Gaming machine

Abstract

A gaming machine includes a playboard, a main body to which the playboard is attached, a liquid crystal display device that displays predetermined images, and a control system case having a display control board that controls display of the liquid crystal display device, and the control system case has a detachable storage device that stores information on an effect including the predetermined images, and is attached to the main body from the back side, and the liquid crystal display device is attached to the main body from the front side.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is claimed for priority based on Japanese Patent Applications No. 2005-049591 (filed on Feb. 24, 2005) and No. 2005-368739 (filed on Dec. 21, 2005).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and in particular, to an attaching structure to a main body of a display device.

2. Description of Related Art

In gaming machines, in particular, pachinko gaming machines, as generally known, a main body (base door) to which a playboard is attached is rotatably attached to a wood frame via hinges, and to the front face of the main body, an opening and closing door including a glass door and a tray unit to cover the playboard in a visible manner is rotatably attached.

In addition, playboards including various bonus and display devices in which various measures are taken to improve the attraction of the pachinko game and prevent players from being bored are used.

In view of replacement of the playboard (panel change) according to a model change, the display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) is attached to the playboard and accommodated in the opening of the main body while a display control board is mounted on the back side of the playboard (for example, refer to Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. 2004-216190).

Replacement of the playboard according to a model change means that the display device and the display control board attached to the playboard will also be replaced as well as the playboard.

In the main body (base door), at the time of replacement of the playboard according to a model change and maintenance of the playboard, operations to detach and attach the playboard are performed.

Therefore, an external force (load) may act the main body in some cases of attaching and detaching of the playboard, so that it is desirable that the rigidity of the main body is high.

However, in conventional gaming machines, a large opening in which the display control board is inserted must be provided in the main body, and this lowers the rigidity of the main body. Therefore, the main body is easily broken by the action of an external force.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a gaming machine in which the rigidity of the main body can be increased.

A gaming machine of the invention comprises a main body to which a playboard is attached, a display device that displays predetermined images, and a display control board that controls display of the display device, and the display control board is attached to the main body from the back side of the main body, and the display device is attached to the main body from the front side of the main body.

Thus, the display device is attached to the main body from the front side of the main body and the display control board is attached to the main body from the back side of the main body, so that it becomes unnecessary to form a large opening for inserting the display control board in the main body, and therefore, the rigidity of the main body can be increased.

In the playboard in the invention, an area including a playfield is formed of a trasmissive member, the display device is attached to the main body from the front side of the main body via the transmissive member, and the display control board may have a detachable storage device that is adapted to the model of the playing machine and stores information on an effect including the predetermined images.

Thus, the storage device detachably attached to the display control board that is attached to the main body from the back side of the main body stores information on an effect according to the model of the gaming machine, so that by replacing the storage device adapted to the old model (that is, the currently attached storage device) by a storage device adapted to a new model, a model change can be made. The playboard formed of a transmissive member is attached to the main body from the front side of the main body so that the display device is visible via the transmissive member, so that, for example, when patterns and characters to be applied onto the playboard are displayed as images corresponding to the patterns and characters by the display device, players look at these as if the pattern and characters are made on the playboard. Therefore, even when, for example, patterns and characters to be applied onto the playboard according to a model of a gaming machine are desired to be changed, without replacing the playboard, the model change can be made only by replacing the storage device that stores image data corresponding to predetermined patterns and characters.

The display device of the invention is a liquid crystal display device having an inverter board on the back face, and the main body may have a concave portion for accommodating the inverter board.

Thereby, even a liquid crystal display that has an inverter board on the back face can be attached to the main body from the front side of the main body, so that the liquid crystal display device can be easily attached to the main body, and the rigidity of the main body can be further increased by the concave portion.

In addition, holes may be formed in the concave portion formed in the main body of the invention.

Thereby, heat generated from the inverter board is released through the holes made in the concave portion, so that the heat release effect can be improved.

The main body of the invention may have lower end supporting stepped portions that support the lower end of the display device.

Thereby, regarding the lower end of the display device, the lower end is supported (placed) on the lower end supporting stepped portions provided on the main body, so that the display device can be easily attached and kept in a stable fixed state, and the rigidity of the main body can be further increased by the lower end supporting stepped portions.

In addition, the main body of the invention may have upward movement restricting stepped portions that restrict upward movements of the display device.

Thereby, the display device is restricted from moving upward by the upward movement restricting stepped portions provided on the main body, so that the display device can be kept in a stable fixed state, and the rigidity of the main body can be further increased by the upward movement restricting stepped portions.

It is also allowed that the main body in the invention has a recess (concave portion 500) in which the display device can be fitted on its front side, and the display device is fitted in the recess to support the main body from the inner side.

With this configuration, the display device fitted in the recess of the main body supports the main body from the inner side. Thereby, the rigidity of the main body can be further increased, and the main body can be prevented from warping and distortion.

The display device may support the main body on its end portion.

With this configuration, the display device supports the main body on its end portion. Thereby, the member of the display device can be effectively used, and the rigidity of the main body can be increased.

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 according to an embodiment of the invention;

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

FIG. 3 is a front view of a playboard according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a playboard shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of attaching engagement parts, upward and downward movement restricting portions, and rightward and leftward movement restricting portions according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of an attaching state of the attaching engagement part according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of the attaching engagement part, the upward and downward movement restricting portion, the rightward and leftward movement restricting portion, and the stepped portion.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an attaching part according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a state in that the attaching part shown in FIG. 8 is attached to the playboard;

FIG. 10 is a top view of the attaching part shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the attaching part shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the attaching part shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an attaching engagement part according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another example of the attaching engagement part according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a front view showing the front face of the attaching engagement part shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a side view showing the right side face of the attaching engagement part shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 17 is a back view showing the back face of the attaching engagement part shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 18 is a top view showing the top face of the attaching engagement part shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 19 is a bottom view showing the bottom face of the attaching engagement part shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 20 is an explanatory view of a movement allowing state and a movement restricting state of the attaching engagement part according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 21 is an explanatory view of the attaching engagement part in the movement allowing state and an attaching structure of the playboard according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 22 is an explanatory view of the attaching engagement part in the movement allowing state and an attaching structure of the playboard according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 23 is an explanatory view of the attaching engagement part in a movement restricting state and an attaching structure of the playboard according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of the gaming machine shown in FIG. 1, viewed from the front side;

FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of the gaming machine shown in FIG. 1, viewed from the back side;

FIG. 26 is an explanatory front view of the display device;

FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing the control system of the gaming machine;

FIG. 28 is an exploded perspective view of a control system case according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 29 is an external view of a control system unit according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 30 is an external view of the control system case (in a state in that the control system unit is covered by an outer case) according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 31 is an exploded perspective view of an effect control board unit according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 32 is a front view showing an example of the interior of the main body;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the upward movement restricting stepped portion provided on the main body;

FIG. 34 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the lower end supporting stepped portion provided on the main body;

FIG. 35 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of another lower end supporting stepped portion provided on the main body;

FIG. 36 is an explanatory perspective view of supporting of the upper end and restriction of upward movements of the display device;

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of a state in that the display device is attached in the example shown in FIG. 33;

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of a state in that the display device is attached in the example shown in FIG. 34;

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of a state in that the display device is attached in the example shown in FIG. 35;

FIG. 40 is a front view of a state in that a cover case that protects an inverter board is accommodated in an inverter board accommodation concave portion;

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of a state in that the cover case that protects an inverter board is accommodated in the inverter board accommodation concave portion;

FIG. 42 is an explanatory view of temporary fixing of the display device;

FIG. 43 is an explanatory view of temporary fixing of the display device; and

FIG. 44 is an explanatory perspective view of a disposition relationship between the display device and the playboard.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a best mode for carrying out the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. In the accompanying drawings, members identical to each other are attached with the same reference numerals, and overlapping description is omitted. The description given below is the best mode for carrying out the invention, so that the invention is not limited to this mode.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a gaming machine of an embodiment of the invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of the gaming machine shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a front view of a playboard of the first embodiment, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the playboard shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of attaching engagement parts, upward and downward movement restricting portions, and rightward and leftward movement restricting portions according to the first embodiment, FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of an attaching state of the attaching engagement part according to the first embodiment of the invention, FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of an attaching engagement part, an upward and downward movement restricting portion, a rightward and leftward movement restricting portion, and a stepped portion according to the first embodiment, FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an attaching part according to the first embodiment, FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a state in that the attaching part shown in FIG. 8 is attached to the playboard, FIG. 10 is a top view of the attaching part shown in FIG. 9, FIG. 11 is a side view of the attaching part shown in FIG. 9, FIG. 12 is a side view of the attaching part shown in FIG. 9, FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an attaching engagement part according to the first embodiment, FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another example of an attaching engagement part according to the first embodiment, FIG. 15 is a front view showing the front face of the attaching engagement part shown in FIG. 13, FIG. 16 is a side view showing the right side face of the attaching engagement part shown in FIG. 13, FIG. 17 is a back view showing the back face of the attaching engagement part shown in FIG. 13, FIG. 18 is a top view showing the top face of the attaching engagement part shown in FIG. 13, FIG. 19 is a bottom view showing the bottom face of the attaching engagement part shown in FIG. 13, FIG. 20 is an explanatory view of a movement allowing state and a movement restricting state of the attaching engagement part according to the first embodiment of the invention, FIG. 21 is an explanatory view of the attaching engagement part in the movement allowing state and an attaching structure of the playboard according to the first embodiment, FIG. 22 is an explanatory view of the attaching engagement part in the movement allowing state and an attaching structure of the playboard according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 23 is an explanatory view of the attaching engagement part in the movement restricting state and an attaching structure of the playboard according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a pachinko gaming machine (gaming machine) 1 has a main body part 2 to which a playboard 10 (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 4) is attached, a liquid crystal display device (LCD) 20 (see FIG. 5) as a display device provided behind the playboard 10 inside the main body part 2, and a glass door 3, an upper tray part 4, a lower tray part 5, a cover 6, and a handle 7 attached to the main body part 2.

The glass door 3 and the upper tray part 4 are formed integrally, and one end of the integrated opening and closing door (opening and closing member) is rotatably supported on the main body part 2, and the other end is engaged with the main body part 2. The glass door 3 visibly covers the playboard 10 provided movably.

The upper tray part 4 is positioned below the glass door 3, and has an upper tray 4a in which paid-out gaming balls and gaming balls to be shot into a playfield are stored. At a predetermined position of the upper tray part 4, a shutter lever 8 that is operated to move gaming balls stored in the upper tray 4a to a lower tray 5a described later and extract the gaming balls when the game is finished is provided.

The lower tray part 5 positioned below the upper tray part 5 is fixed to the main body part 2, and has an lower tray 5a in which gaming balls overflowing from the upper tray 4a when they are paid out are stored.

The handle 7 provided on the right of the lower tray part 5 is rotated to shoot gaming balls into the playfield of the playboard 10 via an outer rail 11a and an inner rail 11b (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 4), and is provided with a stop button (not shown) that stops shooting of gaming balls.

The cover 6 positioned above the glass door 3 is fixed to the main body part 2, and left and right portions 6a and 6b of the cover 6 are structured corresponding to the respective left and right speakers (not shown) provided on the main body part 2 so that sounds come from the speakers.

The liquid crystal display device (LCD) 20 has a display area that is able to display effect images (for example, animations and other notifying information corresponding to gaming states) or the like.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the playboard 10 has a playfield 10a that is surrounded by the outer rail 11a and the inner rail 11b, and is able to make gaming balls flow down. In the playfield 10a, a large number of obstacles such as gaming nails and windmills (not shown), gaming members including regular winning openings 12, passing gates 13, a special winning opening 15 as a variable winning device, an OUT opening 16, and an electric bonus component member 18 having starting winning openings 14 and 17 are arranged.

In the embodiment using a transparent playboard 10, the display area of the liquid crystal display device 20 is visible through the playboard 10. A display means such as a plasma display can also be used instead of the liquid crystal display device 20.

Herein, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, on the quadrilateral playboard 10, attaching parts 110, 120, 130, and 140 that engage with attaching engagement parts provided at four points of the main body part 2 are provided at the four corners.

On the attaching part 110 and the attaching part 120, a pin 111 and a pin 121 projecting leftward (left side of the playboard 10 viewed from the front side) of the playboard 10 are provided, respectively, and on the other hand, on the attaching part 130 and the attaching part 140, a pin 131 and a pin 141 projecting rightward (right side of the playboard 10 viewed from the front side) of the playboard 10 are provided, respectively. These attaching parts will be described in detail later.

As shown in FIG. 5, on the main body part 2, at predetermined four portions for fixing the playboard 10, attaching engagement parts 210, 220, 230, and 240 that engage with the respective attaching parts 110, 120, 130, and 140 of the playboard 10 are provided. FIG. 5 shows a state in that the integrated opening and closing door (the glass door 3 and the upper tray part 4) is opened (fully opened), the liquid crystal display device 20 is attached to and the playboard 10 is detached from the main body part 2.

The attaching engagement part 210 has, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 13, a base portion 300 and a movable restricting portion 400. The base portion 300 has a function to accept the pin 111 of the attaching part 110 from the front side of the main body part 2 and restrict forward movements of the pin 111 at a predetermined position (that is, forward movements of the playboard 10), described in detail later. The movable restricting portion has a function to restrict upward and forward movements of the playboard 10.

As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 14, the attaching engagement part 220 has a base portion 300 that performs a function to accept the pin 121 of the attaching part 120 from the front side of the main body part 2 and restrict forward movements of the pin 121 (that is, forward movements of the playboard 10) at a predetermined position. This attaching engagement part 220 is the same as the base portion 300 of the attaching engagement part 210.

Similarly to the configuration (structure) of the attaching engagement part 210, the attaching engagement part 230 has a base portion and a movable restricting portion. The base portion has a function to accept the pin 131 of the attaching part 130 from the front side of the main body part 2 and restrict forward movements of the pin 131 (that is, forward movements of the playboard 10) at a predetermined position. The movable restricting portion has a function to restrict upward and forward movements of the playboard 10.

Similarly to the configuration (structure) of the attaching engagement part 220, the attaching engagement part 240 has a base portion that performs a function to accept the pin 141 of the attaching part 140 from the front side of the main body part 2 and restrict forward movements of the pin 141 (that is, forward movements of the playboard 10) at a predetermined position.

On the attaching engagement parts 220 and 240 that engage with the attaching parts 120 and 140 provided on the lower side of the playboard 10, the movable restricting portion that is provided on the attaching engagement parts 210 and 230 is not provided.

Explanation is given by referring to FIG. 5 again. The attaching engagement part 210 and the attaching engagement part 230 have upward restricting portions (described later) that restrict upward movements of the playboard 10, respectively.

On the main body part 2, between a fixing position of the attaching engagement part 220 and a fixing position of the attaching engagement part 240, downward restricting portions 513 and 514 that restrict downward movements of the playboard 10 are provided, respectively, at predetermined positions lower than the line connecting these two fixing positions.

In this embodiment, the upward restricting portions of the attaching engagement part 210 and the attaching engagement part 230 and the downward restricting portions 513 and 514 perform a function as upward and downward movement restricting portions to restrict upward and downward movements of the playboard 10.

Furthermore, on the main body part 2, at a predetermined position between the fixing position of the attaching engagement part 210 and the fixing position of the attaching engagement part 220, a rightward and leftward movement restricting portion 515 that restricts rightward and leftward movements of the playboard 10 is provided, and at a predetermined position between the fixing position of the attaching engagement part 230 and the fixing position of the attaching engagement part 240, a rightward and leftward movement restricting portion 516 that restricts rightward and leftward movements of the playboard 10 is provided.

The downward restricting portion 513 has, as shown in FIG. 7, a U shape, and the tip end faces of the portions (convex portions) 513a projecting from both sides of the flat portion of the U shape come into contact with the lower end face of the playboard 10. In addition, the downward restricting portion 513 is fixed at a predetermined position of the main body part 2 so as to restrict downward movements of the playboard 10. The downward restricting portion 514 also has the same structure as the downward restricting portion 513 and is fixed at a predetermined position of the main body part 2.

The rightward and leftward movement restricting portion 515 has, as shown in FIG. 7, a notch 515a that has a portion in contact with the left side end face (left of the playboard 10 viewed from the front side) of the playboard 10 and a portion in contact with the back face of the playboard 10. The rightward and leftward movement restricting portion 516 has a notch that has a portion in contact with the right side end face (right of the playboard 10 viewed from the front side) of the playboard 10 and a portion in contact with the back face of the playboard 10 although the notch is not shown.

The above-described upward and downward movement restricting portions (the attaching engagement parts 210 and 230 and the downward restricting portions 513 and 514) and rightward and leftward movement restricting portions 515 and 516 restrict upward and downward movements or rightward and leftward movements of the playboard 10 in a state in that forward movements of the pins 111, 121, 131, and 141 of the attaching parts 110 through 140 attached to the playboard 10 are restricted by the forward movement restricting portions described later of the respective attaching engagement parts 210, 220, 230, and 240.

The upper side of the liquid crystal display device 20 is supported by the attaching engagement parts 210 and 230 while the lower side is supported by (the upper surface 517a on a lower end supporting stepped portion 518 formed on the main body part 2, as shown in FIG. 5 through FIG. 7.

Next, a configuration (structure) of the attaching parts 110, 120, 130, and 140 to be attached to the above-described playboard 10 will be explained with reference to FIG. 8 through FIG. 12.

The attaching part 110 is provided with, as shown in FIG. 8, a bracket 1100 including a first bracket to be attached to one side face (for example, the front face) of the playboard 10 and a second bracket to be attached to the other side face (for example, the back face) of the playboard 10 integrated together, and shafts 112 and 113 one side ends of which have screw portions 112a and 113a and the other side ends of which have pressure contact portions 112b and 113b to be contacted by pressure with the bracket 1100.

In this integrated bracket 1100, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, a portion 110a to come into contact with the front face 101 of the playboard 10, a portion 110b to come into contact with the back face 102, a portion 110c to come into contact with the upper end face 105, and a portion 110d to come into contact with the side end face 106 are formed.

In the bracket 1100 thus formed, at the portion 110a, insertion holes 114a and 115a in which the shafts 112 and 113 are inserted are formed, and at the portion 110b, insertion holes 114b and 115b in which the shafts 112 and 113 are inserted are formed.

In addition, at portions of the portion 110b corresponding to the insertion holes 114b and 115b, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 10, screwing portions 116a and 116b that are screwed to the screw portions 112a and 113a of the shafts 112 and 113 are formed.

Furthermore, at the portion 110c, as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, an engagement portion 117 that engages with the movable restricting portion (for example, the movable restricting portion 400) of the attaching engagement part (for example, the attaching engagement part 210) and a pressure contact portion 118 that is contacted by pressure with the movable restricting portion is formed. Herein, a part of the pressure contact portion 118 is commonly used as the engagement portion 117.

In the playboard 10, corresponding to the attaching part 110, as shown in FIG. 8, at predetermined positions at the upper left corner, two through holes 103a and 103b are formed while spaced from each other for a predetermined distance, and a bracket accommodation concave portion 104 that accommodates the attaching part 110, in particular, the portion 110b of the bracket 1100 and prevents misalignment is formed. The bracket accommodation concave portion 104 has a concaved shape so as to fit at least a part of the portion 110b of the bracket 1100.

The attaching part 110 configured as described above is attached to the portion on the upper left corner of the playboard 10 via its opening, and thereafter, the shafts 112 and 113 are screwed to the screwing portions 116a and 116b via the insertion holes 114a and 115a, and the through holes 103a and 103b and the insertion holes 114b and 115b of the playboard 10. Thereby, the attaching part 110 is fixed to the playboard 10 as shown in FIG. 9, FIG. 11, and FIG. 12.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the attaching part viewed from the front face 101 side of the playboard 10, and FIG. 12 is a side view of the attaching part viewed from the back face 102 side of the playboard 10.

In such an attaching part 110, only by attaching the bracket 1100 including the first bracket and the second bracket integrated together to the playboard 10 and screwing the screw portions 112a and 113a of the shafts 112 and 113 to the screwing portions (nuts) 116a and 116b, the attaching part 110 can easily be attached to the playboard 10.

The attaching parts 120, 130, and 140 are configured basically similarly to the configuration (structure) of the attaching part 110, however, they have the following differences.

The attaching part 120 has a pin 121 projecting leftward (the left of the playboard 10 viewed from the front side), and has an integrated bracket that comes into contact with the four faces of the front face, the back face, the lower end face, and the side end face of the playboard 10.

The attaching part 130 has a pin 131 projecting rightward of the playboard 10 (the right of the playboard 10 viewed from the front side), and has an integrated bracket that comes into contact with the four faces of the front face, the back face, the upper end face, and the side end face of the playboard 10.

The attaching part 140 has a pin 141 projecting rightward (the right of the playboard 10 viewed from the front side) of the playboard 10, and has an integrated bracket that comes into contact with the four faces of the front face, the back face, the lower end face, and the side end face of the playboard 10.

The attaching parts 120, 130, and 140 are attached to the playboard 10, similarly to the attaching part 110, by screwing the screw portions of the two shafts corresponding to the shafts 112 and 113 to the screwing portions (nuts) from the front face side of the playboard 10.

Next, a configuration (structure) of the attaching engagement part 210 will be explained in detail with reference to FIG. 13 through FIG. 19.

The attaching engagement part 210 has, as described above, a base portion 300 and a movable restricting portion 400.

As shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the base portion 300 has a guide groove 310 that accepts the pin 111 of the attaching part 110 from the front side of the main body part 2 and guides the pin downward to a supporting position (concave portion) 311, a forward movement restricting portion 320 that restricts forward movements of the pin 111 at the supporting position (concave portion) 311, and a shaft 330 that slidably supports the movable restricting portion 400.

As shown in FIG. 14, at a portion 340 of the base portion 300, holes 340a and 340b for fixing the base portion 300 to the main body part 2 with fixing members such as screws are formed.

Herein, a front view of the attaching engagement part 210 of FIG. 13 is shown in FIG. 15, a right side view of the attaching engagement part 210 is shown in FIG. 16, a back view of the attaching engagement part 210 is shown in FIG. 17, a top view of the attaching engagement part 210 is shown in FIG. 18, and a bottom view of the attaching engagement part 210 is shown in FIG. 19.

The movable restricting portion 400 performs a function as the upward movement restricting portion described above. This upward movement restricting portion, that is, the movable restricting portion 400 is movable between a movement allowing position P1 at which the playboard 10 is allowed to move and a movement restricting position P2 at which the playboard 10 is restricted from moving upward.

This movable restricting portion 400 is attached to (the shaft 330 of the base portion 300 of) the attaching engagement part 210 in a manner enabling it to oscillate as shown in FIG. 13, and at the movement restricting position P2, the movable restricting portion 400 comes into contact with the pressure contact portion 118 (see FIG. 9) formed on the bracket 1100 of the playboard 10 as shown in FIG. 23.

The movable restricting portion 400 includes, as shown in FIG. 13, FIG. 15, and FIG. 23, a stopper 420 having a portion (side face) 420a that comes into contact with the front face, that is, the front face 101 (see FIG. 9) of the playboard 10 at the movement restricting position P2.

As shown in FIG. 23, in actuality, this stopper 420 comes into contact with not the playboard 10 itself but the attaching part attached to the playboard 10, for example, (the portion 110a of) the bracket 1100 of the attaching part 110. Therefore, the stopper can restrict the playboard 10 from moving forward without causing flaws on the playboard 10.

The movable restricting portion 400 is formed, as shown in FIG. 20, so that the supporting portion 410 supported by the shaft 330 in a manner enabling it to oscillate is moved between the movement allowing position P1 and the movement restricting position P2.

In this embodiment, when the side face 410a of the supporting portion 410 is positioned at the movement allowing position P1, it is defined that, for example, the attaching engagement part 210 is in a movement allowing state, and on the other hand, when the side face is positioned at the movement restricting position P2, it is defined that, for example, the attaching engagement part 210 is in a movement restricting state.

Incidentally, in FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, in the state of the movable restricting portion 400 indicated by the solid line, for example, the attaching engagement part 210 is in a movement allowing state, and on the other hand, in the state of the movable restricting portion 400 indicated by the dotted line, for example, the attaching engagement part 210 is in a movement restricting state.

FIG. 21 shows the attaching engagement part in the movement allowing state of FIG. 20, viewed from the front side, that is, viewed from the direction of guiding (inserting) the pin 111 of the playboard 10 into the guide groove 320.

In the movement allowing state, that is, when the side face 410a of the supporting portion 410 is positioned at the movement allowing position P1, the playboard 10 is allowed to move, and the playboard 10 attached to the attaching engagement part 210 can be detached or the playboard 10 can be attached to the attaching engagement part 210.

On the other hand, in the movement restricting state, that is, when the side face 410a of the supporting portion 410 is positioned at the movement restricting position P2, the playboard 10 is fixed to the attaching engagement part 210, and its upward and downward movements are restricted by the upward and downward movement restricting portions (the movable restricting portions 400 of the attaching engagement parts 210 and 230 and the downward movement restricting portions 513 and 514).

Even when the side face 410a of the supporting portion 410 is positioned at the movement allowing position P1, as shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 21, a notch 421 is formed in the supporting portion 410, so that the pin 111 of the attaching part 110 can be inserted in the guide groove 310, and this does not pose a problem at all when the playboard 10 is attached to or detached from the main body part 2.

In the movable restricting portion 400, as shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 20, concave portions 431 and 432 are provided in the supporting portion 410 so that an operator easily performs the operation to slide the movable restricting portion 400, and the stopper 420 is provided with a concave portion 433 and a convex portion 434.

A supporting portion 410 includes, as shown in FIG. 13, FIG. 16, and FIG. 23, a pressure contact portion 450 to be contacted by pressure with the pressure contact portion 118 (see FIG. 9 and FIG. 10) of the attaching part 110 provided on the playboard 10, and a projecting portion (convex portion) 460 that is provided in an area as a part of the pressure contact portion 450 and engages with the engagement portion 117 (see FIG. 10) of the attaching part 110.

Explaining the structures of the attaching engagement parts other than the attaching engagement part 210, the attaching engagement part 230 is structured so as to perform a function similar to that of the attaching engagement part 210. The attaching engagement part 220 is structured similarly to the base portion 300 of the attaching engagement part 210. Furthermore, the attaching engagement part 240 is structured so as to perform a function similar to that of the base portion 300 of the attaching engagement part 210.

In the configuration described above, an operation to attach the playboard 10 to the main body part 2 and the attaching structure are explained with reference to FIG. 20 through FIG. 23.

For example, when an operator such as an operator who manufactures the gaming machine 1 or an operator who carries out maintenance of (the playboard 10 on the gaming machine 1 engage the playboard 10 including the attaching parts 110, 120, 130, and 140 with the attaching engagement parts 210, 220, 230, and 240 of the main body part 2, the operator positions the movable restricting portion 400 of the attaching engagement part 210 at the movement allowing position P1 first.

For example, for maintenance of the playboard 10 attached to the main body part 2, the movable restricting portion 400 of the attaching engagement part 210 in the movement restricting state is oscillated so as to be turned into the movement allowing state, that is, positioned at the movement allowing position P1, as shown in FIG. 20. At this time, the operator performs the oscillating operation by supporting one or more of the concave portions 431 and 432 of the supporting portion 410 and the concave portion 433 and the convex portion 434 of the stopper 420 by hand, whereby the oscillating operation of the movable restricting portion 400 becomes easy. The same operation is also performed for the attaching engagement part 230.

When the movable restricting portion 400 thus reaches the movement allowing position P1, since the notch 421 is formed in the supporting portion 410 of the movable restricting portion 400 as shown in FIG. 21, it becomes possible to insert the pin 111 of the playboard 10 in the guide groove 310 of the base portion 300.

Then, the operator holds the playboard 10 by both hands and inserts the pins 111, 121, 131, and 141 of the attaching parts 110, 120, 130, and 140 of the playboard 10 into the guide grooves of the base portions of the attaching engagement parts 210, 220, 230, and 240 and accommodates the pins in the concave portions as the predetermined supporting positions.

For example, as shown in FIG. 22, the pin 111 of the attaching part 110 is inserted in the guide groove 310 (inserted in the direction indicated by the dotted line in the drawing) so as to be guided by the guide groove 310. In the example of FIG. 22, for convenience of explanation, the movable restricting portion 400 is omitted.

When the pins of the attaching parts of the playboard 10 are thus accommodated in the concave portions of the attaching engagement parts, the temporary fixing of the playboard 10 is finished.

When the temporary fixing of the playboard 10 is thus finished, the pins of the attaching parts of the playboard 10 are accommodated in the concave portions of the attaching engagement parts, and the playboard 10 is restricted from moving forward by the forward movement restricting portions, so that the play board 10 does not move (fall) forward.

Therefore, when the temporary fixing of the playboard 10 is finished, the operator can release his/her hands holding the playboard 10 and shift to the next operation.

Namely, the operator performs a sliding operation so as to move the movable restricting portions of the attaching engagement parts 210 and 230 positioned at the movement allowing positions P1 to the movement restricting positions P2.

Then, for example, in the attaching engagement part 210, (the bottom face of) the pressure contact portion 450 of the movable restricting portion 400 is contacted by pressure with the pressure contacting portion 118 formed on the bracket 1100 of the attaching part 110 provided on the playboard 10.

Thereby, the playboard 10 is restricted from moving upward and downward by the upward movement restricting portions (that is, the movable restricting portions 400 of the attaching engagement parts 210 and 230) and the downward movement restricting portions 513 and 514.

For example, in the attaching engagement part 210 in the movement restricting state, the portion (side face) 420a of the stopper 420 of the movable restricting portion 400 comes into contact with the bracket 1100 (portion 110a), and the projecting portion (convex portion) 460 of the movable restricting portion 400 and the engagement portion 117 formed on the bracket 1100 of the attaching part 110 engage with each other.

Thereby, the playboard 10 is further restricted from moving forward in addition to being restricted from moving forward by the forward movement restricting portions 320 of the base portions 300.

Furthermore, as described above, when upward and downward movements are restricted by the upward movement restricting portions, that is, the movable restricting portions 400 of the attaching engagement parts 210 and 230 and the downward movement restricting portions 513 and 514, in other words, by upward and downward movement restricting portions, rightward and leftward movements are restricted by the rightward and leftward movement restricting portions 515 and 516.

Thus, the playboard 10 is restricted from moving upward and downward, rightward and leftward, and forward, so that it is securely fixed to (the attaching engagement parts of) the main body part 2. Thereby, full fixing of the playboard 10 is finished.

As described above, the operator makes the guide grooves of the base portions of the attaching engagement parts to guide the pins of the attaching parts of the playboard 10 and accommodates the pins in the concave portions, and then performs a sliding operation so as to move the movable restricting portions of the upper two attaching engagement parts from the movement allowing positions P1 to the movement restricting positions P2, whereby performing the attaching operation from the temporary attaching to the full attaching of the playboard 10 by a series of operations.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the following effects (1) through (5) can be expected.

(1) When engaging the attaching parts 110 through 140 of the playboard 10 with the attaching engagement parts 210 through 240 of the main body part 2, the pins 111, 121, 131, and 141 projecting sideward of the playboard 10 are moved to the forward movement restricting portions 320 via the guide grooves 310 of the attaching engagement parts of the main body part 2, so that when the pins of the playboard 10 are moved to the forward movement restricting portions 320 of the main body part 2, the playboard 10 is temporarily fixed, and therefore, even before fixing the playboard, the playboard does not fall forward, so that the operating efficiency in the attaching of the playboard can be improved.

(2) In the state in that the pins of the attaching parts are restricted from moving forward by the forward movement restricting portions 320, the upward and downward movement restricting portions, that is, the upward movement restricting portions (the movable restricting portions 400 of the attaching engagement parts 210 and 230), the downward movement restricting portions 513 and 514, and the leftward and rightward movement restricting portions 515 and 516 restrict movements in the forward direction, the upward and downward directions, and the leftward and rightward directions, so that the playboard can be stably temporarily fixed and fully fixed.

(3) The upward movement restricting portion, that is, the movable restricting portion 400 is movable between the movement allowing position P1 and the movement restricting position P2, so that the operator can easily perform the fixing operations from the temporary fixing to the full fixing of the playboard.

(4) By sliding the movable restricting portions 400 attached in a manner enabling these to oscillate to the attaching engagement parts 210 and 230 having the guide grooves 310 and the forward movement restricting portions 320, from the movement allowing positions P1 to the movement restricting positions P2, while the pins 111 and 131 of the attaching parts 110 and 130 are moved to the forward restricting portions 320 via the guide grooves 310 to restrict movements of the playboard 10 in the temporarily fixed state, the playboard is fully fixed, so that the fixing operations from the temporary fixing to the full fixing of the playboard can be serially (collectively) performed. Thereby, the structure for carrying out operations from the temporary fixing to the full fixing of the playboard is realized by a simple structure.

(5) The playboard 10 at the movement restricting position P2 is restricted from moving forward by the stopper 420 as well as being restricted from moving upward and downward by the movable restricting portions 400 (upward movement restricting portions) and the downward movement restricting portions 513 and 514, so that firm full fixing of the playboard can be reliably performed.

Second Embodiment

Next, a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Basically, this gaming machine according to the second embodiment has the structure (configuration) and functions of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment described above. Herein, only the differences from the first embodiment will be explained.

In the first embodiment, explanation is given by focusing on the attaching (attaching structure) of the playboard, and on the other hand, in the second embodiment, explanation will be given by focusing on the attaching (attaching structure) of the display device.

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of the gaming machine shown in FIG. 1, viewed from the front side, FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of the gaming machine shown in FIG. 1, viewed from the back side, FIG. 26 is an explanatory front view of a display device, FIG. 27 is a block diagram of a control system of the gaming machine, FIG. 28 is an exploded perspective view of a control system case according to a second embodiment, FIG. 29 is an external view of a control system unit according to the second embodiment, FIG. 30 is an external view of the control system case (in a state in that a control system unit is covered by an outer case) according to the second embodiment, FIG. 31 is an exploded perspective view of an effect control board unit according to the second embodiment, FIG. 32 is a front view showing an example of the interior of a main body, FIG. 33 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of an upward movement restricting stepped portion provided on the main body, FIG. 34 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of a lower end supporting stepped portion provided on the main body, FIG. 35 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of another lower end supporting stepped portion provided on the main body, FIG. 36 is an explanatory perspective view of supporting of the upper end and restriction of upward movements of the display device, FIG. 37 is a perspective view of a state in that the display device is attached in the example of FIG. 33, FIG. 38 is a perspective view of a state in that the display device is attached in the example of FIG. 34, FIG. 39 is a perspective view of a state in that the display device is attached in the example of FIG. 35, FIG. 40 is a front view of a state in that a cover case that protects an inverter board is accommodated in an inverter board accommodation concave portion, FIG. 41 is a perspective view of a state in that a cover case that protects an inverter board is accommodated in an inverter board accommodation concave portion, FIG. 42 is an explanatory view of temporary fixing of the display device, FIG. 43 is an explanatory view of temporary fixing of the display device, and FIG. 44 is an explanatory perspective view of a disposition relationship between the display device and the playboard.

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of the pachinko gaming machine 1 shown in FIG. 1, viewed from the front side, and FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of the pachinko gaming machine 1 shown in FIG. 1, viewed from the back side. In FIG. 24 and FIG. 25, components that perform the same functions as those of the components shown in FIG. 1 are attached with the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 24 and FIG. 25, the pachinko gaming machine 1 has a main body part 2, the playboard 10 shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a liquid crystal display device 20 as a display device, an opening and closing door 30, and a control system case 70.

The main body part 2 includes a wood frame 2a and a main body 200 rotatably supported on this wood frame 2a. On the front side of this main body part 2 (in actuality, the main body 200), a concave portion (recess) 500 in which the playboard 10 and the liquid crystal display device 20 can be fitted is formed. The playboard 10 and the liquid crystal display device 20 are accommodated in the main body 20 by being fitted in the concave portion 500. In the main body 200 (in actuality, the bottom of the concave portion 500), a concave portion (hereinafter, referred to as an inverter board accommodation concave portion) 520 in which an inverter board provided on the liquid crystal display device 20, described later, is accommodated is formed.

The playboard 10 has an area including the playfield 10a (FIG. 3) made of a transmissive member, and is attached to the main body 200 from the front side of the main body 200 so that the liquid crystal display device 20 is visible via the transmissive member. The transmissive member is made of a transparent resin such as an acryl resin.

In such a playboard 10, the visible light tranmissivity of a transparent portion of the transmissive member is desirably 30% or more so that an image displayed on the liquid crystal display device 20 is clearly visible, and more preferably, the transmissivity is 50% or more.

In this second embodiment, the area including the playfield 10a (FIG. 3), that is, the entirety of the playboard 10 is formed of a transmissive member, however, the invention is not limited to this, and at least a part of the playboard 10, for example, the entirety or a part of the playfield 10a is formed of the transmissive member.

The liquid crystal display device 20 according to the second embodiment has, on its back side (rear side), an inverter board as an inverter of a cold cathode ray tube for illuminating the liquid crystal display device 20, and is attached to (the main body 200 of) the main body part 2 by being fitted in the concave portion from the front side as shown in FIG. 24. Namely, the liquid crystal display device 20 is attached to the main body 200 from the front side so as to be positioned behind the playboard 10. To the back face of the liquid crystal display device 20, as shown in FIG. 25, a cover case 21 is attached to protect this inverter board. In addition, as shown in FIG. 24 through FIG. 26, a frame (reinforcement frame 26) made of a high-rigidity member is attached to the four sides on the outer periphery, that is, the ends of the liquid crystal display device 20 so as to cover the ends.

Herein, the material of the reinforcement frame 26 is desirably a metal, however, it is not especially limited to a metal, and other materials can also be used. The liquid crystal display device 20 increases its resistance against warping and distortion by being reinforced by this reinforcement frame 26.

This liquid crystal display device 20 has a display area 20a and fixing portions 22, 23, 24, and 25 to be fixed to, for example, fixed by screws to bosses 541, 542, 543, and 544 (see FIG. 3) provided on the main body 200, described later, as shown in FIG. 26.

The opening and closing door 30 has a glass door 3 and an upper tray part 4, and is rotatably supported on the main body 200.

The control system case 70 has a display control board (described in detail later) that controls display of the liquid crystal display device 20, and is attached to (the main body 200 of) the main body part 2 from the back side of the main body 200.

Next, a control system of this gaming machine will be explained with reference to FIG. 27.

The control system of the pachinko gaming machine 1 includes a main control circuit 50, an effect control circuit 60 connected to the main control circuit 50, a payout control circuit 41, and a shooting control circuit 42.

This control system includes the main control circuit 50 as a main component, and is installed in a control system unit 71.

To the payout control circuit 41 of the pachinko gaming machine 1, a card unit 43 is connected.

This card unit 43 is installed near the pachinko gaming machine 1, and has a card insertion slot in which a prepaid card can be inserted, and has reading means for reading recorded information recorded on the prepaid card inserted into the insertion slot, renting instruction signal output means for outputting a renting instruction signal to instruct renting of gaming balls to the payout control circuit 41 according to an operation on a ball renting control panel 46, and writing means for subtracting an instructed number of renting balls by the renting instruction signal output means from a possible renting number specified from the recorded information read by the reading means and recording the result information on the prepaid card inserted in the insertion slot.

On a main control circuit 50, a main CPU (microprocessing unit) 51 that performs gaming operations according to a preset program, an initial reset circuit 54 that generates a reset signal for returning various settings to initial values when an abnormality occurs or the power source is turned on, a main RAM 53 that stores various data necessary for operations of the main CPU 51, and a main ROM 52 storing programs for the main CPU 51 to control processing of gaming operations of the pachinko gaming machine 1, and a big prize determination table to be referred to when determining a big prize by means of a random number lottery, a normal winning determination table to be referred to when determining a normal winning by means of a random number lottery, and various probability tables to be referred to when determining an effect by lottery, are mounted.

In addition, the main RAM 53 has a winning memory counter for memorizing the number of winnings (the number of winning balls passing through the passing gate 13) counted by the main CPU 51, and a passing memory counter for memorizing the number of passing records (the number of balls passing through the passing gate) counted by the main CPU 51.

Herein, the main CPU 51 is variable display pattern determining means for performing big prize determination processing for determining a big prize when a gaming ball enters the starting winning openings 14 and 17 and a starting winning is generated, and determining a variable display pattern for executing variable display of special symbols based on the big prize determination result.

In detail, when a starting winning is generated, the main CPU 51 regards that predetermined starting conditions have been established, and generates and sets a variable display pattern command for instructing a variable display pattern for executing variable display of special symbols and a command for instructing a variable display stopping symbol. Furthermore, the main CPU 51 performs processing for determining contents to be displayed on a normal symbol display device.

When predetermined starting conditions are established (for example, a starting winning is generated), the main CPU 51 generates and sets a variable display pattern command.

Furthermore, the main CPU 51 has special winning opening SOL control means for controlling a special winning opening SOL 37 when the gaming state is changed to a special gaming state.

To an I/O port 55 of the main control circuit 50, a passing gate SW 34 as a sensor for detecting passing of gaming balls, provided inside the passing gate 13, and a starting opening SW 35 as a sensor for detecting gaming balls that have entered the starting winning openings 14 and 17, are connected. In addition, a V-count SW 31 as a sensor for detecting winning gaming balls, provided at a continuous winning opening inside the special winning opening 15, a count SW 32 as a sensor for detecting winning balls, provided at a normal winning opening inside the special winning opening 15, a regular winning opening SW 33 as a sensor for detecting winning gaming balls that have entered the regular winning opening 12, and a backup clear SW 39 for deleting various data stored in the main RAM 53, are connected. In addition, a shooting ball sensor (not shown) for detecting gaming balls to be shot from a shooting device 45 in response to an operation on the handle 7, and a return ball sensor (not shown) for detecting gaming balls that do not reach the board surface of the playboard 10 and returns to the outer rail 11a and the inner rail 11b after they are shot, are connected. Furthermore, to this I/O port 55, a starting opening SOL (solenoid) 36 as an actuator to switch the starting winning opening 17 between a state in that the opening easily accepts gaming balls and a state in that the opening hardly accepts gaming balls, a special winning opening SOL (solenoid) 37 for opening and closing the door of the special winning opening 15, a seesaw SOL (solenoid) 38 for driving a seesaw inside the special winning opening 15, and so on, are connected.

When the sensors detect gaming balls, detection signals are inputted in the main CPU 50 of the main control circuit 50, and the main CPU 50 drive and control the actuators 36, 37, and 38 respectively in response to the inputted detection signals. In addition, to the effect control circuit 60, the payout control circuit 41, and the shooting control circuit 42, control instructions are transmitted, respectively, from a command output port 56 of the main control circuit 50, and the effect control circuit 60, the payout control circuit 41, and the shooting control circuit 42 control the operations of the liquid crystal display device 20, the speaker 47, the lamp/LED 48, the payout device 44, and the shooting device 45.

To the payout control circuit 41, the payout device 44 for paying-out winning balls or renting balls is connected, and to the shooting control circuit 42, the shooting device 45 that shoots gaming balls to the playfield 10a is connected. The payout control circuit 41 drives and controls the payout device 44 in response to a payout instruction signal outputted from the main control circuit 50 subject to entering of gaming balls in the regular winning opening 12 and the starting winning opening 14, and pays-out a predetermined number of gaming balls as winning balls. Furthermore, the payout control circuit 41 drives and controls the payout device 44 in response to a renting instruction signal outputted from the card unit 43 to pay-out a predetermined number of gaming balls as renting balls. The shooting control circuit 42 drives and controls the shooting solenoid in response to a rotating operation of the handle 7. Thereby, gaming balls are shot from the shooting device 45.

Furthermore, on the handle 7, a stop button (not shown) for stopping shooting of gaming balls is provided.

On the effect control circuit 60, a sub CPU 61, a program ROM 62, and a work RAM 63 are mounted.

The sub CPU 61 interprets commands received from the main control circuit 50 via a command input/output port 64 and controls an image control circuit 65, a sound control circuit 66, and a lamp control circuit 67, etc., based on the interpretation results.

For example, when a variable display pattern command is received from the main control circuit 50 via the command input/output port 64, the sub CPU 61 sets control data corresponding to the received variable display pattern command. Then, the sub CPU 61 changes data for instructing the image control circuit 65 with time so that effect images following an effect pattern contained in the set control data are displayed.

In the program ROM 62, a control program for the sub CPU 61 to control processing of the image control circuit 65 based on various commands outputted from the main control circuit 50, control program for the sub CPU 61 to control processing of the second control circuit 66, and a control program for the sub CPU 61 to control processing of the lamp control circuit 67, are stored.

The work RAM 63 serves as temporary storing means when the sub CPU 61 controls processing according to the control programs.

The image control circuit 65 executes display such as variable display of special symbols on the liquid crystal display device 20 in response to control from the sub CPU 61, and includes an image data ROM (not shown) for storing various image data, an unillustrated VDP (Video Display Processor) that generates data for executing displays such as variable display of special symbols by using image data stored in the image data ROM based on control from the sub CPU 61, and a D/A conversion circuit (not shown) that converts the display image data generated by the VDP into an analog signal.

For example, the image control circuit 65 performs image display control processing to make the liquid crystal display device 20 to, for example, variably display special symbols and effect images corresponding to the results of determination of a big prize. In addition, the image control circuit 65 and the liquid crystal display device 20 constitute notifying means for notifying generation of a reach effect in the gaming, the type of reach effect to be generated or the degree of reliability of big prize generation according to an effect display mode form when special symbols are variably displayed.

By thus executing the contents of the instruction of the sub CPU 61 transmitted from the image control circuit 65 at predetermined time intervals, on the liquid crystal display device 20, for example, special symbols and effect images corresponding to the variable display pattern are displayed.

To the sound control circuit 66, two speakers 47 provided left and right of the upper portion of the main body 200 are connected. The sound control circuit 66 generates a sound signal based on control by the sub CPU 61. The two speakers 47 produce sounds based on the inputted sound signal.

To the lamp control circuit 67, the lamp/LED 48 as a notifying device is connected. The lamp control circuit 67 generates a signal based on control by the sub CPU 61. The lamp/LED 48 lights lamps and LEDs for display, provided at the respective portions of the pachinko gaming machine 1, based on the inputted signal.

The processings in the pachinko gaming machine 1 are controlled by the main control circuit 50 and the effect control circuit 60, however, it is also allowed that the main control circuit 50 processes all or a part of the processings to be controlled by the effect control circuit 60, and the effect control circuit 60 processes all or a part of the processings to be controlled by the main control circuit 50.

In this second embodiment, the effect control circuit 60 performs the function of the display control means (display control board) for controlling display of the liquid crystal display device 20. However, the effect control circuit 60 controls the liquid crystal display device 20 under instructions from the main control circuit 50, so that, in actuality, the main control circuit 50 and the effect control circuit 60 perform the function of the display control means (display control board) in collaboration with each other.

Next, the details of the control system case 70 having a board and the like constituting such a control system will be explained with reference to FIG. 28 through FIG. 31.

FIG. 28 is an exploded perspective view of a control system case according to a second embodiment, FIG. 29 is an external view of a control system unit according to the second embodiment, FIG. 30 is an external view of the control system case (in a state in that a control system unit is covered by an outer case) according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 31 is an exploded perspective view of an effect control board unit according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 28, the control system case 70 includes a control system unit 71 and an outer case 72 covering this control system unit 71.

The control system unit 71 has, as shown in FIG. 28 and FIG. 29, a main control board unit 710 constituting the main control circuit 50, an effect control board unit 720 constituting the effect control circuit 60 except for the lamp control circuit 67, a power source board unit 730 that generates voltage power (for example, 24V, 12V, 5V, etc.) necessary for actuating the electronic parts, a shooting control board unit 740 constituting the shooting control circuit 42, a payout control board unit 750 constituting the payout control circuit 41, a CR relay board unit 760 constituting reading means, the renting instruction signal output means, and wiring means in the cord unit 43, a lamp control board unit (not shown) constituting the lamp control circuit 67, and so on.

A state of the control system case 70 in that the outer case 72 is attached to the control system unit 71 so as to protect the respective units, viewed from the outer case 72 side of FIG. 28, is shown in FIG. 30.

This control system case 70 is attached to the main body 200 so that the control system unit 71 faces the back side of the main body 200.

The effect control board unit 720 has, as shown in FIG. 31, an effect control board 721, a board upper case 722, and a board lower case 723.

On the surface 721a of the effect control board 721, the effect control circuit 60 including the sub CPU 61 and the like is mounted.

To the surface 721a, a ROM cartridge (case body) 724 with a built-in electronic part (for example, program ROM 62) is detachably attached via a connector (not shown). It is also allowed that an electronic part other than the program ROM 62 is built into the ROM cartridge 724. For example, a work RAM 63 can be built-in.

The ROM cartridge 724 is for storing information on an effect including predetermined images, and it stores information on an effect adapted to the model of the gaming machine.

In this second embodiment, the predetermined images include, for example, images corresponding to patterns and characters, normal symbol images, special symbol display images, and effect images to be applied to the playboard. The information on an effect includes a control program for controlling processing of the image control circuit 65, a control program for controlling processing of the sound control circuit 66, and a control program for controlling processing of the lamp control circuit 67.

When the contents of the effect are different depending on the model of the gaming machine, the information on the effect including the predetermined images is different, so that the ROM cartridge 724 is prepared with the corresponding number of models of gaming machines. Then, a ROM cartridge 724 adapted to the model of the gaming machine is mounted (attached) to the effect control board unit 720.

For example, the model of the gaming machine is different due to a difference in the effect images or effect sounds even when it has the same playboard 10, so that a ROM cartridge 724 adapted to each model is attached to the effect control board unit 720.

When it is desired to change, for example, a pattern or characters to be made on the playboard 10, a ROM cartridge 724 storing image data corresponding to a desired pattern and characters to be made on the playboard 10 is attached to the effect control board unit 720.

The board upper case 722 is formed integrally with a restricting case 725 as shown in FIG. 31. The restricting case 725 is provided so as to project opposite to the effect control board 721 from the surface 722a of the board upper case 722. This restricting case 725 covers the ROM cartridge 724, and restricts movements of the ROM cartridge 724.

Herein, the board upper case 722 is attached by fixing the four corners of the board upper case 722 to the four corners of the board lower case 723 by screws or the like via holes formed at the four corners of the surface 721a of the effect control board 721, respectively.

Thereby, the effect control board 721 to which the ROM cartridge 724, etc., are attached is fixed to the board lower case 723. The board upper case 722 covers the surface 721a of the effect control board 721 to which the ROM cartridge 724, etc., are attached.

The bottom face 723a of the board lower case 723 of the effect control board unit 720 is attached (for example, screwed) to the control system unit 71 so that the board upper case 722 of this effect control board unit 720 faces the outer case 72 of the control system unit 71.

When the units 710 through 760 are attached (for example, screwed) to the control system unit 71, the control system unit 71 is attached (for example, screwed) to a predetermined portion of the main body 200 so that the bottom face 71a (see FIG. 28) of the control system unit faces the back side of the main body 200.

Last, the outer case 72 is attached (for example, screwed) to the control system unit 71 attached to the main body 200 so as to cover the units 710 through 750.

As described above, in this second embodiment, the effect control board unit 720 performs the function of the display control means (display control board) for controlling display of the liquid crystal display device 20. However, the effect control board unit 720 controls the liquid crystal display device 20 under instructions from the main body board unit 710, so that, in actuality, the main control board unit 710 and the effect control board unit 720 perform the function of the display control means (display control board) in collaboration with each other.

Herein, a model change of the gaming machine according to a change in the effect contents is made according to the following operation procedures (1) through (4).

(1) For example, when a model change is made in the state of the pachinko gaming machine 1 shown in FIG. 1, the main body 200 rotatably supported on the wood frame 2a is opened (see FIG. 24 and FIG. 25).

(2) The outer case 72 of the control system case 70 is removed and the board upper case 722 of the effect control board unit 720 is removed.

(3) The ROM cartridge 724 attached to the effect control board 721 is removed, and in place of the ROM cartridge 724 adapted to the old effect contents, a ROM cartridge 724 adapted to new effect contents is attached to the effect control board 721.

(4) The board upper case 722 of the effect control board unit 720 is attached, and then, the outer case 72 of the control system case 70 is attached, and last, the main body 200 is closed.

As described above, a model change of the gaming machine according to a change in effect contents is realized by replacing the old ROM cartridge by a new ROM cartridge.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the liquid crystal display device 20 is attached to the main body 200 from the front side of the main body 200, and furthermore, the playboard 10 is attached from the front side of the main body 200 (that is, the liquid crystal display device 20 is positioned behind the playboard 10), and the control case 70 is attached to the main body 200 from the back side of the main body 200.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, the main body 200 has no large opening in which the display control board (in actuality, the control system case 70 having the display control board). Therefore, the main body 200 has no large opening for the display control board, so that the rigidity of the main body 200 is high.

In contrast to this, in conventional gaming machines, an opening for inserting the display control board mounted on the back side of the playboard to which the display device is attached is formed in the main body (base door) corresponding to the main body 200. Therefore, the main body (base door) has a large opening for the display control board, so that the rigidity of the main body (base door) is low.

In addition, the liquid crystal display device 20 in the second embodiment is attached by being fitted in the concave portion (recess) 500 of the main body 200 as described above (see FIG. 37 through FIG. 39). In this case, preferably, the inner side surface of the concave portion 500 and the side end face of the reinforcement frame 26 attached so as to cover the ends of the four sides on the outer periphery of the liquid crystal display device 20 are disposed so as to face each other. Herein, the distance from the inner side surface of the concave portion 500 and the side end face of the reinforcement frame 26 is set so that they come into contact with each other when the main body 200 deforms.

Thereby, the reinforcement frame 26 attached to the ends of the liquid crystal display 20 supports the main body 200 from the inner side, and as a result, the rigidity of the main body 200 can be increased. Namely, according to this embodiment, the liquid crystal display device 20 can be commonly used as a reinforcement member for the main body 200, so that the main body 200 can be reinforced by a minimum necessary number of members.

Furthermore, according to the embodiment, the main body 200 is supported from the inner side by the reinforcement frame 26, etc., made of a metal, so that even when the main body 200 is made of a high-plasticity material such as plastic (that is, made of a material that is easily warped and distorted), this shortcoming can be supplemented.

In addition, the above-described warping and distortion easily occur in particular when the main body 200 rotates. When the main body 200 rotates, inertia is generated, so that the material of plastic or the like becomes easily deformable. However, according to the invention, the reinforcement frame 26, etc., can prevent the warping and distortion during rotation.

Next, the configuration of the main body 200 is explained with reference to FIG. 32 through FIG. 36.

FIG. 32 is a view from the front side (front view) of the main body 200 before the liquid crystal display device 20, the playboard 10, and the opening and closing door 30 are attached. In this example shown in FIG. 31, the liquid crystal display device 20 is omitted in the configuration of the example shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 33 through FIG. 36 are enlarged views of a main portion of the main body 200 according to the second embodiment.

In FIG. 32 through FIG. 36, portions that perform the same functions as those of the components shown in FIG. 5 are attached with the same reference numerals.

The main body 200 is configured by adding, in the configuration of the example shown in FIG. 5, a concave portion (hereinafter, referred to as an inverter board accommodation concave portion) 520 for accommodating an inverter board provided on the liquid crystal display device 20, stepped portions (hereinafter, referred to as upward movement restricting stepped portions) 531 and 532 that restrict upward movements of the liquid crystal display device 20, and four bosses 541, 542, 543, and 544 for fixing the liquid crystal display device 20 to the main body 200.

In the main body 200, at predetermined portions, notches (holes) 551 for releasing heat accumulating inside the main body 200 to the outside are formed.

In the bottom of the inverter board accommodation concave portion 520, holes 521 for releasing heat generated from the inverter board to the outside are formed.

As described in the first embodiment, (the main body 200 of) the main body part 2 is provided with the attaching engagement parts 210 and 230 that restrict forward movements of the liquid crystal display device 20 and stepped portions (hereinafter, referred to as lower end supporting stepped portions) 517 and 518 that support the lower end of the liquid crystal display device 20.

Namely, on the main body 200, for the liquid crystal display device 20, lower end supporting stepped portions 517 and 518 (see FIG. 34 and FIG. 35) that support the lower end of the liquid crystal display device, upward movement restricting stepped portions 531 and 532 (see FIG. 33 and FIG. 36 for the upward movement restricting stepped portion 531) that restrict upward movements of the liquid crystal display device, and attaching engagement parts 210 and 230 (see FIG. 33 and FIG. 36 for the attaching engagement part 210) having a function as projecting portions to support the upper end of the liquid crystal display device, are provided.

At the respective lower end supporting stepped portions 517 and 518, the upper surfaces 517a and 518a thereof support the lower end of the liquid crystal display device 20.

In the attaching engagement parts 210 and 230, a portion that supports the upper end of the liquid crystal display device 20 and performs a function as a projecting portion to restrict forward movements of the liquid crystal display device 20 is a lower portion 341 of a portion 340 of the base portion 300 as shown in FIG. 33. Namely, the projecting portion can be regarded as a playboard fixing member for fully fixing the playboard 10, that is, for example, the portion 340 of the base portion 300 in the attaching engagement part 210.

In other words, the liquid crystal display device 20 is attached to the main body 200 from the front side of the main body 200 so as to be positioned behind the playboard 10, and the upper end of the liquid crystal display device 20 is restricted from moving forward by the projecting portions, and the lower end of the liquid crystal display device 20 is supported by the lower end supporting stepped portions.

Thus, in the second embodiment, the liquid crystal display device 20 can be temporarily fixed by using the upper two attaching engagement parts 210 and 230 for fixing the playboard 10.

FIG. 32 is referred to again for explanation. The distances (heights) H1 from the respective upper surfaces 517a and 518a of the lower end supporting stepped portions 517 and 518 to the tip end faces of the lower portions 341 of the portions 340 of the base portions 300 of the attaching engagement parts 210 and 230 are shorter than the height H of the liquid crystal display device 20 shown in FIG. 26.

Namely, the lower end supporting stepped portions 517 and 518 and (the base portions 300 of) the attaching engagement parts 210 and 230 are disposed so that the upper end of the liquid crystal display device 20 comes into contact with the lower portions 341 of the portions 340 of the base portions 300 to restrict forward movements of the liquid crystal display device 20 when the lower end of the liquid crystal display device 20 is placed on the respective upper surfaces 517a and 518a of the lower end supporting stepped portions 517 and 518, and the liquid crystal display device 20 is set perpendicularly to the upper surfaces 517a and 518a.

The distance (width) between a side portion W1 and a side portion W2 in the concave portion 500 of the main body 200 is slightly longer than the width W of the liquid crystal display device 20 shown in FIG. 26. Namely, the widths between the side portion W1 and the side portion W2 are set so that, when the liquid crystal display device 20 is attached to the concave portion 500, the liquid crystal display device 20 can be attached while the four holes 22a through 25a of the four fixing portions 22 through 25 provided on the liquid crystal display device 20 roughly match with the four bosses 541 through 544 provided on the concave portion 500 of the main body 200, and the side portion W1 and the side portion W2 of the concave portion 500 can restrict rightward and leftward movements of the liquid crystal display device 20.

With this precondition, at the time when the lower end of the liquid crystal display device 20 is placed on the respective upper surfaces 517a and 518a of the lower end supporting stepped portions 517 and 518 while the upper end of the liquid crystal display device 20 is in contact with the lower portions 341 of the portions 340 of the base portions 300, an attached state of the liquid crystal display device 20 near the attaching engagement part 210 is shown in FIG. 37, an attached state of the liquid crystal display device 20 near the lower end supporting stepped portion 517 is shown in FIG. 38, and an attached state of the liquid crystal display device 20 near the lower end supporting stepped portion 518 is shown in FIG. 39.

Incidentally, the example of FIG. 37 is in a state in that the liquid crystal display device 20 is attached in the example of FIG. 33, the example of FIG. 38 is in a state in that the liquid crystal display device 20 is attached in the example of FIG. 34, and the example of FIG. 39 is in a state in that the liquid crystal display device 20 is attached in the example of FIG. 35.

As described above, the inverter board is attached to the back face of the liquid crystal display device 20, and the cover case 21 is further attached (see FIG. 25), so that a convex portion is formed on the back side of the liquid crystal display device 20. However, this convex portion (cover case 21) is accommodated (fitted) in the inverter board accommodation concave portion 520 formed in the concave portion 500 of the main body 200 as shown in FIG. 40 and FIG. 41.

Therefore, even when the liquid crystal display device 20 is attached to the main body 200 from the front side of the main body 200, the cover case 21 is accommodated in the inverter board accommodation concave portion 520, so that the liquid crystal display device 20 can be attached to the main body 200 in a predetermined attached posture, for example, without tilting forward.

As shown in FIG. 42, for example, in the attaching engagement part 210 (the movable restricting portion 400 is omitted), the portion 340 of the base portion 300 and the member of the main body part 2 are only spaced from each other by a predetermined distance d2 equal to or more than the thickness d1 of the liquid crystal display device 20.

When the base portion 300, that is, (the lower portion 341 of) the portion 340 is attached to the upward movement restricting stepped portion 531 of the main body 200, the position of the bottom face of the lower portion (playboard fixing member) 341 is at a distance L only lower than the position of the bottom face of the upward movement restricting stepped portion 531. Namely, between the bottom face of the lower portion (playboard fixing member) 341 and the bottom face of the upward movement restricting stepped portion 531, a step of a distance L is formed.

In the configuration described above, the operator places the liquid crystal display device 20 so that the upper side of the liquid crystal display device 20 is interposed in the space between the lower portion 341 and the upward movement restricting stepped portion 531, and thereafter, rotates the liquid crystal display device 20 in the arrow A direction, and furthermore, places the lower side of the liquid crystal display device 20 on the lower end supporting stepped portions 517 and 518 (see FIG. 34 and FIG. 35).

Thereby, the upper side of the liquid crystal display device 20 comes into contact with the side face 341a of the lower portion 341, so that the liquid crystal display device 20 whose lower side is placed on the lower end supporting stepped portions 517 and 518 of the main body 200 does not fall forward (see FIG. 42 and FIG. 43). Thereby, temporary fixing of the liquid crystal display device 20 is finished.

At this time, the four holes 22a, 23a, 24a, and 25a of the four fixing portions 22, 23, 24, and 25 (see FIG. 26) provided in the liquid crystal display device 20 and the four bosses 541, 542, 543, and 544 (see FIG. 32) provided on the main body 200 roughly match with each other, so that the liquid crystal display device 20 is temporarily fixed while being positioned. Therefore, full fixing as the next operation can be easily performed.

Thereafter, the liquid crystal display device 20 is fully fixed by screwing fixing members such as screws to bosses 541, 542, 543, and 544 of the main body 200 via the holes 22a, 23a, 24a, and 25a of the fixing portions 22, 23, 24, and 25.

The liquid crystal display device 20 is fully fixed to the main body 200 as described above, and furthermore, as described above, at (base portions of) the attaching engagement parts when the playboard 10 is fully fixed, the liquid crystal display device 20 and the playboard 10 are attached, for example, in the disposition relationship as shown in FIG. 44. Namely, the liquid crystal display device 20 is disposed behind the playboard 10. In FIG. 44, the attaching parts provided on the playboard 10, the movable restricting portion 400 of the attaching engagement part 210, and the inverter board and cover case 21 provided in the liquid crystal display device 20 are not shown.

In the embodiment, the side portion of the liquid crystal display device 20 attached to the main body 200 and the side portions W1 and W2 (FIG. 32) in the concave portion are not in contact with each other, however, the invention is not limited to this, and they are allowed to be in contact with each other. In this case, the liquid crystal display device 20 further securely supports the main body 200, and the rigidity of the main body 200 is further increased.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the following effects (1) through (10) can be expected.

(1) The liquid crystal display device 20 is attached to the main body 200 from the front side and the control system case 70 having the effect control board (display control board) 721 is attached to the main body 200 from the back side, so that it becomes unnecessary to provide the large opening for the display control board in the main body 200 which is necessary in conventional techniques, and the rigidity of the main body 200 can be increased.

(2) The ROM cartridge (storage device) 724 to be detachably attached to the effect control board (display control board) 721 to be built into the control system case 70 attached to the main body 200 from the back side of the main body 200 stores information on an effect adapted to the model of the gaming machine, so that it becomes possible to make a model change by replacing the ROM cartridge (storage device) adapted to the old model (that is, currently attached the ROM cartridge) by a ROM cartridge (storage device) adapted to a new model. Thereby, the rigidity of the main body 200 can be increased and a model change can be easily made.

(3) The gaming machine 10 formed of a transmissive member is attached to the main body 200 from the front side of the main body 200 so that the liquid crystal display device 20 is visible via the transmissive member, so that when, for example, patterns and characters to be made on the playboard 10 are displayed as images corresponding to the patterns and characters by the liquid crystal display device 20, a player looks at these as if they are made on the playboard 10, so that, for example, patterns and characters to be given on the playboard are desired to be changed according to the model of the gaming machine, such a model change can be given only by replacing the ROM cartridge storing image data corresponding to desired patterns and characters without replacing the playboard 10.

(4) Even the liquid crystal display device 20 having an inverter board on the back face can be attached to the main body 200 from the front side, so that the liquid crystal display device 20 can be easily attached from the front side, the liquid crystal display device 20 can be easily attached to the main body 200, and the rigidity of the main body 200 can further be increased by the inverter board accommodation concave portion 520.

(5) Heat generated from the inverter board is released from the holes 521 formed in the inverter board accommodation concave portion 520, so that the heat releasing effect can be improved.

(6) Regarding the lower end of the liquid crystal display device 20, the lower end of the liquid crystal display device 20 is supported (placed) on the lower end supporting stepped portions 517 and 518 provided on the main body 200, so that the liquid crystal display device 20 is easily attached and kept in a stable fixed state, and the rigidity of the main body 200 can further be increased by the lower end supporting stepped portions 517 and 518.

(7) The liquid crystal display device 20 is restricted from moving upward by the upward movement restricting stepped portions 531 and 532 provided on the main body 200, so that the liquid crystal display device 20 can be kept in a stably fixed state, and the rigidity of the main body 200 can further be increased by the upward movement restricting stepped portions 531 and 532.

(8) The liquid crystal display device 20 is attached to the main body 200 from the front side of the main body 200 so as to be positioned behind the playboard 10, and the upper end of the liquid crystal display device 20 is restricted from moving forward by the base portions (projecting portions) 300 of the attaching engagement parts 210 and 230 provided on the concave portion 500 of the main body 200, and the lower end of the liquid crystal display device 20 is supported by the low end supporting stepped portions 517 and 518 provided on the concave portion 500 of the main body 200, so that the four holes 22a through 25a of the four fixing portions 22 through 25 provided on the liquid crystal display device 20 and the four bosses 541 through 544 provided on the concave portion 500 of the main body 200 roughly match with each other. Therefore, the liquid crystal display device 20 can be easily positioned. Namely, the liquid crystal display device 20 is temporarily fixed upon being positioned, so that the next operation can be easily performed.

(9) To fully fix the liquid crystal display device 20 that is temporarily fixed while being positioned, the operator can fix (fully fix) it by using, for example, both hands without holding the (supporting) the liquid crystal display device 20, and as described above, the four holes 22a through 25a of the four fixing portions 22 through 25 roughly match with the four bosses 541 through 544, so that the operator can easily perform a screwing operation, and this improves the operating efficiency when attaching the liquid crystal display device 20.

(10) The liquid crystal display device 20 can be temporarily fixed by using the upper two attaching engagement parts 210 and 230 for fixing the playboard 10, so that the members for fixing (temporarily fixing) the liquid crystal display device 20, for example, the members for preventing the liquid crystal display device 20 from falling forward can be reduced. In detail, the lower portions (playboard fixing members) 341 of the portions 340 of the base portions 300 in the attaching engagement parts 210 and 230 are used as projecting portions to restrict forward movements of the liquid crystal display device 20, so that the base portions 300 in the attaching engagement parts 210 and 230 can be commonly used as the projecting portions, so that the liquid crystal display device 20 can be temporarily fixed by using a necessary minimum number of members without necessity of using dedicated projecting members to restrict forward movements of the liquid crystal display device 20.

(11) The liquid crystal display device 20 fitted in the concave portion (recess) 500 of the main body 200 supports the main body 200 from the inner side, so that the rigidity of the main body 200 can be further increased and warping and distortion of the main body 200 can be prevented.

(12) The liquid crystal display device 20 supports the main body 200 on the ends to which the reinforcement frame 26 made of a high-rigidity material is attached. Thereby, the members constituting the liquid crystal display device 20 can be effectively used, and the rigidity of the main body 200 can be further increased.

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 main body to which a playboard is attached;

a display device for displaying predetermined images; and

a display control board for controlling display of the display device, wherein

the display control board is attached to the main body from the back side of the main body, and

the display device is attached to the main body from the front side of the main body.

2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein

in the playboard, an area including a playfield is formed of a transmissive member, and the playboard is attached to the main body from the front side of the main body so that the display device is visible via the transmissive member, and

the display control board has a detachable storage device that is adapted to the model of the gaming machine and stores information on an effect including the predetermined images.

3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein

the display device is a liquid crystal display device having an inverter board on its back face, and

in the main body, a concave portion is formed in which the inverter board is accommodated.

4. The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein in the concave portion formed in the main body, a plurality of holes are formed.

5. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the main body has lower end supporting stepped portions that support the lower end of the display device.

6. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the main body has upward movement restricting stepped portions that restrict upward movements of the display device.

7. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein

the main body has, on its front side, a recess in which the display device is fitted, and

the display device supports the main body from the inner side by being fitted in the recess.

8. The gaming machine according to claim 7, wherein

the display device supports the main body at the ends.