JP3511884B2 - Gaming machine - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine having control means such as a microcomputer built therein,
More specifically, the present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine having a variable display section for variably displaying symbols.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various game machines having the above control means built therein are known. Among them, a slot machine, which is one of the typical gaming machines, rotates a plurality of reels by a start operation of a start lever of a player and stops the rotations by pressing a stop button. Then, when the symbols (designs) displayed in the display windows corresponding to the reels when the rotation of the reels stops is a specific combination, a predetermined number of coins are paid out.

Techniques relating to such a slot machine include, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-74391 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
The one disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 371179 is known. With these techniques and the like, generally, in a slot machine, three reels are rotatably provided in the central upper portion of the main body, and the symbols of each reel are visually recognized from the outside through a transparent display window. Further, the front center portion of the main body is a stepped portion, a start lever for starting the rotation of the reel is arranged on the left side of the lower portion of the stepped portion, and the start lever of the reels is placed in the lower center of the stepped portion. A stop button for stopping the rotation is provided corresponding to each reel.

[0004]

By the way, since the above slot machine is played by repeatedly inserting and paying out coins, the game time sometimes takes a long time. When the same player plays a game for a long time in this way, the player may be physically tired.

However, in the past, no matter how tired the user is, as long as he / she continues to play the game, the player must carry out a series of operations such as inserting a coin, operating the start lever, and pressing the stop button. did not become. Therefore, when a player has played a game for a long time and wants to continue playing the game, the player must continue the game while feeling physical fatigue especially on the fingers and arms. It was As a result, the interest peculiar to the gaming machine may be reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to reduce the physical fatigue of a player associated with a long-time game, which in turn reduces the enjoyment. It is to provide a game machine capable of preventing the game from being lost.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to claim 1 is a variable display section for variably displaying a symbol that can be visually recognized from the outside in the main body, and the main body.
And a stop button provided on the lower part of the step on the front of the main body for stopping or fixing the symbol displayed on the variable display section by performing a predetermined operation.
A gaming machine and a down, in the vicinity of the stop button
In this regard, the gist of the invention is to provide a rib-shaped finger hook that protrudes upward from the step .

Further, in the invention according to claim 2, and a variable display unit for variably displaying the symbols that may be visible from the outside in the body, and a step portion provided in the main body, the main body front <br/> step of A game machine having a plurality of stop buttons arranged on the same straight line at the lower part of the section and for stopping or finalizing the symbol displayed on the variable display section by performing a predetermined operation, wherein the stop Oite the vicinity of the button, the step portion
The gist of the invention is to provide a rib-shaped finger hook that protrudes upward from .

Further, in the invention according to claim 3, in the gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2 , the finger hook portion is
The gist of the invention is that it is extended to the vicinity of another operation unit different from the stop button .

In the invention described in claim 4, the inventions according to claims 1 to
In the gaming machine according to any one of 3 above,
The main point is that the upper surface is a curved surface.

In the inventions according to claims 1 and 2 , the variable display portion in the main body variably displays the symbols, and the symbols can be visually recognized from the outside. In addition, the player performs a predetermined operation on the stop button provided on the main body, so that the symbol displayed on the variable display portion is stopped or confirmed. Then, the player enjoys the game according to the displayed symbols.

In the present invention, a rib-shaped finger hook projecting upward from the step is provided near the stop button . Therefore, the player can operate the stop button with another finger (a finger other than the finger hooked on the finger hook portion) with the finger hooked on the finger hook portion.

According to the invention described in claim 3 , in addition to the operation of the invention according to claims 1 and 2 , the finger hook portion is provided with the stop.
Since it is extended to the vicinity of other operation parts different from the stop button , not only the operation for stopping but also the operation for other purposes can be performed with the finger rest on the finger. Be seen .

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment in which a gaming machine according to the present invention is embodied as a slot machine will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view showing the external appearance of the slot machine according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a side view thereof.

As shown in both figures, at the upper center of the main body 12 of the slot machine 11, there are three reels 13, 14 and 15 on the outer peripheral surface of which a symbol string consisting of a plurality of symbols (symbols) is drawn. It is rotatably installed. Three symbols on each reel 13 to 15 are visible from the outside through transparent display windows 16, 17, and 18 provided on the main body 12. In this embodiment, the reels 13 to 15 and the like constitute a variable display section.

The front center portion of the main body 12 (display window 16
The lower side of 18 to 18 is a step portion 19, and on the right side of the step portion 19, the player uses coins, medals, and substitute bills (hereinafter, these are representatively referred to as “coins”) as game media. ) Is provided for charging the above.
Next to the slot 21, a bet switch 22 for betting one to three coins per game by push button operation based on coins that have been "credited" in advance is provided. Further, on the left side of the step portion 19, there is provided a changeover switch 23 for changing over "credit" or "payout" of coins acquired by the player by a push button operation.

On the lower left side of the stepped portion 19, a start lever 24 for starting the rotation of the reels 13 to 15 by the lever operation of the player is arranged so as to face the player. In addition, stop buttons 25, 26, and 27 for stopping the rotation of the reels 13 to 15 corresponding to the reels 13 to 15 are provided at the center of the lower portion of the step portion 19 in response to the pressing operation by the player. Is provided.

A coin tray 29 for storing coins paid out from the coin payout opening 28 is provided at the lower front portion of the main body 12. From the coin payout opening 28, when the changeover switch 23 is switched to "payout" or when a predetermined number of coins (for example, "50 coins") are "credited" and the coins are paid out more than that. If there is, coins are actually paid out.

Here, the gaming method of the slot machine 11 will be briefly described. The display windows 16 to 18 are provided with three horizontal winning lines (center and top and bottom) and two diagonal winning lines. First, prior to the start of the game,
When the player inserts one coin from the coin slot 28, only the central pay line is activated, when two coins are inserted, the upper and lower pay lines are added to this, and when three coins are inserted, All winning lines are activated. The activation of such a pay line is recognized by the player by activating the activation line display lamps 31 provided at both ends of each pay line. Even if the coins are not actually inserted, if the predetermined number of coins are "credited", the pay line can be activated by pressing the bet switch 22.

In this embodiment, the player uses the insertion slot 21.
After the coins are inserted or the bet switch 22 is pressed, the start lever 24 is tilted, so that the three reels 13 to 15 are simultaneously rotated. Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the operation of the stop buttons 25, 26, 27 provided corresponding to the reels 13 to 15 is activated. Therefore, the player has these buttons 25
~ 27 by pressing the corresponding reel 13 ~ 1
The rotation of 5 can be stopped. At this time, if the combination of symbols stopped on the winning line activated as described above corresponds to a preset winning combination, coins of the number of coins corresponding to the type of winning are paid. The coins are paid out or “credited” from the outlet 28 to the coin tray 29.

Next, a characteristic part of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the stop buttons 25-2
The step portion 19 in the vicinity of the upper portion of 7 is provided with a finger hook portion 32 protruding upward and having a rib shape. The finger-holding portion 32 has a planar linear shape along the front surface of the step portion 19, and the protruding upper surface is
It has a curved surface. The finger hook 32 is extended to the right of the right stop button 27, and
It extends to the left of the left stop button 25.
In particular, the left side of the finger hook 32 in this embodiment is
It is extended to a position corresponding to the start lever 24.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
Since the finger hook portion 32 is provided on the step portion 19 near the upper portions of the stop buttons 25 to 27, the player has a finger on the finger hook portion 32 (specifically, the index finger, the middle finger, the ring finger).
It is possible to push and operate the stop buttons 25 to 27 with another finger (specifically, thumb) or the like in a state in which is applied.

Therefore, even when the same player plays a game for a long time, the operation can be continued with the finger on the finger hook 32. Therefore, the physical fatigue on the fingers and arms of the player is significantly reduced, and even if the game lasts for a long time, the special interest of the slot machine 11 is not reduced.

Further, in this embodiment, the finger hook 32
Extends to the left side of the left stop button 25 and extends to a position corresponding to the start lever 24. Therefore, not only the pressing operation of the stop buttons 25 to 27 for stopping the rotation of the reels 13 to 15 but also the reel 13
The tilting operation of the start lever 24 for starting the rotations of 15 can also be performed with the finger hooked on the finger hook 32. As a result, the above-described effects can be further ensured.

In addition to this, in this embodiment, the finger-holding portion 32 has a planar linear shape along the front surface of the step portion 19. Therefore, when pressing the plurality of stop buttons 25 to 27 arranged on the same straight line,
The stop buttons 25 to 27 can be operated while sliding the finger placed on the finger rest 32. In other words,
The finger hook 32 also serves as a guide when the stop buttons 25 to 27 are pressed, and the operability can be further improved. It is possible to further improve the interest.

Furthermore, since the upper surface of the finger hook 32 is a curved surface, when the finger is hooked, the upper surface comes into soft contact with the finger. Therefore, the player does not feel any pain caused by putting a finger on the finger hook 32. That is, the game can be played without deteriorating the operation feeling.

The present invention is not limited to the contents described in the above embodiment, and therefore, for example, the following may be carried out without departing from the spirit of the invention.

(A) In the above embodiment, the finger hook 32
Although it is configured so as to form a linear straight line along the front surface of the step portion 19, a plurality of finger hooks 33 may be provided separately as shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a slit 35 may be provided at the base of the finger hook 34. By adopting these configurations, it is possible to discharge foreign matter such as dust or dust from the gaps between the finger hooks 33 or the slits 35 provided in the finger hooks 34, and the gaps between the finger hooks 33 and 34 and the step portion 19 can be eliminated. The corners between them can be easily cleaned.

(B) Further, as shown in FIG.
A recess 37 may be formed between the finger 9 and the finger hook 36. In this case, since the operation can be performed with the tip portion of the finger housed in the recess 37, the operation feeling can be further improved.

(C) In the above embodiment, the finger hook 32
Is extended to the left side of the left stop button 25 so as to extend to the position corresponding to the start lever 24, but it is sufficient to provide it at least in the vicinity of the stop buttons 25 to 27, and it is always extended. You don't have to. Also,
It is also possible to extend the finger hook portion 32 to the right side of the right stop button 25 so as to extend to the insertion opening 21 and the bet switch 22.

(D) The finger-holding portion may be configured to be retractable by the operation of the player.

(E) In the above embodiment, the present invention is embodied as a slot machine as a game machine, but other game machines (for example, pachinko, arrange ball, smart ball).
Can also be embodied in

(F) Reels 13-15 and stop button 25
The numbers, arrangements, etc. of .about.27 etc. are not limited to those in the above embodiment. Also, the bet switch 22
The configuration may be such that the or switch 23 and the like are omitted.

(G) Finger hook 3 in the above embodiment
In No. 2, the upper surface was a curved surface, but it does not necessarily have to be a curved surface.

(H) In the above-described embodiment, the stop button 25 that is pressed as an operation unit for stopping the design.
Although ~ 27 is used, one that can stop the symbol by another operation method (for example, simple contact or the like) may be used.

(I) In the above-described embodiment, the finger hooking portion 32 is provided so as to project so as to be substantially perpendicular to the step portion 19, but the step portion 19 and the finger hooking portion may be curved surfaces. Also in this case, foreign matter such as dust and dirt can be discharged, and the corners can be easily cleaned.

( J ) The design in the present invention is not limited to the pictures and characters as shown in FIG. 1, but includes geometric lines and figures. Also, the pattern can be configured by light, color, or the like. Further, the design also includes various identification information such as a three-dimensional shape visually recognized from the outside.

( K ) In the above embodiment, the stop button 2
By pressing 5 to 27, the rotation of the corresponding reels 13 to 15 is stopped and the design is supposed to be stopped, but the design is fixed by a predetermined operation of the operation unit such as the stop button. It is also possible to adopt a configuration that allows it. For example, in a case where a symbol to be stopped is confirmed by the control means by a predetermined operation of an operation unit such as a stop button of a player, and the confirmed symbol is stopped and displayed after a predetermined time has passed irrespective of the operation. The present invention can also be applied.

The technical idea which is not described in the claims and can be grasped from the above-described embodiment will be described below together with its effect.

(1) The game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is characterized in that a discharge port for discharging foreign matter is provided at or near the finger hook portion.

With such a structure, it is possible to prevent foreign matters from accumulating in the finger-holding portion or in the vicinity thereof, and moreover, it is possible to easily clean the gaming machine.

(2) In the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and (1), the finger hook portion also serves as a guide for easily operating the operation portion.

With such a structure, the operability can be further improved and the interest can be further improved.

[0044]

As described above in detail, the gaming machine of the present invention can reduce the physical fatigue of the player associated with a long-time game, and thus prevent the entertainment from being reduced. It has an excellent effect that it can.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a slot machine according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the slot machine.

FIG. 3 is a partial front view showing a main part of a slot machine according to another embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a partial side view showing the vicinity of a finger hook of a slot machine according to another embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a partial side view showing the vicinity of a finger hook of a slot machine according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... Slot machine as a game machine, 12 ... Main body, 1
3, 14, 15 ... Reel, 19 ... Stepped portion, 25, 26,
27 ... Stop buttons, 32, 33, 3 forming the operation unit
4, 36 ... Finger hooks.

Continuation of front page (56) Reference JP-A-4-108469 (JP, A) JP-A-1-104284 (JP, A) JP-A-11-169506 (JP, A) JP-A-9-109957 (JP , A) JP-A 61-279268 (JP, A) JP-A 6-63222 (JP, A) Actual development Sho-62-70568 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB) Name) A63F 5/04 A63F 7/02

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A variable display section for variably displaying a symbol that can be visually recognized from the outside on the main body, a step section provided on the main body, and a lower step section provided on the front of the main body by performing a predetermined operation. , a gaming machine having a stop button for stopping or confirm the symbols displayed on the variable display unit, Oite near the stop button, upward from the step portion
A gaming machine having a protruding rib-shaped finger hook portion. 2. A variable display portion for variably displaying a symbol that can be visually recognized from the outside in the main body, a step portion provided in the main body, and a plurality of stepped portions arranged on the same straight line below the step portion on the front surface of the main body. /> is, by performing a predetermined operation, a gaming machine having a stop button for stopping or confirm the symbols displayed on the variable display unit, Oite near the stop button, the Upward from the step
A gaming machine having a protruding rib-shaped finger hook portion. Wherein the finger hook portion, the gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is extended to the vicinity of the other different operating unit and the stop button. 4. The upper surface of the finger hook is a curved surface.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that
Amusement machine.