steel balls are used as circulating game balls, even if iron balls are mixed in as game balls for cheating, the iron balls can be magnetized to the ball removal means by the magnetic force from the magnetic force generating means, so that iron balls for cheating can be prevented from being shot into the play area by the ball shooting means, and it is possible to provide a gaming machine with high security by preventing the achievement of cheating.

In addition, if stainless steel balls are used as the circulating game balls, the ball removal means is provided at a location where the game balls circulate in a single file, and a ball sensor for detecting the game balls is provided downstream of the ball removal means, when an iron ball is magnetized to the ball removal means by the magnetic force generating means, the magnetized iron ball will impede the flow of game balls, and the downstream ball sensor will never detect the game ball (stainless steel ball). Therefore, the ball removal means can detect that the iron ball is magnetized, and the ball sensor can alert the user to the presence of an iron ball, allowing the mixed-in iron ball to be removed.

Means 5: In any one of the configurations of means 1 to 4,
"The ball circulation means is
A ball passage for circulating the game balls launched by the ball launching means and collected below the ball launching means;
and a ball lifting means for lifting the game ball from the downstream end of the ball passage above the ball launching means and supplying the game ball to the ball launching means.
The ball removing means is
It is provided near the downstream end of the ball passage.
The present invention is characterized in that

However, in conventional technology such as that in Patent Document C, a ball removal member is provided near the upper end (exit) of the ball lifting means in the circulation path, and since it is provided at a high position in the gaming machine, if game balls that are removed from the ball removal member spill out, the game balls will fall from a high position and tend to scatter over a wide area. In addition, in the technology in Patent Document C, game balls are removed from a ball removal member near the upper end of the ball lifting means in the circulation path, so when removing all of the enclosed game balls, all game balls (most of the enclosed game balls) except for the game balls stored from the upper end of the ball lifting means to the ball removal member must be lifted by the ball lifting means, which is a problem in that it takes a long time to remove the balls.

According to the configuration of means 5, the ball circulation means has a ball passage that circulates the game balls that have been launched and collected by the ball launching means below the ball launching means, and a ball lifting means that lifts the game balls from the downstream end of the ball passage above the ball launching means and supplies them to the ball launching means, and further, a ball removal means is provided near the downstream end of the ball passage. (See the description of the circulating ball path unit 500 and the ball lifting unit 550 in [Form for implementing the invention].)

As a result, the ball removal means for removing the enclosed game balls is provided near the downstream end of the ball passage that supplies the game balls to the ball lifting means, and the ball removal means is provided near the lowest position in the game ball circulation path. Therefore, even if the game balls discharged to the outside from the ball removal means are not received by the ball receiving section and spill, the game balls will not scatter over a wide area because they fall from a relatively low position, and the effort involved in removing the balls can be reduced.

In addition, since the ball removal means is provided near the lower end (entrance) of the ball lifting means in the ball passage, game balls upstream of the ball removal means can be naturally removed due to the slope of the ball passage, and only some of the game balls being lifted by the ball lifting means need to be lifted by the ball lifting means, which shortens the time required for ball removal compared to conventional methods and reduces the burden on maintenance, etc.

Means 6: In the configuration of Means 5,
"The ball extracting means is
It is provided adjacent to the downstream side of the speed reducing section that reduces the flow speed of the game balls in the ball passage.
The present invention is characterized in that

Here, examples of "speed reduction sections" include "bend sections where the ball passage bends and changes the flow direction," "sections in the ball passage where multiple protrusions are provided extending vertically from the side wall that the game ball comes into contact with," and "sections in the bottom wall and side wall of the ball passage that impart flow resistance by countless minute irregularities," etc.

According to the configuration of means 6, the ball removal means is provided adjacent to the downstream side of the speed reducing section that reduces the flow speed of the game balls in the ball passage. (See the description of the ball meandering member 513 and the ball removal shutter 515 in the [Form for carrying out the invention].)

As a result, since the ball removal means is provided adjacent to the downstream of the deceleration section in the ball passage, when the game ball is removed from the ball removal means to the outside, the speed of the game ball is slowed down by the deceleration section, so that it is possible to prevent the game ball from jumping over the ball removal means and failing to be discharged from the ball removal means to the outside, and the game ball can be reliably removed from the ball removal means to the outside.

In addition, the game balls can be removed from the ball removal means to the outside (ball receiving section) while the circulation speed is slowed down by the speed reducing section, so the momentum of the game balls discharged from the ball removal means is weakened, reducing the impact acting on the ball receiving section, and the ball receiving section will not be damaged.

Means 7: In the configuration of means 5 or 6,
"The ball extracting means is
The ball passage has a ball outlet that penetrates vertically and can be opened and closed.
The present invention is characterized in that

According to the configuration of means 7, the ball removal means is capable of opening and closing the ball removal opening that penetrates vertically in the ball passage. (See the description of the ball removal opening 513p of the ball meandering member 513 in the [Form for carrying out the invention].)

As a result, the ball removal opening that runs vertically through the ball passage is opened and closed by the ball removal means, so when the ball removal opening is opened by the ball removal means, the bottom wall of the ball passage is removed, and compared to when the ball removal opening is provided on the side wall of the ball passage, game balls can be reliably removed from the ball passage to the outside and the game balls can be received in the ball receiving section.

Means 8: In any one of the configurations of means 5 to 7,
"The ball lifting means is
When the game ball is removed by the ball removal means, the game ball is lifted up.
The present invention is characterized in that

According to the configuration of means 8, the ball lifting means is operated when the game ball is removed by the ball removal means to lift the game ball. (See the description of the ball removal switch 642 in [Embodiment for carrying out the invention].)

As a result, when the game balls are being removed by the ball removal means, the ball lifting means is operated to lift the game balls, so that the game balls at the lower end (entrance) side of the ball lifting means in the ball passage and the game balls being lifted by the ball lifting means can be sent to the ball removal means, and all of the enclosed game balls can be removed to the outside.

The ball lifting means may be operated by operating the ball removal means, or a ball removal switch or the like may be provided and the ball lifting means may be operated by operating that switch.

Means 9: In any one of the configurations of means 1 to 8,
"A game board having the game area and supported removably from the front of the main body frame,
The game area of the game board can be viewed from the front, and the door frame is provided so as to be openable and closable relative to the main body frame.
The ball removing means is
The ball circulation means is provided so as to be slidable between an open position where game balls can be removed from the ball circulation means and a closed position where game balls cannot be removed from the ball circulation means, and when the door frame is closed relative to the main body frame, the door cannot slide from the closed position to the open position.
The present invention is characterized in that

According to the configuration of means 9, the gaming machine further comprises a game board having a game area that is supported on the main frame in a detachable manner from the front, and a door frame that allows the game area of the game board to be viewed from the front and is provided so as to be openable and closable relative to the main frame, and the ball removal means is provided so as to be slidable between an open position where game balls can be removed from the ball circulation means and a closed position where game balls cannot be removed from the ball circulation means, and cannot be slid from the closed position to the open position when the door frame is closed relative to the main frame. (See the description of the ball removal shutter 515 in [Embodiment for carrying out the invention].)

As a result, in the normal state, the door frame is closed relative to the main frame, and the ball removal means is in the closed position. In this state, the door frame prevents the ball removal means from sliding to the open position, so the ball removal means will not slide from the closed position to the open position due to vibrations during play, and the game balls will not fall out of the ball removal means into the ball receiving section. Therefore, the number of enclosed game balls will not decrease, and troubles that prevent consecutive game balls from being released can be avoided, so that players can enjoy consecutive game balls and prevent a decline in the player's interest in the game. When the enclosed game balls are to be released to the outside (ball receiving section), the door frame is opened from the main frame, and the ball removal means is slid from the closed position to the open position, allowing the game balls to be released from the ball circulation means into the ball receiving section, achieving the same effect as described above.

In addition, when the door frame is closed, the ball removal means does not slide from the closed position to the open position, which prevents illegal balls (e.g., iron balls) used to commit fraud from being mixed in with the ball removal means and into the ball circulation means, providing a highly secure gaming machine that can prevent fraudulent acts from being accomplished by the mixing in of illegal balls.

Means 10: In a gaming machine,
"A game board having a game area in which a game is played with a game ball, the game board being detachably supported from the front of the main frame,
A ball launching means capable of supplying game balls to the game area of the game board;
A ball circulation means for collecting the game balls shot by the ball shooting means and supplying them again to the ball shooting means;
A door frame that allows the game area of the game board to be viewed from the front and is provided so as to be openable and closable relative to the main body frame;
Equipped with
A gaming machine in which a game ball is shot by the ball shooting means based on the digitized ball data of a player,
The ball circulation means is
A ball passage for circulating the game balls launched by the ball launching means and collected below the ball launching means;
A ball outlet that is provided adjacent to the downstream side of a speed reducing section that reduces the flow speed of the game balls near the downstream end of the ball passage and penetrates vertically;
the ball removal opening is openable and slidable between an open position where the game balls can be removed and a closed position where the game balls cannot be removed, and cannot slide from the closed position to the open position when the door frame is closed relative to the main body frame; the ball removal opening has magnetic force generating means for applying a magnetic force to the game balls, and is used to remove the circulating game balls;
a ball lifting means for lifting the game ball from the downstream end of the ball passage above the ball launching means and supplying the game ball to the ball launching means, and for lifting the game ball when the game ball is removed by the ball removal means;
It has
It is characterized in that it is placed on an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the front below the ball removal means, its forward movement is restricted by a regulating part, it is arranged so that it can slide forward by releasing the regulating part, and it further comprises a ball receiving part that is container-shaped and open upward and receives the game balls removed by the ball removal means.

According to the configuration of means 10, the gaming machine is provided with a gaming board that is detachably supported from the front on the main frame and has a gaming area where games are played with gaming balls, a ball launching means capable of supplying gaming balls to the gaming area of the gaming board, a ball circulating means that collects the gaming balls launched by the ball launching means and supplies them again to the ball launching means, and a door frame that allows the gaming area of the gaming board to be viewed from the front and is provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the main frame, and is configured to launch gaming balls by the ball launching means based on the digitized ball data of the player, and the ball circulating means includes a ball passage that circulates the gaming balls launched and collected by the ball launching means below the ball launching means, a ball removal port that is provided adjacent to the downstream side of the deceleration section that decelerates the circulation speed of the gaming balls near the downstream end of the ball passage and penetrates vertically, and a ball removal port that can be opened and closed to allow the gaming balls to be removed, and a door frame that can be opened and closed to allow the gaming balls to be removed, and a ball removal port that can be opened and closed to allow the balls to be removed. The ball ejection device is slidable between a closed position where balls cannot be ejected and a closed position where balls cannot be ejected, and cannot slide from the closed position to the open position when the door frame is closed to the main frame. The ball ejection device has a magnetic force generating means for applying a magnetic force to the balls to eject the circulating balls, and a ball lifting device that lifts the balls from the downstream end of the ball passage above the ball launching device and supplies them to the ball launching device, and lifts the balls when the ball ejection device ejects them. The ball ejection device is placed on an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the front below the ball ejection device, and is restricted from moving forward by a restricting part. The ball ejection device is slidable forward by releasing the restricting part, and is container-shaped and open upward to receive the balls ejected by the ball ejection device.

In this way, in a gaming machine (so-called sealed gaming machine, managed gaming machine) in which the gaming balls launched from the ball launching means that launches the gaming balls into the game area are collected by the ball circulation means and supplied to the ball launching means, and the gaming balls are launched from the ball launching means based on the ball data of the player, in the normal state, the door frame is closed to the main frame, and the ball removal means is in the closed position. In this state, the door frame prevents the ball removal means from sliding to the open position, so the ball removal means does not slide from the closed position to the open position by itself due to vibrations during play, and the gaming balls do not fall out of the ball removal means into the ball receiving section. Therefore, the number of sealed gaming balls does not decrease, and it is possible to avoid the occurrence of problems that would prevent the launch of consecutive gaming balls, so that the player can reliably enjoy the launch of consecutive gaming balls, and it is possible to suppress a decline in the player's interest in the game.

When the enclosed game balls are to be removed to the outside (ball receiving section) for maintenance or the like, the door frame is opened from the main body frame and the ball removal means is slid from the closed position to the open position, and the ball removal port that runs vertically through the ball passage opens, removing the bottom wall of the ball passage. Compared to when the ball removal port is provided on the side wall of the ball passage, the game balls can be removed reliably from the ball passage to the ball receiving section below. At this time, since the ball removal means (ball removal port) is provided adjacent to the downstream of the speed reduction section in the ball passage, the circulation speed of the game balls is slowed down by the speed reduction section, so that it is possible to prevent the game balls from jumping over the ball removal port, and the game balls can be removed reliably from the ball removal port to the ball receiving section. As a result, the game balls can be removed from the ball circulation means to the container-shaped ball receiving section provided below the ball removal means, so that the enclosed game balls are not scattered to the outside when the game balls are received by the ball receiving section, and the game balls enclosed by the ball receiving section can be removed in a bundle, reducing the burden on maintenance, etc.

This ball receiving section is placed on an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the front, and its forward movement is restricted by the restricting section, so that even if game balls removed from the ball circulation means by the ball removal means accumulate in the ball receiving section and the ball receiving section tries to slide forward along the inclined surface due to its weight, the restricting section restricts the ball receiving section from sliding forward, and the ball receiving section can receive the game balls removed by the ball removal means until the restriction by the restricting section is released. Then, when the restriction by the restricting section is released while multiple game balls are stored in the ball receiving section, the weight of the game balls stored in the ball receiving section causes the ball receiving section to slide forward along the slope of the inclined surface, and many game balls can be easily removed together.

In addition, because the area on which the ball receiving section is placed is an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the front, if a game ball is removed from the ball circulation means by the ball removal means when the ball receiving section is not placed on the inclined surface, the inclination of the inclined surface allows the game ball to be guided forward and discharged, making it difficult for the game ball to scatter.

In addition, the game balls are released from the ball release port into the ball receiving section while the speed reduction section slows down the ball flow speed, so the momentum of the game balls released from the ball release means is weakened, reducing the impact acting on the ball receiving section and preventing damage to the ball receiving section.

Furthermore, since the ball removal means for removing the enclosed game balls is provided near the downstream end of the ball passage that supplies the game balls to the ball lifting means, the ball removal means is provided near the lowest position in the game ball circulation path. Therefore, even if the game balls discharged to the outside from the ball removal means are not received by the ball receiving section and spill, the game balls will not scatter over a wide area because they fall from a relatively low position, and the effort involved in removing the balls can be reduced.

In addition, since the ball removal means is provided near the lower end (entrance) of the ball lifting means in the ball passage, game balls upstream of the ball removal means can be naturally removed due to the slope of the ball passage, and only some of the game balls being lifted by the ball lifting means need to be lifted by the ball lifting means, which shortens the time required for ball removal compared to conventional methods and reduces the burden on maintenance, etc.

Furthermore, when game balls are being removed by the ball removal means, the ball lifting means is operated to lift the game balls, so that the game balls at the lower end (entrance) of the ball lifting means in the ball passage and the game balls being lifted by the ball lifting means can be sent to the ball removal means, and all of the enclosed game balls can be removed to the outside. The ball lifting means may be operated by operating the ball removal means, or a ball removal switch or the like may be provided and operated to operate the ball lifting means.

In addition, when the door frame is closed, the ball removal means does not slide from the closed position to the open position, which prevents illegal balls (e.g., iron balls) used to commit fraud from being mixed in with the ball removal means and into the ball circulation means, providing a highly secure gaming machine that can prevent fraudulent acts from being accomplished by the mixing in of illegal balls.

Furthermore, since the ball removal means has a magnetic force generating means, if stainless steel balls made of non-magnetic stainless steel such as SUS304 are used as circulating game balls, and this game machine is installed in an amusement hall so that it is mixed with conventional game machines that use iron balls as game balls, there is a high possibility that iron balls will be mixed in when the stainless steel balls are replaced or replenished for maintenance, etc. If iron balls are mixed in during maintenance, etc., the iron balls can be magnetically attached to the ball removal means by the magnetic force from the magnetic force generating means, and can be sorted out from the stainless steel balls. The iron balls that are magnetically attached to the ball removal means by the magnetic force generating means can be easily removed to the outside by the ball removal means.

In the case of removing an iron ball using the ball removal means having the magnetic force generating means, for example, if the ball removal means is provided with a door section that prevents game balls from passing through the ball removal opening, when the ball removal means is in the normal closed position and an iron ball flows through the ball passage, the iron ball is magnetically attached to the upper surface of the door section of the ball removal means by the magnetic force generating means. In this state, when the ball removal means is slid from the closed position to the open position, the magnetically attached iron ball slides together with the door section, but the iron ball abuts against the side wall of the ball passage and only the iron ball is prevented from sliding. Then, when only the ball removal means slides further, the door section that supported the iron ball from below disappears, and the iron ball moves downward and passes through the ball removal opening. At this time, the iron ball does not leave the door section due to the magnetic force of the magnetic force generating means, and tries to go around to the underside of the door section while remaining magnetically attached. In this state, when the ball removal means is slid from the open position to the closed position, the ball removal opening is closed and the iron ball remains magnetically attached to the underside of the door section, and does not fall into the ball receiving section to be received. This allows the iron balls to be removed by removing the iron balls that are magnetically attached to the underside of the door, and allows only the stainless steel balls to be received in the ball receiving section.

In addition, since the ball removal means has a magnetic force generating means, when stainless steel balls are used as circulating game balls, even if iron balls are mixed in as illegal balls for cheating, the iron balls can be magnetically attached to the ball removal means by the magnetic force from the magnetic force generating means, so that iron balls for cheating can be prevented from being shot into the play area by the ball shooting means, and it is possible to provide a gaming machine with high security by preventing the achievement of illegal acts.

In addition, since the ball removal means has a magnetic force generating means, stainless steel balls are used as the circulating game balls, the ball removal means is provided at a location where the game balls circulate in a single file, and a ball sensor for detecting the game balls is provided downstream of the ball removal means. When iron balls are magnetized to the ball removal means by the magnetic force generating means, the magnetized iron balls impede the flow of game balls, and the downstream ball sensor never detects game balls (stainless steel balls). This means that the ball removal means can detect that the iron balls are magnetized, and the ball sensor can alert the user to the presence of iron balls, allowing the mixed-in iron balls to be removed.

In this way, the above solution makes it possible to provide a gaming machine that allows the enclosed gaming balls to be removed in a bundle.

[16-4c. Relationship between the solution of the fourth technical feature and the embodiment]
In this embodiment, the ball launching unit 450 of the main body frame 4 corresponds to the ball launching means of the above-mentioned solution means, the foul unit 470, the circulating ball path unit 500, the ball lifting unit 550, and the ball sending unit 600 in this embodiment correspond to the ball circulating means of the above-mentioned solution means, the bottom wall of the tray insertion recess 401f in the main body frame base 401 of the main body frame 4 in this embodiment corresponds to the inclined surface of the above-mentioned solution means, and the locking claw 401n of the main body frame base 401 in this embodiment corresponds to the regulating part of the above-mentioned solution means.

The ball storage passage 504 and ball meandering member 513 of the circulating ball path unit 500 in this embodiment correspond to the ball passage of the above-mentioned solution means, the first bend portion 513j of the ball meandering member 513 in this embodiment corresponds to the deceleration portion of the above-mentioned solution means, the ball removal opening 513p of the ball meandering member 513 in this embodiment corresponds to the ball removal opening of the above-mentioned solution means, the ball removal shutter 515 in this embodiment corresponds to the ball removal means of the above-mentioned solution means, the magnet 516 in this embodiment corresponds to the magnetic force generating means of the above-mentioned solution means, the ball lifting unit 550 in this embodiment corresponds to the ball lifting means of the above-mentioned solution means, and the ball receiving tray 620 in this embodiment corresponds to the ball receiving portion of the above-mentioned solution means.

[16-4d. Characteristic effects of the fourth technical feature]
According to this embodiment, in a pachinko machine 1 (a so-called sealed game machine, a controlled game machine) in which the game ball B launched from the ball launching unit 450, which launches the game ball B into the game area 5a of the game board 5, is collected by the foul unit 470 and the circulating ball path unit 500 and supplied to the ball launching unit 450, and the game ball B is launched from the ball launching unit 450 based on the ball data of the player, the door frame 3 is closed against the main body frame 4 and the ball removal shutter 515 of the circulating ball path unit 500 is in a closed position in a normal state. In this state, the door frame 3 prevents the ball removal shutter 515 from sliding to the open position (forward), so the ball removal shutter 515 does not slide from the closed position to the open position by itself due to vibrations during play, and the game ball B does not fall out of the ball removal opening 513p of the ball meandering member 513 into the ball receiving tray 620. Therefore, the number of enclosed game balls B does not decrease, and the occurrence of a trouble that makes it impossible to shoot the game balls B continuously can be avoided, so that the player can reliably enjoy shooting the game balls B continuously and the decrease in the player's interest in the game can be suppressed.

When the game ball B sealed inside is to be removed to the outside (ball receiving tray 620) for maintenance or the like, the door frame 3 is opened from the main body frame 4, and the ball removal shutter 515 is slid from the closed position to the open position, and the ball removal opening 513p penetrating vertically in the ball storage passage 504 (ball snaking member 513) opens, and the bottom wall of the ball storage passage 504 is removed, so that the game ball B can be reliably removed from the ball storage passage 504 to the ball receiving tray 620 below, compared to when the ball removal opening is provided on the side wall of the ball storage passage. At this time, since the ball removal opening 513p is provided adjacent to the downstream of the first bend portion 513j (speed reduction portion) in the ball storage passage 504, the flow speed of the game ball B is slowed down by the bending of the first bend portion 513j, so that the game ball B can be prevented from jumping over the ball removal opening 513p, and the game ball B can be reliably removed from the ball removal opening 513p to the ball receiving tray 620. This allows game balls B to be removed from the circulating ball path unit 500 into the container-shaped ball receiving tray 620 located below the ball removal opening 513p (ball removal shutter 515). Since the game balls B are received by the ball receiving tray 620, the enclosed game balls B are not scattered to the outside, and the enclosed game balls B can be removed in a bundle from the ball receiving tray 620, reducing the burden on maintenance, etc.

This ball receiving tray 620 is placed on the bottom wall (inclined surface) that slopes downward toward the front in the tray insertion recess 401f of the main frame base 401, and its forward movement is restricted by the locking claw 401n (regulating section). Therefore, even if the game balls B removed from the circulating ball path unit 500 by the ball removal shutter 515 accumulate in the ball receiving tray 620 and the ball receiving tray 620 attempts to slide forward along the slope of the bottom wall due to its weight, the forward sliding is restricted by the locking claw 401n, and the game balls B removed by the ball removal shutter 515 can be received until the restriction by the locking claw 401n is released. When multiple game balls B are stored in the ball receiving tray 620 and the restriction imposed by the locking claw 401n is released, the weight of the game balls B stored in the ball receiving tray 620 causes the ball receiving tray 620 to slide forward along the slope of the bottom wall of the tray insertion recess 401f, allowing many game balls B to be easily removed together.

When the ball removal shutter 515 having the magnet 516 is used to remove the iron ball SB, the iron ball SB flows through the ball storage passage 504 when the ball removal shutter 515 is in the normal closed position, and the magnet 516 magnetically attaches the iron ball SB to the upper surface of the door portion 515a of the ball removal shutter 515. In this state, when the ball removal shutter 515 is slid from the closed position to the open position, the magnetically attached iron ball SB slides together with the door portion 515a, but the iron ball SB abuts against the side wall of the ball storage passage 504 (the front side wall of the first horizontal portion 513k), preventing only the iron ball SB from sliding. Then, when only the ball removal shutter 515 slides further, the door portion 515a that supported the iron ball SB from below disappears, and the iron ball SB moves downward and passes through the ball removal opening 513p. At this time, the iron ball SB does not leave the door portion 515a due to the magnetic force of the magnet 516, and tries to move around to the underside of the door portion 515a while remaining magnetically attached. In this state, when the ball removal shutter 515 is slid from the open position to the closed position, the ball removal opening 513p is closed and the iron ball SB remains magnetically attached to the underside of the door portion 515a (magnet 516), and does not fall into the ball receiving tray 620. This makes it possible to remove the iron ball SB that is magnetically attached to the underside of the door portion 515a, thereby removing the iron ball SB, and allowing only the stainless steel balls to be received in the ball receiving tray 620.

In addition, since the bottom wall of the tray insertion recess 401f on which the ball receiving tray 620 is placed is an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the front, when the ball removal shutter 515 is slid and the game ball B is removed from the circulating ball path unit 500 (ball removal opening 513p) without the ball receiving tray 620 being inserted into the tray insertion recess 401f, the inclination of the bottom wall of the tray insertion recess 401f allows the game ball B to be guided forward and removed, making it difficult for the game ball B to scatter.

In addition, the game ball B is discharged from the ball discharge opening 513p into the ball receiving tray 620 while the flow speed is slowed down by the first bend portion 513j of the ball snaking member 513. As a result, the momentum of the game ball B discharged from the ball discharge opening 513p is weakened, thereby reducing the impact acting on the ball receiving tray 620, and the ball receiving tray 620 will not be damaged.

Furthermore, the ball removal shutter 515 (ball removal opening 513p) for removing the enclosed game balls B is provided near the downstream end of the ball storage passage 504 that supplies the game balls B to the ball lifting unit 550 (lifting spiral shaft 561). This means that the ball removal shutter 515 is provided near the lowest position in the circulation path R of the game balls B. Therefore, even if the game balls B discharged to the outside from the ball removal shutter 515 are not received by the ball receiving tray 620 and spill, the game balls B will not scatter over a wide area because they fall from a relatively low position, and the effort involved in removing the balls can be reduced.

In addition, since the ball removal shutter 515 (ball removal opening 513p) is located near the lower end (entrance) of the ball lifting unit 550 in the ball storage passage 504, game balls B upstream of the ball removal opening 513p can be naturally removed due to the slope of the ball storage passage 504, and only some of the game balls B being lifted in the ball lifting unit 550 need to be lifted by the lifting spiral shaft 561, which shortens the time required for ball removal compared to conventional methods and reduces the burden on maintenance, etc.

Furthermore, when the ball removal shutter 515 is slid to remove the game ball B, the ball lifting unit 550 (lifting spiral shaft 561) is operated (rotated) to lift the game ball B, so that the game balls at the lower end (entrance) of the ball lifting unit 550 in the circulation path R (ball passage), the game balls B being lifted by the ball lifting unit 550, etc. can be sent to the ball removal opening 513p, and all of the enclosed game balls B can be removed to the outside. The ball lifting unit 550 may be operated by operating the ball removal shutter 515, or the ball lifting unit 550 may be operated by operating the ball removal switch 642.

In addition, when the door frame 3 is closed, the ball removal shutter 515 does not slide from the closed position to the open position, which prevents illegal balls (e.g., iron balls SB) used to commit fraud from being mixed into the circulating ball path unit 500 through the ball removal shutter 515 (ball removal opening 513p), providing a highly secure pachinko machine 1 that can prevent fraudulent acts from being achieved by the mixing of illegal balls.

Furthermore, since the ball removal shutter 515 has a magnet 516, in the case of the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment in which stainless steel balls are used as the enclosed game balls B, if this pachinko machine 1 is installed in an amusement hall so that it is mixed with conventional pachinko machines that use iron balls SB as game balls, there is a high possibility that iron balls SB will be mixed in when the stainless steel balls are replaced or replenished for maintenance, etc. If iron balls SB are mixed in during maintenance, etc., the iron balls SB can be magnetically attached to the ball removal shutter 515 by the magnetic force of the magnet 516, and can be separated from the stainless steel balls. Then, the iron balls SB magnetically attached to the ball removal shutter 515 by the magnet 516 can be easily removed to the outside by the ball removal shutter 515.

In addition, even if an iron ball SB is mixed in as a fraudulent ball for committing fraudulent acts, the iron ball SB can be magnetically attached to the ball removal shutter 515 by the magnetic force from the magnet 516, so that the iron ball SB for committing fraudulent acts can be prevented from being launched into the play area 5a by the ball launching unit 450, and a pachinko machine 1 with high security can be provided by preventing the achievement of fraudulent acts.

In addition, when the iron ball SB is magnetically attached to the ball removal shutter 515 by the magnet 516, the magnetically attached iron ball SB obstructs the flow of game balls B in the ball storage passage 504, and the downstream circulating ball shortage sensor 521 and lifting inlet sensor 553 never detect game balls B (stainless steel balls). This allows the ball removal shutter 515 to detect that the iron ball SB is magnetically attached, and causes an alarm to sound to notify the presence of the iron ball SB, allowing the mixed-in iron ball SB to be removed.

[16-5. Fifth technical feature]
This specification has the following technical features different from those described above.

[16-5a. Background of the fifth technical feature]
There are known gaming machines such as pachinko machines that circulate a large number of game balls enclosed inside during play, and the player does not touch the game balls (so-called enclosed game machines, managed game machines) (for example, Patent Document C: JP 2014-184062 A). In this gaming machine, game balls shot into the play area of the game board are collected by a ball circulation means and supplied to a ball launching means.

However, the technology in Patent Document C does not have a mechanism for clearing ball clogging in the ball circulation means that forms the circulation path for game balls, which means that parts that make up the ball circulation means must be removed, which is time-consuming.

Therefore, in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, the following means aims to provide a gaming machine that can easily eliminate ball clogging in the circulation path of gaming balls.
[16-5b. Solution of the fifth technical feature]
Means 1: In the gaming machine,
"A game board having a game area in which a game is played with a game ball;
A ball launching means capable of supplying game balls to the game area of the game board;
A ball circulation means for collecting the game balls shot by the ball shooting means and supplying them to the ball shooting means again is provided.
A gaming machine in which a game ball is shot by the ball shooting means based on the digitized ball data of a player,
The ball circulation means is
a ball collection passage through which the game balls shot and collected by the ball shooting means flow;
A ball sensor that detects game balls circulating through the ball recovery passage;
It is characterized in that it is equipped with an approach portion provided in the ball recovery passage and capable of approaching the ball sensor from the upstream side.

Here, examples of "ball recovery passages" include "out ball passages through which game balls received at the out port of the game board are collected and circulated", "safe ball passages through which game balls received at the winning port of the game board are collected and circulated", "foul ball passages through which game balls that were launched by the ball launching means but not hit into the game area are collected and circulated", and "ball storage passages through which collected game balls are circulated in a single file", etc.

The "ball sensor" is preferably one that has a detection hole through which the game ball can pass, and examples include an "out ball sensor that detects game balls passing through the out ball passage," an "safe ball sensor that detects game balls passing through the safe ball passage," and a "foul ball sensor that detects game balls passing through the foul ball passage."

Furthermore, "approachable" can mean "the fingers of a maintenance worker can be inserted" or "the tools used for maintenance can be inserted", etc.

Examples of "approach parts" include "a cover member that can open and close the wall of the ball recovery passage by rotating on a hinge", "a cover member that can open and close the wall of the ball recovery passage by sliding", "a cover member that can open and close the wall of the ball recovery passage by attaching and detaching", "a cover member that can open and close the wall of the ball recovery passage by fastening with one or two screws", and "a tool insertion port that penetrates the wall of the ball recovery passage to a size that game balls cannot pass through and into which a tool can be inserted to clear ball jams".

According to the configuration of the means 1, the gaming machine is equipped with a gaming board having a gaming area where a game is played with gaming balls, a ball launching means capable of supplying gaming balls to the gaming area of the gaming board, and a ball circulating means for collecting the gaming balls launched by the ball launching means and supplying them again to the ball launching means, and is configured to launch gaming balls by the ball launching means based on the digitized ball data of the player, and the ball circulating means is equipped with a ball recovery passage through which the gaming balls launched and collected by the ball launching means flow, a ball sensor for detecting the gaming balls flowing through the ball recovery passage, and an approach section provided in the ball recovery passage that can approach the ball sensor from the upstream side. (See chapters [4-4. Circulating ball path unit] and [4-4a. Ball jamming elimination mechanism] in [Form for implementing the invention], and the description in Figures 20 to 28, etc.)

In this way, in a gaming machine (so-called sealed gaming machine, managed gaming machine) in which the game balls launched from the ball launching means that launches the game balls into the game area are collected by the ball circulation means and supplied to the ball launching means, and the game balls are launched from the ball launching means based on the ball data of the player, a ball collection passage and a ball sensor that detects the game balls circulating in the ball collection passage are provided in the ball circulation means that constitutes the circulation path of the game balls, so that the game balls launched by the ball launching means are received in the ball collection passage for collection, and then aligned in a line and sent to the ball sensor. Therefore, in the part of the ball collection passage upstream of the ball sensor in order to align the game balls in a line, the width and height of the passage gradually narrow to a size that allows one game ball B to pass through, making it easy for ball clogging to occur in that part, but since an approach part that can be approached upstream of the ball sensor is provided, the jammed game balls can be easily released by inserting a finger or tool from the approach part to loosen the jammed balls.

For example, if a player commits fraudulent acts such as intentionally causing ball jams by mixing illegal balls (large balls) with a diameter larger than the game balls into the ball circulation means from the game board side, the operation time of the game machine will be reduced if it takes a long time to resolve the ball jam, and the burden on the game hall will increase. However, as described above, an approach section is provided that can approach the upstream side of the ball sensor in the ball recovery passage, so that the large balls (illegal balls) that are causing the ball jam can be easily removed by inserting a finger or tool from the approach section, thereby suppressing the increase in the burden on the game hall and providing a game machine that has a high deterrent effect against fraudulent acts.

The game board may have a winning port that adds a predetermined number to the ball data by receiving a game ball, and an out port that does not add to the ball data in the game area, and the ball circulation means may have an out ball passage as a ball recovery passage through which the game balls received at the out port flow, and an out ball sensor as a ball sensor that detects the game balls flowing through the out ball passage, and further, the approach section may be made approachable at least from the upstream side of the out ball sensor. As a result, many game balls shot into the game area of the game board are received at the out port, so many game balls flow through the out ball passage in the ball recovery passage, increasing the possibility of ball clogging in the out ball passage. In contrast, since the approach section as described above is made approachable at least from the upstream side of the out ball sensor in the out ball passage, it is possible to easily resolve the ball clogging by inserting a finger or tool from the approach section to loosen the stuck game balls.

As described above, when an approach section is provided for the out ball sensor of the out ball passage through which game balls accepted at the out exit of the game board flow, the out exit of the game board is designed to accept game balls more easily than the winning exit. Therefore, if a player commits a fraudulent act of mixing in illegal balls (large balls) with a larger diameter than the game balls, there is a risk that the large balls will be mixed in through the out exit. If large balls are mixed in, they will cause the out ball passage (out ball sensor) to become clogged with the large balls. However, as described above, the approach section can approach at least the upstream side of the out ball sensor, so that the large balls (illegal balls) that are causing the balls to become clogged can be easily removed by inserting a finger or tool from the approach section. This makes it possible to prevent an increase in the burden on the game hall and provide a game machine that is highly deterrent to fraudulent acts.

The gaming machine may further include a main frame that supports the gaming board from the front in a detachable manner and supports the ball launching means and the ball circulating means, and a frame base unit that is openable and closable with respect to the main frame so as to cover at least the approach section from the rear and has a frame control board that can control the ball launching means and the ball circulating means. In this way, in the normal state in which the frame base unit is closed, the rear of the approach section is covered by the frame base unit, so that even if someone tries to commit fraud against the inside of the ball circulating means (e.g., the ball sensor) through the approach section, the frame base unit covering the rear can prevent the insertion of fraudulent tools. On the other hand, if a ball jam occurs in the ball recovery passage, the approach section can be revealed by opening the frame base unit, so that the game balls that are stuck can be loosened and the illegal balls (large balls) can be removed through the approach section. Therefore, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can easily clear ball jams while increasing the deterrent effect against fraudulent activities.

In addition, when a main body frame and a frame base unit are provided as described above, the frame base unit having the frame control board is provided behind the approach section, i.e., behind the ball circulation means, so that the space behind the ball circulation means can be effectively utilized.

It is also desirable to make the approach section accessible from the outside to the upstream side of the ball sensor by opening the wall of the ball recovery passage. This makes it possible to view the inside of the ball recovery passage by opening the portion of the wall of the ball recovery passage that constitutes the approach section, and therefore makes it possible to easily resolve ball jams by loosening stuck game balls or removing large balls (faulty balls) through the open portion, thereby realizing a game machine that achieves the above-mentioned effects.

Furthermore, the ball sensor may have a detection hole through which game balls can pass. This makes the detection hole in the ball sensor for detecting game balls the narrowest in the ball recovery passage, making it easier for balls to become clogged at the ball sensor. However, since an approach section is provided that allows access to the ball sensor from the upstream side, it is possible to insert fingers or tools from the approach section to loosen stuck game balls or remove large balls (faulty balls), making it easy to clear the ball clog.

A ball sensor that can be approached by the approach section may be provided near the upstream end of the ball recovery passage. This allows the ball sensor that detects game balls to be provided near the upstream end (entrance) of the ball recovery passage, and since the ball recovery passage narrows toward the ball sensor, ball clogging is likely to occur near the upstream end of the ball recovery passage. However, since an approach section is provided for the ball sensor, fingers or tools can be inserted through the approach section to loosen stuck game balls or remove large balls (faulty balls), making it easy to eliminate ball clogging. In this case, since the ball sensor and approach section are provided near the upstream end of the ball recovery passage, the configuration of the approach section can be simplified compared to when the approach section is provided at the back of the ball recovery passage, and the increase in costs associated with the approach section can be suppressed.

In addition, as described above, if the ball sensor and approach section are provided near the upstream end of the ball recovery passage, when a large ball (illegal ball) is mixed in as a fraudulent act, the large ball can be prevented from penetrating deep into the ball recovery passage, thereby increasing the deterrent effect against fraudulent acts.

Means 2: In the configuration of Means 1,
"The game board is,
A winning hole that adds a predetermined number to the ball holding data by receiving a game ball and an out hole that does not add to the ball holding data are provided in the game area;
The ball circulation means is
The ball recovery passage includes an out ball passage through which the game balls received at the out port flow, and the ball sensor includes an out ball sensor that detects the game balls flowing through the out ball passage,
The approach section includes:
At least the out ball sensor can be approached from the upstream side.
The present invention is characterized in that

According to the configuration of means 2, the game board is provided with a winning port that adds a predetermined number to the ball data by receiving game balls, and an out port that does not add to the ball data within the game area, and the ball circulation means has an out ball passage as a ball recovery passage through which game balls received at the out port flow, and an out ball sensor as a ball sensor that detects game balls flowing through the out ball passage, and further, the approach section is made approachable at least from the upstream side of the out ball sensor. (See the description of the circulation ball path unit 500 and the ball jamming elimination mechanism 530 in [Form for implementing the invention].)

As a result, many of the game balls that are shot into the game area of the game board are received at the out port, and as many game balls flow through the out ball passage in the ball recovery passage, the possibility of ball jamming in the out ball passage increases. In response to this, the approach section as described above is capable of approaching at least the out ball sensor in the out ball passage from the upstream side, so that by inserting a finger or tool from the approach section, the jammed game balls can be loosened and the ball jam can be easily cleared.

In addition, because the game board is designed so that the out port is easier to accept game balls than the winning port, if a player commits fraudulent acts such as mixing in illegal balls (large balls) with a larger diameter than the game balls, there is a risk that the large balls will be mixed in through the out port. If large balls are mixed in, they will cause the out ball passage (out ball sensor) to become clogged with the large balls. However, as described above, the approach section allows the player to approach at least the upstream side of the out ball sensor, so that the large balls (illegal balls) that are causing the balls to become clogged can be easily removed by inserting a finger or tool from the approach section. This prevents an increase in the burden on the game hall and provides a game machine that is highly deterrent to fraudulent acts.

Means 3: In the configuration of means 1 or means 2,
"A main body frame that detachably supports the game board from the front and supports the ball launching means and the ball circulating means;
a frame base unit that is provided to be openable and closable with respect to the main body frame so as to cover at least the approach section from the rear, and that has a frame control board that can control the ball launching means and the ball circulating means;
The present invention is characterized in that it further comprises:

According to the configuration of means 3, the gaming machine further comprises a main frame that supports the gaming board from the front in a detachable manner and also supports the ball launching means and ball circulating means, and a frame base unit that is openable and closable relative to the main frame so as to cover at least the approach section from the rear, and has a frame control board that can control the ball launching means and ball circulating means. (See the description of the ball jamming elimination mechanism 530 and the frame base unit 630 in [Embodiment for carrying out the invention].)

As a result, in the normal state with the frame base unit closed, the rear of the approach section is covered by the frame base unit, so even if someone tries to commit fraud against the inside of the ball circulation means (e.g., the ball sensor) through the approach section, the frame base unit covering the rear can prevent the insertion of fraudulent tools. On the other hand, if a ball becomes jammed in the ball recovery passage, the approach section can be revealed by opening the frame base unit, making it possible to loosen the jammed game balls or remove illegal balls (large balls) through the approach section. Therefore, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can easily clear ball jams while increasing the deterrent effect against fraudulent activities.

In addition, since the frame base unit having the frame control board is provided behind the approach section, i.e., behind the ball circulation means, the space behind the ball circulation means can be effectively utilized.

Means 4: In any one of the configurations of means 1 to 3,
"The approach section is
The feature of this invention is that "by opening the wall of the ball recovery passage, it is possible to approach the upstream side of the ball sensor from outside."

Here, examples of the configuration for "opening the wall portion" include "rotating a part of the wall portion on a hinge," "sliding a part of the wall portion," "removing a part of the wall portion," etc.

According to the configuration of means 4, the approach section is designed to open the wall of the ball recovery passage so that the ball sensor can be accessed from the outside upstream. (See the description of the ball jamming elimination mechanism 530 in the [Form for implementing the invention].)

As a result, by opening the portion constituting the approach section in the wall of the ball recovery passage, it becomes possible to view the inside of the ball recovery passage, and by using the open portion to loosen stuck game balls or remove large balls (faulty balls), it is possible to easily resolve ball jams, thereby realizing a game machine that provides the above-mentioned functional effects.

Means 5: In any one of the configurations of means 1 to 4,
"The sphere sensor is
It is characterized by having a detection hole through which the game ball can pass.

There are two types of ball sensors: ball sensors that turn on when a gaming ball approaches, and pass-type ball sensors that turn on when a gaming ball passes by. Pass-type ball sensors have a hole (detection hole) large enough for the gaming ball to pass through, and can detect the gaming ball when it passes through this hole.

According to the configuration of means 5, the ball sensor has a detection hole through which the game ball can pass. In other words, the ball sensor detects the game ball when it passes through the detection hole. (See the description of the out ball sensor 505 in [Embodiment for carrying out the invention].)

As a result, the area of the detection hole in the ball sensor for detecting game balls is the narrowest in the ball recovery passage, making it easy for balls to become clogged at the ball sensor area; however, since an approach section is provided that allows the ball sensor to be approached from the upstream side, it is possible to insert fingers or tools from the approach section to loosen stuck game balls or remove large balls (illegal balls), making it easy to clear the ball clog.

Means 6: In any one of the configurations of means 1 to 5,
The ball recovery passage is
The present invention is characterized in that the ball sensor, which can be approached by the approach section, is provided in a portion close to the upstream end.

According to the configuration of means 6, a ball sensor that can be approached by the approach section is provided near the upstream end of the ball recovery passage. (See the description of the ball jamming elimination mechanism 530 in the [Form for implementing the invention].)

As a result, the ball sensor that detects game balls is located near the upstream end (entrance) of the ball recovery passage, and since the ball recovery passage narrows toward the ball sensor, ball clogging is likely to occur near the upstream end of the ball recovery passage. However, since an approach section is provided to the ball sensor, fingers or tools can be inserted through the approach section to loosen stuck game balls or remove large balls (illegal balls), making it easy to clear the ball clogging. In this case, since the ball sensor and approach section are located near the upstream end of the ball recovery passage, the configuration of the approach section can be simplified compared to when the approach section is located further back in the ball recovery passage, and the increase in costs associated with the approach section can be suppressed.

In addition, because the ball sensor and approach section are located near the upstream end of the ball recovery passage, when a large ball (illegal ball) is mixed in as a fraudulent act, the large ball can be prevented from penetrating deep into the ball recovery passage, thereby enhancing the deterrent effect against fraudulent acts.

Means 7: In the gaming machine,
"A game board having a game area where a game is played with a game ball and a winning hole and an out hole are provided,
A ball launching means capable of supplying game balls to the game area of the game board;
A ball circulation means for collecting the game balls shot by the ball shooting means and supplying them again to the ball shooting means;
A main body frame that detachably supports the game board from the front and supports the ball launching means and the ball circulating means;
A frame base unit is provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the main body frame, and has a frame control board capable of controlling the ball launching means and the ball circulating means;
Equipped with
A gaming machine in which game balls are shot by the ball shooting means based on the digitalized ball data of a player, and when a game ball is received at the winning opening, a predetermined number is added to the ball data, and when a game medium is received at the outlet opening, a predetermined number is not added to the ball data,
The ball circulation means is
an out ball passage through which the game balls received at the out port flow, and a ball recovery passage through which the game balls launched and collected by the ball launching means flow;
a ball sensor provided at a position close to the upstream end of the out ball passage so as to detect game balls flowing through the out ball passage of the ball recovery passage, the ball sensor having a detection hole through which the game balls flowing through the ball recovery passage can pass;
an approach section that allows access from the outside to at least the out ball sensor of the ball sensor from the upstream side by opening a wall section of the ball recovery passage;
and is provided so that at least the approach section is covered from the rear when the frame base unit is closed relative to the main body frame.
The present invention is characterized in that

According to the configuration of means 7, the device is provided with a game board having a game area where a game is played with game balls and where a winning opening and an out opening are provided, a ball launching means capable of supplying game balls to the game area of the game board, a ball circulating means for collecting the game balls launched by the ball launching means and supplying them again to the ball launching means, a main frame that supports the game board in a detachable manner from the front and supports the ball launching means and the ball circulating means, and a frame substrate unit that is openably and closably mounted on the main frame and has a frame control substrate that can control the ball launching means and the ball circulating means, and the ball launching means launches game balls based on the digitized ball data of the player, and when a game ball is received at the winning opening, a predetermined number is added to the ball data, and when a game medium is received at the out opening, a frame control substrate is added to the ball data. In this case, the ball circulation means has an out ball passage through which game balls received at the out port flow, a ball recovery passage through which game balls launched and collected by the ball launching means flow, an out ball sensor provided near the upstream end of the out ball passage to detect game balls flowing through the out ball passage of the ball recovery passage, a ball sensor having a detection hole through which game balls flowing through the ball recovery passage can pass, and an approach section that allows access to at least the out ball sensor of the ball sensor from the upstream side from the outside by opening the wall of the ball recovery passage, and is provided so that at least the approach section is covered from the rear when the frame base unit is closed to the main frame.

In this way, in a gaming machine (so-called sealed gaming machine, managed gaming machine) in which game balls launched from a ball launching means that launches game balls into a game area are collected by a ball circulation means and supplied to the ball launching means, and game balls are launched from the ball launching means based on the player's ball data, and when a game ball is received at a winning opening in the game area, a predetermined number is added to the ball data, the ball circulation means that constitutes the game ball circulation path is provided with a ball recovery passage and a ball sensor that detects game balls circulating in the ball recovery passage, so that after receiving the game balls launched by the ball launching means for recovery, the ball recovery passage aligns the game balls in a line and sends them to pass through the detection hole of the ball sensor. Therefore, in the portion of the ball recovery passage upstream of the ball sensor in order to align the game balls in a line, the width and height of the passage gradually narrow toward the ball sensor to a size that allows one game ball B to pass through, making it easier for balls to become clogged in that portion. This ball recovery passage has an out-ball passage that recovers and circulates game balls received at the out port of the game board, and an out-ball sensor is provided near the upstream end (entrance) of the out-ball passage as a ball sensor, and an approach section is provided that allows the out-ball sensor to be approached from the upstream side. Since many game balls that are shot into the game area of the game board are received at the out port, many game balls flow through the out-ball passage in the ball recovery passage, which increases the possibility of ball jams occurring in the out-ball passage. However, since an approach section is provided that allows the out-ball sensor in the out-ball passage to be approached from the upstream side, it is possible to insert fingers or tools into the out-ball passage from the outside by opening the approach section, and the ball jam can be easily resolved by loosening the stuck game balls.

However, if a fraudulent act is committed by intentionally causing ball jams by mixing illegal balls (large balls) with a diameter larger than the game balls from the game board side into the ball circulation means, if it takes a long time to resolve the ball jam, the operating time of the game machine will decrease and the burden on the game hall will increase. Such fraudulent acts of mixing large balls may occur through the out port, which is easier to accept game balls than the winning port, and if large balls are mixed in, they will cause ball jams in the out ball passage (out ball sensor). However, as described above, by opening the approach section, it is possible to approach at least the upstream side of the out ball sensor, so that the large balls (illegal balls) that are causing the ball jam can be easily removed by inserting a finger or tool from the approach section, which makes it possible to suppress an increase in the burden on the game hall and provide a game machine that has a high deterrent effect against fraudulent acts.

In addition, in the normal state with the frame base unit closed, the rear of the approach section is covered by the frame base unit, so even if someone tries to commit fraud against the inside of the ball circulation means (e.g., the ball sensor) through the approach section, the frame base unit covering the rear can prevent the insertion of fraudulent tools. On the other hand, if a ball becomes jammed in the ball recovery passage, the approach section can be revealed by opening the frame base unit, making it possible to disentangle the jammed game balls or remove illegal balls (large balls) through the approach section. Therefore, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can easily clear ball jams while increasing the deterrent effect against fraudulent activities.

Furthermore, an out ball sensor that detects game balls received at the out port is provided in a portion of the ball recovery passage close to the upstream end (entrance) of the out ball passage, and since the out ball passage narrows toward the out ball sensor, balls are more likely to become clogged in the portion close to the upstream end of the out ball passage. However, since an approach section is provided to the out ball sensor, it is possible to loosen stuck game balls and remove large balls (illegal balls) by opening the approach section. In this case, since the out ball sensor and approach section are provided in a portion close to the upstream end of the out ball passage, it is possible to simplify the configuration of the approach section compared to when the approach section is provided further back in the out ball passage (ball recovery passage), and it is possible to suppress increases in costs associated with the approach section.

In addition, because the out ball sensor and approach section are located near the upstream end of the out ball passage, when a large ball (illegal ball) is mixed in as a fraudulent act, the large ball can be prevented from penetrating deep into the out ball passage (ball recovery passage), thereby enhancing the deterrent effect against fraudulent acts.

In addition, since the frame base unit having the frame control board is provided behind the approach section, i.e., behind the ball circulation means, the space behind the ball circulation means can be effectively utilized.

In this way, according to the above-mentioned solution, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can easily eliminate ball clogging in the circulation path of the gaming balls.
[16-5c. Relationship between the solution of the fifth technical feature and the embodiment]
In this embodiment, the ball launching unit 450 of the main frame 4 corresponds to the ball launching means of the above-mentioned solving means, the foul unit 470, the circulating ball path unit 500, the ball lifting unit 550, and the ball sending unit 600 in this embodiment correspond to the ball circulating means of the above-mentioned solving means, the out ball passage 501, the safe ball passage 502, and the foul ball passage 503 of the circulating ball path unit 500 in this embodiment correspond to the ball recovery passages of the above-mentioned solving means, the out ball sensor 505, the safe ball sensor 506, and the foul ball sensor 507 of the circulating ball path unit 500 in this embodiment correspond to the ball sensors of the above-mentioned solving means, the cover member 531 of the ball jamming resolution mechanism 530 in this embodiment corresponds to the approach section of the above-mentioned solving means, the out outlet 1008 in this embodiment corresponds to the out outlet of the above-mentioned solving means, and the general winning port 2001, the first starting port 2003, the second starting port 2004, and the large winning port 2005 in this embodiment correspond to the winning ports of the above-mentioned solving means.
[16-5d. Characteristic effect of the fifth technical feature]
According to this embodiment, the game ball B launched from the ball launching unit 450, which launches the game ball B into the game area 5a of the game board 5, is collected by the foul unit 470 and the circulating ball path unit 500 and supplied to the ball launching unit 450. The game ball B is launched from the ball launching unit 450 based on the ball data of the player, and when the game ball B is received by the winning hole (general winning hole 2001, first starting hole 2003, second starting hole 2004, big winning hole 2005) of the game area 5a, a predetermined number is added to the ball data (number of balls held). In a pachinko machine 1 (a so-called enclosed game machine, a controlled game machine) having such a structure, a circulation ball path unit 500 constituting a circulation path R for game balls B is provided with an out ball path 501 (ball recovery path) and an out ball sensor 505 as a ball sensor for detecting game balls B circulating through the out ball path 501, so that the out ball path 501 receives the game balls B launched by the ball launching unit 450 for recovery, and then aligns them in a line and sends them to pass through the detection hole of the out ball sensor 505. Therefore, in the portion upstream of the out ball path 501 from the out ball sensor 505, the width and height of the path gradually narrow toward the out ball sensor 505 to a size that allows one game ball B to pass through in order to align the game balls B in a line, so that ball clogging is likely to occur in that portion. In this circulating ball path unit 500, an out ball sensor 505 is provided near the upstream end (entrance) of the out ball path 501, and a cover member 531 (approach portion) of a ball jamming elimination mechanism 530 that can approach the out ball sensor 505 from the upstream side is provided. Since many game balls B that are shot into the game area 5a of the game board 5 are received by the out port 1008, many game balls B flow through the out ball path 501 in the circulating ball path unit 500, so that the possibility of ball jamming occurring in the out ball path 501 increases. However, since the cover member 531 that can approach at least the out ball sensor 505 in the out ball path 501 from the upstream side is provided, it is possible to insert a finger or a tool into the out ball path 501 from the outside by opening the cover member 531, and the ball jamming can be easily eliminated by loosening the jammed game ball B.

When a fraudulent act is committed by intentionally causing a ball jam by mixing a fraudulent ball B' (large ball) with a diameter larger than the game ball B from the game board 5 side into the circulation ball path unit 500, if it takes a long time to resolve the ball jam, the operating time of the pachinko machine 1 will decrease and the burden on the game hall will increase. Such a fraudulent act of mixing a large ball may occur from the out port 1008, which is more likely to accept the game ball B than the winning port such as the general winning port 2001 or the first starting port 2003. When a large ball is mixed in, a ball jam due to the large ball occurs in the out ball passage 501 (out ball sensor 505). However, as described above, since it is possible to approach at least the upstream side of the out ball sensor 505 by opening the cover member 531, it is possible to easily remove the large ball (fraudulent ball B') that is causing the ball jam by inserting a finger or a tool from the part of the cover member 531, and it is possible to suppress an increase in the burden on the game hall and provide a pachinko machine 1 that has a high deterrent effect against fraudulent acts.

In addition, in the normal state in which the frame base unit 630 is closed, the frame base unit 630 covers the rear of the lid member 531 (circulating ball path unit 500), so even if someone tries to commit fraud inside the circulating ball path unit 500 through the lid member 531, the frame base unit 630 covering the rear can prevent the insertion of fraudulent tools. On the other hand, if a ball jam occurs in the out ball passage 501 of the circulating ball path unit 500, the lid member 531 can be revealed by opening the frame base unit 630 backwards, so that the lid member 531 can be opened to release the jammed game ball B or remove the illegal ball B' (large ball). Therefore, it is possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 that can easily clear ball jams while increasing the deterrent effect against fraudulent activities.

Furthermore, the out ball sensor 505 that detects the game ball B received in the out port 1008 of the game board 5 is provided at a location near the upstream end (entrance) of the out ball passage 501 in the circulating ball path unit 500. Since the out ball passage 501 narrows toward the out ball sensor 505, ball clogging is likely to occur at a location near the upstream end of the out ball passage 501. However, since a cover member 531 is provided for the out ball sensor 505, it is possible to loosen the stuck game ball B or remove the large ball (faulty ball B') by opening the cover member 531. In this case, since the out ball sensor 505 and the cover member 531 are provided at a location near the upstream end of the out ball passage 501, it is possible to simplify the configuration of the cover member 531 (ball clogging elimination mechanism 530) compared to the case where the cover member is provided at the back of the out ball passage 501 (circulating ball path unit 500), and the increase in the cost of the ball clogging elimination mechanism 530 can be suppressed.

In addition, since the out ball sensor 505 and the cover member 531 are located near the upstream end of the out ball passage 501, when a large ball (illegal ball B') is mixed in as a fraudulent act, the large ball can be prevented from penetrating deep into the out ball passage 501 (circulating ball path unit 500), thereby enhancing the deterrent effect against fraudulent acts.

In addition, since the frame substrate unit 630 having the frame control substrate 640 is provided behind the cover member 531, that is, behind the circulating ball path unit 500, the space behind the circulating ball path unit 500 can be effectively utilized.

[16-6. Sixth technical feature]
This specification has the following technical features different from those described above.

[16-6a. Background of the sixth technical feature]
In a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, a winning hole capable of receiving a gaming medium in a gaming area where a game is played and a plurality of obstacle nails that change the flow of the gaming medium are provided. As one of this type of gaming machine, a gaming machine in which a protective member is provided along the lower end of the obstacle nail provided directly above the winning hole has been proposed (for example, Patent Document D: JP 2018-140155 A). According to the technology of this Patent Document D, the obstacle nail is made difficult to bend, so that the probability of receiving the gaming medium into the winning hole does not change.

However, with the technology of Patent Document D, it is possible for the obstacle nails to bend in a direction other than downward, which could change the probability of the ball entering the winning slot (the probability of winning). As a result, there is a risk that the probability of winning will differ for each gaming machine due to aging, and the fact that the probability of winning differs for each gaming machine could cause players to feel distrustful and reduce interest.

In view of the above situation, the following means aims to provide a gaming machine that can prevent a decline in the interest of players by making the changes over time in the probability of winning at the winning slot less noticeable for each gaming machine.

[16-6b. Solution of the sixth technical feature]
Means 1: In the gaming machine,
"A gaming machine having a gaming panel with a gaming area in front where games are played using gaming media, a winning slot in the front of the gaming panel that can receive gaming media in the gaming area, and a plurality of obstacle pins that are provided in the gaming area to change the flow of the gaming media,
a front panel is provided in front of the game panel with a gap between the front panel and the game panel through which game media can flow;
The front panel is
The present invention is characterized in that it has a storage section capable of storing the front end of the obstacle pin involved in the acceptance of the game medium into the winning opening.

Here, examples of "game panels" include "opaque panels" and "transparent panels," and examples of materials include "plywood (e.g., plywood)," "laminated lumber," "metal panels," "acrylic resin panels," "polystyrene," "polycarbonate resin panels," "ABS resin panels," "polypropylene panels," "polyarylate resin panels," "methacrylic resin panels," and "glass panels." Examples of "game panels" include "those formed from a single sheet of board material," "those composed of a plate-shaped panel board with a game area formed on the front side and a panel holder that holds the outer periphery of the panel board," and so on.

In addition, the term "winning port" includes "general winning ports that are always open within the game area", "start winning ports (starting ports) that are always open within the game area and through which a lottery (special lottery) is held to determine whether or not a special pattern will be drawn to determine whether or not a favorable game state in which the player will be advantageous will be generated by the acceptance of the game medium", "variable winning ports (variable starting ports, gadget winning ports, etc.) that can accept game media depending on the results of the lottery for the normal pattern drawn when game media is accepted into a specific general winning port (normal winning port) within the game area", and "specific areas within the game area". Examples of such openings include "variable winning openings (variable start openings, special winning openings, etc.) that can accept game media depending on the results of a lottery for normal symbols that is drawn when the game media passes through an area (gate, through chucker, etc.)", "V winning openings that create a favorable game state for the player when the game media accepted by the special winning opening is sorted and accepted by a sorting means", and "big winning openings and special winning openings that open and close in a predetermined pattern to accept game media as a favorable game state for the player depending on the results of a lottery for special symbols".

Furthermore, the "obstacle nail" may be one whose rear end is attached to the game panel, or one whose rear end is attached to a base plate that is attached to the game panel. Also, the "obstacle nail" may be one whose front end has a head with a larger diameter than the shaft, or one whose front end is shaft-shaped with the same diameter as the shaft.

Examples of "obstacle nails" involved in receiving game media into the winning opening include "a pair of obstacle nails (specific obstacle nails) spaced apart by approximately the same width as the winning opening just before the winning opening", "obstacle nails (quasi-specific obstacle nails) placed close to a pair of obstacle nails (specific obstacle nails) spaced apart by approximately the same width just before the winning opening", "obstacle nails forming a row of nails arranged in a row so as to be able to guide game media towards the winning opening", and "obstacle nails (windmills) that can guide game media to a row of nails arranged in a row so as to guide game media towards the winning opening".

Furthermore, the "front plate" may be anything that allows the gaming media circulating within the gaming area to be seen, and may be attached to the front of the ball receiving part that forms the winning opening, or to a frame-shaped peripheral wall part such as a rail or center gimmick that divides the gaming area. The "front plate" may be made of a single member, or may be divided into multiple members.

The "accommodating portion" may be one that forms a gap between the front end of the obstructing nail and the "accommodating portion," or one that does not form a gap between the front end of the obstructing nail and the "accommodating portion." The "accommodating portion" may be a hole that penetrates the front plate from front to back, or a groove that does not penetrate the front plate and is recessed from the rear surface to the front.

According to the configuration of the first means, the gaming machine is provided with a gaming panel with a gaming area in front where a game is played using a gaming medium, a winning hole that is provided on the front of the gaming panel and can receive the gaming medium in the gaming area, and a plurality of obstacle nails that are provided in the gaming area and change the flow of the gaming medium, and a front plate is provided in front of the gaming panel with a gap between the gaming panel and the front plate through which the gaming medium can flow, and the front plate has a storage section that can store the front end of the obstacle nail involved in receiving the gaming medium into the winning hole. (See chapters [11-5. Starting hole unit of the second embodiment] to [11-7. Front plate in front of the starting hole unit and side unit] in [Form for carrying out the invention], and the descriptions in Figures 84 to 100, etc.)

As a result, the front ends of the obstacle nails involved in receiving game media into the winning opening are accommodated in the accommodation section of the front plate, so that when the machine is installed in an amusement hall and used for play, many game media come into contact with the obstacle nails, and even if the obstacle nails try to bend due to the impact, the front ends of the obstacle nails come into contact with the inner surface of the accommodation section, preventing the obstacle nails from bending any further. Therefore, even if the machine is used continuously, the probability of the game media winning the winning opening does not change, and the quality of the machine can be maintained over a long period of time. In other words, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that makes it difficult to notice the changes over time in the probability of winning the winning opening for each gaming machine, does not cause players to distrust the machine, and is capable of suppressing a decline in the player's interest.

In addition, the front ends of the obstacle nails involved in receiving the game medium into the winning opening are accommodated in the accommodation section of the front plate. Even if an attempt is made to bend the obstacle nails to change the probability of the game medium entering the winning opening as a fraudulent act, the accommodation section of the front plate makes it difficult to bend them, preventing fraudulent acts from being committed. In addition, players will hesitate to commit fraud by recognizing the presence of the front plate with the accommodation section, providing a gaming machine that is highly deterrent to fraudulent acts.

Furthermore, because the front ends of the obstructing nails are housed in the housing of the front plate, the front plate can prevent other components from coming into contact with the front ends of the obstructing nails during the manufacture and transportation of the gaming machine, preventing deformation of the obstructing nails and ensuring the provision of gaming machines of the specified quality.

In addition, since a front panel is provided with a storage section capable of accommodating the front ends of the obstructing nails, by making the front panel plate-shaped, when a nail inspection film is placed over the front of the gaming machine (game board) during the manufacture of the gaming machine to check whether multiple obstructing nails are planted in a specified gauge arrangement, the plate-shaped front panel makes it difficult for the nail inspection film to bend, reducing inspection errors caused by bending and improving the quality of the gaming machine, as well as simplifying the inspection process and suppressing increases in costs.

The storage section may be formed so that the gap between the front end of the obstructing nail becomes smaller the closer it is to the winning opening. This makes it possible to suppress deformation of the obstructing nail the closer it is to the winning opening, thereby further reducing the variation in the probability of winning at the winning opening for each gaming machine and providing gaming machines of consistent quality.

The gaming machine may further include a windmill supported rotatably by the obstacle nails, and the front plate may have a windmill housing that surrounds at least a part of the outer periphery of the windmill. As a result, since the front plate is provided with a windmill housing that surrounds at least a part of the outer periphery of the windmill, when the gaming machine is installed in an amusement hall and used for playing, many gaming media come into contact with the windmill, and even if the windmill tries to bend due to the impact, the outer periphery of the windmill comes into contact with the windmill housing, preventing the windmill from bending any further. Therefore, even if the gaming machine is used continuously, the windmill remains almost the same as when it was shipped, so the probability of winning the prize at the prize slot when the windmill passes does not change, and the quality of the gaming machine can be maintained for a long period of time. In other words, it is possible to provide a gaming machine in which aging caused by gaming media coming into contact with the windmill is not noticeable.

In addition, as described above, in the case where a windmill housing section is provided on the front panel and a nail row is provided in which multiple obstacle nails are arranged from near the bottom of the windmill toward the winning opening, if the windmill deforms so as to tilt toward the winning opening, the game media flowing down from above the windmill will be more likely to flow down in the opposite direction to the winning opening due to the windmill deforming toward the winning opening, making it difficult for the game media to be guided by the nail row arranged toward the winning opening, which may reduce the probability of winning at the winning opening. In contrast, in this case, since a part of the outer periphery of the windmill is surrounded by the windmill housing section, surrounding the side of the outer periphery of the windmill closer to the winning opening with the windmill housing section can prevent the windmill from tilting toward the winning opening, and the probability of winning at the winning opening via the windmill will not change, making it possible to provide a gaming machine in which aging is not noticeable.

Furthermore, the gaming machine may further be provided with a decorative sticker that is affixed to the front surface of the front plate, and the decorative sticker may have an adhesive portion for attaching to the front plate that avoids the hole penetrating the front plate. In this way, since the decorative sticker is affixed to the front surface of the front plate, if the storage portion that stores the front ends of the obstacle nails is a hole penetrating the front plate, the hole can be covered with the decorative sticker, and the decorative sticker can prevent other members from coming into contact with the obstacle nails during the manufacture or transportation of the gaming machine, etc., and deformation of the obstacle nails can be prevented, making it possible to reliably provide a gaming machine of the specified quality.

In addition, as described above, when a decorative seal is provided, the adhesive portion of the decorative seal is provided to avoid the hole penetrating the front plate. Therefore, even if the gaming medium comes into contact with the rear surface of the decorative seal from behind the front plate through the hole, the gaming medium will not stick to the adhesive portion of the decorative seal, and problems such as ball clogging will not occur.

In addition, as described above, when providing a decorative sticker, a hole is provided in the front plate to which the decorative sticker is attached, so that if the decorative sticker is not attached properly during manufacturing or when the product is to be discarded, the decorative sticker can be pressed from behind through the hole, making it easy to remove the decorative sticker from the front plate.

Means 2: In the configuration of Means 1,
"The storage section is
The closer to the winning hole the smaller the gap between the obstacle nail and the front end of the obstacle nail is formed.

According to the configuration of the second means, the storage section is formed so that the gap between the front end of the obstacle nail becomes smaller as it approaches the winning hole. (See the description of the first holding section 2152a and the second holding section 2152b of the starting hole front plate 2152 in [Embodiment for carrying out the invention].)

As a result, the gap between the storage section of the front panel and the front end of the obstructing nail becomes smaller the closer it is to the winning opening, so deformation of the obstructing nail can be suppressed the closer it is to the winning opening, further reducing the variation in the probability of winning at the winning opening for each gaming machine, making it possible to provide gaming machines of consistent quality.

Means 3: In the configuration of means 1 or means 2,
"There is further provided a windmill rotatably supported by the peg,
The front panel is
The present invention is characterized in that it has a wind turbine housing portion that surrounds at least a portion of the outer periphery of the wind turbine.

Here, the "windmill housing section" may surround the entire outer periphery of the front end of the windmill, or may surround only a portion of the outer periphery of the front end of the windmill (for example, the side closer to the prize-winning opening).

According to the configuration of the third aspect, the gaming machine further includes a windmill that is rotatably supported by the obstacle nails, and the front plate has a windmill housing that surrounds at least a part of the outer periphery of the windmill. (See the description of the windmill holding portion 2172 of the front plate 2170 and the windmill holding portion 2182 of the front plate 2180 in the [Embodiment for carrying out the invention].)

As a result, the front panel is provided with a windmill housing section that surrounds at least a portion of the outer periphery of the windmill, so that when the machine is installed in an amusement hall and used for play, many gaming media come into contact with the windmill, and even if the impact causes the windmill to bend, the outer periphery of the windmill comes into contact with the windmill housing section, preventing the windmill from bending any further. Therefore, even if the gaming machine is used continuously, the windmill remains almost unchanged from the state it was in when it was shipped, so the probability of winning at the winning slot when a ball passes through the windmill does not change, and the quality of the gaming machine can be maintained for a long period of time. In other words, it is possible to provide a gaming machine in which aging caused by gaming media coming into contact with the windmill is not noticeable.

In addition, in the case where a nail row is provided with multiple obstacle nails lined up from the bottom of the windmill toward the winning opening, if the windmill is deformed so as to tilt toward the winning opening, the game media flowing down from above the windmill will be more likely to flow down in the opposite direction to the winning opening due to the windmill deforming toward the winning opening, making it difficult for the game media to be guided by the nail row lined up toward the winning opening, which may reduce the probability of winning at the winning opening. In contrast, with this configuration, since part of the outer periphery of the windmill is surrounded by the windmill housing section, by surrounding the side of the outer periphery of the windmill closer to the winning opening with the windmill housing section, it is possible to prevent the windmill from tilting toward the winning opening, and the probability of winning at the winning opening via the windmill will not change, making it possible to provide a gaming machine that does not noticeably change over time.

Means 4: In any one of the configurations of means 1 to 3,
"A decorative sticker is further provided to be attached to the front surface of the front panel,
The decorative seal is
The adhesive portion for attaching the front panel is provided so as to avoid the hole penetrating the front panel.

Here, the "holes" that penetrate the front plate include "through holes that serve as storage sections into which the front ends of the obstacle nails are inserted", "through holes that serve as mounting holes for mounting the front plate", "through holes through which a driver is inserted in a winning port unit that has a winning port and a front plate, in order to mount the winning port unit to the game panel", etc.

According to the configuration of the fourth aspect, the gaming machine is further provided with a decorative sticker that can be attached to the front surface of the front plate, and the decorative sticker is provided with an adhesive portion for attaching to the front plate, avoiding the hole that penetrates the front plate. (See the description of the front plate sticker 2153 in the [Mode for carrying out the invention].)

As a result, since a decorative sticker is attached to the front surface of the front plate, if the storage section in which the front end of the obstacle nail is stored is a hole penetrating the front plate, the hole can be covered with the decorative sticker. Therefore, the decorative sticker can prevent other members from coming into contact with the obstacle nail during the manufacture or transportation of the gaming machine, preventing deformation of the obstacle nail and ensuring the provision of a gaming machine of the specified quality.

In addition, the adhesive part of the decorative sticker is positioned to avoid the hole that penetrates the front plate, so if the game medium comes into contact with the rear surface of the decorative sticker from behind the front plate through the hole, the game medium will not stick to the adhesive part of the decorative sticker, and problems such as ball clogging will not occur.

In addition, a hole is provided in the front panel to which the decorative sticker is attached, so if the decorative sticker is not attached properly during manufacturing or when the product is to be discarded, the decorative sticker can be pressed from behind through the hole, making it easy to remove the decorative sticker from the front panel.

Means 5: In the gaming machine,
"A gaming machine having a gaming panel with a gaming area in front where games are played using gaming media, a winning slot in the front of the gaming panel that can receive gaming media in the gaming area, and a plurality of obstacle pins that are provided in the gaming area to change the flow of the gaming media,
a front panel provided in front of the game panel with a gap between the game panel and the front panel allowing the game medium to flow;
A decorative sticker attached to the front surface of the front panel;
a windmill rotatably supported by the pegs;
The front panel is
A storage section capable of storing the front ends of the obstacle nails involved in receiving the game medium into the winning opening, and formed so that the gap between the front ends of the obstacle nails and the storage section becomes smaller as the storage section approaches the winning opening;
A wind turbine housing portion surrounding at least a portion of an outer periphery of the wind turbine,
The decorative seal is
The adhesive portion for attaching to the front plate is provided so as to avoid the hole penetrating the front plate.
The present invention is characterized in that

According to the configuration of means 5, the gaming machine includes a gaming panel with a gaming area in front of which a game is played using a gaming medium, a winning hole that is provided on the front of the gaming panel and capable of receiving the gaming medium in the gaming area, and a plurality of obstacle nails that are provided in the gaming area and change the flow of the gaming medium. The gaming machine further includes a front plate that is provided in front of the gaming panel with a gap between the gaming panel and the gaming panel through which the gaming medium can flow, a decorative sticker that is attached to the front of the front plate, and a windmill that is rotatably supported by the obstacle nails. The front plate has a storage section that can store the front ends of the obstacle nails that are involved in receiving the gaming medium into the winning hole, and is formed so that the gap between the front ends of the obstacle nails becomes smaller as it approaches the winning hole, and a windmill storage section that surrounds at least a part of the outer periphery of the windmill. The decorative sticker is provided so that the adhesive section for attaching it to the front plate avoids the hole that penetrates the front plate.

As a result, the front ends of the obstacle nails involved in receiving game media into the winning opening are accommodated in the accommodation section of the front plate, so that when the machine is installed in an amusement hall and used for play, many game media come into contact with the obstacle nails, and even if the obstacle nails try to bend due to the impact, the front ends of the obstacle nails come into contact with the inner surface of the accommodation section, preventing the obstacle nails from bending any further. Therefore, even if the machine is used continuously, the probability of the game media winning the winning opening does not change, and the quality of the machine can be maintained over a long period of time. In other words, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that makes it difficult to notice the changes over time in the probability of winning the winning opening for each gaming machine, does not cause players to distrust the machine, and is capable of suppressing a decline in the player's interest.

In addition, the closer to the winning opening, the smaller the gap between the storage section of the front panel and the front end of the obstructing nail is, so deformation of the obstructing nail can be suppressed the closer to the winning opening. This further reduces the variation in the probability of winning at the winning opening for each gaming machine, making it possible to provide gaming machines of consistent quality.

Furthermore, because the front ends of the obstructing nails are housed in the housing of the front plate, the front plate can prevent other components from coming into contact with the front ends of the obstructing nails during the manufacture and transportation of the gaming machine, preventing deformation of the obstructing nails and ensuring the provision of gaming machines of the specified quality.

In addition, the front panel is provided with a windmill housing section that surrounds at least a portion of the outer periphery of the windmill. When the machine is installed in an amusement hall and used for play, many gaming media come into contact with the windmill, and even if the impact causes the windmill to bend, the outer periphery of the windmill comes into contact with the windmill housing section, preventing the windmill from bending any further. Therefore, even if the gaming machine is used continuously, the windmill remains almost unchanged from the state it was in when it was shipped, so the probability of winning at the winning slot when a ball passes through the windmill does not change, and the quality of the gaming machine can be maintained for a long period of time. In other words, it is possible to provide a gaming machine in which aging caused by gaming media coming into contact with the windmill is not noticeable.

In addition, in the case where a nail row is provided with multiple obstacle nails lined up from the bottom of the windmill toward the winning opening, if the windmill is deformed so as to tilt toward the winning opening, the game media flowing down from above the windmill will be more likely to flow down in the opposite direction to the winning opening due to the windmill deforming toward the winning opening, making it difficult for the game media to be guided by the nail row lined up toward the winning opening, which may reduce the probability of winning at the winning opening. In contrast, in this configuration, a part of the outer periphery of the windmill is surrounded by a windmill housing section, so by surrounding the side of the outer periphery of the windmill closer to the winning opening with the windmill housing section, it is possible to prevent the windmill from tilting toward the winning opening, and the probability of winning at the winning opening via the windmill will not change, making it possible to provide a gaming machine that does not noticeably change over time.

Furthermore, the front ends of the obstacle nails involved in receiving the game medium into the winning opening are accommodated in the accommodation section of the front plate. Even if an attempt is made to bend the obstacle nails to change the probability of the game medium entering the winning opening as a fraudulent act, the accommodation section of the front plate makes it difficult to bend them, preventing fraudulent acts from being committed. In addition, players will hesitate to commit fraud by recognizing the presence of the front plate with the accommodation section, providing a gaming machine that is highly deterrent to fraudulent acts.

In addition, since a front panel is provided with a storage section capable of accommodating the front ends of the obstructing nails, by making the front panel plate-shaped, when a nail inspection film is placed over the front of the gaming machine (game board) during the manufacture of the gaming machine to check whether multiple obstructing nails are planted in a specified gauge arrangement, the plate-shaped front panel makes it difficult for the nail inspection film to bend, reducing inspection errors caused by bending and improving the quality of the gaming machine, as well as simplifying the inspection process and suppressing increases in costs.

Furthermore, because a decorative sticker is affixed to the front surface of the front plate, if the storage section in which the front end of the obstructing nail is stored is a hole penetrating the front plate, the hole can be covered with the decorative sticker. This makes it possible for the decorative sticker to prevent other components from coming into contact with the obstructing nail during the manufacture or transportation of the gaming machine, preventing deformation of the obstructing nail and ensuring the provision of a gaming machine of the specified quality.

In addition, the adhesive part of the decorative sticker is positioned to avoid the hole that penetrates the front plate, so if the game medium comes into contact with the rear surface of the decorative sticker from behind the front plate through the hole, the game medium will not stick to the adhesive part of the decorative sticker, and problems such as ball clogging will not occur.

In addition, a hole is provided in the front panel to which the decorative sticker is attached, so if the decorative sticker is not attached properly during manufacturing or when the product is to be discarded, the decorative sticker can be pressed from behind through the hole, making it easy to remove the decorative sticker from the front panel.

In this way, the above solution makes it possible to provide a gaming machine that can prevent a decline in the interest of players by making the changes over time in the probability of winning at the winning slot less noticeable for each gaming machine.

[16-6c. Relationship between the solution of the sixth technical feature and the embodiment]
In this embodiment, the general winning port 2001 and the first starting port 2003 of the game board 5 correspond to the winning ports of the above-mentioned solving means, the starting port front panel 2152 of the starting port unit 2150, the starting port front panel 2162, the front panel 2170, and the front panel 2180 of the starting port unit 2160 correspond to the front panels of the above-mentioned solving means, and the first retaining portion 2152a, the second retaining portion 2152b, the front support hole 2162a, the nail retaining portion 2171, and the nail retaining portion 2181 in this embodiment correspond to the storage portions of the above-mentioned solving means, respectively.

In addition, the through hole 2152c, the through hole 2162b, the opening 2173, and the mounting hole 2183 in this embodiment correspond to the holes of the above-mentioned solution means, the front plate seal 2153 in this embodiment corresponds to the decorative seal of the above-mentioned solution means, the obstacle nail N and the nail shaft 2163 in this embodiment correspond to the obstacle nail of the above-mentioned solution means, the windmill holding portion 2172 and the windmill holding portion 2182 in this embodiment correspond to the windmill housing portion of the above-mentioned solution means, and the windmill W in this embodiment corresponds to the windmill of the above-mentioned solution means.

[16-6d. Characteristic effect of the sixth technical feature]
According to the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, the front ends (heads) of the obstacle nails N, including the specific obstacle nails N1 and the semi-specific obstacle nails N2, which are involved in the reception of the game ball B into the first starting hole 2003 as a winning hole in the game board 5, are inserted and accommodated in the first holding portion 2152a and the second holding portion 2152b of the starting hole front plate 2152 of the starting hole unit 2150. Therefore, even if many game balls B come into contact with the obstacle nails N when the pachinko machine 1 is installed in a game hall and used for play, and the obstacle nails N try to bend due to the impact, the front ends of the obstacle nails N come into contact with the inner surfaces of the first holding portion 2152a and the second holding portion 2152b, so that the obstacle nails N can be prevented from bending any further. Therefore, even if the pachinko machine 1 is used continuously, the probability of the game ball B entering the first starting hole 2003 does not change, and the quality of the pachinko machine 1 can be maintained for a long period of time. In other words, it is possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 that makes the change over time in the probability of winning at a winning port such as the first starting port 2003 less noticeable for each pachinko machine 1, does not cause players to distrust the machine, and is capable of preventing a decline in the player's interest.

In addition, the closer to the first starting hole 2003, the smaller the gap between the first retaining portion 2152a and the second retaining portion 2152b of the starting hole front plate 2152 and the head of the obstructing nail N (specific obstructing nail N1 and semi-specific obstructing nail N2) becomes, so that the closer to the first starting hole 2003, the more deformation of the obstructing nail N can be suppressed, and the variation in the probability of winning at the first starting hole 2003 for each pachinko machine 1 can be further reduced, making it possible to provide pachinko machines 1 of consistent quality.

Furthermore, because the front end (head) of the obstructing nail N is inserted and accommodated in the first retaining portion 2152a of the starting hole front plate 2152, etc., the starting hole front plate 2152, etc. can prevent other components from coming into contact with the front end of the obstructing nail N during the manufacture or transportation of the pachinko machine 1, preventing deformation of the obstructing nail N and ensuring the provision of a pachinko machine 1 of the specified quality.

In addition, the front plate 2170 and the front plate 2180 are provided with the windmill holding portion 2172 and the windmill holding portion 2182 that surround at least a part of the outer edge of the windmill W. Therefore, even if many game balls B come into contact with the windmill W when the pachinko machine is installed in a game hall and used for play, and the windmill W tries to bend due to the impact, the outer edge of the windmill W comes into contact with the windmill holding portion 2172 and the windmill holding portion 2182, so that the windmill W can be prevented from bending any further. Therefore, even if the present pachinko machine 1 is continuously used, the windmill W hardly changes from the state at the time of shipment, so the probability of winning a prize in a prize hole such as the first starting hole 2003 when passing through the windmill W does not change, and the quality of the pachinko machine 1 can be maintained for a long period of time. In other words, it is possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 in which the aging caused by the game balls B coming into contact with the windmill W is not noticeable.

In addition, when the windmill W is deformed so as to tilt toward the first starting hole 2003, the game ball B flowing down from above the windmill W is likely to flow down in the opposite direction to the first starting hole 2003 due to the windmill W deformed toward the first starting hole 2003, so the game ball B is less likely to be guided by the continuous nails NR lined up toward the first starting hole 2003, and there is a risk that the probability of winning at the first starting hole 2003 will decrease. In contrast, in this embodiment, since a part of the outer periphery of the windmill W is surrounded by the windmill holding part 2172 and the windmill holding part 2182, by surrounding at least the side of the outer periphery of the windmill W close to the first starting hole 2003 with the windmill holding part 2172 and the windmill holding part 2182, it is possible to prevent the windmill W from tilting toward the first starting hole 2003, and the probability of winning at the first starting hole 2003 via the windmill W will not change, and a pachinko machine 1 in which aging is not noticeable can be provided.

Furthermore, the front end of the obstacle nail N (nail shaft 2163) involved in receiving the game ball B into the first starting hole 2003 is inserted and accommodated in the first holding portion 2152a of the starting hole front plate 2152 or the front support hole 2162a of the starting hole front plate 2162. Even if an attempt is made to bend the obstacle nail N (nail shaft 2163) to change the probability of the game ball B entering the first starting hole 2003 as a fraudulent act, the first holding portion 2152a and the front support hole 2162a make it difficult to bend, and fraudulent acts can be avoided. In addition, by recognizing the presence of the starting hole front plate 2152 and the starting hole front plate 2162 having the first holding portion 2152a and the front support hole 2162a, the player can hesitate to perform fraudulent acts, and a pachinko machine 1 with a high deterrent effect against fraudulent acts can be provided.

In addition, since front plates such as starting hole front plate 2152, starting hole front plate 2162, front plate 2170, and front plate 2180 are provided, each having a first retaining portion 2152a, a front support hole 2162a, a nail retaining portion 2171, and a nail retaining portion 2181 into which the front end (head) of the obstructing nail N can be inserted and accommodated, when a nail inspection film is placed over the front surface of the game board 5 of the pachinko machine 1 during the manufacture of the pachinko machine 1 to check whether multiple obstructing nails N are planted in a specified gauge arrangement, the front plates make the nail inspection film less likely to bend, reducing inspection errors caused by bending and improving the quality of the pachinko machine 1, while also simplifying the inspection process and suppressing increases in costs.

Furthermore, since the front plate seal 2153 is attached to the front surface of the starting hole front plate 2152, the first holding portion 2152a and the second holding portion 2152b, into which the head of the obstructing nail N is inserted and accommodated, can be covered by the front plate seal 2153. This makes it possible for the front plate seal 2153 to prevent other components from coming into contact with the obstructing nail N during the manufacture or transportation of the pachinko machine 1, thereby preventing deformation of the obstructing nail N and ensuring the provision of a pachinko machine 1 of the specified quality.

In addition, the adhesive portion 2153b of the front plate seal 2153 is arranged to avoid the through-holes 2152c and the like that penetrate the starting port front plate 2152. Therefore, even if the game ball B comes into contact with the rear surface of the front plate seal 2153 from behind the starting port front plate 2152 through the through-holes 2152c and the like, the game ball B will not stick to the adhesive portion 2153b of the front plate seal 2153, and problems such as ball clogging will not occur.

In addition, holes such as through hole 2152c are provided in starting port front plate 2152, to which front plate seal 2153 is attached at the front surface. Therefore, if the front plate seal 2153 is not attached properly during manufacturing or is to be discarded, the front plate seal 2153 can be pressed from behind through the hole, so that the front plate seal 2153 can be easily peeled off from starting port front plate 2152.

[16-7. Seventh technical feature]
This specification has the following technical features different from those described above.

[16-7a. Background of the seventh technical feature]
It has been proposed that gaming machines such as pachinko machines and slot machines have a front body formed into a predetermined decorative shape that is light-transmitting, and a performance board on which multiple LEDs are mounted, and that the multiple LEDs on the performance board are illuminated according to the progress of the game, thereby causing the front body to be illuminated and decorated to entertain the player (for example, Patent Document E: JP 2018-019858 A).

However, with the conventional light-emitting decorations on the front body using the technology of Patent Document E, some players may quickly become accustomed to the light-emitting effects, which may reduce their interest in the game.

In view of the above situation, the following means aims to provide a gaming machine that entertains players and prevents a decline in interest by making the front body look attractive with the LEDs on the performance board.

[16-7b. Solution of the seventh technical feature]
Means 1: In the gaming machine,
"A gaming machine comprising a performance board on which LEDs that emit light according to the progress of a game are provided, and a front body that is provided in front of the performance board and is capable of transmitting light from the LEDs,
The performance board includes:
A light-colored solder resist is applied to the surface on which the LED is provided, and a specific trace portion is formed on the surface on which the LED is provided, the specific trace portion being different from other portions when the substrate outline is formed,
The specific trace portion is
It is provided at a specific portion of the outer periphery of the performance board so as to protrude outward, and the light-colored solder resist is applied to the surface.
The present invention is characterized in that

Here, "according to the progress of the game" means "according to the acceptance of the game medium into a winning port (e.g., general winning port, normal winning port, starting port, big winning port, special winning port, V winning port, etc.) located within the game area into which the game medium is inserted by the player," "according to the game medium circulating within the game area passing through a specific area (e.g., a gate, warp passage, stage, etc.)," "according to a special pattern (special lottery result) drawn by the acceptance of the game medium into a winning port (e.g., starting port) located within the game area," and "according to the insertion of the game medium into a winning port (e.g., starting port) located within the game area." "Depending on the type of presentation (for example, reach presentation, big win presentation, miss presentation, etc.) to suggest the special pattern (special lottery result) selected upon acceptance," "Depending on the rotation of multiple reels, each with multiple patterns, triggered by the insertion of a gaming medium by the player," "Depending on the combination of patterns on the stopped reels, which are rotated and then stopped sequentially after multiple reels, each with multiple patterns, triggered by the insertion of a gaming medium," "Depending on the amount of gaming medium inserted into the gaming area," "Depending on the length of the blank for inserting gaming medium into the gaming area," etc.

Examples of "LEDs" include "top-view type LEDs that can irradiate light in a direction perpendicular to the substrate surface" and "side-view type LEDs that can irradiate light in a direction along the substrate surface."

Examples of "front bodies" include "things that have decorations such as characters, items, logos, patterns, etc. (decorative bodies)" and "things that cover the performance board to protect it (covers, cases, etc.)".

Furthermore, a "light color" is any color that is bright; for example, when the brightness of black is 0 and the brightness of white is 10, it is desirable for the brightness to be in the range of 5 to 10.

Examples of "traces" include "cutting marks made by end mills or drills, etc.," "cutting marks made by saws," "shearing marks made by scissors or pliers, etc.," "grinding marks made by rotating grinding wheels," "fatigue marks made by bending," "fracture marks made by reduced strength," and "polishing marks made by files or sandpaper, etc."

The "specific trace portion" may be a trace that appears after the light-colored solder resist is applied to the surface of the board, or a trace that appears before the light-colored solder resist is applied to the surface of the board.

Furthermore, examples of "specific parts" include "parts that bulge outward on the outer periphery of the performance board", "straight-line parts on the outer periphery of the performance board", "parts near electronic components such as ICs and LED drivers", etc.

By the way, it is possible to increase the number of LEDs on the performance board or to provide LEDs with higher brightness in order to make the front body shine more attractively, but in this case, there is a risk that the power consumption will increase due to the increase in the number of LEDs and their higher brightness, and that the cost of the gaming machine will also increase.

According to the configuration of the first means, the gaming machine is equipped with a performance board on which LEDs that emit light according to the progress of the game are provided, and a front body that is provided in front of the performance board and is capable of transmitting light from the LEDs. The performance board has a light-colored solder resist applied to the surface on which the LEDs are provided, and a specific trace part in which a trace different from other parts is created when the board outline is formed, and the specific trace part is provided in a specific part of the outer periphery of the performance board that protrudes outward, and has a light-colored solder resist applied to the surface. (See the description of the chapter [11-2. Performance board of the second embodiment] and Figure 77 (b) in [Form for carrying out the invention].)

As a result, because the surface of the performance board is coated with a light-colored solder resist, it is possible to easily reflect light from the multiple LEDs provided on the performance board, as well as light from other LEDs, lighting, etc., to the front body. At this time, because the surface of the specific trace portion that protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the performance board is also coated with a light-colored solder resist, light can also be reflected at the specific trace portion, and light can be uniformly reflected using the entire surface of the performance board. Therefore, the light-colored solder resist applied to the performance board, including the specific trace portion, makes it possible to decorate (glow) the front body with uniform brightness, so that the front body can be made to glow attractively without increasing the number of LEDs on the performance board or using high-brightness LEDs, and a gaming machine can be provided that allows players to enjoy the light-emitting performance of the front body and suppresses a decline in interest.

As described above, since the front body can be made to light up in a visually appealing manner, there is no need to increase the number of LEDs on the performance board or change to high-brightness LEDs, and the power consumption required for the light-emitting performance of the front body can be reduced, making it possible to provide a gaming machine with high power-saving effects. In addition, by applying a light-colored solder resist to the specific trace areas as well, the front body can be made to light up in a visually appealing manner, so there is no need to increase the number of LEDs on the performance board or use high-brightness LEDs, making it possible to reduce the costs of the gaming machine.

In addition, the surface of the specific trace portion that protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the performance board is also coated with a light-colored solder resist, so that even if the surface of the performance board is visible from the player's side through the front body, the protruding specific trace portion is less noticeable. This prevents the front body from looking bad due to the specific trace portion being visible, and ensures that the player can enjoy the decoration of the front body and prevents a decrease in the player's interest in the game.

As in Patent Document E, the performance board provided behind the front body formed in a predetermined decorative shape has an outer periphery that is not a simple rectangle, but is formed in a complex shape (irregular shape) that follows the periphery of the front body. When cutting out such an irregular performance board from a fixed-length board (also called a fixed-length board) using a processing machine such as an NC machine, a large amount of cutting chips is generated, so it is desirable to cut out (separate) the performance board before mounting electronic components such as LEDs, sensors, and connectors on the performance board. However, if the outer shape (outer periphery shape) of the cut-out performance board is irregular, a problem occurs in that it becomes difficult to set the performance board in an insert machine for mounting electronic components.

In response to the above problem, according to the present configuration, a specific trace portion is provided that protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the performance board, and the specific trace portion is used as a part of the connection portion with the fixed-length board, so that it is possible to use a processing machine such as an NC machine to form the board outer shape of the performance board to a certain extent before mounting electronic components. In detail, when cutting out the performance board from the fixed-length board using a processing machine such as an NC machine during the manufacture of the performance board, if the performance board is not completely separated but is connected to the fixed-length board (a discarded board or another board) at the connection portion (the part of the specific trace portion), even if the outer periphery of the performance board has a complex shape, since it is connected to the rectangular fixed-length board at the connection portion, the performance board before separation can be easily set in the insert machine via the fixed-length board, and electronic components can be mounted on the performance board before separation. Then, after mounting electronic components on the performance board before separation, the connection portion connected to the fixed-length board is cut in the middle and separated from the fixed-length board to obtain the desired performance board. In this case, the remainder of the cut connection becomes a specific trace protruding from the outer edge of the performance board, and because the connection connected to the fixed-length board is short (small) compared to the entire circumference of the performance board, even if the connection is cut, the amount of cutting dust generated is small and can be sufficiently sucked up by a dust collector, and does not affect the electronic components mounted on the performance board.

In addition, because the specific trace portion protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the presentation board, when manufacturing the presentation board, it is not necessary to cut off the connecting portion that was connected to the fixed-length board and finish the remaining portion of the connecting portion to fit along the outer periphery of the presentation board, which reduces the costs of the presentation board and, ultimately, the gaming machine.

In addition, because specific traces are provided that protrude outward from the outer periphery of the performance board, workers can use the specific traces as a guide to identify the mounting direction of the performance board when assembling it. In this case, for example, the number of specific traces protruding outward at one specific location may be made to differ depending on the side of the performance board. This allows the mounting direction of the performance board to be identified not only visually but also by touch, making the effort required for assembly easier.

The performance board may also be provided with extensions extending outward from the outer periphery of the board in the areas between the specific trace areas. As a result, since the surface of the performance board is coated with light-colored solder resist, the extensions are also coated with light-colored solder resist, so that light can be reflected not only from the specific trace areas but also from the extensions, allowing the front body to be more attractively illuminated (shining).

In addition, when an extension portion is provided on the performance board as described above, the extension portion may be made to extend outward beyond the specific trace portion. In this way, since the extension portion extends outward beyond the specific trace portion, the light-colored solder resist applied to the surface of the performance board can reflect even more light, making the front body shine more attractively and providing a gaming machine that can reliably achieve the above-mentioned effects.

In addition, when an extension portion that extends outward beyond the specific trace portion is provided on the performance board as described above, the extension portion provided in the portion between the specific trace portions on the outer periphery of the performance board protrudes outward beyond the specific trace portion. Therefore, when the front body has a peripheral wall portion that surrounds the outer periphery of the performance board, the extension portion makes it difficult for the specific trace portion to abut against the peripheral wall portion of the front body, and it is possible to prevent the performance board and the front body from being unable to be assembled together due to the specific trace portion protruding outward abutting against the peripheral wall portion, and it is possible to reliably assemble the performance board and the front body.

Furthermore, the LEDs may include side-view LEDs capable of emitting light in a direction along the surface of the performance board, and the specific trace portion may be provided outside the range of illumination of the side-view LED light. As a result, since the specific trace portion is provided outside the range of illumination of the side-view LED light, even if the specific trace portion has a burr, the burr can be prevented from glittering and becoming noticeable due to the light from the side-view LED, and uneven brightness between the specific trace portion and other parts of the performance board can be suppressed, making the front body shine attractively with a uniform brightness, and the performance effect of the light-emitting performance of the front body can be reliably achieved.

Means 2: In the configuration of Means 1,
"The performance board is
The present invention is characterized in that "an extension portion is provided which extends outward from the outer periphery of the substrate in the area between the specific trace portions."

According to the configuration of the second means, the performance board is provided with an extension part that extends outward from the outer edge of the board at the portion between the specific trace parts. (See the description of the extension part 3525 of the performance board 3520E in [Embodiment for carrying out the invention].)

As a result, an extension portion is provided that extends outward in the area between the specific trace portions on the outer periphery of the performance board, and because a light-colored solder resist is applied to the surface of the performance board, the extension portion is also coated with a light-colored solder resist, so that light can be reflected not only from the specific trace portions but also from the extension portion, allowing the front body to be more attractively illuminated and decorated (glowing).

Means 3: In the configuration of Means 2,
"The extension portion is
It is characterized in that it "extends outward beyond the specified trace portion."

According to the configuration of the third means, the extension portion is extended outward from the specific trace portion. (See the description of the extension portion 3525 of the performance board 3520E in the [Embodiment for carrying out the invention].)

As a result, because the extension extends outward beyond the specific trace portion, the light-colored solder resist applied to the surface of the performance board can reflect even more light, making the front body shine more attractively and providing a gaming machine that can reliably achieve the above-mentioned effects.

In addition, the extensions provided at the locations between the specific trace portions on the outer periphery of the performance board protrude outward beyond the specific trace portions. Therefore, if the front body has a peripheral wall portion that surrounds the outer periphery of the performance board, the extensions make it difficult for the specific trace portions to come into contact with the peripheral wall portion of the front body. This makes it possible to avoid a situation in which the performance board and the front body cannot be assembled together due to the specific trace portions protruding outward coming into contact with the peripheral wall portion, and allows the performance board and the front body to be reliably assembled.

Means 4: In any one of the configurations of means 1 to 3,
"The LED is
A side view LED capable of irradiating light in a direction along the substrate surface of the performance substrate is included,
The specific trace portion is
It is installed to avoid the illumination range of the side view LED.
The present invention is characterized in that

When the specific trace portion is formed by breaking and severing the connection portion with the fixed-length board that was established when forming the board outline, burrs due to the break are likely to occur at the tip of the specific trace portion. And when a side-view LED capable of irradiating light in a direction along the board surface is provided on the performance board, if a specific trace portion with a burr due to the break is provided within the range of irradiation of the light from the side-view LED, the burr of the specific trace portion will sparkle in the light from the side-view LED, making the specific trace portion stand out. In addition, the brightness of the specific trace portion will be uneven compared to other parts of the performance board due to its brightness, which will make the light-emitting performance look worse and may reduce the performance effect.

According to the configuration of the fourth aspect, the LEDs include a side-view LED that can irradiate light in a direction along the surface of the performance board, and the specific trace portion is arranged to avoid the range of irradiation of the light of the side-view LED. (See the description of the performance board 3520F in [Embodiment for carrying out the invention].)

As a result, the specific trace area is located away from the range of light irradiation by the side-view LED, so even if there is a burr in the specific trace area, the burr will not be noticeable due to the glittering light from the side-view LED. In addition, uneven brightness between the specific trace area and other areas of the performance board can be prevented, making the front body shine attractively with a uniform brightness, and the performance effect of the light-emitting performance of the front body can be reliably achieved.

Means 5: In the gaming machine,
"A gaming machine comprising a performance board on which LEDs that emit light according to the progress of a game are provided, and a front body that is provided in front of the performance board and is capable of transmitting light from the LEDs,
The LED is
A side view LED capable of irradiating light in a direction along the substrate surface of the performance substrate is included,
The performance board includes:
A light-colored solder resist applied to the surface on which the LED is provided, and a specific trace portion where a trace different from other portions is generated when the board outline is formed;
an extension portion extending from an outer periphery of the substrate at a portion between the specific trace portions to an outer side of the specific trace portions,
The specific trace portion is
The light-emitting diode is provided on a specific portion of the outer periphery of the performance board so as to protrude outward, and is provided to avoid the range of light irradiation from the side-view LED, and the light-colored solder resist is applied to the surface.
The present invention is characterized in that

According to the configuration of means 5, the gaming machine includes a performance board on which LEDs that emit light in accordance with the progress of the game are provided, and a front body that is provided in front of the performance board and is capable of transmitting light from the LEDs, the LEDs include side-view LEDs that can irradiate light in a direction along the board surface of the performance board, and the performance board has a light-colored solder resist applied to the surface on which the LEDs are provided, specific trace parts where traces different from other parts are created when the board outline is formed, and extension parts that extend outward from the outer edge of the board at parts between the specific trace parts, and the specific trace parts are provided to protrude outward at specific parts of the outer edge of the performance board and are provided to avoid the range of irradiation of the light from the side-view LEDs, and the light-colored solder resist is applied to the surface.

As a result, since the surface of the performance board is coated with a light-colored solder resist, it is possible to easily reflect light from the multiple LEDs provided on the performance board, as well as light from other LEDs, lighting, etc., to the front body. At this time, the surface of the specific trace portion protruding outward from the outer periphery of the performance board is also coated with a light-colored solder resist, and an extension portion extending outward from the outer periphery of the board at the portion between the specific trace portions is provided, so that light can be reflected at the specific trace portion and the extension portion, and light can be uniformly reflected using the entire surface of the performance board. Therefore, since the light-colored solder resist applied to the performance board including the specific trace portion makes it possible to decorate (glow) the front body with uniform brightness, it is possible to make the front body shine beautifully without increasing the number of LEDs on the performance board or using high-brightness LEDs, and it is possible to provide a gaming machine that allows players to enjoy the light-emitting performance of the front body and suppresses a decrease in interest.

As described above, since the front body can be made to light up in a visually appealing manner, there is no need to increase the number of LEDs on the performance board or change to high-brightness LEDs, and the power consumption required for the light-emitting performance of the front body can be reduced, making it possible to provide a gaming machine with high power-saving effects. In addition, by applying a light-colored solder resist to the specific trace areas as well, the front body can be made to light up in a visually appealing manner, so there is no need to increase the number of LEDs on the performance board or use high-brightness LEDs, making it possible to reduce the costs of the gaming machine.

In addition, the surface of the specific trace portion that protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the performance board is also coated with a light-colored solder resist, so that even if the surface of the performance board is visible from the player's side through the front body, the protruding specific trace portion is less noticeable. This prevents the front body from looking bad due to the specific trace portion being visible, and ensures that the player can enjoy the decoration of the front body and prevents a decrease in the player's interest in the game.

However, as in the prior art, the outer periphery of the performance board that is provided behind the front body that is formed in a predetermined decorative shape is not a simple rectangular shape, but is formed in a complex shape (irregular shape) that follows the periphery of the front body. When cutting out such an irregular performance board from a fixed-length board (also called a fixed-length board) using a processing machine such as an NC machine, a large amount of cutting chips is generated, so it is desirable to cut out (separate) the performance board before mounting electronic components such as LEDs, sensors, and connectors on the performance board. However, if the outer shape (outer periphery shape) of the cut-out performance board is irregular, a problem occurs in that it becomes difficult to set the performance board in an insert machine for mounting electronic components.

In response to the above problem, according to the present configuration, a specific trace portion is provided that protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the performance board, and the specific trace portion is used as a part of the connection portion with the fixed-length board, so that it is possible to use a processing machine such as an NC machine to form the board outer shape of the performance board to a certain extent before mounting electronic components. In detail, when cutting out the performance board from the fixed-length board using a processing machine such as an NC machine during the manufacture of the performance board, if the performance board is not completely separated but is connected to the fixed-length board (a discarded board or another board) at the connection portion (the part of the specific trace portion), even if the outer periphery of the performance board has a complex shape, since it is connected to the rectangular fixed-length board at the connection portion, the performance board before separation can be easily set in the insert machine via the fixed-length board, and electronic components can be mounted on the performance board before separation. Then, after mounting electronic components on the performance board before separation, the connection portion connected to the fixed-length board is cut in the middle and separated from the fixed-length board to obtain the desired performance board. In this case, the remainder of the cut connection becomes a specific trace protruding from the outer edge of the performance board, and because the connection connected to the fixed-length board is short (small) compared to the entire circumference of the performance board, even if the connection is cut, the amount of cutting dust generated is small and can be sufficiently sucked up by a dust collector, and does not affect the electronic components mounted on the performance board.

In addition, because the specific trace portion protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the presentation board, when manufacturing the presentation board, it is not necessary to cut off the connecting portion that was connected to the fixed-length board and finish the remaining portion of the connecting portion to fit along the outer periphery of the presentation board, which reduces the costs of the presentation board and, ultimately, the gaming machine.

In addition, because specific traces are provided that protrude outward from the outer periphery of the performance board, workers can use the specific traces as a guide to identify the mounting direction of the performance board when assembling it. In this case, for example, the number of specific traces protruding outward at one specific location may be made to differ depending on the side of the performance board. This allows the mounting direction of the performance board to be identified not only visually but also by touch, making the effort required for assembly easier.

In addition, the extensions between the specific trace parts are designed to extend further outward than the specific trace parts, allowing even more light to be reflected by the light-colored solder resist applied to the surface of the performance board, making the front body shine more attractively and providing a gaming machine that can reliably achieve the above-mentioned effects.

Furthermore, the extensions provided at the locations between the specific trace portions on the outer periphery of the performance board protrude outward beyond the specific trace portions. Therefore, if the front body has a peripheral wall portion that surrounds the outer periphery of the performance board, the extensions make it difficult for the specific trace portions to come into contact with the peripheral wall portion of the front body. This makes it possible to avoid a situation in which the performance board and the front body cannot be assembled together due to the specific trace portions protruding outward coming into contact with the peripheral wall portion, and allows the performance board and the front body to be reliably assembled.

In addition, since the specific trace portion is located outside the range of light irradiation from the side view LEDs among the multiple LEDs provided on the performance board, even if there is a burr in the specific trace portion, the burr will not be noticeable due to glittering light from the side view LEDs. In addition, uneven brightness between the specific trace portion and other parts of the performance board can be suppressed, making the front body shine attractively with a uniform brightness, and the performance effect of the light-emitting performance of the front body can be reliably achieved.

In this way, the above solution makes it possible to provide a gaming machine that entertains players and prevents a decline in interest by making the front body look attractive with the LEDs on the performance board.

[16-7c. Relationship between the solution of the seventh technical feature and the embodiment]
In this embodiment, the performance board 3520A, performance board 3520D, performance board 3520E, and performance board 3520F of the game board 5 correspond to the performance boards of the above-mentioned solution means, the decorative part 3510 in this embodiment corresponds to the front body of the above-mentioned solution means, the coating film 3523 in this embodiment corresponds to the light-colored solder resist of the above-mentioned solution means, the LEDs 3530 and LEDs 3535 in this embodiment correspond to the LEDs of the above-mentioned solution means, and the LED 3535 in this embodiment corresponds to the side-view LED of the above-mentioned solution means.

[16-7d. Characteristic effects of the seventh technical feature]
According to the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, since the surface of the performance board 3520A is coated with a light-colored solder resist as a coating film 3523, it is possible to easily reflect light from the multiple LEDs 3530 provided on the performance board 3520A, as well as light from other LEDs, lighting, etc., to the decorative part 3510 provided in the front. At this time, since the surface of the specific trace part 3561 protruding outward from the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A is also coated with a light-colored solder resist, light can also be reflected at the specific trace part 3561, and light can be uniformly reflected using the entire surface of the performance board 3520A. Therefore, the bright-colored solder resist (coating film 3523) applied to the performance board 3520A, including the specific trace portion 3561, makes it possible to illuminate (make the decorative body 3500) with uniform brightness, so that the decorative body 3500 can be made to shine beautifully without having to increase the number of LEDs 3530 on the performance board 3520A or use high-brightness LEDs, and a pachinko machine 1 can be provided that allows players to enjoy the illuminated performance of the decorative body 3500 and suppresses a decline in interest.

As described above, the decorative part 3510 (decorative body 3500) can be made to shine beautifully, so there is no need to increase the number of LEDs 3530 on the performance board 3520A or change to high-brightness LEDs, and the power consumption required for the light-emitting performance of the decorative body 3500 can be reduced, making it possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 with high power-saving effects. In addition, by applying a light-colored solder resist (coating film 3523) to the specific trace part 3561 as well, the decorative body 3500 can be made to shine beautifully, so there is no need to increase the number of LEDs 3530 on the performance board 3520A or use high-brightness LEDs, making it possible to reduce the cost of the pachinko machine 1.

In addition, an extension portion 3525 is provided that extends outward in the area between the specific trace portions 3561 on the outer periphery of the performance board 3520E, and since a coating film 3523 made of light-colored solder resist is applied to the surface of the performance board 3520E, the extension portion 3525 is also coated with a coating film 3523 made of light-colored solder resist. As a result, light can be reflected not only at the specific trace portion 3561 but also at the extension portion 3525, allowing the front decorative portion 3510 to be more brightly illuminated and decorated.

In addition, a coating film 3523 made of light-colored solder resist is applied to the surface of the specific trace portion 3561 that protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A, so that even if the surface of the performance board 3520A is visible from the player through the decorative portion 3510, the protruding specific trace portion 3561 is less noticeable. This prevents the decorative portion 3510 from looking bad due to the specific trace portion 3561 being visible, and ensures that the player can enjoy the decoration of the decorative portion 3510 (decorative body 3500) and prevents a decrease in the player's interest in the game.

However, as in the conventional technology, the performance board 3520A provided behind the decorative part 3510 formed in a predetermined decorative shape has a complex (irregular) outer periphery that follows the periphery of the decorative part 3510, rather than a simple rectangular shape. When cutting out such an irregular performance board 3520A from a fixed-length board (also called a fixed-length board 3550) using a processing machine such as an NC machine, a large amount of cutting chips is generated, so it is desirable to cut out (separate) the performance board 3520A before mounting electronic components such as LEDs 3530, sensors, and connectors on the performance board 3520A. However, if the outer shape (outer shape) of the cut-out performance board 3520A is irregular, a problem occurs in which it becomes difficult to set the performance board 3520A in an insert machine for mounting electronic components.

In response to the above problems, according to this embodiment, a specific trace portion 3561 is provided that protrudes outward from the outer peripheral edge of the performance board 3520A. This specific trace portion 3561 is used as part of the connection portion 3552 (connection remaining portion 3552a) with the fixed-length board 3550, making it possible to use a processing machine such as an NC machine to form the board outer shape of the performance board 3520A to a certain extent before mounting electronic components. In detail, when cutting out the performance board 3520A from the fixed-length board 3550 using a processing machine such as an NC machine during the manufacture of the performance board 3520A, if the performance board 3520A is not completely separated but is connected to the fixed-length board 3550 (the discarded board 3555 or another board) at the connecting part 3552 (the part of the specific trace part 3561), even if the outer peripheral shape of the performance board 3520A is complex, since it is connected to the rectangular fixed-length board 3550 at the connecting part 3552, the performance board 3520A before separation can be easily set in the insert machine via the fixed-length board 3550, and electronic components can be mounted on the performance board 3520A before separation. Then, after mounting electronic components on the performance board 3520A before separation, the connecting part 3552 connected to the fixed-length board 3550 is cut in the middle and separated from the fixed-length board 3550 to obtain the desired performance board 3520A. At this time, the remainder of the cut connecting portion 3552 (connecting portion 3552a) becomes a specific trace portion 3561 protruding from the outer edge of the performance board 3520A, and since the connecting portion 3552 connected to the fixed-length board 3550 is short (small) compared to the entire circumference of the performance board 3520A, even if the connecting portion 3552 is cut, the amount of cutting chips generated is small and can be sufficiently sucked up by a dust collector, and does not affect the electronic components mounted on the performance board 3520A.

In addition, since the specific trace portion 3561 is formed to protrude outward from the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A, etc., when manufacturing the performance board 3520A, etc., it is not necessary to finish the remaining connection portion 3552a to fit along the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A, etc. while cutting the connection portion 3552 connected to the fixed length board 3550, which reduces the costs associated with the performance board 3520A, etc., and ultimately the pachinko machine 1.

In addition, because specific traces 3561 are provided that protrude outward from the outer periphery of the performance board 3520 (3520C), when the worker assembles the performance board 3520 (3520C), the specific traces 3561 can be used as a guide to identify the installation direction of the performance board 3520C. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 169(b), the number of specific traces 3561 protruding outward at one specific location may be made to differ depending on the side of the performance board 3520C. This allows the installation direction of the performance board 3520C to be identified not only visually but also by touch, making the assembly process easier.

In addition, the extensions 3525 provided between the specific trace portions 3561 are designed to extend outward beyond the specific trace portions 3561, so that the coating film 3523 made of light-colored solder resist applied to the surface of the performance board 3520E can reflect even more light, making the decorative portion 3510 at the front shine more attractively, and providing a gaming machine that can reliably achieve the above-mentioned effects.

Furthermore, the extension portion 3525 provided in the portion between the specific trace portions 3561 on the outer periphery of the performance board 3520E protrudes outward beyond the specific trace portions 3561. Therefore, if the front decorative portion 3510 has a peripheral wall portion that surrounds the outer periphery of the performance board 3520E, the extension portion 3525 makes it difficult for the specific trace portion 3561 to abut against the peripheral wall portion of the decorative portion 3510. This makes it possible to avoid a situation in which the performance board 3520E and the decorative portion 3510 cannot be assembled together due to the specific trace portion 3561 protruding outward abutting against the peripheral wall portion, and allows the performance board 3520E and the decorative portion 3510 to be reliably assembled.

In addition, in the performance board 3520F, the specific trace portion 3561 is provided to avoid the range of light irradiation from the multiple side-view type LEDs 3535. Therefore, even if the specific trace portion 3561 has burrs, the burrs can be prevented from glittering and becoming noticeable due to the light from the LEDs 3535. In addition, uneven brightness between the specific trace portion 3561 and other portions of the performance board 3520F can be suppressed, allowing the decorative portion 3510 (decorative body 3500) provided in the front to shine with a uniform brightness and look attractive, ensuring the performance effect of the light-emitting performance of the decorative body 3500.

[16-8. Eighth technical feature]
This specification has the following technical features different from those described above.

[16-8a. Background of the eighth technical feature]
As a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine or a slot machine, a decorative unit has been proposed that has an opaque performance board on which a plurality of LEDs are mounted, behind a transparent front body formed in a predetermined decorative shape, and that can be moved between a retracted position away from the center of the play area and an appearance position near the center of the play area (for example, Patent Document F: JP 2011-130969 A). According to the technology of this Patent Document F, by moving the decorative unit from the retracted position to the appearance position, the decorative unit can be made to stand out, surprising the player and entertaining the player.

However, with the technology of Patent Document F, when the decorative unit is moved, the angle from which it is viewed by the player changes, making the outer edge of the presentation board more visible, and if the outer edge of the presentation board looks bad, the front body also looks bad, causing discomfort to the player and potentially reducing interest in the game.

Then, in consideration of the above situation, the following means aims to provide a gaming machine that can improve the appearance of the front body by making the outer edge of the performance board less noticeable, thereby preventing a decline in the player's interest.

[16-8b. Solution of the eighth technical feature]
Means 1: In the gaming machine,
"A gaming machine comprising a performance board on which LEDs that emit light according to the progress of a game are provided, and a front body that is provided in front of the performance board and is capable of transmitting light from the LEDs,
The performance board includes:
A light-colored solder resist is applied to the surface on which the LED is provided, and a specific trace portion is formed on the surface on which the LED is provided, the specific trace portion being different from other portions when the substrate outline is formed,
The specific trace portion is
The solder resist is provided in a specific area on the outer periphery of the performance board in a color different from the light-colored solder resist.
The present invention is characterized in that

Here, "according to the progress of the game" means "according to the acceptance of the game medium into a winning port (e.g., general winning port, normal winning port, starting port, big winning port, special winning port, V winning port, etc.) located within the game area into which the game medium is inserted by the player," "according to the game medium circulating within the game area passing through a specific area (e.g., a gate, warp passage, stage, etc.)," "according to a special pattern (special lottery result) drawn by the acceptance of the game medium into a winning port (e.g., starting port) located within the game area," and "according to the insertion of the game medium into a winning port (e.g., starting port) located within the game area." "Depending on the type of presentation (for example, reach presentation, big win presentation, miss presentation, etc.) to suggest the special pattern (special lottery result) selected upon acceptance," "Depending on the rotation of multiple reels, each with multiple patterns, triggered by the insertion of a gaming medium by the player," "Depending on the combination of patterns on the stopped reels, which are rotated and then stopped sequentially after multiple reels, each with multiple patterns, triggered by the insertion of a gaming medium," "Depending on the amount of gaming medium inserted into the gaming area," "Depending on the length of the blank for inserting gaming medium into the gaming area," etc.

Examples of "LEDs" include "top-view type LEDs that can irradiate light in a direction perpendicular to the substrate surface" and "side-view type LEDs that can irradiate light in a direction along the substrate surface."

Examples of "forward bodies" include "things that have decorations such as characters, items, logos, patterns, etc. (decorative bodies)" and "things that cover the performance board to protect it (covers, cases, etc.)". The "forward body" may be something whose entirety is located forward of the performance board, or something whose at least a portion of the shielding part is located forward of the performance board.

Furthermore, a "light color" is any color that is bright; for example, when the brightness of black is 0 and the brightness of white is 10, it is desirable for the brightness to be in the range of 5 to 10.

Examples of "traces" include "cutting marks made by end mills or drills, etc.," "cutting marks made by saws," "shearing marks made by scissors or pliers, etc.," "grinding marks made by rotating grinding wheels," "fatigue marks made by bending," "fracture marks made by reduced strength," and "polishing marks made by files or sandpaper, etc."

Examples of "specific traces" include "those that protrude outward from the outer edge of the substrate" and "those that are flush with the outer edge (outer side surface) of the substrate." Examples of "specific traces" include those that are clearly different from other parts when visually inspected, such as "those where other parts are cut marks and the specific traces are polishing marks" and "those where other parts are cut marks and the specific traces are fracture marks."

Furthermore, examples of "specific trace parts" include "parts that are a different color from the light-colored solder resist because no solder resist is applied," "parts that have a colorant such as ink or paint of a different color than the light-colored solder resist applied," and "parts that have a solder resist of a different color than the light-colored solder resist applied." Furthermore, it is preferable that the color different from the solder resist in the "specific trace part" is a darker color than the color of the light-colored solder resist. Furthermore, the specific trace part may be less glossy than the light-colored solder resist.

Examples of "specific parts" include "parts that bulge outward on the outer periphery of the performance board," "straight-line parts on the outer periphery of the performance board," and "parts near electronic components such as ICs and LED drivers."

According to the configuration of the first means, the gaming machine is equipped with a performance board on which LEDs that emit light according to the progress of the game are provided, and a front body that is provided in front of the performance board and is capable of transmitting light from the LEDs. The performance board has a light-colored solder resist applied to the surface on which the LEDs are provided, and a specific trace part in which a trace different from other parts is created when the board outline is formed, and the specific trace part is provided in a specific part of the outer periphery of the performance board in a color different from the light-colored solder resist. (In [Form for carrying out the invention], see chapters [11-1. Details of the performance board] and [11-2. Performance board of the second embodiment], as well as the descriptions in Figures 71 to 81, etc.)

As a result, because the surface of the performance board on which the multiple LEDs are provided is coated with a light-colored solder resist, the light from the multiple LEDs provided on the performance board, as well as light from other LEDs, lighting, etc., can be reflected back to the front body, making the front body brighter and more luminous than ever before, and the luminous decoration of the front body more noticeable, thereby increasing the impact of the luminous performance on the player. At this time, because the specific trace portion, which has a trace different from other parts on the outer periphery of the performance board, is a different color from the light-colored solder resist, if the color of the specific trace portion is made darker than the light color of the solder resist, the specific trace portion can be made to look relatively darker than the solder resist, making the specific trace portion and therefore the outer periphery of the performance board less noticeable. Therefore, even if the outer edge of the performance board is visible to the player, the outer edge is not noticeable due to the light color of the solder resist located nearby, so the presence of the performance board does not mar the appearance of the front body, making it possible to improve the appearance of the front body compared to conventional methods, and providing a gaming machine that allows players to enjoy the performance provided by the front body and prevents a decline in interest.

In addition, the specific trace parts on the outer periphery of the performance board are a different color from the light-colored solder resist applied to the surface of the performance board, and even when the surface of the performance board is visible from the player's side through the front body, the light color of the solder resist makes the different-colored specific trace parts less noticeable. This prevents the front body from looking bad due to the specific trace parts being visible, and ensures that the player can enjoy the decoration of the front body and prevents a decrease in the player's interest in the game.

As in Patent Document F, the performance board provided behind the front body, which is formed in a predetermined decorative shape, has an outer periphery that is not a simple rectangle, but is formed in a complex shape (irregular shape) that follows the periphery of the front body. When cutting out such an irregular performance board from a fixed-length board (also called a fixed-length board) using a processing machine such as an NC machine, a large amount of cutting chips is generated, so it is desirable to cut out (separate) the performance board before mounting electronic components such as LEDs, sensors, and connectors on the performance board. However, if the outer shape (outer periphery shape) of the cut-out performance board is irregular, a problem occurs in that it becomes difficult to set the performance board in an insert machine for mounting electronic components.

In contrast, in this configuration, a specific trace portion having a trace different from other portions is provided at a specific portion of the outer periphery of the performance board, and the specific trace portion is used as a part of the connection portion with the fixed-length board, so that it is possible to use a processing machine such as an NC machine to form the board outer shape of the performance board to a certain extent before mounting electronic components, thereby solving the above problem. In detail, when cutting out the performance board from the fixed-length board using a processing machine such as an NC machine during the manufacture of the performance board, if the performance board is not completely separated but is connected to the fixed-length board (a discarded board or another board) at the specific trace portion, even if the outer periphery of the performance board has a complex shape, the performance board before separation can be easily set in the insert machine via the fixed-length board because it is connected to the rectangular fixed-length board at the specific trace portion, and electronic components such as LEDs can be mounted on the performance board before separation. Then, once the electronic components are mounted on the performance board before separation, the part connected to the fixed-length board (the part with the specific trace) is cut (or broken), which creates a specific trace part that is different from the other parts in the connected part, and the performance board is completed with the outer periphery formed into the specified shape. At this time, because the part connected to the fixed-length board (the part with the specific trace) is short (small) compared to the entire circumference of the performance board, even if the connected part is cut, the amount of cutting dust generated is small and can be sufficiently sucked up by a dust collector, and does not affect the electronic components such as LEDs mounted on the performance board.

In this way, the specific trace portion provided on the outer periphery of the performance board is a different trace from the other parts of the outer periphery and is more noticeable than the other parts, so there is a risk that the presence of the specific trace portion will deteriorate the appearance of the performance board. However, as described above, by making the specific trace portion a different color from the light-colored solder resist, the specific trace portion of the performance board will not be noticeable, and it is possible to prevent the performance board from worsening the appearance of the front body, thereby improving the appearance of the front body, and the specific trace portion of the performance board will not cause discomfort to the player, and a decrease in the player's interest can be suppressed.

In addition, since the outer periphery of the performance board has a specific trace portion and the outer shape of the performance board can be formed using a processing machine with high processing flexibility such as an NC machine, it is possible to easily manufacture a performance board that corresponds to a front body with a complex outer periphery shape, i.e., a highly decorative front body, and it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can reliably demonstrate the decorative effect of the front body that is illuminated and decorated by the LEDs on the performance board.

Furthermore, by making the specific trace portion of the performance board a different color from the light-colored solder resist, the specific trace portion is made less noticeable. Therefore, when manufacturing the performance board, it is not necessary to cut off the connection portion that was connected to the fixed-length board and finish the remaining portion of the connection portion along the outer edge of the performance board, which reduces the cost of the performance board and, ultimately, the gaming machine.

In addition, because the outer periphery of the performance board has a specific trace portion that is different from other parts, when the worker assembles it, the specific trace portion can be used as a guide to identify the mounting direction of the performance board. In this case, for example, in one specific part, the state of the specific trace portion may be made different depending on the side of the performance board. This makes it possible to reliably identify the mounting direction of the performance board, and simplifies the effort required for assembly.

The performance board may be provided with a border of a different color from the light-colored solder resist, with a predetermined width from the outer periphery toward the center of the board. This makes it possible to provide a border of a different color from the light-colored solder resist on the outer periphery of the performance board, making the light-colored solder resist look bright and the border look relatively dark, making the outer periphery of the performance board less noticeable. This reduces the poor appearance of the front body due to the presence of the performance board, and also makes the front body look better than before, providing a gaming machine that allows players to enjoy the performance provided by the front body and prevents a decline in interest.

The specific trace portion may also be made to protrude outward from the outer periphery of the performance board. This allows the specific trace portion to be made less noticeable when the LED is turned on, which is the actual usage state, by making the specific trace portion a different color from the light-colored solder resist, even if the specific trace portion protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the performance board. This prevents the appearance of the front body from being impaired, even if the specific trace portion protrudes.

In addition, as described above, if the specific trace portion is made to protrude outward from the outer periphery of the presentation board, when the presentation board is manufactured, the connecting portion that was connected to the fixed-length board can be cut off, and the remaining portion of the connecting portion does not need to be finished to fit along the outer periphery of the presentation board, which reduces the costs of the presentation board and, ultimately, the gaming machine.

Furthermore, it is preferable to apply the light-colored solder resist away from the outer periphery of the performance board. In this way, since the light-colored solder resist is applied away from the outer periphery of the performance board, the specific trace portion provided on the outer periphery of the performance board can be made a different color from the light-colored solder resist along with the outer periphery of the performance board, making it possible to provide a gaming machine that can reliably achieve the above-mentioned effects.

As described above, the light-colored solder resist applied to the surface of the performance board is applied inward from the outer edge of the performance board. Therefore, if the solder resist is applied to a fixed-length board in advance from the outer edge of the performance board, even if the performance board is cut out from the fixed-length board by cutting, the light-colored solder resist will not be cut and no solder resist powder will be generated. This makes it possible to suppress the increase in cleaning costs after cutting, and no light-colored solder resist powder will remain on the performance board.

In addition, as described above, when the light-colored solder resist is applied in advance from the outer edge of the performance board, even if other components (decorative bodies) etc. come into contact with the outer edge of the performance board, they will not come into contact with the solder resist, so the light-colored solder resist will not chip off and generate powder, and the light-colored solder resist powder will not scatter and adhere to or accumulate on the performance board or decorative bodies etc. Because of this, since light-colored solder resist powder is not generated, there is no problem with the powder casting shadows during the light-emitting performance, causing poor contact in connectors etc., or impairing the appearance of the surfaces of the performance board or decorative bodies etc., and it is possible to provide a gaming machine that entertains players and prevents a decline in interest.

As described above, the light-colored solder resist is applied from the outer edge of the performance board, so that in a later process, assuming that chips of the solder resist are removed, the solder resist on the outer edge can be removed with a cutting tool such as an end mill when processing the fixed-length board, thereby constructing the light-colored solder resist applied from the outer edge of the performance board. Even in this case, the specific trace portion can be made a different color from the light-colored solder resist along with the outer edge, so that the same effect as above can be achieved.

Furthermore, the specific portion may be the bottom of a trapezoidal recess that is recessed from the outer periphery of the performance board. As a result, since the specific trace portion is provided at the bottom of the recess that is recessed from the outer periphery of the performance board as the specific portion, the specific trace portion does not come into contact with the front body, etc., and the specific trace portion can be in a form that protrudes outward from the portion that was connected to the fixed-length board during the production of the performance board after being cut off, eliminating the need to finish the specific trace portion, thereby reducing the costs of the performance board and, ultimately, the gaming machine. In this case, since the specific trace portion is a different color from the light-colored solder resist, it is possible to make the specific trace portion less noticeable, and it is also possible to make the recess that is recessed together with the specific trace portion less noticeable, improving the appearance of the front body.

The specific portion may also be at least one of the portion bulging outward and the straight portion on the outer periphery of the performance board. In this way, if the specific trace portion is a specific portion created during the manufacture of the performance board by cutting the connecting portion connected to the fixed-length board and then scraping the remaining portion of the connecting portion to match the outer periphery of the performance board, at least one of the portion bulging outward and the straight portion on the outer periphery of the performance board is the specific portion on which the specific trace portion is provided, making it easier to scrape the remaining portion of the connecting portion with a file or the like to give it a neat finish. Therefore, even if the specific trace portion of the performance board is visible through the front body, the appearance of the front body is not impaired because the specific trace portion is neatly finished.

In addition, as described above, when the specific portion (specific trace portion) is provided in the portion that bulges outward or the linear portion on the outer periphery of the performance board, the following action and effect can be achieved. In detail, when manufacturing the performance board, if the connection portion connecting the fixed-length board and the performance board is provided only in the recessed portion that is recessed toward the center of the board on the outer periphery (board outer shape) of the performance board, the connection portion does not exist in the portion that bulges outward between the recessed portion, so the bulging portion becomes more likely to deform downward due to its own weight. Specifically, for example, in the case of a gourd-shaped outer shape of a performance board in which two circles are joined together and the space between them is narrowed, if the connection portion with the fixed-length board is provided only in the narrowed portion, the circular portions on both sides will not have a connection portion, so the circular portions will become more likely to deform downward due to their own weight the further they are from the connection portion. And if the performance board deforms due to its own weight, it may be difficult to reliably mount electronic components such as LEDs when mounting them using an insert machine. In contrast, in this configuration, the specific areas (specific trace areas) are provided in the outwardly bulging and linear areas of the outer periphery of the performance board, so that when the performance board is manufactured, the areas between the connecting areas on the performance board are less likely to deform downward due to their own weight, compared to when the connecting areas connecting the fixed-length board and the performance board are only provided in the recessed areas of the outer periphery of the performance board. This means that when electronic components such as LEDs and ICs are mounted using an insert machine, deformation of the performance board is suppressed, allowing the electronic components to be mounted reliably.

Means 2: In the configuration of Means 1,
"The performance board is
The solder resist is characterized in that a border portion of a predetermined width is provided from the outer periphery toward the center of the board in a color different from that of the light-colored solder resist.

Here, examples of "bordering" include "a portion formed on the outer edge of the performance board by applying light-colored solder resist away from the outer edge of the performance board", "a portion on which a coloring agent such as ink or paint is applied", "a portion on which a solder resist of a different color than the light-colored solder resist is applied", etc.

According to the configuration of the second means, the performance board is provided with a border of a predetermined width from the outer edge toward the center of the board, the border being a different color from the light-colored solder resist. (See the description of the performance board 3520A in [Embodiment for carrying out the invention].)

As a result, the outer edge of the performance board is provided with a border of a different color than the light-colored solder resist, and the light-colored solder resist appears bright, making the border appear darker in comparison and making the outer edge of the performance board less noticeable. This reduces the poor appearance of the front body due to the presence of the performance board, and makes the front body look better than before, providing a gaming machine that allows players to enjoy the performance provided by the front body and prevents a decline in interest.

Means 3: In the configuration of means 1 or means 2,
"The specific trace portion is,
It is characterized by being "protruding outward from the outer periphery of the performance board."

According to the configuration of the third means, the specific trace portion is made to protrude outward from the outer edge of the performance board. (See the description of the anchor portion 3552a and the specific trace portion 3561 in the [Embodiment for carrying out the invention].)

As a result, even if the specific trace portion is conspicuous due to protruding outward from the outer periphery of the performance board, as described above, when the LED is turned on, which is the actual usage state, the specific trace portion can be made relatively less conspicuous by being a different color from the light-colored solder resist, so that the appearance of the front body is prevented from being impaired even if the specific trace portion protrudes.

In addition, because the specific trace portion is made to protrude outward from the outer periphery of the presentation board, when manufacturing the presentation board, it is not necessary to cut off the connecting portion that was connected to the fixed-length board and finish the remaining portion of the connecting portion to fit along the outer periphery of the presentation board, which reduces the costs associated with the presentation board and, ultimately, the gaming machine.

Means 4: In any one of the configurations of means 1 to 3,
"The light-colored solder resist is
It is characterized in that it is "applied in recessed relation to the outer periphery of the performance board."

Light-colored solder resists, which are colored light by adding white pigments such as titanium oxide, are harder than other solder resists and are therefore more likely to turn into powder. Therefore, when cutting a performance board from a fixed-length board with a light-colored solder resist applied to its surface, a large amount of light-colored solder resist powder is generated in addition to a large amount of cutting dust from the board material. Since the light-colored solder resist powder is fine, cleaning (removal) is time-consuming and may increase costs, and the powder may not be completely removed due to the time-consuming process, and may remain. In addition, if the light-colored solder resist is applied to the cut edge (outer periphery) of the performance board even after the performance board is cut from the fixed-length board, when another member comes into contact with the cut edge of the performance board, the light-colored solder resist, which is a hard material, may turn into powder and scatter, and may adhere to or accumulate on the performance board or other members (decorative objects), etc.

And when bright-colored solder resist powder adheres to and accumulates on the performance board, decorations, etc., the following problems may occur. For example, if the powder adheres to and accumulates on an LED mounted on the performance board, the LED may cast a shadow when it is turned on, which may dull the appearance of the light-emitting performance. Also, if the powder adheres to and accumulates on a connector, which is an electronic component mounted on the performance board, it may cause poor contact. Furthermore, if the powder adheres to and accumulates on the surface of the performance board, decorations, etc., the powder may dull (reduce) the appearance of the performance board, decorations, etc.

According to the configuration of means 4, the light-colored solder resist is applied from the outer edge of the performance board. (See the description of the coating film 3523 in [Embodiment for carrying out the invention].)

As a result, the light-colored solder resist is applied away from the outer edge of the performance board, so the specific trace portion provided on the outer edge of the performance board can be made a different color from the light-colored solder resist along with the outer edge of the performance board, making it possible to provide a gaming machine that can reliably achieve the above-mentioned effects.

In addition, since the light-colored solder resist applied to the surface of the performance board is applied from the outer edge of the performance board to the inside, if the solder resist is applied from the outer edge of the performance board in advance to the fixed-length board, the light-colored solder resist will not be cut even if the performance board is cut out from the fixed-length board by cutting, and the solder resist powder will not be generated. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the increase in the cost of cleaning after cutting, and the light-colored solder resist powder will not remain on the performance board. In addition, if the light-colored solder resist is applied from the outer edge of the performance board in advance, even if other components (decorative bodies) etc. abut against the outer edge of the performance board, they will not abut against the solder resist, so the light-colored solder resist will not chip and generate powder, and the light-colored solder resist powder will not scatter and adhere to or accumulate on the performance board or decorative bodies. Because of this, bright-colored solder resist powder is not generated, and the powder does not cause problems such as poor appearance due to shadows cast during light-emitting effects, poor contact in connectors, or poor appearance of the surfaces of the performance board or decorations, making it possible to provide a gaming machine that entertains players and prevents a decline in interest.

In addition, since the light-colored solder resist is applied from the outer edge of the performance board, it is possible to remove the solder resist from the outer edge with a cutting tool such as an end mill when processing the fixed-length board with the tool, assuming that cutting chips of the solder resist will be removed in a later process, thereby constructing the light-colored solder resist applied from the outer edge of the performance board. Even in this case, the specific trace portion can be made a different color from the light-colored solder resist along with the outer edge, so the same effect as above can be achieved.

Means 5: In any one of the configurations of means 1 to 4,
"The specific portion is
The bottom of a trapezoidally recessed portion is recessed from the outer periphery of the performance board.

By making the specific trace part a different color from the light-colored solder resist, the specific trace part can be made less noticeable, and therefore when manufacturing the performance board, it is possible to leave the remaining part (specific trace part) protruding outward from the outer periphery of the performance board after cutting the connection part that connected it to the standard-length board. However, if the specific trace part protrudes from the outer periphery of the performance board, there is a risk that when assembling the decorative body, depending on the gap with the front body to which the performance board is attached, the protruding specific trace part may come into contact, making it impossible to attach the performance board.

According to the configuration of means 5, the specific portion is the bottom of a trapezoidal recess that is recessed from the outer edge of the performance board. (See the description of recess 3557 in [Embodiment for carrying out the invention].)

As a result, the bottom of the recess that is recessed from the outer periphery of the performance board is provided as a specific portion, and the specific trace portion does not come into contact with the front body, etc., so the specific trace portion can be in a form that protrudes outward from the portion that was connected to the fixed-length board when the performance board was manufactured, without being cut off, and there is no need to finish the specific trace portion, which reduces the costs of the performance board and, ultimately, the gaming machine. In this case, since the specific trace portion is a different color from the light-colored solder resist, it is possible to make the specific trace portion less noticeable, and it is also possible to make the recess that is recessed together with the specific trace portion less noticeable, improving the appearance of the front body.

Means 6: In any one of the configurations of means 1 to 5,
"The specific portion is
The present invention is characterized in that it is "provided in at least one of the outwardly bulging portion and the straight portion on the outer peripheral edge of the performance board."

According to the configuration of means 6, the specific portion is at least one of a portion that bulges outward on the outer periphery of the performance board and a linear portion. (See the description of the performance board 3520A in [Embodiment for carrying out the invention].)

As a result, when the specific trace portion is created by cutting the connection portion connected to the fixed-length board during the manufacture of the performance board, and then scraping the remaining portion of the connection portion to match the outer peripheral edge of the performance board, at least one of the portion that bulges outward and the straight portion on the outer peripheral edge of the performance board is the specific portion where the specific trace portion is provided, so it is easy to scrape the remaining portion of the connection portion with a file or the like and give it a neat finish. Therefore, even if the specific trace portion of the performance board is visible through the front body, the appearance of the front body is not impaired because the specific trace portion is neatly finished.

In addition, since the specific portion (specific trace portion) is provided in the portion that bulges outward or the linear portion on the outer periphery of the performance board, the following action and effect can be achieved. In detail, when manufacturing the performance board, if the connection portion connecting the fixed-length board and the performance board is provided only in the recessed portion that is recessed toward the center of the board on the outer periphery (board outer shape) of the performance board, the connection portion does not exist in the portion that bulges outward between the recessed portion, and the bulging portion becomes more likely to deform downward due to its own weight. Specifically, for example, in the case of a gourd-shaped outer shape of a performance board in which two circles are joined together and the space between them is narrowed, if the connection portion with the fixed-length board is provided only in the narrowed portion, the circular portions on both sides will not have a connection portion, and the circular portions will become more likely to deform downward due to their own weight the further they are from the connection portion. And if the performance board deforms due to its own weight, it may be difficult to reliably mount electronic components such as LEDs when mounting them using an insert machine. In contrast, in this configuration, the specific areas (specific trace areas) are provided in the outwardly bulging and linear areas of the outer periphery of the performance board, so that when the performance board is manufactured, the areas between the connecting areas on the performance board are less likely to deform downward due to their own weight, compared to when the connecting areas connecting the fixed-length board and the performance board are only provided in the recessed areas of the outer periphery of the performance board. This means that when electronic components such as LEDs and ICs are mounted using an insert machine, deformation of the performance board is suppressed, allowing the electronic components to be mounted reliably.

Means 7: In the gaming machine,
"A gaming machine comprising a performance board on which LEDs that emit light according to the progress of a game are provided, and a front body that is provided in front of the performance board and is capable of transmitting light from the LEDs,
The performance board includes:
The surface of the side on which the LEDs are provided is provided with a light-colored solder resist applied from the outer periphery of the performance board, a specific trace portion which is a trace different from other portions when the outer shape of the board is formed, a border portion which is provided with a predetermined width from the outer periphery of the performance board toward the center of the board and is a different color from the light-colored solder resist, and a recess which is recessed in a trapezoidal shape at the bottom of at least one of the outwardly bulging portion and the linear portion at the outer periphery of the performance board,
The specific trace portion is
The solder resist is a different color from the light-colored solder resist and is provided protruding outward at the specific portion of the outer periphery of the performance board.
The present invention is characterized in that

According to the configuration of Means 7, the gaming machine is provided with a performance board on which LEDs that emit light according to the progress of the game are provided, and a front body that is provided in front of the performance board and is capable of transmitting light from the LEDs. The performance board has a light-colored solder resist applied to the surface of the side on which the LEDs are provided, from the outer periphery of the performance board, a specific trace portion in which a trace different from other parts is created when the outer shape of the board is formed, a border portion of a different color from the light-colored solder resist that is provided with a predetermined width from the outer periphery of the performance board toward the center of the board, and a recessed portion that is recessed in a trapezoidal shape and has a bottom that is the specific part in at least one of the outwardly bulging part and the linear part on the outer periphery of the performance board, and the specific trace portion is provided to protrude outward in a specific part of the outer periphery of the performance board, with a color different from the light-colored solder resist.

As a result, since the surface of the performance board on which the multiple LEDs are provided is coated with a light-colored solder resist, the light from the multiple LEDs provided on the performance board and the light from other LEDs, lighting, etc. can be reflected to the front body, making the front body brighter and more noticeable than before, and the light-emitting decoration of the front body can be made to stand out more, thereby increasing the impact of the light-emitting performance on the player. In this case, the light-colored solder resist is applied from the outer periphery of the performance board, and a border part of a different color from the light-colored solder resist is provided at a predetermined width from the outer periphery of the performance board, and the specific trace part having a trace different from other parts on the outer periphery of the performance board is a different color from the light-colored solder resist, so that if the color of the outer periphery of the performance board including the specific trace part is made darker than the light color of the solder resist, the outer periphery of the performance board including the specific trace part can be made to look relatively darker due to the light color of the solder resist, and the outer periphery of the performance board together with the specific trace part can be made less noticeable. Therefore, even if the outer edge of the performance board is visible to the player, the outer edge is not noticeable due to the light color of the solder resist located nearby, so the presence of the performance board does not mar the appearance of the front body, making it possible to improve the appearance of the front body compared to conventional methods, and providing a gaming machine that allows players to enjoy the performance provided by the front body and prevents a decline in interest.

In addition, the light-colored solder resist is applied from the outer periphery of the performance board, and a border of a different color than the light-colored solder resist is provided at a predetermined width from the outer periphery of the performance board. Therefore, even when the surface of the performance board is visible from the player through the front body, the light color of the solder resist makes the outer periphery of the performance board appear dark along with the specific trace portion, making them less noticeable. This reduces the poor appearance of the front body due to the presence of the performance board with the specific trace portion, and makes the front body look better than before, providing a gaming machine that allows players to enjoy the performance provided by the front body and prevents a decline in interest.

Conventionally, the outer periphery of a performance board that is provided behind a front body formed in a predetermined decorative shape is not a simple rectangle, but is formed in a complex shape (irregular shape) that follows the periphery of the front body. When cutting out such an irregular performance board from a fixed-length board (also called a fixed-length board) using a processing machine such as an NC machine, a large amount of cutting chips is generated, so it is desirable to cut out (separate) the performance board before mounting electronic components such as LEDs, sensors, and connectors on the performance board. However, if the outer shape (outer periphery shape) of the cut-out performance board is irregular, a problem occurs in that it becomes difficult to set the performance board in an insert machine for mounting electronic components.

In contrast, in this configuration, a specific trace portion having a trace different from other portions is provided at a specific portion of the outer periphery of the performance board, and the specific trace portion is used as a part of the connection portion with the fixed-length board, so that it is possible to use a processing machine such as an NC machine to form the board outer shape of the performance board to a certain extent before mounting electronic components, thereby solving the above problem. In detail, when cutting out the performance board from the fixed-length board using a processing machine such as an NC machine during the manufacture of the performance board, if the performance board is not completely separated but is connected to the fixed-length board (a discarded board or another board) at the specific trace portion, even if the outer periphery of the performance board has a complex shape, the performance board before separation can be easily set in the insert machine via the fixed-length board because it is connected to the rectangular fixed-length board at the specific trace portion, and electronic components such as LEDs can be mounted on the performance board before separation. Then, once the electronic components are mounted on the performance board before separation, the portion connected to the fixed-length board (the portion with the specific trace) is cut (or broken), which creates a specific trace portion that is different from the other portions in the connected portion, and the performance board is completed with an outer periphery formed into a specified shape. At this time, because the portion connected to the fixed-length board (the portion with the specific trace) is short (small) compared to the entire circumference of the performance board, even if the connected portion is cut, the amount of cutting dust generated is small and can be sufficiently sucked up by a dust collector, and does not affect the electronic components such as LEDs mounted on the performance board.

In this way, the specific trace portion provided on the outer periphery of the performance board is a different trace from the other parts of the outer periphery and is more noticeable than the other parts, so there is a risk that the presence of the specific trace portion will deteriorate the appearance of the performance board. However, as described above, by making the specific trace portion a different color from the light-colored solder resist, the specific trace portion of the performance board will not be noticeable, and it is possible to prevent the performance board from worsening the appearance of the front body, thereby improving the appearance of the front body, and the specific trace portion of the performance board will not cause discomfort to the player, and a decrease in the player's interest can be suppressed.

In addition, since the outer periphery of the performance board has a specific trace portion and the outer shape of the performance board can be formed using a processing machine with high processing flexibility such as an NC machine, it is possible to easily manufacture a performance board that corresponds to a front body with a complex outer periphery shape, i.e., a highly decorative front body, and it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can reliably demonstrate the decorative effect of the front body that is illuminated and decorated by the LEDs on the performance board.

Furthermore, by making the specific trace portion of the performance board a different color from the light-colored solder resist, the specific trace portion is made less noticeable. Therefore, when manufacturing the performance board, it is not necessary to cut off the connection portion that was connected to the fixed-length board and finish the remaining portion of the connection portion along the outer edge of the performance board, which reduces the cost of the performance board and, ultimately, the gaming machine.

In addition, because the outer periphery of the performance board has a specific trace portion that is different from other parts, when the worker assembles it, the specific trace portion can be used as a guide to identify the mounting direction of the performance board. In this case, for example, in one specific part, the state of the specific trace portion may be made different depending on the side of the performance board. This makes it possible to reliably identify the mounting direction of the performance board, and simplifies the effort required for assembly.

In addition, even if the specific trace portion is conspicuous due to protruding outward from the outer periphery of the performance board, as described above, when the LED is turned on, which is the actual usage state, the specific trace portion can be made relatively less conspicuous by being a different color from the light-colored solder resist, so that the appearance of the front body can be prevented from being impaired even if the specific trace portion protrudes.

Furthermore, because the light-colored solder resist is applied away from the outer edge of the performance board, the specific trace portion provided on the outer edge of the performance board can be made a different color from the light-colored solder resist along with the outer edge of the performance board, making it possible to provide a gaming machine that can reliably achieve the above-mentioned effects.

In addition, the light-colored solder resist applied to the surface of the performance board is applied from the outer edge of the performance board to the inside. If the solder resist is applied to a fixed-length board from the outer edge of the performance board in advance, the light-colored solder resist will not be cut away and no solder resist powder will be generated even if the performance board is cut out from the fixed-length board by cutting. This makes it possible to suppress the increase in cleaning costs after cutting, and no light-colored solder resist powder will remain on the performance board.

Furthermore, if the light-colored solder resist is applied in advance, away from the outer edge of the performance board, even if other components (decorations) etc. come into contact with the outer edge of the performance board, they will not come into contact with the solder resist, so the light-colored solder resist will not chip off and generate powder, and the light-colored solder resist powder will not scatter and adhere to or accumulate on the performance board or decorations etc. Because of this, since light-colored solder resist powder is not generated, there is no risk of the powder casting a shadow that makes the light-emitting performance look bad, causing poor contact in connectors etc., or spoiling the appearance of the surfaces of the performance board or decorations etc., and it is possible to provide a gaming machine that entertains players and prevents a decline in interest.

In addition, since the light-colored solder resist is applied from the outer edge of the performance board, it is possible to remove the solder resist from the outer edge with a cutting tool such as an end mill when processing the fixed-length board with the tool, assuming that cutting chips of the solder resist will be removed in a later process, thereby constructing the light-colored solder resist applied from the outer edge of the performance board. Even in this case, the specific trace portion can be made a different color from the light-colored solder resist along with the outer edge, so the same effect as above can be achieved.

In addition, because the bottom of the recess that is recessed from the outer periphery of the performance board is provided as a specific portion, the specific trace portion does not come into contact with the front body, etc., and therefore the specific trace portion can be in a form in which the portion that was connected to the fixed-length board during the production of the performance board is cut and left protruding outward, eliminating the need to finish the specific trace portion, thereby reducing the costs of the performance board and, ultimately, the gaming machine. In this case, because the specific trace portion is a different color from the light-colored solder resist, it is possible to make the specific trace portion less noticeable, and it is also possible to make the recess that is recessed together with the specific trace portion less noticeable, improving the appearance of the front body.

In addition, since the specific portion (specific trace portion) is provided in the portion that bulges outward or the linear portion on the outer periphery of the performance board, the following action and effect can be achieved. In detail, when manufacturing the performance board, if the connection portion connecting the fixed-length board and the performance board is provided only in the recessed portion that is recessed toward the center of the board on the outer periphery (board outer shape) of the performance board, the connection portion does not exist in the portion that bulges outward between the recessed portion, and the bulging portion becomes more likely to deform downward due to its own weight. Specifically, for example, in the case of a gourd-shaped outer shape of a performance board in which two circles are joined together and the space between them is narrowed, if the connection portion with the fixed-length board is provided only in the narrowed portion, the circular portions on both sides will not have a connection portion, and the circular portions will become more likely to deform downward due to their own weight the further they are from the connection portion. And if the performance board deforms due to its own weight, it may be difficult to reliably mount electronic components such as LEDs when mounting them using an insert machine. In contrast, in this configuration, the specific areas (specific trace areas) are provided in the outwardly bulging and linear areas of the outer periphery of the performance board, so that when the performance board is manufactured, the areas between the connecting areas on the performance board are less likely to deform downward due to their own weight, compared to when the connecting areas connecting the fixed-length board and the performance board are only provided in the recessed areas of the outer periphery of the performance board. This means that when electronic components such as LEDs and ICs are mounted using an insert machine, deformation of the performance board is suppressed, allowing the electronic components to be mounted reliably.

In this way, the above solution makes it possible to provide a gaming machine that can improve the appearance of the front body by making the outer edge of the performance board less noticeable, thereby preventing a decline in the player's interest.

[16-8c. Relationship between the solution of the eighth technical feature and the embodiment]
In this embodiment, the performance board 3520A, performance board 3520B, performance board 3520C, performance board 3520D, performance board 3520E, and performance board 3520F of the game board 5 correspond to the performance board of the above-mentioned solution, the decorative part 3510 (decorative body 3500) in this embodiment corresponds to the front body of the above-mentioned solution, the coating film 3523 in this embodiment corresponds to the light-colored solder resist of the above-mentioned solution, the LEDs 3530 and LEDs 3535 in this embodiment correspond to the LEDs of the above-mentioned solution, the recess 3557 in this embodiment corresponds to the recess of the above-mentioned solution, and the distance L2 in this embodiment corresponds to the specified width of the edging part of the above-mentioned solution.

[16-8d. Characteristic effects of the eighth technical feature]
According to the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, a coating film 3523 made of light-colored solder resist is applied to the surface of the performance board 3520A, etc. on which multiple LEDs 3530 are mounted, so that light from the multiple LEDs 3530 mounted on the performance board 3520A, etc., and light from other LEDs, lighting, etc., can be reflected to the decorative part 3510 (decorative body 3500) in front, making it possible to make the decorative body 3500 illuminate more brightly than before, and also making the illuminated decoration of the decorative body 3500 more noticeable, thereby increasing the impact of the illuminated performance on the player. In this case, a coating film 3523 made of light-colored solder resist is applied away from the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A etc., and a border portion of a different color from the light-colored solder resist is provided a predetermined distance L2 from the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A etc., and a specific trace portion 3561 having a trace different from other parts on the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A etc. is made a different color (darker color) from the light-colored solder resist. Therefore, the light color of the solder resist makes the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A etc. including the specific trace portion 3561 appear relatively dark, and the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A etc. together with the specific trace portion 3561 can be made less noticeable. Therefore, even if the outer peripheral edge of the performance board 3520A, etc. is visible to the player, the outer peripheral edge is made less noticeable by the light color of the solder resist located nearby, so the presence of the performance board 3520A, etc. does not detract from the appearance of the decorative body 3500 (decorative part 3510) in front, and the appearance of the decorative body 3500 can be made better than before, making it possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 that allows the player to enjoy the performance provided by the decorative body 3500 and prevents a decline in player interest.

In addition, the coating film 3523 made of light-colored solder resist is applied from the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A, etc., and a border part of a different color from the light-colored solder resist is provided at a width of a distance L2 from the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A, etc., so that even if the surface of the performance board 3520A, etc. is visible from the player through the decorative part 3510 (decorative body 3500), the light color of the solder resist (coating film 3523) makes the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A, etc. appear dark together with the specific trace part 3561, making them less noticeable. This reduces the poor appearance of the decorative body 3500 due to the presence of the performance board 3520A, etc. having the specific trace part 3561, and also makes the decorative body 3500 look better than before, making it possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 that allows players to enjoy the performance by the decorative body 3500 and suppresses a decline in interest.

However, as in the conventional technology, the performance board 3520A provided behind the decorative part 3510 formed in a predetermined decorative shape has a complex (irregular) outer periphery that follows the periphery of the decorative part 3510, rather than a simple rectangular shape. When cutting out such an irregular performance board 3520A from a fixed-length board (also called a fixed-length board 3550) using a processing machine such as an NC machine, a large amount of cutting chips is generated, so it is desirable to cut out (separate) the performance board 3520A before mounting electronic components such as LEDs 3530, sensors, and connectors on the performance board 3520A. However, if the outer shape (outer shape) of the cut-out performance board 3520A is irregular, a problem occurs in which it becomes difficult to set the performance board 3520A in an insert machine for mounting electronic components.

In response to the above problems, according to this embodiment, a specific trace portion 3561 is provided that protrudes outward from the outer peripheral edge of the performance board 3520A. This specific trace portion 3561 is used as part of the connection portion 3552 (connection remaining portion 3552a) with the fixed-length board 3550, making it possible to use a processing machine such as an NC machine to form the board outer shape of the performance board 3520A to a certain extent before mounting electronic components. In detail, when cutting out the performance board 3520A from the fixed-length board 3550 using a processing machine such as an NC machine during the manufacture of the performance board 3520A, if the performance board 3520A is not completely separated but is connected to the fixed-length board 3550 (the discarded board 3555 or another board) at the connecting part 3552 (the part of the specific trace part 3561), even if the outer peripheral shape of the performance board 3520A is complex, since it is connected to the rectangular fixed-length board 3550 at the connecting part 3552, the performance board 3520A before separation can be easily set in the insert machine via the fixed-length board 3550, and electronic components can be mounted on the performance board 3520A before separation. Then, after mounting electronic components on the performance board 3520A before separation, the connecting part 3552 connected to the fixed-length board 3550 is cut in the middle and separated from the fixed-length board 3550 to obtain the desired performance board 3520A. At this time, the remainder of the cut connecting portion 3552 (connecting portion 3552a) becomes a specific trace portion 3561 protruding from the outer edge of the performance board 3520A, and since the connecting portion 3552 connected to the fixed-length board 3550 is short (small) compared to the entire circumference of the performance board 3520A, even if the connecting portion 3552 is cut, the amount of cutting chips generated is small and can be sufficiently sucked up by a dust collector, and does not affect the electronic components mounted on the performance board 3520A.

In this way, the specific trace portion 3561 provided on the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A, etc. is a different trace from the other parts of the outer periphery (general trace portion 3560), and is more noticeable than other parts, so there is a risk that the presence of the specific trace portion 3561 will deteriorate the appearance of the performance board 3520A, etc. However, as described above, by making the specific trace portion 3561 a different color from the coating film 3523 made of light-colored solder resist, the specific trace portion 3561 of the performance board 3520A, etc. is not noticeable, and the deterioration of the appearance of the decorative portion 3510 (decorative body 3500) due to the performance board 3520A, etc. can be prevented, the appearance of the decorative body 3500 can be improved, and the specific trace portion 3561 of the performance board 3520A, etc. does not cause discomfort to the player, and a decrease in the player's interest can be suppressed.

In addition, since the outer peripheral edge of the performance board 3520A, etc. has a specific trace portion 3561, and the outer shape of the performance board 3520A, etc. can be formed by a processing machine with high processing flexibility such as an NC machine, it is possible to easily manufacture the performance board 3520A, etc. that corresponds to the decorative portion 3510 (decorative body 3500) with a complex outer peripheral shape, i.e., a highly decorative decorative part, and it is possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 that can reliably demonstrate the decorative effect of the decorative body 3500 that is illuminated and decorated by the LEDs 3530 of the performance board 3520A, etc.

Furthermore, by making the specific trace portion 3561 of the performance board 3520A, etc. a different color from the coating film 3523 made of light-colored solder resist, the specific trace portion 3561 is made less noticeable, so when manufacturing the performance board 3520A, etc., it is not necessary to finish the remaining connection portion 3552a along the outer edge of the performance board 3520A, etc. while cutting the connection portion 3552 that was connected to the fixed-length board 3550, and this reduces the costs associated with the performance board 3520A, etc., and ultimately the pachinko machine 1.

In addition, since the outer periphery of the performance board 3520, etc. has a specific trace portion 3561 that is a trace different from other portions, when the worker assembles the performance board 3520, the specific trace portion 3561 can be used as a guide to identify the mounting direction of the performance board 3520, etc. In this case, for example, the form of the specific trace portion in one specific portion may be made different depending on the side of the performance board. This makes it possible to reliably identify the mounting direction of the performance board, and makes it easier to assemble.

In addition, even if the specific trace portion 3561 (remaining portion 3552a) is conspicuous due to protruding outward from the outer peripheral edge of the performance board 3520A, etc., as described above, when the LED 3530, etc., is turned on in actual use, the specific trace portion 3561 can be made relatively less conspicuous by being a different color from the light-colored solder resist (coating film 3523), so that the appearance of the decorative portion 3510 (decorative body 3500) can be prevented from being impaired even if the specific trace portion 3561 protrudes.

Furthermore, since a coating film 3523 made of light-colored solder resist is applied from the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A, etc., the specific trace portion 3561 provided on the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A, etc. can be made a different color from the light-colored solder resist along with the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A, etc., and a pachinko machine 1 can be provided that can reliably achieve the above-mentioned effects.

In addition, the light-colored solder resist (coating film 3523) applied to the surface of the performance board 3520A, etc. is applied from the outer edge of the performance board 3520A, etc. to the inside. If the solder resist is applied to the fixed-length board 3550 from the outer edge of the performance board 3520A, etc. in advance, even if the performance board 3520A, etc. is cut out from the fixed-length board 3550 by cutting, the light-colored solder resist will not be cut and no powder of the solder resist will be generated. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the increase in costs for cleaning after cutting, and no powder of the light-colored solder resist will remain on the performance board 3520A, etc.

Furthermore, if the light-colored solder resist (coating film 3523) is applied in advance from the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A, etc., even if other components (decorative bodies) etc. abut against the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A, etc., they will not abut against the solder resist, so the light-colored solder resist will not chip and generate powder, and the light-colored solder resist powder will not scatter and adhere to or accumulate on the performance board 3520A, etc. or the decorative body 3500, etc. As a result, since the light-colored solder resist powder is not generated, the powder will not cause shadows to be cast during the light-emitting performance, will not cause poor appearance, will not cause poor contact in connectors, will not cause poor appearance of the surfaces of the performance board 3520A, etc. or the decorative body 3500, etc., and it is possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 that can entertain players and suppress a decline in interest.

In addition, since the light-colored solder resist (coating film 3523) is applied from the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A, it is possible to remove the solder resist from the outer periphery with a cutting tool such as an end mill when processing the fixed-length board 3550 with the tool, assuming that cutting chips of the solder resist will be removed in a later process, thereby constructing the light-colored solder resist applied from the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A, etc. Even in this case, the specific trace portion 3561 can be made a different color from the light-colored solder resist together with the outer periphery, so that the same effect as above can be achieved.

In addition, since the bottom 3557a of the recess 3557 recessed from the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A, etc. is provided as a specific portion with the specific trace portion 3561, the specific trace portion 3561 does not come into contact with the decorative portion 3510, etc., and the specific trace portion 3561 can be formed in a form in which the connection portion 3552 connected to the fixed-length board 3550 is cut and left protruding outward during the manufacture of the performance board 3520A, etc., and there is no need to finish the specific trace portion 3561, which can reduce the cost of the performance board 3520A, etc., and ultimately the pachinko machine 1. At this time, since the specific trace portion 3561 is a different color from the light-colored solder resist (coating film 3523), the specific trace portion 3561 can be made less noticeable, and the recess 3557 recessed together with the specific trace portion 3561 can also be made less noticeable, which can improve the appearance of the decorative portion 3510.

In addition, since the specific portion (specific trace portion 3561) is provided in the portion that bulges outward or the linear portion on the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A, etc., the following action and effect can be achieved. In detail, when manufacturing the performance board 3520A, etc., if the connecting portion 3552 connecting the fixed-length board 3550 and the performance board 3520A, etc. is provided only in the recessed portion that is recessed toward the center of the board on the outer periphery (board outer shape) of the performance board 3520A, etc., the connecting portion 3552 does not exist in the portion that bulges outward between the recessed portion, and the bulging portion becomes more likely to deform downward due to its own weight. Specifically, for example, in the case where the external shape of the performance board 3520A etc. is a gourd shape in which two circles are joined together and there is a narrow gap, if the connecting part 3552 with the fixed length board 3550 is provided only at the narrow gap, the connecting part 3552 does not exist in the circular parts on both sides, so that the circular parts are more likely to deform downward due to their own weight the farther they are from the connecting part 3552. And if the performance board 3520A etc. deforms due to its own weight, it may be difficult to reliably mount electronic parts such as LEDs 3530 when mounting them using an insert machine. In contrast, in this embodiment, the specific portion (specific trace portion 3561), i.e., the connecting portion 3552, is provided in the outwardly bulging portion or linear portion on the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A, etc., so that when manufacturing the performance board 3520A, etc., the connecting portion 3552 connecting the fixed length board 3550 and the performance board 3520A, etc. is provided only in the recessed portion on the outer periphery of the performance board 3520A, etc., the portion between the connecting portions 3552 on the performance board 3520A, etc. is less likely to deform downward due to its own weight, and when electronic components such as LEDs 3530 and ICs are mounted using an insert machine, the deformation of the performance board 3520A, etc. is suppressed, so the electronic components can be reliably mounted.

[16-9. Ninth technical feature]
This specification has the following technical features different from those described above.

[16-9a. Background of the ninth technical feature]
As a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine or a slot machine, a machine having a performance board on which a plurality of LEDs are provided, behind a decorative body formed in a predetermined decorative shape, has been proposed (for example, Patent Document G: JP 2019-209029 A). In the technology of this Patent Document G, electronic components such as ICs and LED drivers capable of controlling the emission of a plurality of LEDs are mounted on the performance board, and the LEDs are caused to emit light in various ways by the electronic components, allowing the player to enjoy the performance using the performance board.

However, with the technology of Patent Document G, if the electronic components are not sufficiently mounted on the performance board, the performance board will not be able to fully execute the performance, and the player will not be able to enjoy the game, which could reduce the player's interest.

In view of the above situation, the following means aims to provide a gaming machine that can entertain players and prevent a decline in interest by reliably demonstrating the presentation effects of the presentation board.

[16-9b. Solution of the ninth technical feature]
Means 1: In the gaming machine,
"A gaming machine that changes the display of symbols based on the establishment of a starting condition and awards a profit based on the result of the change display,
A performance board on which electronic components related to the performance performed during the variable display of the pattern are mounted,
The performance board is
a bright-colored solder resist is applied to a surface of the board, and a specific trace portion is provided at a specific portion of the outer periphery of the board, the specific portion being a trace different from other portions when the outer periphery of the board is formed;
The electronic component includes:
including at least a resistor, an LED, and an LED driver;
A specific electronic component including at least an LED driver among the electronic components is provided in a specific region surrounded by a plurality of the specific trace portions.
The present invention is characterized in that

Here, "the satisfaction of the start condition" includes "the reception of the gaming medium into a winning port (e.g., a normal winning port, a starting winning port (starting port), etc.) provided within the game area," "the gaming medium passing through a specific area (e.g., a gate) provided within the game area," "the operation of the start lever after inserting the gaming medium," etc.

Examples of "variable display" of patterns include "a display device such as a liquid crystal display device that displays multiple pattern rows consisting of multiple patterns, and variably displays each pattern row," "a light-emitting device such as an LED that creates patterns by combining the lighting and extinguishing of multiple light-emitting devices, and causes each light-emitting device to light up, blink, or turn off," and "a device in which multiple reel bodies on which multiple patterns are arranged in rows are provided, and each reel body is rotated," etc.

In addition, examples of "electronic components" include "ICs," "LED drivers," "LEDs," "organic EL," "LCDs," "sensors," "connectors," "diodes," and "resistors."

Examples of "specific electronic components" include "ICs," "LED drivers," "sensors," etc., and it is desirable for one to affect many electronic components (e.g., LEDs). Examples of "specific electronic components" include electronic components that are darker in color than white solder resist (e.g., black, gray, dark colors, etc.), electronic components that are more noticeable when a shadow is cast and that are taller from the board surface than general LEDs, etc. Examples of "LEDs" include "top-view type LEDs that can irradiate light in a direction perpendicular to the board surface," and "side-view type LEDs that can irradiate light in a direction along the board surface."

Furthermore, examples of "performance boards" include "boards on which LEDs are mounted (e.g., decorative boards)", "boards on which sensors for detecting the position of movable decorative objects are mounted (e.g., sensor boards)", "boards for connecting the performance control board and the decorative boards on which LEDs are mounted (e.g., relay boards)", "boards that are arranged so as to be visible to the player", "boards that are arranged in front of the performance display means", "boards on which light for performance is directly or indirectly irradiated", etc.

Also, a "light color" is any color that is bright. For example, when the brightness of black is 0 and the brightness of white is 10, it is desirable for the brightness to be in the range of 5 to 10.

Examples of "traces" include "cutting marks made by end mills or drills, etc.," "cutting marks made by saws," "shearing marks made by scissors or pliers, etc.," "grinding marks made by rotating grinding wheels," "fatigue marks made by bending," "fracture marks made by reduced strength," and "polishing marks made by files or sandpaper, etc."

Examples of "specific traces" include "those that protrude outward from the outer edge of the substrate" and "those that are flush with the outer edge (outer side surface) of the substrate." Examples of "specific traces" include those that are clearly different from other parts when visually inspected, such as "those where other parts are cut marks and the specific traces are polishing marks" and "those where other parts are cut marks and the specific traces are fracture marks."

Furthermore, examples of "specific parts" include "parts that bulge outward on the outer periphery of the performance board", "straight-line parts on the outer periphery of the performance board", "parts near electronic components such as ICs and LED drivers", etc.

The "specific area" may be the area between two specific trace parts (specific regions), or the area inside a polygon with three or more specific trace parts (specific regions) as vertices.

However, in the technology of Patent Document G, a performance board is attached to the decorative body, and when the decorative body is moved, the performance board moves with it. Therefore, depending on the position to which the decorative body is moved, the performance board may be visible through the decorative body or from the side. If the performance board does not look good, players may be disappointed, and the performance effect provided by the performance board may not be fully realized.

According to the configuration of the means 1, a gaming machine that changes the display of symbols based on the establishment of a starting condition and awards profits based on the result of the change display is provided with a performance board on which electronic components related to the performance performed during the change display of symbols are mounted, the performance board has a light-colored solder resist applied to the board surface, and a specific trace part is provided on a specific part of the board outer periphery where a trace different from other parts is generated when the board outer periphery is formed, the electronic components include at least a resistor, an LED, and an LED driver, and a specific electronic component including at least an LED driver is provided in a specific area surrounded by a plurality of specific trace parts. (In [Form for carrying out the invention], see chapters [11-1. Details of the performance board] and [11-2. Performance board of the second embodiment], as well as the descriptions in Figures 79 and 80, etc.)

As a result, since the surface of the performance board is coated with a light-colored solder resist, light can be reflected by the light-colored solder resist, and since LEDs are provided as electronic components on the surface of the performance board, light can be emitted by the LEDs. The brightness of the light reflected by the light-colored solder resist and the light emitted from the LEDs makes the specific trace portion, which has a trace different from other parts provided on the outer edge of the performance board, look relatively dark together with the outer edge of the performance board, making it less noticeable, and the poor appearance of the performance board due to the specific trace portion being visible can be reduced. Therefore, since the light-colored solder resist applied to the performance board can improve the appearance of the performance board, the player will not be disappointed even if the performance board is visible, and it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can easily demonstrate the performance effect of the performance board and suppress a decrease in the player's interest.

In addition, because the surface of the performance board is coated with a light-colored solder resist and is equipped with LEDs as electronic components, the light reflected by the light-colored solder resist and the light from the LEDs can create a brighter light-emitting effect for the player. As a result, for example, if a translucent decorative body is provided in front of the performance board, the light from the multiple LEDs and the light reflected by the light-colored solder resist can be used to make the decorative body glow with a uniform brightness, improving the appearance of the luminous decoration and making it possible to provide a gaming machine equipped with a performance board that provides a high performance effect.

In addition, because a light-colored solder resist is applied to the surface of the performance board, there is no need to print (apply) a light-colored paint or ink separately from the solder resist to make the surface of the performance board a light color, which reduces the effort and cost required for the performance board (gaming machine) and provides a gaming machine that achieves the same effects as described above.

As in Patent Document G, the outer periphery of the performance board that is placed behind a decorative body that is formed into a predetermined decorative shape is not a simple rectangle, but is formed into a complex shape (irregular shape) that follows the periphery of the decorative body. When cutting out such an irregular performance board from a fixed-length board (also called a fixed-length board) using a processing machine such as an NC machine, a large amount of cutting chips is generated, so it is desirable to cut out (separate) the performance board before mounting electronic components such as LEDs, sensors, and connectors on the performance board. However, if the outer shape (outer periphery shape) of the cut-out performance board is irregular, a problem occurs in that it becomes difficult to set the performance board in an insert machine for mounting electronic components.

In contrast, in this configuration, a specific trace portion having a trace different from other portions is provided at a specific portion of the outer periphery of the performance board, and the specific trace portion is used as a part of the connection portion with the fixed-length board, so that it is possible to use a processing machine such as an NC machine to form the board outer shape of the performance board to a certain extent before mounting electronic components, thereby solving the above problem. In detail, when cutting out the performance board from the fixed-length board using a processing machine such as an NC machine during the manufacture of the performance board, if the performance board is not completely separated but is connected to the fixed-length board (a discarded board or another board) at the specific trace portion, even if the outer periphery of the performance board has a complex shape, the performance board before separation can be easily set in the insert machine via the fixed-length board because it is connected to the rectangular fixed-length board at the specific trace portion, and electronic components such as LEDs can be mounted on the performance board before separation. Then, once the electronic components are mounted on the performance board before separation, the part connected to the fixed-length board (the part with the specific trace) is cut (or broken), which creates a specific trace part that is different from the other parts in the connected part, and the performance board is completed with the outer periphery formed into the specified shape. At this time, because the part connected to the fixed-length board (the part with the specific trace) is short (small) compared to the entire circumference of the performance board, even if the connected part is cut, the amount of cutting dust generated is small and can be sufficiently sucked up by a dust collector, and does not affect the electronic components such as LEDs mounted on the performance board.

In this way, the specific trace portion provided on the outer edge of the performance board is a different trace from the other parts of the outer edge, and is more noticeable than the other parts, so there is a risk that the presence of the specific trace portion will deteriorate the appearance of the performance board. However, for the same reason as above, the reflected light from the light-colored solder resist applied to the surface of the performance board and the light from the LEDs provided on the performance board can make the outer edge of the performance board relatively dark, making the specific trace portion provided on the outer edge less noticeable. Therefore, even if the performance board is visible, the player will not be disappointed, and it is easier to achieve the performance effect of the performance board, and the same action and effect as above can be achieved.

In addition, since the outer periphery of the performance board has a specific trace portion and the outer shape of the performance board can be formed using a processing machine with high processing flexibility such as an NC machine, it is possible to easily manufacture a performance board that corresponds to a decorative body with a complex outer periphery shape, i.e., a highly decorative decorative body, and it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can reliably demonstrate the decorative effect of the decorative body that is illuminated and decorated by the LED as an electronic component provided on the performance board.

Furthermore, as mentioned above, the surface of the performance board is coated with a light-colored solder resist, which makes the specific traces located at specific parts of the outer edge less noticeable along with the outer edge. Therefore, when manufacturing the performance board, it is not necessary to cut off the connecting parts that were connected to the fixed-length board and finish the remaining parts of the connecting parts to fit along the outer edge of the performance board, which reduces the costs of the performance board and, ultimately, the gaming machine.

By the way, when the performance board is manufactured, when the performance board is connected to the fixed-length board by multiple connecting parts, the overall strength and rigidity are reduced compared to the original fixed-length board, so it is easy to bend. And the amount of bending of the performance board based on the original fixed-length board tends to increase the further it is from the connecting parts. Therefore, when using an insert machine to mount electronic components such as LEDs, LED drivers, ICs, sensors (e.g., photosensors), and connectors on the performance board, the performance board is bent downward, so a small gap is formed between the leads and electrodes of the electronic components and the performance board, and soldering is performed without sufficient contact between the leads and electrodes and the performance board, or the electronic components are soldered in a tilted state. And if there is a mounting defect like the above, the electronic components will not function properly, making it impossible to execute the intended performance, and there is a risk that the performance effect of the performance board will not be fully demonstrated. To explain further, if a resistor or LED is installed improperly (implemented improperly), it only affects one device, but if an LED driver (a specific electronic component) is installed improperly, it affects all of the LEDs under it, so the LED driver is particularly important and must be installed properly.

In contrast, in this configuration, a specific electronic component that plays an important role in emitting LED light, such as an LED driver, is provided in a specific area surrounded by multiple specific traces, and the specific traces are used as connecting parts that connect the specific electronic component to the fixed-length board during the manufacture of the performance board, so that the specific electronic component is provided in the area surrounded by multiple connecting parts. As a result, the specific area surrounded by multiple connecting parts is less likely to bend than other areas of the performance board, so that when the specific electronic component is mounted using an insert machine, gaps are less likely to form between the leads or electrodes of the specific electronic component and the performance board in the specific area, and the leads or electrodes of the specific electronic component can be soldered in sufficient contact with the performance board, and mounting defects of the specific electronic component, such as soldering in a state of insufficient contact or soldering in a tilted state, can be reduced as much as possible. Therefore, the specific electronic components mounted (provided) on the performance board can be operated normally to reliably execute a performance using the performance board, so the performance effect of the performance board can be fully exerted, and the player can be entertained and the decline in interest can be suppressed.

In addition, because the outer periphery of the performance board has a specific trace portion that is different from other parts, when the worker assembles it, the specific trace portion can be used as a guide to identify the mounting direction of the performance board. In this case, for example, in one specific part, the state of the specific trace portion may be made different depending on the side of the performance board. This makes it possible to reliably identify the mounting direction of the performance board, and simplifies the effort required for assembly.

In addition, it is preferable that the board surface on which the LEDs as electronic components are provided in the performance board is the front surface and the opposite board surface is the back surface, and that the specific electronic components are provided on the back surface of the performance board. As a result, the specific electronic components such as the LED driver are provided on the back surface (rear surface, i.e., the surface opposite the player side) of the performance board as the electronic components, and therefore the following effects can be achieved. In detail, since the LED drivers and ICs as the specific electronic components are often black, if the black specific electronic components are provided on the front surface (front surface) of the performance board on which a light-colored solder resist is applied, the specific electronic components will stand out and the appearance of the performance board may be impaired. In contrast, in this configuration, the specific electronic components are provided on the back surface (rear surface) of the performance board, so even if the color of the specific electronic components is not a bright color such as black or a dark color, the specific electronic components will not be visible to the player, and the appearance of the performance board will not be impaired.

In addition, as described above, when the specific electronic components are provided on the back side of the presentation board, they can be made invisible to the player, so there is no need to take the trouble of coloring the specific electronic components or preparing brightly colored specific electronic components to make them difficult to see, reducing the effort and cost involved in the presentation board (gaming machine).

Furthermore, as described above, if the substrate surface on which the LEDs are mounted is used as the surface of the presentation substrate, the light from the LEDs will face towards the player, making the outer edge of the presentation substrate (specific trace portion) appear relatively darker by the light from the LEDs, making it possible to make the specific trace portion less visible and achieving the same effect as described above.

Furthermore, the performance board may be provided with copper foil that constitutes part of the electronic circuit to which the electronic components are connected and is provided on the board surface away from the outer edge, and multiple through holes provided near the outer edge of the copper foil. As a result, since the copper foil is provided away from the outer edge of the performance board, the copper foil of the performance board can be kept away from other components, and the occurrence of sparks (discharges) between other components can be avoided, and malfunctions of the performance board, other boards, electronic components, etc. due to sparks can be prevented, allowing the performance board, etc. to operate normally, and a gaming machine can be provided that can reliably demonstrate the performance effects, etc., provided by the performance board, etc.

In addition, as described above, when the performance board is provided with copper foil and multiple through holes near the outer edge of the copper foil, the through holes connect the copper foil on the front and back of the performance board, so that when the performance board is manufactured, the outer shape of the board can be cut using an end mill or the like to make the copper foil less likely to peel off even when subjected to vibration. In addition, if a light-colored solder resist is applied to the surface of the copper foil so that the outer edge of the solder resist is positioned outside the outer edge of the copper foil (the side closer to the outer edge of the performance board), the solder resist can also make the copper foil less likely to peel off, and the metallic luster of the copper foil cannot be seen on the surface, preventing the performance board from looking bad.

The specific portion may also be the bottom of a trapezoidal recess that is recessed from the outer periphery of the performance board. As a result, since the bottom of the recess that is recessed from the outer periphery of the performance board is provided as the specific portion, the specific trace portion does not come into contact with other members such as the decorative body, and the specific trace portion can be in a form that protrudes outward from the portion that was connected to the fixed-length board during the production of the performance board after being cut off, eliminating the need to finish the specific trace portion, thereby reducing the cost of the performance board and, ultimately, the gaming machine. In this case, since the surface of the performance board is a light color, the brightness makes it possible to make the specific trace portion relatively less noticeable, and therefore the recess that is recessed together with the specific trace portion can also be made less noticeable, improving the appearance of the performance board, decorative body, etc.

Furthermore, the specific portion may be provided on at least one of the outwardly bulging portion and the straight portion on the outer periphery of the performance board. In this way, when the specific trace portion is a specific trace portion created during the manufacture of the performance board by cutting the connecting portion connected to the fixed-length board and then scraping the remaining portion of the connecting portion to match the outer periphery of the performance board, at least one of the outwardly bulging portion and the straight portion on the outer periphery of the performance board is the specific portion on which the specific trace portion is provided, so that it is easy to scrape the remaining portion of the connecting portion with a file or the like to give it a neat finish. Therefore, even if the specific trace portion of the performance board is visible, the appearance of the performance board will not be impaired because the specific trace portion is neatly finished.

In addition, as described above, when the specific portion (specific trace portion) is provided in the portion that bulges outward or the linear portion on the outer periphery of the performance board, the following action and effect can be achieved. In detail, when manufacturing the performance board, if the connection portion connecting the fixed-length board and the performance board is provided only in the recessed portion that is recessed toward the center of the board on the outer periphery (board outer shape) of the performance board, the connection portion does not exist in the portion that bulges outward between the recessed portion, so the bulging portion becomes more likely to deform downward due to its own weight. Specifically, for example, in the case of a gourd-shaped outer shape of a performance board in which two circles are joined together and the space between them is narrowed, if the connection portion with the fixed-length board is provided only in the narrowed portion, the circular portions on both sides will not have a connection portion, so the circular portions will become more likely to deform downward due to their own weight the further they are from the connection portion. And if the performance board deforms due to its own weight, it may be difficult to reliably mount electronic components such as LEDs when mounting them using an insert machine. In contrast, in this configuration, the specific areas (specific trace areas) are located in areas that bulge outward or in straight areas on the outer periphery of the performance board, so when manufacturing the performance board, the areas between the connecting areas on the performance board are less likely to deform downward due to their own weight, compared to when the connecting areas connecting the fixed-length board and the performance board are only located in the recessed areas on the outer periphery of the performance board. As deformation of the performance board is suppressed when electronic components such as LEDs are mounted using an insert machine, even electronic components located outside the specific area can be reliably mounted.

Means 2: In the configuration of Means 1,
"The performance board is
a substrate surface on which the LED as the electronic component is provided is defined as a front surface, and a substrate surface on the opposite side is defined as a back surface;
The specific electronic component is
The present invention is characterized in that it is "provided on the back surface of the performance board."

Here, the front and back surfaces of the performance board include the board surface on which the LEDs are provided as the front surface, as well as "when the board surface faces forward and backward, the surface facing forward is the front surface and the surface facing backward is the rear surface", "when the board surface faces left and right, the surface facing the center of the play area is the front surface and the surface facing the opposite side of the center of the play area is the rear surface", and "when the board surface faces up and down, the surface facing the center of the play area is the front surface and the surface facing the opposite side of the center of the play area is the rear surface", etc.

According to the configuration of means 2, the side of the performance board on which the LEDs are mounted as electronic components is the front side, and the opposite side is the back side, and the specific electronic components are mounted on the back side of the performance board. (See the description of the specific electronic components 3533 in [Embodiment for carrying out the invention].)

As a result, specific electronic components such as LED drivers are provided on the back side (rear side, i.e., the side opposite the player side) of the performance board, which provides the following effects. In more detail, LED drivers, ICs, and other specific electronic components are often black, so if black specific electronic components are provided on the front side (front surface) of the performance board, which is covered with a light-colored solder resist, the specific electronic components will stand out and the performance board may look bad. In contrast, in this configuration, the specific electronic components are provided on the back side (rear side) of the performance board, so even if the specific electronic components are a non-light color such as black or a dark color, the specific electronic components will not be visible to the player and the performance board will not look bad.

In addition, as mentioned above, by providing the specific electronic components on the back side of the presentation board, they can be made invisible to the player, so there is no need to take the trouble of coloring the specific electronic components or preparing brightly colored specific electronic components to make them difficult to see, reducing the effort and cost involved in the presentation board (gaming machine).

In addition, because the surface of the board on which the LEDs are mounted is the surface of the performance board, the light from the LEDs faces the player, making the outer edge of the performance board (the specific trace portion) appear darker in comparison with the light from the LEDs, making it possible to make the specific trace portion less visible, thereby achieving the same effect as described above.

Means 3: In the configuration of means 1 or means 2,
"The performance board is
a copper foil that constitutes a part of an electronic circuit to which the electronic components are connected and is provided on the surface of the substrate in a recessed manner from the outer periphery;
A plurality of through holes provided near the outer periphery of the copper foil;
The present invention is characterized in that the above-mentioned "is further provided."

According to the configuration of the third aspect, the performance board is provided with copper foil that constitutes part of the electronic circuit to which the electronic components are connected and is provided on the board surface away from the outer edge, and multiple through holes that are provided near the outer edge of the copper foil. (See the description of the copper foil 3522 and the through holes 3524 in the [Mode for carrying out the invention].)

As a result, because the copper foil is set back from the outer edge of the performance board, the copper foil of the performance board can be kept away from other components, and the occurrence of sparks (discharges) between other components can be avoided. It is also possible to prevent malfunctions of the performance board, other boards, electronic components, etc. caused by sparks, allowing the performance board, etc. to operate normally, and it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can reliably demonstrate the performance effects, etc., provided by the performance board, etc.

In addition, multiple through holes are provided near the outer edge of the copper foil, and these through holes connect the copper foil on the front and back of the performance board. Therefore, when manufacturing the performance board, the board's outer shape can be cut using an end mill or the like to make it difficult for the copper foil to peel off even when subjected to vibration.

In addition, if a light-colored solder resist is applied to the surface of the copper foil so that its outer edge is positioned outside the outer edge of the copper foil (closer to the outer edge of the performance board), the solder resist can make the copper foil less likely to peel off, and the metallic luster of the copper foil can be prevented from appearing on the surface, preventing the performance board from looking bad.

Means 4: In any one of the configurations of means 1 to 3,
"The specific portion is
The bottom of a trapezoidally recessed portion is recessed from the outer periphery of the performance board.

By giving the surface of the performance board a light color, the brightness makes the specific trace portion less noticeable, and so when manufacturing the performance board, it is possible to leave the remaining portion (specific trace portion) protruding outward from the outer periphery of the performance board after cutting the connecting portion that connected it to the fixed-length board. However, if the specific trace portion protrudes from the outer periphery of the performance board, there is a risk that when assembling the decorative body, depending on the gap between the decorative body to which the performance board is attached, the protruding specific trace portion may come into contact with the decorative body to which the performance board is attached, making it impossible to attach the performance board.

According to the configuration of means 4, the specific portion is the bottom of a trapezoidal recess that is recessed from the outer edge of the performance board. (See the description of recess 3557 in [Embodiment for carrying out the invention].)

As a result, the bottom of the recess that is recessed from the outer periphery of the performance board is provided as a specific portion, and the specific trace portion does not come into contact with other components such as decorative bodies, so that the specific trace portion can be formed by cutting off the portion that was connected to the fixed-length board during the manufacture of the performance board and leaving it in a form that protrudes outward, eliminating the need to finish the specific trace portion, thereby reducing the costs of the performance board and, ultimately, the gaming machine. In this case, since the surface of the performance board is a light color, the brightness makes it possible to make the specific trace portion relatively less noticeable, and therefore the recess that is recessed together with the specific trace portion can also be made less noticeable, improving the appearance of the performance board, decorative bodies, etc.

Means 5: In any one of the configurations of means 1 to 4,
"The specific portion is
The present invention is characterized in that it is "provided in at least one of the outwardly bulging portion and the straight portion on the outer peripheral edge of the performance board."

According to the configuration of means 5, the specific portion is provided at least in one of the outwardly bulging portion and the straight portion on the outer periphery of the performance board. (See the description of the performance board 3520, etc. in [Embodiment for carrying out the invention].)

As a result, when the specific trace portion is created by cutting the connection portion connected to the fixed-length board during the manufacture of the performance board, and then scraping the remaining portion of the connection portion to match the outer peripheral edge of the performance board, at least one of the portion that bulges outward and the straight portion on the outer peripheral edge of the performance board is designated as the specific portion on which the specific trace portion is provided, making it easy to scrape the remaining portion of the connection portion with a file or the like for a neat finish. Therefore, even if the specific trace portion on the performance board is visible, the appearance of the performance board is not adversely affected because the specific trace portion is neatly finished.

In addition, since the specific portion (specific trace portion) is provided in the portion that bulges outward or the linear portion on the outer periphery of the performance board, the following action and effect can be achieved. In detail, when manufacturing the performance board, if the connection portion connecting the fixed-length board and the performance board is provided only in the recessed portion that is recessed toward the center of the board on the outer periphery (board outer shape) of the performance board, the connection portion does not exist in the portion that bulges outward between the recessed portion, and the bulging portion becomes more likely to deform downward due to its own weight. Specifically, for example, in the case of a gourd-shaped outer shape of a performance board in which two circles are joined together and the space between them is narrowed, if the connection portion with the fixed-length board is provided only in the narrowed portion, the circular portions on both sides will not have a connection portion, and the circular portions will become more likely to deform downward due to their own weight the further they are from the connection portion. And if the performance board deforms due to its own weight, it may be difficult to reliably mount electronic components such as LEDs when mounting them using an insert machine. In contrast, in this configuration, the specific areas (specific trace areas) are located in areas that bulge outward or in straight areas on the outer periphery of the performance board, so when manufacturing the performance board, the areas between the connecting areas on the performance board are less likely to deform downward due to their own weight, compared to when the connecting areas connecting the fixed-length board and the performance board are only located in the recessed areas on the outer periphery of the performance board. As deformation of the performance board is suppressed when electronic components such as LEDs are mounted using an insert machine, even electronic components located outside the specific area can be reliably mounted.

Means 6: In the gaming machine,
"A gaming machine that changes the display of symbols based on the establishment of a starting condition and awards a profit based on the result of the change display,
A performance board on which electronic components related to the performance performed during the variable display of the pattern are mounted,
The performance board is
the board includes a copper foil forming part of an electronic circuit to which the electronic component is connected and provided on the board surface away from the outer periphery, a plurality of through holes provided near the outer periphery of the copper foil, and a plurality of specific trace portions in which traces different from other portions are generated at specific portions of the board outer periphery when the board outer periphery is formed, the board surface is coated with a light-colored solder resist, and the board surface on which the LED as the electronic component is provided is referred to as the front surface, and the board surface on the opposite side is referred to as the back surface,
The specific site is
At least one of the outwardly bulging portion and the linear portion at the outer peripheral edge of the performance board is a bottom of a recess that is recessed in a trapezoidal shape from the outer peripheral edge of the performance board,
The electronic component includes:
including at least a resistor, an LED, and an LED driver;
A specific electronic component including at least an LED driver among the electronic components is provided on the back surface of the performance board in a specific area surrounded by a plurality of the specific trace portions.
The present invention is characterized in that

According to the configuration of means 6, a gaming machine that changes the display of symbols based on the establishment of a starting condition and awards profits based on the result of the change display is provided with a performance board on which electronic components related to the performance performed during the change display of symbols are mounted, the performance board is provided with copper foil that constitutes part of an electronic circuit to which the electronic components are connected and is provided on the board surface away from the outer periphery, multiple through holes provided near the outer periphery of the copper foil, and multiple specific trace parts that are different from other parts when the outer periphery of the board is formed in a specific part of the board outer periphery, and a light-colored solder resist is applied to the board surface, and the board surface on which the LED as an electronic component is provided is the front surface and the board surface on the opposite side is the back surface, and the specific part is the bottom of a recess that is recessed in a trapezoidal shape from the outer periphery of the performance board in at least one of the outwardly bulging part and the straight part on the outer periphery of the performance board, and the electronic components include at least a resistor, an LED, and an LED driver, and specific electronic components including at least an LED driver are provided on the back surface of the performance board in a specific area surrounded by the multiple specific trace parts.

As a result, since the surface of the performance board is coated with a light-colored solder resist, light can be reflected by the light-colored solder resist, and since the surface of the performance board is provided with LEDs as electronic components, light can be emitted by the LEDs. The brightness of the light reflected by the light-colored solder resist and the light emitted from the LEDs makes the specific trace portion, which has a trace different from other parts provided on the outer edge of the performance board, look relatively dark together with the outer edge of the performance board, making it less noticeable, and the poor appearance of the performance board due to the specific trace portion being visible can be reduced. Therefore, since the light-colored solder resist applied to the performance board can improve the appearance of the performance board, the player will not be disappointed even if the performance board is visible, and it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can easily demonstrate the performance effect of the performance board and suppress a decrease in the player's interest.

In addition, specific electronic components such as LED drivers are provided on the back side (rear side, i.e., the side opposite the player side) of the performance board as electronic components, which provides the following effects. In detail, LED drivers, ICs, and the like are often black as specific electronic components, so if black specific electronic components are provided on the front side (front surface) of the performance board that is covered with a light-colored solder resist, the specific electronic components will stand out and the performance board may look bad. In contrast, in this configuration, the specific electronic components are provided on the back side (rear surface) of the performance board, so even if the specific electronic components are a color that is not bright, such as black or a dark color, the specific electronic components will not be visible to the player and the performance board will not look bad.

In addition, as mentioned above, by providing the specific electronic components on the back side of the presentation board, they can be made invisible to the player, so there is no need to take the trouble of coloring the specific electronic components or preparing brightly colored specific electronic components to make them difficult to see, reducing the effort and cost involved in the presentation board (gaming machine).

In addition, because the surface of the board on which the LEDs are mounted is the surface of the performance board, the light from the LEDs faces the player, making the outer edge of the performance board (the specific trace portion) appear darker in comparison with the light from the LEDs, making it possible to make the specific trace portion less visible, thereby achieving the same effect as described above.

Furthermore, because the surface of the performance board is coated with a light-colored solder resist and is equipped with LEDs as electronic components, the light reflected by the light-colored solder resist and the light from the LEDs can create a brighter light-emitting effect for the player. As a result, for example, if a translucent decorative body is provided in front of the performance board, the light from the multiple LEDs and the light reflected by the light-colored solder resist can be used to make the decorative body glow with a uniform brightness, improving the appearance of the luminous decoration and making it possible to provide a gaming machine equipped with a performance board that provides a high performance effect.

In addition, because a light-colored solder resist is applied to the surface of the performance board, there is no need to print (apply) a light-colored paint or ink separately from the solder resist to make the surface of the performance board a light color, which reduces the effort and cost required for the performance board (gaming machine) and provides a gaming machine that achieves the same effects as described above.

Conventionally, the outer periphery of a performance board that is placed behind a decorative body formed into a specific decorative shape is not a simple rectangle, but is formed into a complex (irregular) shape that follows the periphery of the decorative body. When cutting out such an irregular performance board from a fixed-length board (also called a fixed-length board) using a processing machine such as an NC machine, a large amount of cutting chips is generated, so it is desirable to cut out (separate) the performance board before mounting electronic components such as LEDs, sensors, and connectors on the performance board. However, if the outer shape (outer periphery) of the cut-out performance board is irregular, a problem occurs in that it becomes difficult to set the performance board in an insert machine for mounting electronic components.

In contrast, in this configuration, a specific trace portion having a trace different from other portions is provided at a specific portion of the outer periphery of the performance board, and the specific trace portion is used as a part of the connection portion with the fixed-length board, so that it is possible to use a processing machine such as an NC machine to form the board outer shape of the performance board to a certain extent before mounting electronic components, thereby solving the above problem. In detail, when cutting out the performance board from the fixed-length board using a processing machine such as an NC machine during the manufacture of the performance board, if the performance board is not completely separated but is connected to the fixed-length board (a discarded board or another board) at the specific trace portion, even if the outer periphery of the performance board has a complex shape, the performance board before separation can be easily set in the insert machine via the fixed-length board because it is connected to the rectangular fixed-length board at the specific trace portion, and electronic components such as LEDs can be mounted on the performance board before separation. Then, once the electronic components are mounted on the performance board before separation, the part connected to the fixed-length board (the part with the specific trace) is cut (or broken), which creates a specific trace part that is different from the other parts in the connected part, and the performance board is completed with the outer periphery formed into the specified shape. At this time, because the part connected to the fixed-length board (the part with the specific trace) is short (small) compared to the entire circumference of the performance board, even if the connected part is cut, the amount of cutting dust generated is small and can be sufficiently sucked up by a dust collector, and does not affect the electronic components such as LEDs mounted on the performance board.

In this way, the specific trace portion on the outer periphery of the performance board is a different trace from the other parts of the outer periphery and is more noticeable than the other parts, so there is a risk that the presence of the specific trace portion will deteriorate the appearance of the performance board. However, for the same reason as above, the reflected light from the light-colored solder resist applied to the surface of the performance board and the light from the LEDs on the surface of the performance board can make the outer periphery of the performance board relatively dark, making the specific trace portion on the outer periphery less noticeable. Therefore, even if the performance board is visible, the player will not be disappointed, and it is easier to achieve the performance effect of the performance board, and the same action and effect as above can be achieved.

In addition, since the outer periphery of the performance board has a specific trace portion and the outer shape of the performance board can be formed using a processing machine with high processing flexibility such as an NC machine, it is possible to easily manufacture a performance board that corresponds to a decorative body with a complex outer periphery shape, i.e., a highly decorative decorative body, and it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can reliably demonstrate the decorative effect of the decorative body that is illuminated and decorated by the LED as an electronic component provided on the performance board.

Furthermore, as mentioned above, the surface of the performance board is coated with a light-colored solder resist, which makes the specific traces located at specific parts of the outer edge less noticeable along with the outer edge. Therefore, when manufacturing the performance board, it is not necessary to cut off the connecting parts that were connected to the fixed-length board and finish the remaining parts of the connecting parts to fit along the outer edge of the performance board, which reduces the costs of the performance board and, ultimately, the gaming machine.

In addition, because the outer periphery of the performance board has a specific trace portion that is different from other parts, when the worker assembles it, the specific trace portion can be used as a guide to identify the mounting direction of the performance board. In this case, for example, in one specific part, the state of the specific trace portion may be made different depending on the side of the performance board. This makes it possible to reliably identify the mounting direction of the performance board, and simplifies the effort required for assembly.

By the way, when the performance board is manufactured, when the performance board is connected to the fixed-length board by multiple connecting parts, the overall strength and rigidity are reduced compared to the original fixed-length board, so it is easy to bend. And the amount of bending of the performance board based on the original fixed-length board tends to increase the further it is from the connecting parts. Therefore, when electronic components such as LEDs, LED drivers, ICs, sensors (e.g., photosensors), and connectors are mounted on the performance board using an insert machine, the performance board is bent downward, so a small gap is formed between the leads and electrodes of the electronic components and the copper foil of the performance board, and soldering is performed without sufficient contact between the leads and electrodes and the copper foil, or the electronic components are soldered in a tilted state. And if there is a mounting defect like the above, the electronic components will not function properly, making it impossible to execute the intended performance, and it may not be possible to fully demonstrate the performance effect of the performance board. To explain further, if a resistor or LED is installed improperly (implemented improperly), it only affects one device, but if an LED driver (a specific electronic component) is installed improperly, it affects all of the LEDs under it, so the LED driver is particularly important and must be installed properly.

In contrast, in this configuration, a specific electronic component that plays an important role in emitting LED light, such as an LED driver, is provided in a specific area surrounded by multiple specific traces, and the specific traces are used as connecting parts that connect the specific electronic component to the fixed-length board during the production of the performance board, so that the specific electronic component is provided in the area surrounded by multiple connecting parts. As a result, the specific area surrounded by multiple connecting parts is less likely to bend than other areas of the performance board, so that when the specific electronic component is mounted using an insert machine, gaps are less likely to form between the leads or electrodes of the specific electronic component and the copper foil in the specific area, and the leads or electrodes of the electronic component can be soldered in a state of sufficient contact with the copper foil, and mounting defects of the specific electronic component, such as soldering in a state of insufficient contact or soldering in a tilted state, can be reduced as much as possible. Therefore, the specific electronic components mounted (provided) on the performance board can be operated normally to reliably execute the performance using the performance board, so the performance effect of the performance board can be fully exerted, and the player can be entertained and the decline in interest can be suppressed.

In addition, because the copper foil is set back from the outer edge of the performance board, the copper foil of the performance board can be kept away from other components, which prevents sparks (discharges) from occurring between the performance board and other components. It also prevents malfunctions of the performance board, other boards, electronic components, etc. caused by sparks, allowing the performance board, etc. to function normally, providing a gaming machine that can reliably demonstrate the performance effects provided by the performance board, etc.

In addition, the performance board has multiple through holes near the outer edge of the copper foil, and these through holes connect the copper foil on the front and back of the performance board. Therefore, when the performance board is manufactured, the outer shape of the board can be cut using an end mill or the like to make the copper foil less likely to peel off even when vibrations act on it. Furthermore, if a light-colored solder resist is applied to the surface of the performance board (copper foil) so that the outer edge of the solder resist is positioned outside the outer edge of the copper foil (the side closer to the outer edge of the performance board), the solder resist can also make the copper foil less likely to peel off, and the metallic luster of the copper foil cannot be seen on the surface, preventing the performance board from looking bad.

In addition, because the bottom of the recess that is recessed from the outer periphery of the performance board is provided as a specific portion, the specific trace portion does not come into contact with other components such as decorative bodies, and the specific trace portion can be in the form of a portion that was connected to the fixed-length board during the manufacture of the performance board being cut off and protruding outward, eliminating the need to finish the specific trace portion, thereby reducing the costs of the performance board and, ultimately, the gaming machine. In this case, because the surface of the performance board is a light color, the brightness makes it possible to make the specific trace portion relatively less noticeable, and therefore makes it possible to make the recess that is recessed together with the specific trace portion less noticeable, improving the appearance of the performance board, decorative bodies, etc.

Furthermore, when the specific trace portion is created by cutting the connection portion connected to the fixed-length board during the manufacture of the performance board, and then scraping the remaining portion of the connection portion to match the outer periphery of the performance board, at least one of the portion that bulges outward and the straight portion on the outer periphery of the performance board is the specific portion on which the specific trace portion is provided, so that it is easy to scrape the remaining portion of the connection portion with a file or the like and give it a neat finish. Therefore, even if the specific trace portion on the performance board is visible, the appearance of the performance board is not impaired because the specific trace portion is neatly finished.

In addition, since the specific portion (specific trace portion) is provided in the portion that bulges outward or the linear portion on the outer periphery of the performance board, the following action and effect can be achieved. In detail, when manufacturing the performance board, if the connection portion connecting the fixed-length board and the performance board is provided only in the recessed portion that is recessed toward the center of the board on the outer periphery (board outer shape) of the performance board, the connection portion does not exist in the portion that bulges outward between the recessed portion, and the bulging portion becomes more likely to deform downward due to its own weight. Specifically, for example, in the case of a gourd-shaped outer shape of a performance board in which two circles are joined together and the space between them is narrowed, if the connection portion with the fixed-length board is provided only in the narrowed portion, the circular portions on both sides will not have a connection portion, and the circular portions will become more likely to deform downward due to their own weight the further they are from the connection portion. And if the performance board deforms due to its own weight, it may be difficult to reliably mount electronic components such as LEDs when mounting them using an insert machine. In contrast, in this configuration, the specific areas (specific trace areas) are located in areas that bulge outward or in straight areas on the outer periphery of the performance board, so when manufacturing the performance board, the areas between the connecting areas on the performance board are less likely to deform downward due to their own weight, compared to when the connecting areas connecting the fixed-length board and the performance board are only located in the recessed areas on the outer periphery of the performance board. As deformation of the performance board is suppressed when electronic components such as LEDs are mounted using an insert machine, even electronic components located outside the specific area can be reliably mounted.

In this way, the above solution makes it possible to provide a gaming machine that can reliably demonstrate the presentation effects of the presentation board, thereby entertaining players and preventing a decline in interest.

[16-9c. Relationship between the solution of the ninth technical feature and the embodiment]
In this embodiment, the performance board 3520, performance board 3520A, performance board 3520B, performance board 3520C, performance board 3520D, performance board 3520E, and performance board 3520F of the game board 5 correspond to the performance board of the above-mentioned solution means, the coating film 3523 in this embodiment corresponds to the light-colored solder resist of the above-mentioned solution means, the LED 3530 and LED 3535 in this embodiment correspond to the LED of the above-mentioned solution means, the specific electronic component 3533 in this embodiment corresponds to the specific electronic component of the above-mentioned solution means, the component placement area 3534 in this embodiment corresponds to the specific area of the above-mentioned solution means, and the recess 3557 in this embodiment corresponds to the recess of the above-mentioned solution means.

[16-9d. Characteristic effect of the ninth technical feature]
According to the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, a coating film 3523 made of light-colored solder resist is applied to the surface of the performance board 3520 etc., so that light can be reflected by the light-colored solder resist, and since an LED 3530 as an electronic component is provided on the surface of the performance board 3520 etc., light can be irradiated by the LED 3530. Therefore, the brightness of the light reflected by the light-colored solder resist and the light irradiated from the LED 3530 makes the specific trace portion 3561, which has a trace different from other parts provided on the outer edge of the performance board 3520 etc., appear relatively dark together with the outer edge of the performance board 3520 etc., making it less noticeable, and the poor appearance of the performance board 3520 etc. due to the specific trace portion 3561 being visible can be reduced. Therefore, the bright colored solder resist applied to the performance board 3520, etc. can improve the appearance of the performance board 3520, etc., so that the player will not be disappointed even if the performance board 3520, etc. is visible, and the performance effects of the performance board 3520, etc. can be easily achieved, making it possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 that is capable of preventing a decline in the player's interest.

In addition, since the specific electronic components 3533 such as LED drivers are provided on the back surface (rear surface, i.e., the surface opposite to the player side) of the performance board 3520 in the component placement area 3534, the following effects can be achieved. In detail, since the specific electronic components 3533 such as LED drivers and ICs are often black, if the black specific electronic components 3533 are provided on the surface (front surface) of the performance board 3520 to which a light-colored solder resist (coating film 3523) is applied, the specific electronic components 3533 will stand out, and the appearance of the performance board 3520 may be impaired. In contrast, in this embodiment, since the specific electronic components 3533 are provided on the back surface (rear surface) of the performance board 3520, even if the color of the specific electronic components 3533 is not a bright color such as black or a dark color, the specific electronic components 3533 will not be visible to the player, and the appearance of the performance board 3520 will not be impaired.

As described above, the specific electronic components 3533 can be made invisible to the player by providing them on the back side of the performance board 3520 etc. in the component placement area 3534, so there is no need to take the trouble of coloring the specific electronic components 3533 or preparing specific electronic components 3533 in a bright color in order to make the specific electronic components 3533 difficult to see, thereby reducing the effort and cost involved with the performance board 3520 etc. (pachinko machine 1).

In addition, because the board surface on which the first LED 3531 is mounted is the surface of the performance board 3520, etc., the light from the first LED 3531 faces the player, making the outer periphery (specific trace portion 3561) of the performance board 3520, etc. appear brighter due to the light from the first LED 3531, and making the specific trace portion 3561 less visible, achieving the same effect as described above.

Furthermore, since the surface of the performance board 3520, etc. is coated with a light-colored solder resist and LEDs 3530 are provided as electronic components, the light reflected by the light-colored solder resist and the light from the LEDs 3530 can provide the player with a brighter light-emitting performance. As a result, if a translucent decorative body 3500 (decorative part 3510) is provided in front of the performance board 3520, etc., the light from the multiple LEDs 3530 and the light reflected by the light-colored solder resist can be used to decorate the decorative body 3500 with a uniform brightness, improving the appearance of the luminous decoration, and a pachinko machine 1 can be provided in which a performance board 3520, etc. with a high performance effect is provided.

In addition, because a light-colored solder resist (coating film 3523) is applied to the surface of the performance board 3520, etc., there is no need to print (apply) a light-colored paint or ink separately from the solder resist to make the surface of the performance board 3520, etc. a light color, which reduces the effort and cost required for the performance board 3520, etc. (pachinko machine 1), and makes it possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 that achieves the same effects as those described above.

Conventionally, the performance board 3520, which is provided behind the decorative body 3500 formed in a predetermined decorative shape, has a complex (irregular) outer periphery that follows the outer periphery of the decorative body 3500, rather than a simple rectangular shape. When cutting out such an irregular performance board 3520 from a fixed-length board (also called a fixed-length board 3550) using a processing machine such as an NC machine, a large amount of cutting chips is generated, so it is desirable to cut out (separate) the performance board 3520 before mounting specific electronic components 3533 such as LEDs 3530, ICs, LED drivers, sensors, and connectors on the performance board 3520. However, if the outer shape (outer shape) of the cut performance board 3520 is irregular, a problem occurs in which it is difficult to set the performance board 3520 in an insert machine for mounting electronic components.

In contrast to this, in the present embodiment, a specific trace portion 3561 having a trace different from other portions is provided at a specific portion of the outer peripheral edge of the performance board 3520 etc., and by using the specific trace portion 3561 as part of the connection portion 3552 with the fixed-length board 3550, it becomes possible to use a processing machine such as an NC machine to form the outer shape of the board such as the performance board 3520 to a certain extent before mounting electronic components, thereby solving the above-mentioned problem. In more detail, when manufacturing the performance board 3520 etc., when a processing machine such as an NC machine is used to cut out the performance board 3520 etc. from the fixed-length board 3550, if the performance board 3520 etc. is not completely separated but is left connected to the fixed-length board 3550 (discard board 3555, or other board) at the specific trace portion 3561, even if the outer peripheral shape of the performance board 3520 etc. is complex, because it is connected to the rectangular fixed-length board 3550 at the specific trace portion 3561, the performance board 3520 etc. before separation can be easily set in an insert machine via the fixed-length board 3550, and LEDs 3530, specific electronic components 3533, etc. can be mounted on the performance board 3520 etc. before separation. Then, after mounting the LED 3530 and the specific electronic component 3533 on the performance board 3520 before separation, the part connected to the fixed-length board 3550 (part of the specific trace part 3561) is cut (or broken), and a specific trace part 3561 different from the other parts is generated in the connecting part 3552 that was connected, and the performance board 3520 etc. with the outer periphery formed into a predetermined shape is completed. At this time, since the connecting part 3552 (part of the specific trace part 3561) connected to the fixed-length board 3550 is short (small) compared to the entire circumference of the performance board 3520 etc., even if the connecting part 3552 is cut, the amount of cutting chips generated is small and can be sufficiently sucked up by a dust collector, and does not affect the LED 3530 and the specific electronic component 3533 mounted on the performance board 3520 etc.

In this way, the specific trace portion 3561 provided on the outer periphery of the performance board 3520, etc. is a trace different from other parts of the outer periphery and is more noticeable than other parts, so there is a risk that the presence of the specific trace portion 3561 will deteriorate the appearance of the performance board 3520, etc., but for the same reason as above, the reflected light from the light-colored solder resist applied to the surface of the performance board 3520, etc., and the light from the LED 3530 provided on the surface of the performance board 3520, etc., make the outer periphery of the performance board 3520, etc. relatively dark, making the specific trace portion 3561 provided on the outer periphery less noticeable, so that the player will not be disappointed even if the performance board 3520, etc. is visible, and it is easier to demonstrate the performance effect of the performance board 3520, etc., and the same action and effect as above can be achieved.

In addition, since the performance board 3520 etc. has a specific trace portion 3561 on the outer periphery, and the outer shape of the performance board 3520 etc. can be formed by a processing machine with high processing flexibility such as an NC machine, it is possible to easily manufacture the performance board 3520 etc. corresponding to the decorative body 3500 with a complex outer periphery shape, i.e., a highly decorative decorative body, and it is possible to provide a pachinko machine 1 that can reliably demonstrate the decorative effect of the decorative body 3500 that is illuminated and decorated by the LED 3530 as an electronic component provided on the performance board 3520 etc.

Furthermore, as described above, since a light-colored solder resist is applied to the surface of the performance board 3520, etc., the specific trace portion 3561 provided at a specific portion of the outer peripheral edge is made less noticeable together with the outer peripheral edge, so that when manufacturing the performance board 3520, etc., it is not necessary to finish the remaining connecting portion 3552a of the connecting portion 3552 to fit along the outer peripheral edge of the performance board 3520, etc. while cutting the connecting portion 3552 that was connected to the fixed-length board 3550, and thus it is possible to reduce the costs associated with the performance board 3520, etc., and ultimately the pachinko machine 1.

In addition, since the specific trace portion 3561, which is a trace different from other portions, is provided on the outer periphery of the performance board 3520, etc., the worker can use the specific trace portion 3561 as a guide when assembling the performance board 3520, etc., to identify the installation direction, etc. of the performance board 3520, etc. In this case, for example, in one specific portion, the state of the specific trace portion 3561 may be made different depending on the side of the performance board 3520, etc. This makes it possible to reliably identify the installation direction of the performance board 3520, etc., and makes it easier to assemble.

By the way, when the performance board 3520, etc. is manufactured, in the state where the performance board 3520, etc. is connected to the fixed-length board 3550 by a plurality of connecting parts 3552, the overall strength and rigidity are reduced compared to the original fixed-length board 3550, so it is easy to bend. And the amount of bending of the performance board 3520, etc. based on the original fixed-length board 3550 tends to increase the farther it is from the connecting part 3552. Therefore, when using an insert machine to mount specific electronic components 3533 such as LEDs 3530, LED drivers, ICs, sensors (e.g., photosensors), connectors, etc. on the performance board 3520, etc., a small gap is formed between the leads or electrodes of the specific electronic components 3533 and the copper foil 3522 due to the performance board 3520, etc. bending downward, and soldering is performed without sufficient contact of the leads or electrodes with the copper foil 3522, or the specific electronic components 3533 are soldered in a tilted state. Furthermore, if there is a mounting defect as described above, the specific electronic component 3533 will not function properly, making it impossible to execute the intended performance, and there is a risk that the performance effect of the performance board 3520, etc. will not be fully realized. To explain further, while a resistor or LED 3530 is improperly installed (improperly installed), the impact only affects one unit, if the LED driver (specific electronic component 3533) is improperly installed, the impact extends to all of the subordinate LEDs 3530, so the LED driver (specific electronic component 3533) is particularly important and must be properly installed.

In contrast to this, in this embodiment, a specific electronic component 3533 that has an important role in emitting light from an LED 3530, such as an LED driver, is provided in a component placement area 3534 surrounded by a plurality of specific trace portions 3561, and since the specific trace portions 3561 are used as connecting portions 3552 that connect to a fixed-length board 3550 during the manufacture of the performance board 3520, etc., the specific electronic component 3533 is provided in an area surrounded by a plurality of connecting portions 3552 (component placement area 3534). As a result, the component placement area 3534 surrounded by the multiple connecting parts 3552 is an area that is less likely to bend compared to other areas in the performance board 3520, etc., so when the LED 3530 or the specific electronic component 3533 is mounted using an insert machine, gaps are less likely to form between the leads or electrodes of the specific electronic component 3533 and the copper foil 3522 in the component placement area 3534, and the leads or electrodes of the specific electronic component 3533 can be soldered in a state of sufficient contact with the copper foil 3522, and mounting defects of the specific electronic component 3533 such as soldering in a state of insufficient contact or soldering in a tilted state can be reduced as much as possible. Therefore, the specific electronic component 3533 mounted (provided) on the performance board 3520, etc. can be operated normally to reliably execute the performance using the performance board 3520, etc., so that the performance effect of the performance board 3520, etc. can be fully exerted, and the player can be entertained and the decline in interest can be suppressed.

In addition, because the copper foil 3522 is set back from the outer periphery of the performance board 3520, etc., the copper foil 3522 of the performance board 3520, etc. can be kept away from other components, and the occurrence of sparks (discharges) between other components can be avoided. In addition, malfunctions of the performance board 3520, etc., other boards, electronic components, etc. caused by sparks can be prevented, allowing the performance board 3520, etc. to operate normally, and a pachinko machine 1 can be provided that can reliably demonstrate the performance effects, etc., of the performance board 3520, etc.

In addition, in the performance board 3520, etc., a plurality of through holes 3524 are provided near the outer edge of the copper foil 3522, and the copper foil on the front and back of the performance board 3520, etc. is connected by the through holes 3524, so that when the performance board 3520, etc. is manufactured, the board outer shape is cut with an end mill or the like to make the copper foil 3522 difficult to peel off even if vibration acts on it. In addition, a light-colored solder resist (coating film 3523) is applied to the surface of the performance board 3520, etc. (copper foil 3522), and the outer edge of the solder resist is positioned outside the outer edge of the copper foil 3522 (the side closer to the outer edge of the performance board 3520, etc.), so that the solder resist also makes it difficult for the copper foil 3522 to peel off, and the metallic luster of the copper foil 3522 does not appear on the surface, so that the appearance of the performance board 3520, etc. is prevented from being deteriorated.

The present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various improvements and design changes are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention, as described below.

In other words, in the above embodiment, the invention is applied to a pachinko machine 1 or a slot machine as a gaming machine, but is not limited to this and may also be applied to a pachislot machine or a gaming machine that is a combination of a pachinko machine and a pachislot machine, and in this case too, the same effect as described above can be achieved.

In the above embodiment, the pachinko machine 1 is applied to a so-called enclosed game machine or a controlled game machine in which the player does not touch the game ball B, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be applied to a game machine in which the player can touch the game ball B, and in this case, the same effects as those described above can be achieved. An example of this game machine is a pachinko machine in which game balls stored in a tray in a door frame are shot into a game area of a game board by the player's operation, and the shot game balls are received into a winning hole provided in the game area, and a predetermined number of game balls corresponding to the winning hole are paid out to the tray in the door frame.

1 Pachinko machine 2 Outer frame 3 Door frame 4 Main body frame 5 Game board 5a Game area 1100 Game panel (game panel)
1110 Panel board (game panel)
1112 Opening (aperture)
1120 Panel holder (game panel)
2500 Center parts 2511 Center frame (Center frame)
2511a: Insertion portion 2511b: Flange portion 2511c: Inflow restriction portion 2517: Ball passage (ball passage)
2570 Decoration (Decoration)
2570A Decoration (Decoration)
2572 Front decoration part (Front decoration part)
2572a Transmission part (transmission part)
2572b Dot section (dot section)
2573 Rear Decorative Part (Rear Decorative Part)

Claims (1)

A gaming machine that draws a lottery based on a predetermined lottery trigger and awards a player a benefit based on the result of the lottery,
The gaming machine includes a performance board having an electronic component related to the performance and a copper foil pattern to which the electronic component is connected,
The performance board has an outer periphery formed in a predetermined shape, and the outer periphery of the copper foil pattern is provided within a predetermined copper foil recess distance from the cut edge of the outer periphery of the performance board;
The performance board has a white solder resist applied to almost the entire board surface,
The performance board has a specific area where the white solder resist is not provided,
The specific area is an area formed by providing the white solder resist within a predetermined resist recess distance from the cut edge of the performance board,
When comparing the copper foil recess distance and the resist recess distance, the copper foil recess distance is longer, and the edge of the white solder resist is provided between the cut edge of the performance board and the outer periphery of the copper foil pattern,
The positional relationship between the copper foil and the white solder resist based on the copper foil recess distance and the resist recess distance is provided not only on the front side of the performance board but also on the back side,
The performance board is provided with an arc-shaped cutout, and the edge of the white solder resist is provided concentrically at a predetermined distance from the cutout,
The edge of the copper foil is also arranged concentrically at a specific distance greater than the predetermined distance from the notch.

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