JP6447211B2 - Slot machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a slot machine that simplifies the structure of a front door that can be opened and closed with respect to a cabinet that houses a reel device, a medal payout device, and the like, and maintains a high degree of freedom in design.

  The slot machine is a gaming machine in which a game result is determined according to a symbol display mode displayed by a plurality of rotating reels. The slot machine includes a box-type cabinet that accommodates a reel device, a medal payout device, and the like, and a front door that can be opened and closed with respect to a front opening of the cabinet. A front mask is formed on the front side of the front door by a plurality of decorated panel members. Further, a frame member that is enclosed in a square frame shape is provided on the rear side of the front door, and a substantially flat mounting plate member (also referred to as a “back base plate”) at a position that mainly closes the lower portion of the frame member. Is provided. By attaching a medal selector for selecting medals, an effect speaker, or the like to the back side of the mounting plate member of the front door, these game internal devices are positioned at predetermined positions (for example, see Patent Document 1). .

JP 2013-94557 A

  By the way, in the conventional slot machine, when the design of the front mask is changed, the front door itself is simply changed by changing the mounting position of the game internal device such as the medal selector and the speaker on the mounting plate member. Is supported without major design changes. In order to reduce the manufacturing cost of the slot machine, if the above-mentioned mounting plate member is eliminated, it is necessary to change the design in detail, such as reviewing the mounting position and shape of the medal selector and speaker when changing the design of the front mask, On the other hand, it is assumed that the cost increases.

  On the other hand, since the mounting plate member described above occupies a wide area in the lower part on the rear side of the front door, for example, even if a large effect device is provided in the lower part on the front side, the degree of freedom in designing the size, shape, etc. Was restricted.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and simplifies the structure of the front door to reduce the cost, and keeps a high degree of freedom in the design design of the front mask including the rendering device. The purpose is to provide a slot machine that can be used.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a slot machine in which at least a medal slot and a payout opening are formed on the front surface of the front door, and the lower portion of the front door is accommodated in a recess. A lower panel that is illuminated on the back by the illumination unit is provided, and a medal selector for selecting regular medals inserted from the insertion slot is attached to the back of the front door via a bracket base, A chute member having a U-shaped cross-section is attached to the back surface of the recess where the lower panel is provided, and a return flow path for guiding medals removed by the medal selector to the payout port is provided on the bracket base. The slot machine is formed in the chute member with the vertical wall surface of the portion and the back surface of the recess as opposed surfaces.

  In addition, it is preferable that an effect device is provided in the lower panel. The effect device is preferably a switch for effect control of a game, a lamp for displaying a light effect display, a button switch or a speaker having a light effect display function.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the cost by eliminating the mounting plate member (back base plate) that closes the lower portion of the door frame that has been conventionally used. Further, it is possible to maintain a high degree of freedom in the design design of the front mask including the rendering device.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the slot machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a main configuration of a front door of the slot machine of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the front door of the slot machine of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view for explaining a back side structure of a front door of the slot machine of FIG. 1. It is a front view of the middle panel display by one embodiment of the present invention. It is the perspective view which looked at the middle panel display device of FIG. 5 from back. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the middle panel display apparatus of FIG. It is the disassembled perspective view which looked at the production button switch by one Embodiment of this invention from the front. It is the disassembled perspective view which looked at the production button switch of FIG. 8 from back. FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the effect button switch of FIG. 8. It is a front view of the side speaker unit by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the side speaker unit of FIG. It is the disassembled perspective view which looked at the side speaker unit by one Embodiment of this invention from the front. It is the disassembled perspective view which looked at the side speaker unit of FIG. 13 from back. It is a front view of the cabinet of the slot machine by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the slot machine by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view for explaining an assembly structure of a control panel portion of the slot machine of FIG. 16. It is a perspective view of the production button switch by one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 19 is a two side view of the effect button switch of FIG. 18. It is the figure which looked at the press operation part of the production button switch of FIG. 18 from the front. FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the effect button switch of FIG. 18. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the effect button switch of FIG. It is a figure which shows the effect display state of the effect button switch of FIG. It is the disassembled perspective view which looked at the front door of the slot machine of FIG. 16 from the front. It is the perspective view which looked at the front door of FIG. 24 from back. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the reel panel unit by one Embodiment of this invention.

[First Embodiment]
<Front door structure>
Regarding the slot machine 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the structure of the front door 21 of the slot machine 10 will be described first. FIG. 1 is a front view showing an aspect of a front mask 20 of a front door 21 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a main configuration of the front door 21. The front door 21 is pivotally supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to a cabinet 80 (see FIG. 15), which is a substantially rectangular housing having an opening in the front, and is locked at a position where the opening of the cabinet is closed.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the front door 21 of the slot machine 10 is generally composed of an upper panel portion 23, a middle panel portion 24, and a lower panel portion 25, which are decorated in a stunning manner appealing to the player's vision. A front mask 20 is formed. The upper panel portion 23, the middle panel portion 24, and the lower panel portion 25 are not each composed of one panel member, but may be composed of a plurality of molded members.

  The upper panel portion 23 is formed as a resin molded body that includes a plurality of lamps (light emitting portions) inside and a lens member that is decorated on the front surface. The upper panel portion 23 is attached to the upper front portion of the door frame 22.

  The middle panel section 24 includes a middle panel display device 50 having transmissive liquid crystal and side speaker units 140L and 140R described later. The middle panel display device 50 is attached from the rear so as to block the rectangular opening 22a formed in the middle of the door frame 22. Although details will be described later, the liquid crystal shutters 190L, 190C, and 190R (see FIG. 6) provided on the back side thereof are passed through substantially the center of the panel display device 50, and the symbols of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are displayed. Display windows 50L, 50C, and 50R that enable display or non-display switching control are formed.

  The straight lines crossing 3 × 3 symbols displayed on each reel 40C, 40R, 40L are the middle horizontal line L1, the upper horizontal line L2, the lower horizontal line L3, and the diagonally lower right line. There are a total of five lines, L4 and a diagonally upward line L5. In the display windows 50L, 50C, 50R, a winning determination line (effective line) is determined in advance among these lines crossing the reels 40C, 40R, 40L. When all the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are stopped and a predetermined symbol combination is displayed on any one of the effective lines, a game combination corresponding to the symbol combination (also simply referred to as “comb”) is displayed. Winning or winning. For example, only the middle horizontal line L1 may be determined as an effective line, or the number of active lines may be increased or decreased according to the number of medals inserted (the number of bets). Further, when all the lines L1 to L5 are effective lines, the number of medals to be paid out by winning the combination may be determined according to the number of effective lines on which a predetermined symbol combination is displayed.

  In the middle panel display device 50, the entire surface including the display windows 50L, 50C, and 50R is an image display area including a transmissive display area. Also, side speaker units 140L and 140R, which will be described later, are attached to the left and right side frames 22l and 22r of the door frame 22 on the left and right sides of the middle panel display device 50 constituting these game display areas.

  The control panel unit 26 that is an operation console is configured on the upper portion of the lower panel unit 25 and includes a table plate 26a that forms a table-like surface that is slightly inclined toward the front surface. On the left side of the table plate 26a, a 1-bet switch 27, a max bet switch 28, and a checkout switch 34 are provided for instructing a player to bet (bet) a medal. When the 1-bet switch 27 is operated, one of the medals credited to the slot machine 10 is bet on the game. When the max bet switch 28 is operated, three of the credited medals, the maximum prescribed number, are bet on the game. When the checkout switch 34 is operated, medals stored as insertions or credits are paid back to the tray member 53 via the medal payout opening 52.

  A slot unit 29 having a slit (medal slot) through which a player directly inserts medals into the slot machine 10 is provided on the right side of the table plate 26 a of the control panel 26. Here, the “insertion” of the medal means that the player operates the 1-bet switch 27 or the max bet switch 28 described above in addition to the player directly inserting the medal into the slit of the insertion slot unit 29. In addition, betting medals from credits (medals stored internally) is sometimes referred to as “injection”.

  In addition to these, on the table plate 26a of the control panel unit 26, various operation switches related to effect control such as the cross key 30 and the push button 31 are arranged.

  A lever switch 32 having an operation knob that can be tilted is provided at the front left portion of the control panel 26. When the lever switch 32 is tilted while a prescribed number of medals are bet on the slot machine 10, all the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R start to rotate all at once. The lever switch 32 may be referred to as a “start lever” or a “start lever switch”.

  Three stop switches 33L for performing an operation of stopping rotation of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R by a player's pressing operation (this is referred to as a “stop operation”) at the center of the front surface of the control panel unit 26. , 33C, 33R, a stop switch unit 33 is provided. The left end stop switch 33L corresponds to the left reel 40L, the center stop switch 33C corresponds to the middle reel 40C, and the right end stop switch 33R corresponds to the right reel 40R. In the slot machine 10, when the left stop switch 33L is operated with respect to the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R rotated by the tilting operation of the lever switch 32, the left reel 40L is stopped and the center stop switch 33C is operated. When the middle reel 40C is stopped and the right stop switch 33R is operated, the right reel 40R is stopped. In addition, when the reel stops due to the operation of the stop switch, a symbol within the specified number of control frames (for example, 5 frames) within the specified stop time is selected and controlled to be drawn into a predetermined effective line and stopped. The

  In addition, a reject button 35 is provided at the right front portion of the control panel unit 26 to remove medals etc. staying inside the medal selector 57 (see FIG. 3) and collect them from the medal payout opening 52.

  In the lower panel portion 25, below the control panel portion 26, an effect switch 110, which is an effect switch for effect control of the slot machine game, and a character that impresses the theme of the slot machine 10 are drawn. And a lower panel 51 for sandwiching the sheet member.

  The lower panel portion 25 is attached to the door frame 22 so as to face the back base plate 58 provided in the lower region of the door frame 22. In the lower part of the lower panel portion 25, a medal payout opening 52 and sound emitting portions 54L, 54R made up of a number of holes through which output sounds from speakers 62L, 62R (see FIG. 3) installed behind are formed. A metal plate (also referred to as “grill plate”) 59 is fixed to the lowermost portion of the door frame 22. A tray member 53 that receives a medal paid out from the medal payout opening 52 is attached to a lower region of the door frame 22.

  Next, the structure on the back side of the front door 21 will be described. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the front door 21 in a state where it is removed from the cabinet 80. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the back side structure of the front door 21.

  On the back side of the door frame 22, reinforcing frames 93u, 93l, 93r connected in an inverted U shape are attached. An upper hinge 94U and a lower hinge 94L that are pivotally supported by bearing members 87U and 87L provided on the side plate 80l (see FIG. 15) of the cabinet 80 are provided at the upper and lower positions of the left reinforcing frame 93l. The right reinforcing frame 93r is provided with a cylinder lock 95 that is locked to the side plate 80r (see FIG. 15) of the cabinet 80 and locks the front door 21 at a position where the cabinet 80 is closed.

  The middle panel display device 50 is attached to the upper part of the reinforcing frames 93u, 93l, 93r. A sub-control unit 91 is fixed to the upper part on the back side of the middle panel display device 50 in a state of being locked to the bracket member 92. The sub-control unit 91 includes, in a transparent hard resin case, a sub-control board that controls the rendering operation of the slot machine 10 and an image display control board that performs image display control of the transmissive liquid crystal provided in the middle panel display device 50. It is installed.

  Below the middle panel display device 50 is a relay board case 56 that houses the above-described stop switch unit 33, the max bet switch 28, and the like, and also serves as a relay terminal plate for signal wiring of these switches. It is attached to the upper part of the base plate 58. In addition, on the upper left side of the relay board case 56, a lever switch accommodating portion 55 that accommodates and holds the above-described lever switch 32 is provided on the upper portion of the back base plate 58.

  In FIG. 3, a medal selector 57 is attached to the back surface of the back base plate 58 via a selector bracket 60 on the left side of the relay substrate case 56 (right side when viewed from the front of the front mask). The medal selector 57 is a device for selecting a regular medal inserted into the slot unit 29 at a time when a medal can be accepted, such as at the start of a game. The medal that is selected as a regular medal by the medal selector 57 and accepted for insertion is guided to the hopper of the medal payout device 82 through the medal guide channel 60a.

  A cancel chute molded body 61 is attached to the back of the back base plate 58 below the medal selector 57. The cancel chute molded body 61 is made of a resin molded member having a U-shaped cross section that is open on the front side. As shown in FIG. 3, on the upper part of the cancel chute molded body 61, a return flow path portion that drops medals (including irregular medals) rejected and rejected by the medal selector 57 to the medal payout opening 52. 61a is formed. Further, at the lower part of the cancel chute molded body 61, there are a payout flow passage portion 61b having an opening 61c connected to a medal discharge port of a medal payout device 82 (see FIG. 15) installed in the cabinet 80, and a return flow passage portion 61a. And a joining portion 61d to which the payout flow passage portion 61b is connected. In the cancel chute molded body 61 having the back surface of the back base plate 58 as an opposing surface, a medal discharge passage for guiding the payout medal from the medal payout device 82 and the cancel medal from the medal selector 57 to the medal payout outlet 52 is formed. The

  In addition, two left and right speakers 62L and 62R facing the sound emitting portions 54L and 54R of the lower panel portion 25 described above are attached to the lower portion of the back base plate 58.

(Middle panel display)
Next, the middle panel display device 50 provided in the middle part of the front door 21 of the slot machine 10 will be described. Here, FIG. 5 is a front view of the middle panel display device 50. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the middle panel display device 50 as viewed from the rear. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the middle panel display device 50 when cut at the position VII-VII in FIG.

  The middle panel display device 50 includes a rectangular frame-shaped main body frame case 181, a rear case member 182 provided behind the main body frame case 181, a transmissive liquid crystal 189 provided in the rectangular frame of the main body frame case 181, and a transmissive liquid crystal And a front panel 183 made of a transparent acrylic plate for protecting the front surface of 189.

  The rear case member 182 is formed with a rectangular opening corresponding to the positions of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R (see FIG. 15), and the opening is closed by the lower region of the transmissive liquid crystal 189. Yes. At least three rectangular liquid crystal shutters 190L, 190C, and 190R are provided on the rear surface of the transmissive liquid crystal 189 that closes the open portion of the rear case member 182. The reels 40L, 40C, and 40R (see FIG. 15) disposed in the cabinet 80 are provided. It is provided corresponding to the front.

  The liquid crystal shutters 190L, 190C, and 190R are sheet members that become transparent when the polymer polymer filled therein is aligned in one direction when a predetermined voltage or more is applied. If no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal shutters 190L, 190C, and 190R, the arrangement of the high molecular polymers is disturbed, and an opaque white turbid color is exhibited as a whole. Therefore, a symbol display control state in which the symbols of the rear reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are displayed through the display windows 50L, 50C, and 50R that are made transparent by applying a predetermined voltage to the liquid crystal shutters 190L, 190C, and 190R. The liquid crystal shutters 190L, 190C, and 190R are made cloudy without applying voltage, thereby switching to the image display control state (design non-display control state) in which the transmitted image displayed on the transmissive liquid crystal 189 is irradiated with reflected light from the rear. Can do. Further, for each reel 40L, 40C, 40R, the display / non-display of the symbols may be selectively switched in the three display windows 50L, 50C, 50R for displaying the symbols. In addition, 3 × 3 liquid crystal shutters are provided on the rear surface of the transmissive liquid crystal 189 corresponding to the 3 × 3 symbol arrangement that can display the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R, and each symbol displayed by each reel is selectively displayed. The symbol display / non-display may be switched.

In the case of the slot machine according to the embodiment in which the cabinet 80 is provided with an accessory device (not shown) such as a sub reel for the purpose of production that does not affect the game result, for example, as shown in FIG. An effect liquid crystal shutter 191 may be provided adjacent to the right display window 50R. According to this embodiment, display / non-display of the accessory device such as the sub reel can be switched according to the progress of the game, for example, and the production mode can be diversified.
Further, during a period that does not directly affect the game result or medal payout, such as a pseudo game, the sub control board moves the liquid crystal shutters 190L, 190C, and 190R to the symbol display control state (that is, the display windows 50L and 50C). , 50R becomes transparent), and the transparent image is displayed with the reels 40L, 40C, 40R being rotated in the background or the symbols displayed on the reels 40L, 40C, 40R being stopped or pseudo-stopped as the background. You may overlap and display.
As described above, according to the middle panel display device 50 including the liquid crystal shutters 190L, 190C, and 190R, it is possible to diversify the display mode of symbols and the like to enhance the game effect, and to increase the interest of the game.

  Further, the middle panel display device 50 includes a reel indirect illumination unit 185 at the upper end of the opening of the rear case member 182, a reel auxiliary illumination unit 186 at the lower end of the opening, and horizontal light shielding walls 184l and 184r at the left and right ends of the opening. It has.

  The reel indirect illumination unit 185 is provided with a plurality of white LED chips 185 a, 185 a, etc. that emit light obliquely forward from above, arranged along the upper end of the opening of the rear case member 182. The white light emitted from the LED chips 185a, 185a,... Is diffused through the diffusion sheet 187 and the white cover 188, and indirectly illuminates the front surfaces of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R. Further, the LED chips 185a, 185a,... Also serve to assist the light amount of the backlight light source for the liquid crystal display by the transmissive liquid crystal 189 in the transmissive display area.

  The reel auxiliary illumination unit 186 is provided with a plurality of white LED chips 186a, 186a,... That radiate light obliquely backward from below and arranged along the lower end of the opening of the rear case member 182. The white light emitted from the LED chips 186a, 186a,... Is also diffused through the diffusion sheet 187 and the white cover 188, and supplementally illuminates the front surfaces of the reels 40L, 40C, 40R.

(Direction button switch)
Next, details of the effect button switch 110 provided on the lower panel portion 25 of the slot machine 10 as an effect switch characteristic in the present invention will be described. Here, FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the effect button switch 110 viewed from the front. FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the effect button switch 110 viewed from the rear. FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the effect button switch 110.

  The effect button switch 110 shown in these drawings includes a pressing operation unit 111 having a circular shape when viewed from the front and located on the outermost side of the switch. That is, the pressing operation portion 111 has a circular dome-shaped pressing surface portion 111a whose center slightly protrudes forward, and an end portion 111b that extends rearward in a cylindrical shape at the periphery of the pressing surface portion 111a (also referred to as a “pressing direction”). And is formed of a hard resin that is thick and translucent as a whole. Here, “having translucency” includes a state in which, in addition to being transparent, a light diffusing filler or the like is attached to a transparent resin, or the surface is translucent to be translucent. .

  The inner cover member 112 disposed behind the pressing operation unit 111 has a circular dome shape like the pressing surface portion 111a of the pressing operation unit 111, and has a smaller diameter than the pressing surface portion 111a. The inner cover member 112 is also formed of a translucent (transparent or translucent) resin. However, when the pressing operation unit 111 is transparent, the inner cover member 112 is preferably translucent.

  The lens member 114 is made of a transparent resin having a substantially disk-like outer shape, and a plurality of triangular lens portions 115a, 115a,... And a plurality of prismatic lens portions 115b, 115b between the triangular lens portions along the circumferential direction. Are arranged in an array. Further, in the center of the lens member 114, for example, a rectangular opening 114a into which a base portion 118a of a movable plate member 118 described later can be inserted is formed. The triangular lens portions 115a,... And the prismatic lens portions 115b,... Are arranged on the lens surface so as to diffuse light from the LED chips 117, 117,. And its outer shape.

  The LED board 116 is a circuit board having a disk shape having substantially the same diameter as the lens member 114. In the center of the LED substrate 116, as with the lens member 114, an opening 116 a into which the base portion 118 a of the movable plate member 118 can be inserted is formed. A plurality of LED chips 117, 117,... Are mounted on the front surface of the LED substrate 116 excluding the opening 116a, preferably at regular intervals along the circumferential direction. The plurality of LED chips 117, 117,... May be either a single-color LED element or a plurality of LED elements capable of outputting white or full color combining the three primary colors. Further, on the back surface of the LED substrate 116, an optical sensor 130 that is a switch element for detecting a pressing operation of the switch is mounted.

  The light emitting unit is configured by housing the lens member 114 between the inner cover member 112 and the LED substrate 116 on which the LED chips 117, 117,..., Which are light emitting elements, are mounted. In this way, it is fixed to the base member 119 via the spacer portions 119b, 119b,.

  The movable platen member 118 disposed behind the LED substrate 116 is a member that is connected to the front pressing operation unit 111 and is displaced in conjunction with the pressing operation of the pressing operation unit 111. The movable plate member 118 is a disk-shaped member having substantially the same diameter as that of the LED substrate 116, and is integrally formed of, for example, a hard resin. In the center of the movable platen member 118, a square base part 118a and a circular excited part 118b are formed in a stepped pyramid shape. Further, the movable platen member 118 includes a connector hole 118c through which the connector 132 on the back surface of the LED substrate 116 is passed to the base member 119 side, a spacer portion 119b, 119b of the base member 119,. Are pierced through the spacer holes 118d, 118d,.

  Further, the movable plate member 118 is inserted with the shafts 131a,... Of the spring cushions 131, which guide the operation of the movable plate member 118 in the pressing direction, and the springs 131b,. , And a light shielding plate 118f that shields (turns off) the optical sensor 130 mounted on the back surface of the LED substrate 116 is formed.

  In addition, on the outer peripheral portion of the movable plate member 118, a step portion 118i that contacts the end portion 111b of the pressing operation portion 111 along the circumferential direction, a screw hole 118h that connects the end portion 111b, and a base member 119 are associated. A claw portion 118g to be stopped is formed.

  The base member 119 is a housing case having a cylindrical body portion of the effect button switch 110, and is integrally formed of, for example, hard resin. At the bottom of the base member 119, an opening 119a for inserting and attaching the rear part of the solenoid unit 120 is formed. In addition, on the bottom of the base member 119, spacer portions 119b, 119b,... For fixing the above-described LED substrate 116, lens member 114, etc. with a certain gap, and spring cushions 131, 131, The cushion receiving portions 119c, 119c,... That receive the base end portion of... And the wiring for pressing operation signals output from the optical sensor 130 via the connector connected to the LED substrate 116, the optical sensor 130, and A harness hole 119d and the like for taking out a power supply wiring for driving the LED chips 117, 117,.

  In addition, the cylindrical portion of the base member 119 has locking holes 119e and 119e that the claw portion 118g of the movable plate member 118 locks from the inside to prevent it from coming off, and an effect button switch 110 on the front mask 20 of the slot machine 10. Bracket portions 119f, 119f,... For attaching and fixing are formed at appropriate positions.

  A vibration generating unit capable of applying vibration to the movable plate member is provided at a position behind the movable plate member 118. The solenoid unit 120 constituting the vibration generating unit includes a solenoid 121 that generates an electromagnetic force, and the solenoid 121 vibrates the plunger 122 in the linear motion direction in accordance with an alternating drive current supplied from the outside. A vibration part 123 is fixed to the tip of the plunger 122. A mounting bracket 124 having upper and lower flanges 124 a and 124 b is fixed so as to surround the solenoid 121.

  As will be described later, the effect button switch 110 is configured such that the vibration part 123 abuts against the back surface of the vibration part 118b of the front movable plate member 118 to transmit vibration directly or step by step. It is configured so that impact can be applied. Further, it is possible to apply vibration to the movable platen member 118 by the solenoid 121 at a position where the pressing operation unit 111 is pressed by a predetermined amount.

  The production button switch 110 is assembled as follows. First, the rear part of the solenoid unit 120 is inserted into the opening 119 a of the base member 119, and the upper and lower flanges 124 a and 124 b of the mounting bracket 124 are screwed to the bottom of the base member 119. Thereby, the solenoid unit 120 is attached to the base member 119. On the other hand, the front surface of the lens member 114 is covered with an inner cover member 112, and these are screwed at positions where the outer peripheral edge of the lens member 114 and the inner peripheral edge of the inner cover member 112 are in contact.

  Next, with the spring cushions 131, 131,... Being biasing means interposed between the base member 119 and the movable plate member 118, the spacer holes 118 d, 118 d of the movable plate member 118. The spacer portions 119b, 119b,... Of the base member 119 are inserted into. At this time, the spring 131b of each spring cushion 131 is installed in the cushion receiving portion 119c of each base member 119, and the base end portion having the notch portion of the shaft 131a of the spring cushion 131 is the cushion receiving portion 119c. Fits into the center hole. Thereby, rotation of the shaft 131a of the spring cushion 131 is restricted.

  On the other hand, the distal end portion of the shaft 131 a of each spring cushion 131 is inserted into the biasing bearing portion 118 e of the movable plate member 118. Then, by further pushing the movable platen member 118 toward the base member 119 side, the claw portions 118g and 118g of the movable platen member 118 are engaged with the engagement holes 119e of the base member 119 from the inside. As a result, the movable platen member 118 is always urged forward by the spring cushions 131, 131,..., And the claw portions 118g, 118g are locked in the locking holes 119e to be prevented from coming off.

  Then, the back surface of the LED substrate 116 is opposed to the front surface of the movable plate member 118, and the tip portions of the spacer portions 119b, 119b,... Are inserted into the spacer holes 116b of the LED substrate 116, and the base portion of the movable plate member 118 is inserted. 118 a is inserted into the opening 116 a of the LED substrate 116. In this state, the lens member 114 with the inner cover member 112 attached is disposed opposite to the front surface of the LED substrate 116, and the tip of the spacer portions 119b, 119b,. Screw onto the boss on the back of 114. At this time, the base portion 118 a of the movable plate member 118 is inserted into the opening 114 a of the lens member 114. In addition, the front-end | tip part of spacer part 119b, 119b, ... is stepped, and the peripheral part of spacer hole 116b, 116b, ... of LED board 116 between the stepped part and the lens member 114 Is pinched. As a result, the LED substrate 116 and the lens member 114 are both fixed to the base member 119 with a certain gap through the spacer portions 119b, 119b,.

  Next, the end portion 111 b is inserted into the body portion of the base member 119 so that the pressing operation portion 111 covers the front surface of the inner cover member 112, and the pressing operation portion is placed on the step portion 118 i of the outer peripheral portion of the movable plate member 118. The end 111b of 111 is brought into contact. As a result, the position of the pressing operation unit 111 in the front-rear direction is determined, and the hole of the hole fitting 111c provided at the end 111b of the pressing operation unit 111 matches the screw hole 118h on the outer peripheral edge of the movable platen member 118. Then, a screw (not shown) is screwed into the hole of the hole fitting 111c of the pressing operation unit 111 and the screw hole 118h of the movable platen member 118 from the hole 119g formed in the body part of the base member 119, and the pressing operation unit 111 The movable platen member 118 is joined.

  Next, the operation of the effect button switch 110 will be described. In the effect button switch 110, the movable plate member 118 and the pressing operation unit 111 connected thereto are always urged forward by springs 131b, 131b,... Of spring cushions 131, 131,. . In this normal state, the light shielding plate 118f of the movable plate member 118 blocks the transmitted light of the light sensor 130 on the back surface of the LED substrate 116, and the pressing operation signal output by the light sensor 130 is off. In particular, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 10, at the position where the pressing operation unit 111 is not pressed, the vibration unit 123 provided at the tip of the plunger 122 of the solenoid unit 120 and the vibration of the movable plate member 118 are vibrated. The distance from the back surface of the portion 118b is equal to or longer than the stroke of the plunger 122, and these do not contact each other.

  When the pressing operation unit 111 is pressed against the urging force of the springs 131b, 131b,..., The movable platen member 118 moves rearward (pressing direction) in conjunction with this. When the pressing operation amount exceeds a predetermined amount, the light shielding plate 118f of the movable plate member 118 is separated from the light sensor 130 on the back surface of the LED substrate 116, and the light sensor 130 detects the transmitted light, thereby outputting an ON pressing operation signal. Is done. Further, at the position where the pressing operation unit 111 is pressed by a predetermined amount, the distance between the excitation unit 123 at the tip of the plunger 122 and the back surface of the excitation unit 118b of the movable plate member 118 is equal to or less than the stroke of the plunger 122. . That is, in this pressed state, the tip (excitation portion 123) of the plunger 122 of the solenoid 121 excited according to an alternating drive current from the outside can come into contact with the back surface of the excitation portion 118b, and the movable plate member 118 It is possible to transmit vibration directly to the head or to apply an impact step by step.

  According to the effect button switch 110 having such a configuration, functionality that appeals to the player's sense of vision and somatic sensation, such as a light emitting part that displays effect light and a vibration generating part that generates vibration and impact, is added. As a result, the player can experience the excitement of the game in a timely manner. Therefore, it is possible to strongly impress the game effect on the player.

  Further, the effect button switch 110 has a plurality of LED chips 117, 117, through the triangular lens portions 115 a... Of the lens member 114 disposed in front of the LED substrate 116 and the prismatic lens portions 115 b,. ... diffuses light from. Then, the LED light that has been converted into such highly entertaining effect light through the inner cover member 112 and the pressing operation unit 111 having translucency can be displayed so as to be visible to a player or the like.

  Further, since the end portion 111b of the pressing operation unit 111 is in contact with and coupled to the stepped portion 118i of the movable plate member 118, the impact resistance when the pressing operation unit 111 receives an impact force from the front is increased. . Further, by disposing the inner cover member 112 behind the pressing operation unit 111, the lens member 114 is protected by the inner cover member 112 even if the pressing operation unit 111 is damaged by an impact or the like. Also, the player does not get injured by touching the lens.

(Side speaker unit)
Next, the side speaker units characteristic of the present invention provided on both sides of the middle panel portion 24 will be described. FIG. 11 is a front view of the right side speaker unit 140R as viewed from the front, and FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the right side speaker unit 140R. The side speaker units 140L and 140R have a bilaterally symmetric structure. Here, the structure of the left side speaker unit 140L will be described as a representative with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the side speaker unit 140L viewed from the front, and FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the side speaker unit 140L viewed from the rear. The exterior molded member 141 of the side speaker unit 140L is made of a resin member that is vertically long and generally molded, for example, imitating the shape of an ark. The exterior molding member 141 constituting a part of the front mask 20 is formed with two concave regions in a front view, and the bottoms thereof are an upper opening 145 and a lower opening 146, respectively. The rear part of the exterior molding member 141 is open.

  More specifically, the front upper and lower portions of the exterior molded member 141 are formed with flare portions 142 and 143 that have respective tip portions protruding forward and gradually expanding toward the center. The flare portions 142 and 143 are portions exposed to the outside when the side speaker unit 140R is attached to the side frame 22r. For example, the front end surface 142a of the upper flare portion 142 and the inclined side surface of the lower flare portion 143 are provided. Appropriate decorative patterns are applied to 143a, 143b, and the like.

  A central lamp portion 144, which is a light emitting effect portion that divides the upper and lower flare portions 142 and 143 diagonally, is integrally formed at substantially the center of the exterior molded member 141. On the front side of the exterior molded member 141, two upper and lower concave regions are formed side by side with a central lamp portion 144 serving as a light emitting effect portion interposed therebetween. That is, an upper concave region is formed by the upper wall of the central ramp portion 144 and the two inward walls 142c facing the flare portion 142, and an upper opening 145 of a substantially acute triangle (reverse V shape) is defined at the bottom. It is made. A lower concave region is formed by the lower side wall of the central ramp portion 144 and the two inward walls 143c facing the flare portion 143, and a substantially acute inverted triangle (V-shaped) lower opening 146 is defined at the bottom. It is made. Further, an inner opening 147 for fitting a later-described center lens member 178 is formed in the center of the center lamp portion 144.

  A mounting plate 153 having a substantially triangular opening 153a is fixed to the sound emitting surface (cone surface) side of the upper speaker 151 with screws. A mounting plate 154 having a substantially inverted triangular opening 154a is fixed to the sound emitting surface (cone surface) side of the lower speaker 152 with screws.

  A sound emitting plate 155 having a large number of holes is arranged on the front surface of the mounting plate 153 of the upper speaker 151 and a sound emitting sound having a large number of holes also on the front surface of the mounting plate 154 of the lower speaker 152. Plates 156 are arranged facing each other. The sound emitting plates 155 and 156, which are so-called grill plates, are made of metal plates formed in a substantially acute triangle and a substantially acute inverted triangle following the upper opening 145 and the lower opening 146 of the exterior molding member 141, respectively. In order to enhance the effect of indirect illumination of the sound emission plates 155 and 156, the color arrangement of the sound emission plates 155 and 156 is, for example, the same color as the color of the LED light or the opposite color (complementary color), or is frosted on the surface. Processing or shot blasting may be performed.

  The upper light guide member 161 is made of a transparent or colored translucent resin member, and has a V-shaped partition groove 161a and a stepped portion 161b at the front end of the V-shaped partition groove 161a. Similarly, the lower light guide member 162 is made of a transparent or colored translucent resin member, and has a V-shaped partition groove 162a and a stepped portion 162b at the front end of the V-shaped partition groove 162a. Each light guide member 161, 162 is inserted from the rear of the exterior molding member 141, and each stepped portion 161b, 162b is a stepped portion formed at each rear end of the inward walls 142c, 143c of the exterior molding member 141. 142d and 143d are fitted and mounted.

  In particular, as shown in FIG. 14, the lower LED substrate 158 is screwed to the lower end of the mounting plate 154. That is, the LED board 158 is fixed at the same plane position as the sound emitting plate 156 or a position slightly ahead of the sound emitting plate 155. A plurality of side-view type LED chips 159, 159,... That irradiate light from below toward the sound emitting plate 156 side are mounted on the LED substrate 158. The LED chip 159 may be either a single-color LED element or a plurality of LED elements capable of outputting white or full color combining the three primary colors. The LED substrate 158 is disposed behind the light guide member 162 described above, and the LED chips 159, 159,... Radiate light upward along the outer surface of the V-shaped partition groove 162a.

  A vertically long slit port 148 leading to the upper opening 145 is formed on the side surface of the flare portion 142 of the exterior molded member 141. Light from an LED substrate of a light emitting unit (not shown) provided on the upper panel portion 23 of the front door 21 enters the exterior molding member 141 through the slit port 148, and thereby the V-shaped partition groove of the light guide member 161. Light is emitted downward along 161a.

  The unit including the speakers 151, 152, etc., assembled in this way is inserted from the rear part of the exterior molding member 141, and the upper opening 145 and the lower opening 146 are blocked by the sound emitting plates 155 and 156 with screws (not shown). It is attached.

  Moreover, the LED unit 171 is attached to the inside from the back as a light emission part of the center lamp | ramp part 144. FIG. The LED unit 171 includes an LED board 172 that is a circuit board that can be mounted on both sides, and an upper bracket 173 and a lower bracket 174 that are attached by being attached to the LED board 172 from above and below. On the upper surface of the LED substrate 172, top view type LED chips (first light emitting elements) 175, 175,... That indirectly illuminate the upper sound emitting plate 155 from below are mounted. Further, on the lower surface of the LED substrate 172, top view type LED chips (first light emitting elements) 176, 176,... For indirectly illuminating the lower sound emitting plate 156 from above are mounted. . Further, a side view type LED chip (second light emitting element) 177 that radiates light toward the central lens member 178 disposed in front is mounted on the front end side of the LED substrate 172. These LED chips 175, 176, and 177 may be either a single-color LED element or a plurality of LED elements capable of outputting white or full color combining the three primary colors.

  An opening is formed in the upper bracket 173 behind the partition (rib) 173a. The partition portion 173a interferes with light emitted from the top view type LED chip (first light emitting element) 175 and light emitted from the side view type LED chip (second light emitting element) 177. It is provided to prevent this. The top-view type LED chips 175, 175,... That indirectly illuminate the inward wall 142c of the upper opening 145 and the sound emission plate 155 are exposed from the rear opening of the partition part 173a, and the central lamp part 144 is exposed. The LED board 172 is mounted on the upper bracket 173 by disposing a side view type LED chip 177 that illuminates the front side of the partition 172a. Similarly, the lower bracket 174 is mounted with the LED board 172, and the upper and lower brackets 173 and 174 are coupled by screws (not shown).

  In the LED unit 171 assembled in this manner, the mounting portion 173c of the upper bracket 173 is screwed to the boss portion 153c formed at the lower portion of the mounting plate 153 of the upper speaker 151, and the mounting portion 174c of the lower bracket 174 is fixed. The lower speaker 152 is screwed to a boss portion 154 c formed on the upper portion of the mounting plate 154. Accordingly, the LED chips 175, 176, and 177 are positioned in front of the sound emission plates 155 and 156, and the LED unit 171 is fixed between the upper and lower speakers 151 and 152.

  The central lens member 178 is made of a translucent resin, and part or all of the front surface portion 178a exposed to the outside is a colored molding member. The back surface of the central lens member 178 is a recess 178b, and a waved surface 178c having a large number of irregularities is formed on the back surface of the front surface portion 178a. The center lens member 178 has step portions 178d formed on the upper and lower side surfaces fitted and fixed to the central opening 147 of the center lamp portion 144 of the exterior molding member 141, and the partition portion 172a of the LED unit 171 and the LED described above. A front portion including the chips 175, 176, and 177 is inserted into the recess 178 b of the central lens member 178.

  The step portions 178d formed on both side surfaces of the central lens member 178 are fitted to the upper and lower wall portions of the central lamp portion 144, so that flat wall surfaces are formed in the upper and lower concave regions of the exterior molding member 141. . A light emitting unit for indirectly illuminating the sound emitting plates 155 and 156 is formed in the central lens member 178.

  That is, the light emitted upward from the upper LED chip 175 inserted into the central lens member 178 passes through the upper step 178d of the central lens member 178, and the light produced thereby creates an upper opening. The inward wall 142c of 145 and the sound emission plate 155 are indirectly illuminated. The light emitted downward from the lower LED chip 176 passes through the upper step 178d of the central lens member 178, and the inward wall 143c of the lower opening 146 and the sound emitting plate 156 are indirectly illuminated. Is done. Further, the light emitted from the front LED chip 177 is scattered in various directions by the corrugated surface 178c of the central lens member 178, and the scattered effect light converted into a predetermined color is visually recognized forward through the front surface portion 178a. It will be radiated as possible.

  According to the side speaker units 140L and 140R having such a configuration, since the light emission effect display can be performed using the portion where the sound effects by the speakers 151 and 152 are emitted, a synergistic effect effect by sound and light is achieved. Etc. can be fully exhibited.

<Cabinet structure>
FIG. 15 is a front view showing the inside of the cabinet 80 as viewed from the opening side with the front door 21 removed. In the cabinet 80, a reel frame 81 is horizontally provided at the middle part of the left and right side plates 80 r and 80 l, and the reel device 40 is provided on the reel frame 81. The reel device 40 includes three reels 40L, 40C, and 40R, each having a rotation axis on the same axis, and each reel 40L, 40C, and 40R has a front panel with a display window of a middle panel member 503 row. It arrange | positions in the position which each opposes 50L, 50C, and 50R. Each of the reels 40L, 40C, 40R is independently driven to rotate by a stepping motor fixed to the reel device 40.

  For example, reel tapes on which a total of 21 frames of symbols are printed are wound around and attached to the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The symbols arranged in one reel are assigned symbol numbers “0” to “20” that increase by 1 along the direction in which the reel rotates. After the player bets medals on the slot machine 10, when the lever switch (start lever) 32 is operated, all the reels 40L, 40C, 40R move from top to bottom through the display windows 50L, 50C, 50R. Rotation starts in the same direction (in other words, the direction in which the symbol number increases).

  A main control unit 84 is fixed to the upper portion of the back plate 80 b of the cabinet 80 while being locked to the bracket member 85. The main control unit 84 houses a main control board for controlling the gaming operation of the slot machine 10 in a transparent hard resin case.

  On the bottom plate 80f of the cabinet 80, a power supply device 86 that supplies power to various devices and apparatuses mounted in the slot machine 10 and a medal payout device 82 including a hopper capable of storing a considerable number of medals are installed. ing.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the slot machine according to the present invention will be described. Hereinafter, in the drawings referred to for explanation of the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. In addition, components common to the first embodiment refer to the description of the first embodiment described above, and a description thereof is omitted here.

<Front door structure>
FIG. 16 is a front view showing an aspect of the front mask 230 formed on the front surface of the front door 231 of the slot machine 11 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The front mask 230 is generally composed of an upper panel portion 211, a middle panel portion 212, and a lower panel portion 213, which are provided with stunning decorations appealing to the player's vision. In addition, the upper panel part 211, the middle panel part 212, and the lower panel part 213 may each consist of a plurality of molded members instead of one panel member. The front door 231 is pivotally supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to a cabinet 80 (see FIG. 15), which is a substantially rectangular casing having an opening in the front, and is locked at a position where the opening of the cabinet is closed.

  The upper panel portion 211 attached to the front upper portion of the front door 231 is a resin having a plurality of light emitting portions decorated in a star shape, such as the first lamp 221, the second lamp 222, the third lamp 223, and the fourth lamp 224. The molded body is integrally formed. In addition, an image display window unit 220 for displaying an image by a color liquid crystal display device provided behind is formed in the center of the upper panel unit 211.

  The middle panel 212 includes a middle panel member 442 made of a transparent resin plate such as hard acrylic. Display windows 442L, 442C, and 442R formed of three rows of vertically-long rectangular transparent portions are formed in the approximate center of the middle panel member 442. Through these display windows 442L, 442C, and 442R, a total of 9 frames of 3 rows × 3 columns of reels 40L, 40C, and 40R inside the cabinet 80 are visible.

  The control panel unit 250 that is an operation console is configured on the upper portion of the lower panel unit 213 and includes a table plate 251 that forms a table-like surface that is slightly inclined toward the front surface. On the left side of the table plate 251, a bet switch unit 236 including a 1-bet switch 233, a max bet switch 234, and a settlement switch 235 is provided.

  In addition, on the right side of the table plate 251 of the control panel unit 250, an insertion slot unit 237 for allowing a player to directly insert medals into the slot machine 11 is provided. In the central portion of the table plate 251, various operation switches related to effect control such as the cross key 238 and the effect button switch 410 characteristic of the present invention are arranged. The effect button switch 410 includes a light emitting portion inside as will be described later, and the light emitting portion of the effect button switch 410 serves as the fifth lamp 225 of the front mask 230.

  A start lever unit 310 including a lever switch 311 that can be tilted and a light emitting effect unit is provided on the front left portion of the control panel 250. When the lever switch 311 is tilted while a specified number of medals are bet on the slot machine 11, all the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R start to rotate at the same time. The detailed structure of the start lever unit 310 will be described later.

  A stop switch unit 240 having three stop switches 240L, 240C, and 240R for performing a stop operation for stopping the rotation of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R is provided at the center of the front surface of the control panel unit 250. The left end stop switch 240L corresponds to the left reel 40L, the center stop switch 240C corresponds to the middle reel 40C, and the right end stop switch 240R corresponds to the right reel 40R. In the slot machine 11, when the left stop switch 240L is operated with respect to the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R rotated by the tilting operation of the lever switch 311, the left reel 40L is stopped and the center stop switch 240C is operated. When the middle reel 40C is stopped and the right stop switch 240R is operated, the right reel 40R is stopped.

  In addition, a reject button 239 that removes medals and the like remaining in the medal selector 57 (see FIGS. 24 and 25) and collects them from the medal payout exit 215 is provided on the right front portion of the control panel 250. .

  On the right side of the lower panel 213, there are provided a sixth lamp 226 and a seventh lamp 227 which are light emitting sections arranged at intervals with the light emitting section (fifth lamp 225) of the effect button button 410 described above. It has been. That is, the front mask 230 of the slot machine 11 of the present embodiment is formed with first to seventh lamps 221 to 227 arranged in a manner simulating, for example, the seventh star of the Big Dipper.

  Further, in the center of the lower panel portion 213, a character or the like that impresses the theme of the slot machine 11 is drawn, and a lower panel 214 having an illumination portion is provided inside a lower panel recess 219 (see FIG. 24) described later. Yes.

  At the lowermost portion of the front mask 230, a medal payout opening 215 and sound emitting portions 217L and 217R each having a number of holes through which output sounds from speakers 62L and 62R (see FIG. 24) installed behind are formed. ing. A tray member 216 that receives a medal paid out from the medal payout opening 215 is attached to a lower region of the front door 231.

  FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view for explaining an assembly structure of the control panel 250 mainly of the front door 231. The above-described bet switch unit 236, cross key 238, effect button switch 410, and insertion slot unit 237 are inserted into openings 251a, 251b, 251c and notches 251d formed at predetermined positions of the table plate 251, and the table plate. 251 is installed by being inserted into the corresponding openings 252a, 252b, 252c and notch 252d of the base plate portion 252 of the lower panel portion 213 where the 251 is installed. Further, in the present embodiment, the start lever unit 310 is attached by being inserted from the front into the attachment recess 255 formed on the left part of the control panel portion 250.

(Start lever unit)
Here, the structure of the start lever unit 310 will be described with reference to FIG. The start lever unit 310 according to the present embodiment includes a lever switch 311 that is an operation switch for performing an operation related to a game start operation, and a light emission effect unit around the lever switch 311. The light emitting effect unit includes an LED substrate 312, an inner lens member 313, an outer lens member 314, and a transparent cover member 315.

  The lever switch 311 is provided with a cylindrical switch body 311b so that an operation lever having a spherical operation knob 311a can be tilted. A flange portion 311c is provided on the outer periphery of the switch body 311b.

  The LED board 312 which is a light emitting element board is a circuit board having an opening 312a through which a part of the switch body 311b in front of the operation knob 311a and the flange portion 311c can be inserted. A plurality of LED chips 317, 317,... Are mounted on the front surface of the LED substrate 312 so as to surround the opening 312a. The plurality of LED chips 317, 317,... May be either one composed of a single color LED element or one composed of a plurality of LED elements capable of outputting white or full color combining the three primary colors.

  The inner lens member 313 is a plate member having substantially the same shape and dimensions as the LED substrate 312, and similarly to the LED substrate 312, a circular opening 313 a into which the operation knob 311 a of the lever switch 311 and the front portion of the switch body 311 b can be inserted. Is formed. Further, for example, a star-shaped radial lens fitting hole 313b that matches the outer shape of the outer lens member 314 is formed around the circular opening 313a.

  The outer lens member 314 has, for example, a star-shaped outer shape, and a circular opening 314a into which the operation knob 311a of the lever switch 311 and the front portion of the switch body 311b can be inserted is formed at the center. Yes.

  The transparent cover member 315 is made of a transparent or colored translucent resin, and a circular opening 315a for exposing the operation knob 311a of the lever switch 311 is formed at the center thereof. The exterior molding member 316 has an outer shape that fits into the mounting recess 255 that is largely cut from the middle panel portion 212 to the upper panel portion 211 on the side of the front mask 230, and on the front surface thereof, a stunning visual Patterns with enhanced effects are integrated. An opening 316 a that fits in a substantially U shape for exposing the operation knob 311 a of the lever switch 311 is formed at the approximate center of the exterior molding member 316.

  The mounting recess 255 on the side of the front mask 230 has a back surface that is recessed to a certain extent from the front surface of the control panel portion 250, and a lever switch accommodation hole 255a is formed in the back surface. The lever switch 311 is screwed and fixed from the front at a position where the rear surface of the mounting recess 255 and the flange portion 311c abut after the rear portion of the switch body 311b is inserted into the lever switch housing hole 255a from the front.

  The LED board 312, the inner lens member 313, the outer lens member 314, and the transparent cover member 315 are arranged in this order on the openings 312 a, 313 a, 314 a, and 315 a with the operation knob 311 a of the lever switch 311 and the front portion of the switch body 311 b. Finally, the exterior molding member 316 is fixed at a position where the outer periphery of the transparent cover member 315 is fitted to the edge of the opening 316a to close the mounting recess 255.

  In the start lever unit 310 having such a configuration, the LED board 312 on which the LED chips 317, 317,... Are mounted, the inner lens member 313, the outer lens in a wide area around the lever switch 311 for starting the rotation of the reel. A light emitting effect portion including a lens member 314 and a transparent cover member 315 is formed. The light irradiated forward from the LED chip 317 is refracted and scattered in various directions by the inner lens member 313 and the outer lens member 314, and the resulting effect light is radiated in a visible manner through the transparent cover member 315. The Rukoto. Therefore, it is possible to effectively perform various and high-impact light-emitting effects by utilizing a wide-area light-emitting effect unit.

  The start lever unit 310 is inserted into the mounting recess 255 from the front, and is screwed and fixed from the front at a position where the inner surface of the mounting recess 255 and the flange portion 311c of the switch body abut. A boss portion that screws the start lever unit 310 from the front is formed to protrude further rearward than the mounting recess 255. By adopting such an attachment structure, a space for arranging the LED substrate 312, the inner lens member 313, the outer lens member 314, etc. in the attachment recess 255 is increased, and the design flexibility of the structure such as the lens cut is increased. Rise.

(Direction button switch)
Next, an effect button switch 410 that is an effect switch provided in the approximate center of the table plate 251 of the control panel unit 250 will be described. Here, FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the effect button switch 410. FIG. 19A is an arrow A side view of the effect button switch 410 in FIG. 18, and FIG. 19B is an arrow B side view of the effect button switch 410 in FIG. Further, FIG. 20 is a view of the pressing operation unit 411 of the effect button switch 410 as viewed from the front.

  As shown in these drawings, the effect button switch 410 accommodates therein a pressing operation unit 411 having a circular dome-shaped pressing surface portion 411a having a central axis obliquely forward and upward, and a switch unit and a light emitting unit described later. A switch body 412 and a vibration generating unit including a solenoid 431 are included.

  Here, the structure of the effect button switch 410, which is one of the effect switches, will be described in detail with reference to an exploded perspective view of FIG. 21 and a longitudinal sectional view of FIG. The pressing operation part 411 has a circular dome-shaped pressing surface part 411a and is formed of a resin having translucency. The pressing operation unit 411 may be made of a translucent resin to which a light diffusing filler or the like is attached. The decorative frame member 414 disposed on the periphery of the pressing operation unit 411 has a circular opening 414a and has an outer shape, for example, a star shape. The opening 414a of the decorative frame member 414 is formed on a surface slightly inclined forward. That is, the height of the edge part of the decorative frame member 414 is formed so that the rear end side is the highest and gradually decreases toward the front end side. The pressing operation unit 411 is provided so as to be movable between a normal position where the circular opening 414a of the decorative frame member 414 is closed and a pressing operation position pressed slightly downward from the opening 414a (also referred to as “pushing position”). It is done.

  An inner cover member 415 is disposed below the pressing operation unit 411. The inner cover member 415 has a circular dome shape with substantially the same curvature as the pressing surface portion 411a so as to fit the inner surface of the pressing operation portion 411, and has a slightly smaller diameter than the pressing surface portion 411a. The inner cover member 415 is made of a transparent or translucent resin having light diffusibility.

  In addition, on the back surface of the inner cover member 415, characters and decorative symbols for informing the player of a specific gaming state or performance state such as “PUSH”, “chance”, “V”, etc. are marked with a special paint. Yes. Even if it is not marked on the back surface of the inner cover member 415, such characters and designs may be marked on the layer of the inner cover member 415 having a multilayer structure, for example. The “special paint” is, for example, transparent in visible light, and is in an excited state and visible while receiving light in a specific wavelength region such as near ultraviolet light (black light) using a UV-LED chip 421A described later as a light source. A “fluorescent paint” that generates light is preferred. In addition, special paints may be “animal paints” that remain excited for a while after the light source stops emitting light after receiving specific light from the light source. Good.

  Below the inner cover member 412, two transparent lens members 416 and 417 are arranged so as to overlap each other. The first lens member 416 disposed on the upper side has a disc portion 416a having a diameter that can be accommodated in the inner cover member 415, and the center of the disc portion 416a is the highest apex, and radially toward the outer peripheral edge thereof. The radial portions 416b, 416b,. The radial portions 416b, 416b,... Are formed on the upper surface of the disc portion 416a, and the lower surface side of the disc portion 416a is a hollow portion that is radially depressed so as to follow the radial portions 416b, 416b,. It has become. An engaging portion 416c projecting downward is integrally formed at a position end portion on the outer periphery of the disc portion 416a.

  The second lens member 417 disposed on the lower side has a disc portion 417a having the same diameter as the first lens member 416 and the center of the disc portion 417a as the highest apex, and radially toward the outer peripheral edge thereof. It has radial parts 417b, 417b,. However, a fan-shaped opening 417c having a central angle of about 45 degrees is formed in the front portion of the disc portion 417a, and the radial portion is not formed. Further, similarly to the first lens member 416, the lower surface side of the disc portion 417a is a hollow portion having a shape that follows the radial portions 417b, 417b,.

  The switch body 412 includes a cylindrical case member 418 and a rectangular case member 428. The cylindrical case member 418 accommodates the movable plate member 419, the LED substrate 420, and the coil spring 422, and the rectangular case member 428 accommodates the optical switch 430. In addition, a solenoid 431 that is a vibration generating unit is provided below the rectangular case member 428 via a support sheet metal member 433.

  The cylindrical case member 418 is a cylindrical member having a bottom portion having substantially the same diameter as the pressing operation portion 411, and is integrally formed of, for example, hard resin. A guide tube portion 418 a having a guide hole 418 b penetrating the bottom portion of the case member 418 is erected at the center of the bottom portion of the case member 418. A spring receiving groove 418c for receiving the coil spring 422 is formed on the bottom of the case member 418 along the periphery of the guide tube portion 418a.

  Further, at the bottom of the cylindrical case member 418, an engagement hole 418d that engages with an engagement protrusion 419a of the movable plate member 419, and a sensor hole 418e that inserts and removes the light shielding plate 419e (see FIG. 22) of the movable plate member 419. And so on. In addition, spacer portions 418f and 418f that movably penetrate the movable plate member 419 and fix the LED substrate 420 are erected at appropriate positions at the bottom of the cylindrical case member 418. In addition, attachment portions 418g and 418h are formed at the upper end of the cylindrical portion of the cylindrical case member 418 so as to project toward the radial direction.

  The movable plate member 419 has a bottomed cylindrical shape, and the height of the outer cylinder portion is highest at the rear end side and gradually lowers toward the front end side. An engaging projection 419a that extends downward from the end of the outer cylinder portion and has an engaging claw at the tip is integrally formed. The bottom of the movable plate member 419 is provided with a spacer hole 419f movably penetrating the spacer 418f provided upright from the bottom of the cylindrical case member 418, and power supply wiring and signal wiring (in some cases, a connector) to the LED board 420. A wiring hole 419g is formed.

  At the center of the bottom of the movable plate member 419, a thick and vibrated portion 419b is formed. As shown in FIG. 22, a cylindrical rod portion 419c is formed on the lower side of the vibration-excited portion 419b, and a concave portion 419d drilled to a certain depth from the lower surface of the rod portion 419c is formed. . Further, a light shielding plate 419e protruding downward is formed on the rear end side of the outer cylinder portion of the movable plate member 419.

  One end of the coil spring 422 is installed in the spring receiving groove 418c so that the guide tube portion 418a of the cylindrical case member 418 enters the coil spring 422. Then, the rod portion 419c of the movable plate member 419 is inserted into the guide hole 418b of the guide tube portion 418a of the cylindrical case member 418, and the engagement protrusion 419a extending downward from the end portion of the outer tube portion of the movable plate member 419 is formed. The cylindrical case member 418 is engaged with the engagement hole 418d. As a result, the movable plate member 419 is always urged upward by the coil spring 422, that is, in the direction opposite to the pressing direction, and is prevented from coming off by the engagement protrusion 419a being engaged with the engagement hole 418d. The

  Next, the LED substrate 420 is a substantially disk-shaped donut-shaped circuit board in which an opening 420a through which the excited portion 419b of the movable plate member 419 is inserted is formed at the center. A plurality of LED chips 421, 421,... Are mounted on the upper surface of the LED substrate 420 along the periphery of the opening 420a. The LED chip 421 may be either a single color LED element or a plurality of LED elements capable of outputting white or full color combining the three primary colors. Further, a UV-LED chip 421A including a wavelength component in the near ultraviolet region is mounted on the LED substrate 420.

  The LED substrate 420 is disposed so as to face the bottom of the movable plate member 419, and passes through the spacer hole 419f of the movable plate member 419, and is screwed into the boss of the spacer portion 418f of the cylindrical case member 418. The member 418 is fixed integrally.

  After the LED substrate 420 is accommodated in the cylindrical portion of the movable plate member 419, the first lens member 416 is provided with the engaging portion 416c at the end thereof on the outer periphery of the movable plate member 419 via the second lens member 417. Engage with the claw portion 419h. In addition, these members are locked to the inclined outer cylinder portion of the movable plate member 419 in the order of the inner cover member 415 and the pressing operation portion 411 so as to cover the upper surface of the first lens member 416. Then, the positions of the opening 414a of the decorative frame member 414 and the pressing operation portion 411 are aligned, and the screw inserted into the mounting portion 418g of the cylindrical case member 418 is screwed into the back surface of the decorative frame member 414, so that the cylindrical case member 418 The decorative frame member 414 is fixed.

  On the other hand, the optical switch 430 is screwed into the rectangular case member 428, and the cylindrical case member 418 is screwed so as to close the upper open portion of the rectangular case member 428. At this time, the optical switch 430 is positioned at a position corresponding to the sensor hole 418e of the cylindrical case member 418.

  The solenoid 431 constitutes a vibration generating unit that vibrates the plunger 432 in the linear motion direction in accordance with an alternating drive current supplied from the outside. The solenoid 431 is fixed to a lower portion of the rectangular case member 428 at a position where the end portion of the plunger 432 hits the support sheet metal member 433 in which substantially L-shaped angles are combined. In other words, the support sheet metal member 433 also functions as a reaction force plate for vibration and impact generated by the solenoid 431.

  In the effect button switch 410 having such a configuration, the pressing operation unit 411 is always urged forward by a coil spring 422 connected to the movable plate member 419. In this normal position, the light shielding plate 419e of the movable plate member 419 does not block the transmitted light of the optical switch 430, and the pressing operation signal output by the optical switch 430 is off.

  When the pressing operation unit 411 is pressed against the urging force of the coil spring 422, the movable plate member 419 moves downward in conjunction with this. When the pressing operation unit 411 reaches a predetermined pressing operation position (pressing position), the lower surface of the movable plate member 419 and the bottom surface of the cylindrical case member 418 come into contact with each other, and further movement (pressing operation) is restricted. At this time, the light shielding plate 419e of the movable platen member 419 blocks the transmitted light from the optical switch 430, whereby an ON pressing operation signal is output from the optical switch 430.

  At this pressing operation position, the movable plate member 419 is lowered, and the tip of the plunger 432 of the solenoid 431 can come into contact with the upper surface of the recess 419d formed in the rod portion 419c of the movable plate member 419. That is, in this pressed state, the plunger 432 of the solenoid 431 excited in accordance with an alternating drive current from the outside transmits vibration directly to the movable plate member 419 or applies an impact step by step. It becomes possible.

  Further, according to the effect button switch 410, light is diffused in multiple directions through the first and second lens members 416 and 417 by causing the LED chip 421 that is a light emitting portion to emit light. Then, as shown in FIG. 20, the LED light converted into such highly interesting production light through the transparent or translucent inner cover member 415 and the pressing operation portion 411 can be visually recognized by a player or the like. Can be displayed.

  As described above, characters such as “PUSH”, “chance”, “V”, and decorative symbols are marked on the inner cover member 415 of the effect button switch 410 with a special paint. However, since this paint is transparent under visible light, these letters and decorations are used when the LED chip 421 and the UV-LED chip 421A are turned off or when the effect button switch 410 using the LED chip 421 as a light source is emitted. The symbol is not visually recognized by the player.

  However, when the UV-LED chip 421A emits light and the inner cover member 415 receives light in a specific wavelength region such as near ultraviolet rays, the above-described special paint is excited and generates visible light. At that time, for example, characters such as “PUSH” as shown in FIG. 23 can be visually recognized so as to suddenly emerge through the transparent pressing operation unit 411. Thereby, according to the production | presentation button switch 410, there can exist a visual alerting production effect which gives an unexpectedness to a player.

  The effect button switch 410 also serves as a light emission effect function as the fifth lamp 225 of the front mask 230. For example, by displaying characters such as “PUSH”, it is determined that the player is an operation part of the effect control operation. Can be specified. Furthermore, by controlling the driving of the LED chip 421 and the UV-LED chip 421A respectively, a light emission effect that simply shines the pressing operation unit 411 and a special light emission effect that displays characters and designs such as “PUSH” can be performed simultaneously or individually. Can be done. Therefore, the player can determine whether the button operation is an effective effect or a simple light emission effect without misidentifying the player.

  According to the effect button switch 410 having such a configuration, the player's visual sense and somatic sensation such as a light emitting unit that displays highly interesting production light including a notification effect, and a vibration generating unit that generates vibrations and shocks are provided. The appealing functionality is added, so that the player can experience the excitement of the game in a timely manner. Therefore, it is possible to strongly impress the game effect on the player.

(Front door rear structure)
Next, the back structure of the front door 231 will be described. FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of the front door 231 as viewed from the front with the cabinet 80 removed. FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the front door 231 of FIG. 24 as viewed from the rear. A sub-control unit 91 is fixed to the upper part on the back side of the front door 231 while being locked to the bracket member 92. The sub-control unit 91 houses a sub-control board that controls the rendering operation of the slot machine 11 in a transparent hard resin case.

  Below the sub-control unit 91, a reel panel unit 440 having display windows 442a, 442b, 442c for displaying the symbols of the reels 40L, 40C, 40R (see FIG. 15) in a visible manner is attached from the rear of the door frame 232. It has been. A relay board case 243 is attached below the reel panel unit 440. The relay board case 243 includes switch accommodating portions 243a and 243b. The lever switch 311 described above is accommodated in the switch accommodating portion 243a, and the bet switch unit 236 and the effect button switch 410 described above are included in the switch accommodating portion 243b. Is housed in.

  A selector bracket base 244 is attached to a rear position of the sixth lamp 226 provided on the front mask 230 (see FIG. 16) side. The selector bracket base 244 is a member formed by integrally molding a transparent resin material. The selector bracket base 244 descends continuously with the selector receiving portion 244c including the vertical plate portion 244a and the horizontal plate portion 244b, and the horizontal plate portion 244b, and the vertical plate portion. And a chute wall surface portion 244d having a vertical wall surface at a rear surface position with respect to 244a.

  The selector bracket 245 is a sheet metal mounting means for accommodating the medal selector 57 and aligning the position of the medal selector 57 with the slit (medal slot) of the slot unit 237 described above. The selector bracket 245 is provided with a medal guide channel 245a for guiding the medal accepted as a regular medal by the medal selector 57 to the hopper of the medal payout device 82 (see FIG. 15).

  The cancel chute molded body 247 which is a “chute member” is made of a resin molded member whose front side is open, and has an opening connected to a return flow path portion 247b having a medal receiving port 247a on the upper side and a medal discharge port of the medal payout device 82. A payout flow path part 247d having 247c, and a return flow path part 247b and a junction part 247e connected to the payout flow path part 247d are provided.

  A portion corresponding to the lower panel 214 (see FIG. 16) of the front mask 230 is provided with a lower panel recess 219 that houses an illumination unit (not shown) that illuminates the back surface of the lower panel 214. A part of the return flow path portion 247b and the joining portion 247e of the cancel chute molded body 247 is provided to face the back surface 219a of the lower panel recess 219, and the portion on the side where the medal receiving port 247a is formed is the selector bracket. It faces the chute wall surface portion 244d of the base 244. That is, the cancel medals removed by the medal selector 57 are merged in the cancel chute molded body 247 in the cancel chute molded body 247 with the vertical chute wall surface portion 244d of the selector bracket base 244 and the back surface 219a of the lower panel recess 219 as opposed wall surfaces. A return flow path leading to is formed.

  In addition, a facing wall is provided in which a part of the joining part 247e of the cancel chute molded body 247 and a part of the payout flow path part 247d are bridged between the lower end of the lower panel concave part 219 and the upper end of the medal payout outlet 215. Opposing the member 248. As a result, a payout passage for flowing out the payout medal from the medal payout device 82 and a return passage for flowing out the cancellation medal from the medal selector 57 are merged to form a medal discharge flow passage leading to the medal payout outlet 215.

  The left and right speakers 62L and 62R are attached to the lower portion of the door frame 232 from the rear using speaker brackets 621L and 621R.

  According to such a rear structure of the front door 231, a conventionally used mounting plate that has a function of holding a unit such as a medal selector and a functioning surface of a cancel chute as well as closing a lower portion of the door frame. Since, for example, the back base plate 58 in the first embodiment described above is not required, the manufacturing cost of the slot machine 11 can be reduced. Further, by eliminating the mounting plate (back base plate) on the back of the front door 231, a wide space can be secured in the lower portion of the front door 231. Accordingly, for example, the effect button switch 410 having the light emission effect function described above, and the effect devices such as the sixth lamp 226 and the seventh lamp 227 that perform the light emission effect display are not limited to the size and shape of the lower panel. The portion 213 can be provided. In addition, since the degree of freedom in the design design of the front mask 230 can be kept high, for example, a design in which a large speaker having a resonance tube is installed in the lower panel portion 213 is allowed.

(Reel panel unit)
Next, the structure of the reel panel unit will be described. FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the reel panel unit 440 according to the present embodiment. The reel panel unit 440 includes an escutcheon member 441 attached to the door frame 232 of the front door 231, an intermediate panel member 442 disposed in front of the escutcheon member 441, and a window frame decoration portion 443 from the back side of the intermediate panel member 442. And a light emitting unit 444 for illuminating.

  The middle panel member 442 is made of a resin plate member having a decoration on the front surface, and is provided with display windows at three positions facing the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R (see FIG. 15) with a plurality of symbols. 442L, 442C, and 442R are formed.

  The escutcheon member 441 is a member formed by integrally molding a hard resin, and openings 441L, 441C, 441R facing the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 40L, 40C, 40R are formed in the same manner as the middle panel member 442. In a state where the middle panel member 442 is attached from the front of the escutcheon member 441, the positions of the display windows 442L, 442C, 442R and the openings 441L, 441C, 441R coincide with each other.

  In the escutcheon member 441, a substrate housing portion 445 is formed in a window frame portion between the openings 441C and 441R adjacent to each other. In the board housing portion 445, a vertically long LED board 446 on which a plurality of top view type LED chips 447 and 447 are mounted is housed. Further, a vertically long filling member 448 is disposed so as to cover the front surface of the LED substrate 446.

  The filling member 448 is made of an elastic material such as sponge or elastomer, and has light guide holes 448 a and 448 a at positions corresponding to the LED chips 447 and 447 of the LED substrate 446. Further, the filling member 448 is formed with a notch groove 448 b in which the position of the screw 449 can be adjusted. Here, the height obtained by adding the thickness Tc of the filling member 448 to the thickness Ts of the LED substrate 446 is slightly higher than the depth D of the substrate housing portion 445 of the escutcheon member 441 (that is, D <Ts + Tc). A thickness Tc of the filling member 448 is determined.

  The light emitting unit 444 includes an LED substrate 446 on which the LED chips 447 and 447 are mounted and a filling member 448. After the LED board 446 is inserted into the board accommodating portion 445 of the escutcheon member 441, the light guide holes 448a and 448a of the filling member 448 and the LED chips 447 and 447 are aligned, and screws 449 are screwed through the notch grooves 448b. As a result, the filling member 448 and the LED substrate 446 are fixed to the substrate housing portion 445 of the escutcheon member 441. In addition, a board | substrate accommodating part may be formed also between the opening parts 441L and 441C of the escutcheon member 441, and the light emission part containing an LED board and a filling member may be mounted | worn.

  In a state where the middle panel member 442 is attached to the front side of the escutcheon member 441, the front surface of the closing member 448 is in close contact with the rear surface of the window frame decoration portion 443 of the middle panel member 442. When the LED chips 447 and 447 provided on the window frame of the escutcheon member 441 are driven, the light emitted from the LED chips 447 and 447 passes through the light guide holes 448a and 448a of the filling member 448 and the window of the middle panel member 442. The frame decoration portion 443 is illuminated from the back side. As a result, it is possible to perform an effect display in which light spots are connected to the window frame decoration portion 443 of the middle panel member 442.

  Further, even if warping or distortion within an allowable range occurs during molding of the escutcheon member 441, the elastic filling member 448 is in close contact with the back surface of the middle panel member 442, and no gap is generated. As a result, the light from the LED chips 447 and 447 reliably irradiates the back surface of the middle panel member 442, and light leakage between the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R can be prevented, and the visibility of the reels in the game is good. Can be kept in.

10, 11 Slot machine 20 Front mask 21 Front door 22 Door frame 23 Upper panel part 24 Middle panel part 25 Lower panel part 26 Control panel part 27 1-Bet switch 28 Max bed switch 29 Slot unit 32 Lever switch 33L, 33C, 33R Stop switch 40L, 40C, 40R Reel 50 Middle panel display device 50L, 50C, 50R Display window 51 Lower panel 52 Medal payout port 55 Lever switch housing part 57 Medal selector 60 Selector bracket 61 Cancel chute molded body 61a Return flow path part 61b Dispensing channel section 80 Cabinet 82 Medal dispensing apparatus 110 Production button switch 111 Press operation section 112 Inner cover member 114 Lens member 116 LED substrate 117 LED chip 18 Movable plate member 118b Excited portion 118f Shading plate 119 Base member 119b Spacer portion 120 Solenoid unit 121 Solenoid 122 Plunger 130 Optical sensor 131 Spring cushion 140L, 140R Side speaker unit 141 Exterior molding member 142, 143 Flare portion 143d Fit Stepped portion 144 Central lamp portion 151, 152 Speaker 155, 156 Sound emitting plate 158 LED substrate 159 LED chip 161, 162 Light guide member 171 LED unit 172 LED substrate 175, 176, 177 LED chip 178 Central lens member 186 Reel auxiliary illumination portion 189 Transmission liquid crystal 190L, 190C, 190R Liquid crystal shutter 191 Production liquid crystal shutter 211 Upper panel part 212 Middle panel part 213 Lower panel part 214 Lower part 215 Medal payout exit 219 Lower panel recess 230 Front mask 231 Front door 233 1-bet switch 234 Max bet switches 240L, 240C, 240R Stop switch 244 Selector bracket base 245 Selector bracket 247 Cancel chute molded body 247b Return flow path part 247d Discharge Flow path part 248 Opposite wall member 250 Control panel part 255a Lever switch accommodation hole 311 Lever switch 312 LED substrate 313 Inner lens member 314 Outer lens member 315 Transparent cover member 316 Exterior molding member 410 Production button switch 411 Press operation part 412 Switch body 413 Vibration generating portion 414 Decorative frame member 415 Inner cover member 416 First lens member 417 Second lens member 19 Movable plate member 420 LED substrate 421 LED chip 421A UV-LED chip 422 Coil spring 431 Solenoid 440 Reel panel unit 441 Escution member 442 Middle panel member 442L, 442C, 442R Display window 443 Window frame decoration portion 444 Light emitting portion 446 LED substrate 448 Filling Element

Claims (3)

A slot machine in which at least a medal slot and a payout opening are formed on the front surface of the front door,
The lower part of the front door is provided with a lower panel whose back surface is irradiated by the illumination part accommodated in the recess,
A medal selector for selecting regular medals inserted from the insertion slot is attached to the back of the front door via a bracket base.
A chute member having a U-shaped cross section is attached to the back surface of the recess provided with the lower panel,
A slot formed in the chute member with a return flow path for guiding medals removed by the medal selector to the payout opening, with a part of the vertical wall surface of the bracket base and the back surface of the recess as opposed surfaces. Machine.   The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the lower panel is provided with an effect device.   The slot machine according to claim 2, wherein the effect device is a switch for effect control of a game, a lamp for displaying a light effect display, a button switch or a speaker having a light effect display function.

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