Gaming machine

Abstract

A gaming machine of the present invention has: a body supported by an outer frame to be attached to a game machine island in a game arcade, provided with a predetermined mechanism necessary to execute a game, and formed integrally with a speaker enclosure having an opening and enclosing a speaker; and a lid covering the opening. The lid is fit to the speaker enclosure, thereby forming a speaker enclosing box.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-045268, filed on Feb. 22, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a gaming machine having a speaker and, more particularly, to a speaker enclosing structure.

2. Description of Related Art

Hitherto, a gaming machine having a speaker on a front door is known as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-180959.

The gaming machine described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-180959 includes a built-in speaker having a sound emitting part in which a speaker grille formation part is formed in a front portion. The built-in speaker is attached to an upper part of a front door from the rear side so that the sound emitting part faces forward. Moreover, to improve the sound quality, an enclosure covers the rear of the sound emitting part of the built-in speaker, thereby forming a single closed space in cooperation with the speaker grille formation part. That is, the rear of the sound emitting part of the built-in speaker is sealed by the enclosure.

As described above, in the conventional gaming machine, a sound emitting face of the built-in speaker, that is, the rear face of the speaker grille formation part of the sound emitting part has to be covered with a speaker box (enclosure).

According to the size of the speaker box, the characteristics of sound also change. To be specific, the larger the speaker box is, that is, the larger the capacity of the speaker box is, the more the characteristics of sound improve.

Consequently, a gaming machine having a speaker box of capacity which is as large as possible to improve the characteristics of sound (sound quality) is conventionally desired.

However, the body of the conventional gaming machine is provided with boards such as a display control board for controlling display of an effect image and gaming parts such as a ball path. In relation with the limit of the arcade facility, and the like, the size of the gaming machine is regulated. In a gaming machine of a limited size, a speaker box has to be formed.

A gaming machine provided with a speaker box having capacity as large as possible for improvement of the characteristics of sound (sound quality) is not realized or proposed at present.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine in which a speaker enclosing box having a large capacity can be formed under limit of the size of the gaming machine itself.

A gaming machine of the present invention includes: a body supported by an outer frame to be attached to a game machine island in a game arcade, provided with a predetermined mechanism necessary to execute a game, and formed integrally with a speaker enclosure having an opening and enclosing a speaker; and a lid covering the opening, and the lid is fit to the speaker enclosure, thereby forming a speaker enclosing box.

Since the body and the speaker enclosure are integrally formed, the space of the amount of the speaker enclosure (the space of the amount of the thickness of the speaker enclosure) in the case of forming the speaker enclosure separately from the body can be assured, and the speaker enclosing box (speaker box) can be increased according to the assured increase amount. Thus, the speaker enclosing box having large capacity can be formed under limit of the size of the gaming machine itself. Since the capacity of the speaker enclosing box can be increased, the sound quality can be improved. Since the body and the speaker enclosure are integrally formed as described above, it is not necessary to separately form the speaker enclosure. Consequently, the number of parts can be suppressed, efficiency of the assembling work of the gaming machine can be improved, and the cost can be reduced. Further, since the speaker enclosure is formed integrally with the body, the rigidity of the body can be increased by the speaker enclosure.

According to the present invention, the gaming machine may further include a storing tank in which gaming balls are stored. In the speaker enclosure, a box for enclosing the speaker is formed by a bottom portion, a top portion, side portions, and a rear portion, and the opening is formed so that the speaker is enclosed into the box from the surface side of the body. The storing tank is provided on the back side of a portion existing in the rear portion.

Since the storing tank is provided on the back side of a portion existing in the rear portion, the storing tank is supported by the side and bottom portions of the box of the speaker enclosure. Thus, the rigidity of the body even provided with the storing tank can be improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gaming machine as an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the front of the gaming machine illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view showing the front of a gaming board illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of the gaming machine illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front view showing the front of a main part of the body according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the back (the rear) of the body according to the embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the front of a body (in a state where attached parts are detached) according to the embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the back (the rear) of the body shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a speaker enclosure according to the embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a cross section showing a section of the speaker enclosure seen from the direction A of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the rear of a lid according to the embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state where a speaker is mounted in the lid illustrated in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the front of a speaker enclosure in which a speaker is attached;

FIG. 14 is a cross section illustrating a fitting portion of the lid in the embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a fitting portion of the speaker enclosure according to the embodiment;

FIG. 16 is across section showing a section of the speaker enclosure seen from the direction B of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a speaker enclosing box according to the embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a cross section showing a speaker enclosing box seen from the direction C of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19A is a diagram showing the body in a state where the lid to which the speaker is attached is fit in the speaker enclosure;

FIG. 19B is a diagram showing the body in a state where the lid to which the speaker is attached is fit in the speaker enclosure; and

FIG. 20 is a cross section showing another example of the speaker enclosing box.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Best modes for carrying out the present invention will be described more concretely hereinafter with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals are designated to the same members in the attached drawings and repetitive description will not be given. Since the best modes of the invention will be described, the invention is not limited to the modes.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gaming machine as an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a front view showing the front of the gaming machine illustrated in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a front view showing the front of a gaming board illustrated in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of the gaming machine illustrated in FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a front view showing the front of a main part of the body according to the embodiment; FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the back (the rear) of the body according to the embodiment; FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the front of a body (in a state where attached parts are detached) according to the embodiment; FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the back (the rear) of the body shown in FIG. 7; FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a speaker enclosure according to the embodiment; FIG. 10 is a cross section showing a section of the speaker enclosure seen from the direction A of FIG. 9; FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the rear of a lid according to the embodiment; FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state where a speaker is mounted in the lid illustrated in FIG. 11; FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the front of a speaker enclosure in which a speaker is attached; FIG. 14 is a cross section illustrating a fitting portion of the lid in the embodiment; FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a fitting portion of the speaker enclosure according to the embodiment; FIG. 16 is a cross section showing a section of the speaker enclosure seen from the direction B of FIG. 15; FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a speaker enclosing box according to the embodiment; FIG. 18 is a cross section showing a speaker enclosing box seen from the direction C of FIG. 17; FIG. 19A is a diagram showing the body in a state where the lid to which the speaker is attached is fit in the speaker enclosure; FIG. 19B is a diagram showing the body in a state where the lid to which the speaker is attached is fit in the speaker enclosure; and FIG. 20 is a cross section showing another example of the speaker enclosing box.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a pachinko gaming machine (gaming machine) 1 has an outer frame 9 attached to a game machine island in a game arcade, a body 10 which is supported by the outer frame 9 and to which a predetermined mechanism necessary at the time of executing a game is attached, a liquid crystal display device (refer to FIG. 4) 22 as a display device provided on the rear side of a gaming board 21 (refer to FIGS. 2 and 3) and attached to the body 10 from the surface side of the body 10, and a glass door 3, an upper tray portion 4, a lower tray portion 5, a cover 6, and a handle 7 which are attached to the body 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the glass door 3 and the upper tray portion 4 are formed integrally, one end an integrated openable door (openable body) 23 is swingably supported by the body 10 and the other end is fit to the body 10. The glass door 3 visibly covers the gaming board 21.

The upper tray portion 4 is positioned below the glass door 3 and has an upper tray 4a in which paid-out gaming balls and gaming balls hit to a game region are stored. In a predetermined position in the upper tray portion 4, a shutter lever 8 is provided, which is operated in the case of moving the gaming balls accumulated in the upper tray 4a to a lower tray 5a which will be described later and taking out the gaming balls at the end of a game or the like.

The lower tray portion 5 positioned below the upper tray portion 4 is fixed to the body 10 and has the lower tray 5a in which gaming balls overflowed from the upper tray 4a by a payout are accumulated.

The handle 7 provided on the right side of the lower tray portion 5 is turned at the time of hitting gaming balls to a gaming region 21a of the gaming board 21 via an outer rail 11a and an inner rail 11b (refer to FIG. 3) and has a stop button (not shown) for stopping hitting of gaming balls.

The cover 6 positioned on the upper side of the glass door 3 is fixed to the body 10, and left and right portions 6a and 6b of the cover 6 correspond to left and right speakers 110 and 120, respectively, (refer to FIGS. 4 and 5) provided for the body 10, and sound from the speakers 110 and 120 can be heard.

The liquid crystal display device 22 has a display region capable of displaying an effect image (for example, animation corresponding to a gaming state and other notification information).

The gaming board 21 has a gaming region 21a which is surrounded by the outer rail 11a and the inner rail 11b and along which gaming balls can fall. Disposed in the gaming region 21a are gaming members including obstacles (not shown) such as a number of pins and pinwheels, regular wining openings 12, pass gates 13, a special wining opening 15 as a variable lining device, an outlet 16, and an electronic accessory member 18 having starting winning openings 14 and 17.

In the embodiment, the gaming board 21 is made of a transparent member (translucent member), and the liquid crystal display device (LCD) 22 is visibly attached to the body 10 from the surface side of the body 10. In place of the liquid crystal display device 22, display means such as a plasma display can be also used.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of the gaming machine illustrated in FIG. 1. The same reference numerals are designated to components having functions similar to those in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing the front of the main part of the body, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the back (the rear) of the body. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the handle 7 in the configuration of the body 10 shown in FIG. 4 is eliminated.

The gaming machine will now be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, lids 410 and 420 to which the speakers 110 and 120 are attached are fit to the body 10 turnably supported by the outer frame 9 to be attached to a game machine island in a game arcade, via hinges 9a and 9b (the details will be described later). As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, for example, a storing tank 130 in which gaming balls are stored is attached to the rear side of the body 10 facing the portion of the body 10 to which the speaker 120 is attached.

In the body 10, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the liquid crystal display device 22 is attached in a predetermined position below the speakers 110 and 120. In the body 10, retaining parts 141, 142, 143, and 144 for retaining brackets (retaining parts) 101, 102, 103, and 104 of the gaming board 21 are provided as shown in FIG. 5. Specifically, by engagement of the retaining parts 141 to 144 and the brackets 101 to 104 of the gaming board 21 in the state shown in FIG. 5 (the state where the liquid crystal display device 22 is attached to the body 10), the gaming board 21 is fixed to the body 10.

The body 10 swingably supports the openable door (the glass door 3 and the upper tray portion 4) 23 via a hinge so that the gaming board 21 can be seen (that is, the liquid crystal display device 22 can be seen through the gaming board 21).

To the body 10, as shown in FIG. 4, the cover 6 is fixed so as to cover the speakers 110 and 120, and the lower tray portion 5 is fixed in a position below the openable door 23.

As shown in FIG. 6, to the back side of the body 10, a control system case 150 is attached. The control system case 150 has an effect control board unit (not shown) as a component of an effect control circuit for controlling display of a predetermined image of the liquid crystal display device 22, a main control board unit (not shown) as a component of a main control circuit for controlling a control instruction to the effect control circuit and a whole game, a power source unit (not shown) for generating power source voltages (such as 24V, 12V, and 5V) required by electronic parts to operate, and the like.

In the embodiment, predetermined mechanisms attached to the body 10 that are necessary at the time of executing a game include, for example, the lower tray portion 5, cover 6, handle 7, gaming board 21, liquid crystal display device 22, openable door 23, speakers 110 and 120, storing tank 130, retaining parts 141 to 144, and control system case 150. The mechanisms (members) are just an example. Various mechanisms other than those mechanisms may be attached.

The gaming machine according to the present invention realizes improvement in the sound quality at the time of producing an effect related with sound (sound effect).

A speaker enclosure constructing a speaker enclosing box (speaker box) will now be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the front of the body (in the state where the attached parts are detached) according to the embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the back (the rear) of the body illustrated in FIG. 7.

In the body 10, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, each of a speaker enclosure 310 having an opening 210 and enclosing the speaker 110, and a speaker enclosure 320 having an opening 220 and enclosing the speaker 120 is integrally formed.

In the speaker enclosure 310, bosses (attaching parts) 201a, 201b, 201c, and 201d for fixing the lid 410 which will be described later after the lid 410 is fit in the speaker enclosure 310 are formed around the opening 210.

Similarly, also in the speaker enclosure 320, bosses (attaching parts) 202a, 202b, 202c, and 202d for fixing the lid 420 which will be described later after the lid 420 is fit in the speaker enclosure 320 are formed around the opening 220.

As shown in FIG. 8, bosses (attaching parts) 203a and 203b for fixing one side in the longitudinal direction of the storing tank 130 are formed in the portion facing the opening 210 in the speaker enclosure 310, that is, on the back side of the body 10.

Similarly, bosses (attaching parts) 203c and 203d for fixing the other side in the longitudinal direction of the storing tank 130 are formed in a side portion in the position facing the opening 220 in the speaker enclosure 320, that is, on the back side.

Next, paying attention to the speaker enclosure 310 in the body 10, the speaker enclosure and the speaker enclosing box will be described.

In the speaker enclosure 310, as shown in FIG. 9, a box for enclosing the speaker 110 is formed by a bottom portion 311, a top portion 312, side portions 313 and 314, and a rear portion 315, and the opening 210 from which the speaker 110 is enclosed into the box from the surface side of the body 10 is formed. That is, the speaker enclosure 310 has a space (box) in which the speaker 110 is enclosed.

With the configuration of the body 10 in which the speaker enclosure having the space (box) is integrally formed, the following effects (1) to (3) can be expected.

(1) Since the body 10 and the speaker enclosure 310 are integrally formed, the space of the member of the speaker enclosure 310 (the space of the amount corresponding to the thickness of the member of the speaker enclosure) in the case of forming the speaker enclosure 310 separately from the body 10 can be assured. Consequently, the speaker enclosing box (speaker box) can be increased according to the assured increased space. Under limit of the size of the gaming machine, the speaker enclosing box having large capacity can be formed.

(2) In the body 10, the two speaker enclosures 310 and 320 each having a space (box) are integrally formed, so that the rigidity of the body 10 can be increased by the two speaker enclosures 310 and 320 each formed to have a space (box).

(3) Since the body 10 and the two speaker enclosures 310 and 320 are integrally formed, it is not necessary to separately form speaker enclosures. Consequently, the number of parts can be suppressed, efficiency of the assembling work of the pachinko gaming machine 1 can be improved, and the cost can be reduced.

In the speaker enclosure 310, as shown in FIG. 9, vibration regulating parts (ribs) 311a, 312a, 313a, 314a, and 315a (in FIG. 9, the vibration regulating part 314a is not shown) that regulate vibrations of the speaker enclosure 310 are formed on the inside of the bottom portion 311, top portion 312, side portions 313 and 314, and rear portion 315, respectively. Each of the vibration regulating parts 311a, 312a, 313a, 314a, and 315a has a projection shape projected from the speaker enclosure 310.

In the embodiment, the vibration regulating parts (ribs) 311a, 312a, 313a, 314a, and 315a are formed integrally with the speaker enclosure 310.

In other words, the vibration regulating parts, the speaker enclosure 310, and the body 10 are integrally formed.

FIG. 10 is a cross section showing a section of the speaker enclosure 310 seen from the direction A of FIG. 9. In FIG. 10, the portion indicated by the thick line corresponds to the speaker enclosure 310.

In the example shown in FIG. 10, the bottom portion 311, top portion 312, side portion 313, rear portion 315, and vibration regulating parts 311a, 312a, 313a, and 315a are illustrated as separate members. In the embodiment, as described above, the bottom portion 311, top portion 312, side portion 313 and rear portion 315, and vibration regulating parts 311a, 312a, 313a, and 315a are integrally formed.

Since the speaker enclosure 320 has a configuration similar to that of the speaker enclosure 310, description of the configuration of the speaker enclosure 320 will not be repeated.

As described above, by the configuration of the speaker enclosure in which the vibration regulating parts are integrally formed, the following effects (1) to (4) can be expected.

(1) For example, in the speaker enclosure 310, the vibration regulating parts 311a, 312a, 313a, 314a, and 315a for regulating vibrations of the speaker enclosure 310 are formed. Consequently, unnecessary vibrations of the speaker enclosure 310 caused by sound vibrations (residual sound vibrations) of the speaker 110 are prevented, and the sound quality can be improved.

(2) For example, since the vibration regulating parts are formed on the inside of the speaker enclosure 310, the space in the speaker enclosure 310 is effectively used, unnecessary vibrations of the speaker enclosure 310 caused by the sound vibrations (residual sound vibrations) of the speaker 110 are prevented, and the sound quality can be improved.

(3) Since the projections are formed as the vibration regulating parts in, for example, the speaker enclosure 310, the rigidity of the speaker enclosure 310 can be increased by the projections.

(4) Since the vibration regulating parts and, for example, the speaker enclosure 310 are integrally formed, it is unnecessary to separately form the vibration regulating parts and the number of parts can be suppressed. Thus, efficiency of the assembling work of the gaming machine can be improved, and the cost can be reduced.

In the embodiment, as already described, the storing tank 130 is provided in each of portions existing in the positions facing the openings 210 and 220 in the boxes of the speaker enclosures 310 and 320, that is, the back side of the rear portion.

With respect to, for example, the speaker enclosure 310, the bosses 203a and 203b are formed in the back surface of the rear portion 315. Therefore, one side in the longitudinal direction of the storing tank 130 is fixed by attaching parts such as screws. In this case, the speaker enclosure 310 supports the storing tank 130 by the bottom portion 311 and the side portions 313 and 314.

With respect to the speaker enclosure 320 as well, in a manner similar to the case of the speaker enclosure 310, the bosses 203c and 203d are formed in the portions existing in the positions facing the opening 220, that is, in the rear portion. Therefore, the other side in the longitudinal direction of the storing tank 130 is fixed by attaching members such as screws. In this case, the speaker enclosure 320 supports the storing tank 130 by the bottom portion (which corresponds to the bottom portion 311) and the side portions (which correspond to the side portions 313 and 314).

As described above, the storing tank 130 is provided in the portion existing in the position facing the openings 210 and 220 in the box formed by the bottom portion, the top portion, the side portions, and the rear portion, that is, on the back side of the rear portion, so that the storing tank 130 is supported by the side portions and the bottom portion in the box of the speaker enclosure. Thus, the rigidity of the body 10 having the storing tank 130 can be improved.

The lid as a component of the speaker enclosure, that is, the lid which is fit in the above-described speaker enclosure will now be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 15.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the back of the lid 410, and FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state where the speaker 110 is mounted on the lid 410 illustrated in FIG. 11.

The lid 410 is formed by, as shown in FIG. 11, a bottom portion 411, a top portion 412, side portions 413 and 414, and a front portion 415. An opening (opening portion) is formed in a portion (rear portion) facing the front portion 415. Such a lid 410 covers the opening 210 in the speaker enclosure 310 so that the opening faces the speaker enclosure 310.

A sound emitting opening 416 for emitting sound generated by the speaker 110 is formed in the front portion 415 of the lid 410. The speaker 110 is attached to the sound emitting opening 416 in the lid 410.

Specifically, bosses 417a, 417b, 417c, and 417d for fixing the speaker 110 are formed in portions around the sound emitting opening 416 in correspondence with attachment holes 111a, 111b, 111c, and 111d, respectively, (the attachment hole 111d is not shown in FIG. 12) of the speaker 110 shown in FIG. 12.

Ribs 418a and 418b are provided near the bosses 417a and 417d, respectively. In the case where the speaker 110 is placed in a predetermined position in the sound emitting opening 416 to fix the speaker 110 in the sound emitting opening 416, the movement of the speaker 110 is regulated by the ribs 418a and 418b, so that the four bosses 417a to 417d and the four attachment holes 111a to 111d of the speaker 110 match with each other. Consequently, the speaker 110 can be easily fixed to the sound emitting opening 416.

By screwing fittings such as screws to the four bosses 417a to 417d via the four attachment holes 111a to 111d of the speaker 110, the speaker 110 is fixed to the sound emitting opening 416 in the lid 410. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the front of the lid 410 to which the speaker 110 is fixed as described above.

In the embodiment, the position of disposing the sound emitting opening 416 can be changed (design can be changed) within the range that the speaker 110 in the front portion 415 can be attached. That is, the design can be changed so that the sound emitting opening 416, that is, the speaker 110 is disposed in a desired position in the front portion 415 in consideration of the bosses 417a to 417d and the ribs 418a and 418b.

In this case, even when the design of the position of disposing the sound emitting opening 416 is changed, no influence is exerted on, for example, the speaker enclosure 310 in which the speaker 110 is housed and the cover 6 covering the lids 410 and 420. Consequently, the designer can concentrate on a design change of the sound emitting opening 416, that is, only the lid.

Since, for example, the speaker 110 is attached to the sound emitting opening 416 in the lid 410 as described above, without changing the design of the speaker enclosure 310, the design of the position of disposing the speaker 110 can be easily changed by changing the design of the position of disposing only the sound emitting opening 416 in the lid 410 (design change of only the lid).

In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, vibration regulating parts (ribs) 411a, 412a, 413a, 414a, and 415a for regulating vibrations of the lid 410 (the vibration regulating part 414a is not shown in FIG. 11) are formed in the bottom portion 411, top portion 412, side portions 413 and 414, and front portion 415 of the lid 410, respectively. Each of the vibration regulating parts is formed integrally with the lid 410 and has a projection shape which projects from the lid 410.

Since the vibration regulating parts (projections) 411a, 412a, 413a, 414a, and 415a are formed in the lid 410, unnecessary vibrations of the lid 410 caused by sound vibrations (residual sound vibrations) of the speaker 110 are prevented and the sound quality can be improved.

On the outside of the side portion 413, as shown in FIG. 12, attachment parts 419a and 419b which are attached in correspondence with the bosses 201a and 201b of the speaker enclosure 310 and to which fittings such as screws are inserted are formed. Similarly, on the outside of the side portion 414, attachment parts 419c and 419d attached in correspondence with the bosses 201c and 201d, respectively, of the speaker enclosure 310 are formed.

In the side portion 414, a wire leading notch 401 for connecting a wire (not shown) from the speaker 110 to a predetermined control board (for example, a control board having a sound control circuit for generating a sound signal) is formed. Although the notch 401 is formed in the center of the side portion 414, for example, it may be formed in an arbitrary position between the fitting parts 419c and 419d.

In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the fitting portion which is fit to the speaker enclosure 310 in the lid 410 is formed in a stair shape. Concretely, the tip of the fitting portion in the lid 410 has steps, and the lower step comes into contact with the front end face of the fitting portion of the speaker enclosure 310. The step having a short distance between the front end face of the step in the fitting portion of the lid 410 and the front portion 415 of the lid 410 is set as a lower step.

For example, the portion 412b fit to the speaker enclosure 310, in the top portion 412 of the lid 410 has a stair shape having a lower step 412c and a higher step 412d. Although a portion fit to the speaker enclosure 310, in each of the side portions 413 and 414 of the lid 410 is not shown in FIG. 14, the portion has a stair shape having a lower step and a higher step like the case of the fitting portion 412b.

As shown in FIG. 14, a fitting portion 411b fit to the speaker enclosure 310 in the bottom portion 411 of the lid 410 similarly has a stair shape having a lower step 411c, a step 411d higher than the step 411c, and a step 411e higher than the step 411d. In this case, a recessed shape is formed by the steps 411c, 411d, and 411e.

On the other hand, in the speaker enclosure 310, as shown in FIG. 15, fitting portions 311b, 312b, 313b, and 314b which fit to the lid 410 in the bottom portion 311, top portion 312, and side portions 313 and 314 of the speaker enclosure 310 are formed in a projected shape. FIG. 16 is a cross section of a main part of the speaker enclosure 310 seen from the direction B of FIG. 15.

In the case where the lid 410 is fit in the speaker enclosure 310, for example, the step 412c in the fitting portion 412b in the top portion 412 of the lid 410 shown in FIG. 14 comes into contact with a front end face 312c of the fitting portion 312b in the top portion 312 of the speaker enclosure 310 shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. The step 411c in the fitting portion 411b in the bottom portion 411 of the lid 410 shown in FIG. 14 comes into contact with the front end face 311c of the fitting portion 311b in the bottom portion 311 of the speaker enclosure 310 shown in FIG. 16. The front end face 313c of the fitting portion 313b in the side portion 313 of the speaker enclosure 310 shown in FIG. 16 comes into contact with a lower step (step 413c shown in FIG. 11) in the fitting portion 413b in the side portion 413 of the lid 410.

Next, the speaker enclosing box formed when the speaker enclosure and the lid are fit to each other will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18.

In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, the lid 410 (refer to FIG. 13) to which the speaker 110 is attached is fit to the speaker enclosure 310 (refer to FIG. 9), thereby forming a speaker enclosing box 510. In this case, the lid 410 is fit to the speaker enclosure 310 so that the opening in the lid 410 faces the opening 210 in the speaker enclosure 310, thereby forming the speaker enclosing box 510.

In the case where the lid 410 is fit to the speaker enclosure 310 as described above, as shown in FIG. 17, the bosses 201a, 201b, 201c, and 201d of the speaker enclosure 310 match the four attachment parts 419a, 419b, 419c, and 419d of the lid 410. Consequently, by screwing the fittings such as screws to the four bosses through the four attachment holes, the lid 410 is fixed to the speaker enclosure 310.

Moreover, in the case where the lid 410 is fit to the speaker enclosure 310, as shown in FIG. 18, the tip of the fitting portion 312b of the speaker enclosure 310 overlaps the step 412d in the fitting portion 412b of the lid 410.

In a manner similar to the case of the fitting portion 312b, the tips of the fitting portions of the side portions 313 and 314 of the speaker enclosure 310 also overlap higher steps (steps corresponding to the step 412d in the fitting portion 412b) in the fitting portion of the side portions 413 and 414 of the lid 410.

Further, the tip of the fitting portion 311b of the bottom portion 311 of the speaker enclosure 310 is fit to the fitting portion 411b having the recessed shape in the bottom portion 411 of the lid 410, so that it naturally overlaps the fitting portion 411b.

FIG. 18 is a cross section showing a section of the speaker enclosing box 510 seen from the direction C of FIG. 17.

When the fitting portion formed in a stair shape in each of the bottom portion 411, top portion 412, and side portions 413 and 414 of the lid 410 is fit to the fitting portion formed in a projected shape in each of the bottom portion 311, top portion 312, and side portions 313 and 314 of the speaker enclosure 310, the inside of the speaker enclosing box 510 is sealed.

Obviously, when the lid 420 (refer to FIG. 5) to which the speaker 120 is attached is fit in the speaker enclosure 320 (refer to FIG. 7), in a manner similar to the case of the speaker enclosing box 510, a speaker enclosing box 520 having high sealing performance is formed.

FIGS. 19A and 19B shows a state in which the lid 410 to which the speaker 110 is attached and the lid 420 to which the speaker 120 is attached are fit to the body (in a state where attached parts are detached) 10 shown in FIG. 7 (the state in which the speaker enclosing boxes 510 and 520 are formed). FIG. 19A is a front view showing the front of the body 10, and FIG. 19B is a side view showing a side face of the body 10.

With the configuration of the speaker enclosing box described above, the following effects (1) to (6) can be expected.

(1) Since the body 10 and the two speaker enclosures 310 and 320 are integrally formed, the space of the amount of the speaker enclosures (the space corresponding to the thickness of the member of the speaker enclosure) in the case of forming the speaker enclosures 310 and 320 separately from the body can be assured. According to the space of the assured increase amount, the speaker enclosing box (speaker box) can be increased. Thus, a speaker enclosing box having large capacity under limit of the size of the gaming machine itself can be formed.

(2) Since the capacity of the speaker enclosing boxes 510 and 520 can be increased as described above, the quality of sound generated from the speakers 110 and 120 can be improved.

(3) As described above, the fitting portion between the lid 410 and the speaker enclosure 310 is formed in a stair shape, so that sealing performance of the inside of the speaker enclosing box can be increased. Moreover, the speaker enclosing box 510 having large capacity can be formed under limit of the size of the gaming machine itself.

(4) Since the fitting portion of the lid 410 and the speaker enclosure 310 is formed in a stair shape, the sealing performance of the speaker enclosing box when the lid is fit to the speaker enclosure can be increased. The sound quality can be further improved.

(5) Since the lid 410 and the speaker enclosure 310 are fit to each other by a recess and a projection, that is, the recess-shaped fitting portion of the lid 410 and the projection-shaped fitting portion of the speaker enclosure 310, the sealing performance in the speaker enclosure box can be further increased.

(6) When the lid 410 is fit to the speaker enclosure 310, the projected portion and the recessed portion are fit to each other. In particular, by engagement between the recess-shaped fitting portion 411b in the lid 410 and the projection-shaped fitting portion 311b in the speaker enclosure 310, the lid 410 is prevented from being easily tilted (dropped) forward (to the front) from the speaker enclosure 310. Consequently, the lid can be temporarily fixed to the speaker enclosure, and an assembling work (fixing) such as screwing can be performed easily.

Although the vibration regulating parts are provided on the inside of the speaker enclosure and also on the inside of the lid in the foregoing embodiment, the invention is not limited to the embodiment but may employ the following configuration.

The vibration regulating parts may be provided on the outside of the speaker enclosure and also on the outside of the lid.

With the configuration, unnecessary vibrations in each of the speaker enclosure and the lid caused by sound vibrations of the speaker can be regulated, so that sound quality can be improved.

In the case where the vibration regulating parts are provided on the inside of the speaker enclosure and also on the inside of the lid, however, as compared with the case of providing the vibration regulating parts on the outside of the speaker enclosure and also on the outside of the lid, the vibration regulating parts do not hinder members provided on the outside of the speaker enclosing box. In addition, the space in the speaker enclosing box can be effectively used. It is consequently more preferable to provide the vibration regulating parts on the inside of the speaker enclosure and on the inside of the lid.

Although the vibration regulating parts are provided for both of the speaker enclosure and the lid in the foregoing embodiment, the invention is not limited to the embodiment but may employ the following configuration.

For example, the vibration regulating parts are provided for the speaker enclosure or the lid. In the case where the vibration regulating parts are provided for the speaker enclosure, unnecessary vibrations of the speaker enclosure are regulated. On the other hand, in the case where vibration regulating parts are provided for the lid, unnecessary vibrations of the lid are regulated.

In the case where the vibration regulating parts are provided for the speaker enclosure or the lid, as compared with the case where no vibration regulating parts are provided for the speaker enclosure and the lid, the sound quality can be improved. However, in the case of providing the vibration regulating parts for the speaker enclosure or the lid, as compared with the case of providing the vibration regulating parts for both of the speaker enclosure and the lid, the sound quality may be lower. Consequently, it is more preferable to provide the vibration regulating parts for both of the speaker enclosure and the lid.

Further, the speaker enclosure and the vibration regulating parts provided for the speaker enclosure are integrally formed and the lid and the vibration regulating parts provided for the lid are integrally formed in the foregoing embodiment. However, the invention is not limited to the configuration but may also employ a configuration in which the speaker enclosure and the vibration regulating parts are formed separately, and the lid and the vibration regulating parts are formed separately.

Further, although the fitting portion of the lid is formed in a stair shape (the lower step and the higher step) and the fitting part of the speaker enclosure is formed in a projected shape in the foregoing embodiment, the invention is not limited to the embodiment but may be embodied as follows.

The fitting portion of the lid is formed in a projected shape and, on the other hand, the fitting portion of the speaker enclosure is formed in a stair shape.

With the configuration, when the fitting portion (projection) of the lid and the fitting portion (stair shape) of the speaker enclosure are fit to each other, the inside of the speaker enclosing box is sealed so that the sound quality can be further improved.

Further, in the foregoing embodiment, the fitting portion 411b of the lid 410 is formed so as to have a recess and the fitting portion 311b of the speaker enclosure 310 is formed so as to have a projection. However, the invention is not limited to the configuration but may employ the following configuration.

The fitting portion 411b of the lid 410 is formed so as to have a projection, and the fitting portion 311b of the speaker enclosure 310 is formed so as to have a recess.

With the configuration, by engagement between the projection-shaped fitting portion 411b in the lid 410 and the recess-shaped fitting portion 311b in the speaker enclosure 310, the lid 410 is prevented from being easily tilted (dropped) forward (to the front) from the speaker enclosure 310. Consequently, the lid 410 can be temporarily fixed to the speaker enclosure 310, and an assembling work (fixing) such as screwing can be performed easily.

Further, in the foregoing embodiment, the lid is fit to the speaker enclosure from the surface side of the body. The invention, however, is not limited to the embodiment but may employ the following configuration.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 20, a lid 610 (a hatched portion in FIG. 20) is fit to the speaker enclosure 300 from the back side of the body 10.

In FIG. 20, in the speaker enclosure 300, for example, the lid 410 shown in FIG. 14 and the speaker enclosure 310 shown in FIG. 15 are formed integrally, and the rear portion 315 of the speaker enclosure 310 is open. Projection-shaped vibration regulators for regulating vibrations are formed in the portions corresponding to the lid 410 and the speaker enclosure 310.

Reference numerals 301, 302, and 303 denote vibration regulating parts (projections) corresponding to the vibration regulating parts 311a, 312a, and 313a.

On the other hand, in the lid 610, fitting portions 611 and 612 which are fit to the speaker enclosure 300 are formed in a stair shape. The fitting portion 612 is formed so as to have a recess. In the lid 610, vibration regulating parts 613 and 614 each having a projected shape and regulating vibrations of the lid 610 are formed. The vibration regulating part 614 is a projection formed in the vertical direction (the direction from the fitting portion 611 to the fitting portion 612), and the vibration regulating part 613 is a projection formed in the lateral direction.

In this case as well, by fitting the lid 610 to the speaker enclosing member 300, a speaker enclosing box 600 having high sealing performance is formed and the sound quality can be improved.

Although the case of applying the present invention to a gaming machine in which a pachinko gaming machine itself is attached to a gaming stand has been described above, the invention is not limited to the case. The invention can be applied to various gaming machines such as a pachinko-slot gaming machine (slot machine), a “Jankyu (a kind of pachinko games)” gaming machine, a pinball, and various gaming machines set in a game arcade.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A gaming machine comprising:

a body supported by an outer frame to be attached to a game machine island in a game arcade, provided with a predetermined mechanism necessary to execute a game, and formed integrally with a speaker enclosure having an opening and enclosing a speaker; and

a lid covering the opening, wherein

the lid is fit to the speaker enclosure, thereby forming a speaker enclosing box.

2. A gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising:

a storing tank in which gaming balls are stored, wherein

in the speaker enclosure, a box for enclosing the speaker is formed by a bottom portion, a top portion, side portions, and a rear portion, and the opening is formed so that the speaker is enclosed into the box from the surface side of the body, and

the storing tank is provided on the back side of a portion existing in the rear portion.