JP2000259103A - Electric illumination device for game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to sufficiently stimulate the visual sensation of a player by bulging the design parts on a printing surface formed on the rear surface of a transparent substrate to a front surface side and rear surface side, thereby making the printing surface three-dimensional. SOLUTION: The front surface of the machine comprises a front surface panel, an upper panel and a lower panel 13. A light source 40 for back illumination is arranged behind the lower panel 13. The lower panel 13 has the printing surface 31 expressed with at least the design parts 31b with translucent ink on the rear surface of the transparent substrate 30. The design parts 31b are bulged to the front surface side of the lower panel 13, by which the threedimensional designs projected with the design parts 31b to the front surface are formed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine, in which an exterior panel constituting the front of the gaming machine is illuminated from behind to provide characters, graphics, and the like for decoration.
The present invention relates to an electric decoration device for a gaming machine that clearly shows a pattern or the like (hereinafter, referred to as a “pattern”).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent slot machines, the front of the machine is constructed by combining a plurality of exterior panels. In a typical slot machine, the front, upper, and lower positions are each configured with a separate exterior panel.In particular, the lower exterior panel includes characters indicating model names, decorative figures and patterns, and the like. The design is represented. By applying silk screen printing with translucent ink on the back of a transparent substrate such as an acrylic plate,
The symbols and their backgrounds are shown. A light source such as a fluorescent lamp is arranged at a position behind the exterior panel, and by turning on or off the light source, a symbol is clearly shown to stimulate the visual sense of the player.

[0003] However, in the above-mentioned electric decoration device, since the design is represented in a plane, the design is simply illuminated brightly by the back lighting, and the effect of stimulating the visual sense of the player is poor. There is a limit to attracting people's interest.

In order to solve such a conventional problem, a transparent plate is pasted on a surface of a printed plate on which a design is printed as an exterior panel of a game machine, and the light is refracted by the transparent plate. A design in which a pattern printed on a printing plate is raised to be displayed (Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 4-51985) or a product in which a transparent film is printed so as to have a three-dimensional effect, and a lens is attached to the transparent film. (Utility model registration No. 3021969)
No.) was proposed.

[0005]

However, these exterior panels also have a flat base pattern, so that even if a lens effect is provided, a pattern with a sufficient three-dimensional effect cannot be obtained. There is a limit to enhancing the effect that stimulates the visual sense of the elderly.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problem, and a three-dimensional image is formed by expanding a design portion of a printed surface formed on the back surface of a transparent substrate toward the front surface or the back surface to form a three-dimensional structure.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an electric decoration device of a gaming machine that can sufficiently stimulate the visual sense of a player.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention of claim 1 is an illumination of a gaming machine comprising an exterior panel constituting a front surface of the gaming machine, and a light source for back lighting arranged behind the exterior panel. In the device, the exterior panel has a printed surface at least on a back surface of a transparent substrate, a design portion represented by a light-transmitting ink, and the design portion is swelled toward the front surface side of the exterior panel, thereby forming a design portion. Is formed to form a three-dimensional pattern projecting to the surface.

[0008] In the illumination device for a gaming machine according to the second aspect of the invention, the exterior panel has, on the back surface of the transparent substrate, a printed surface at least a symbol portion of which is represented by translucent ink. By expanding to the back side of the exterior panel,
A three-dimensional design in which the design part protrudes to the back surface is formed.

In the electric decoration device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the exterior panel has, on the back surface of the transparent substrate, a printed surface at least a design portion of which is made of translucent ink, and a part of the design portion. By swelling on the surface of the exterior panel and bulging the bulged portion or another part of the design portion to the back surface of the exterior panel, a three-dimensional design in which the design portion protrudes on both front and back surfaces is formed.

[0010]

According to the illumination device of the first aspect, the design portion printed on the back surface of the transparent substrate projects toward the front surface, and in the illumination device of the second aspect, the design portion printed on the back surface of the transparent substrate is located on the back surface side. In the illumination device of the third aspect, since the design portion printed on the back surface of the transparent substrate protrudes on both the front and back surfaces, the design portion itself becomes three-dimensional, and the lens effect of the transparent substrate is sufficiently combined. A three-dimensional design can be obtained.

[0011]

FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this slot machine, a body 1 is configured by attaching a door 3 to a front opening of a box-shaped main body 2 so as to be openable and closable. As shown in FIG. 2, a circuit board 5 such as a reel block 4 and a control device is provided in an upper position of the main body 2, and a medal discharger 6 having a hopper 6 a for accommodating a large number of medals is provided in a lower position. Are respectively incorporated.

The reel block 4 comprises a metal frame 7
, Three reels 8a, 8b, 8c are integrally assembled. A plurality of symbols are shown on the outer periphery of each of the reels 8a, 8b, 8c. Some symbols constitute winning symbols for establishing a winning. Stepping motors 9a, 9b, 9c for individually rotating and driving the reels 8a, 8b, 8c are assembled to the reel block 4.

The front surface of the door 3 is provided with reels 8a and 8a.
Symbol display window 2 for displaying symbols b and 8c
0, an upper panel 12 for displaying information related to the game, and the like, and a lower panel 13 for displaying characters such as model names and decorative figures and patterns.
It is composed of

Below the front panel 11, a start lever 14 for simultaneously starting the three reels 8a, 8b, 8c, and three stops for individually stopping the corresponding reels 8a, 8b, 8c. Button switches 15a, 15b, 15
c, a medal slot 16 for inserting a medal, etc. are provided.
A medal tray 18 for storing medals to be released is provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, an uncolored and transparent symbol display window 20 surrounded by a color print layer is provided at the center of the plate surface of the front panel 11. This symbol display window 20
Behind each reel 8 of the reel block 4.
a, 8b and 8c are arranged with the outer peripheral surface facing the symbol display window 20. The symbol display window 20 has a length in the horizontal direction so that three reels 8a, 8b, and 8c can be seen.
Further, the vertical length is formed in a horizontally long rectangular shape so that symbols for three frames can be seen when the reel is stopped. In the drawing, reference numeral 19 denotes a blind that covers a gap at a boundary between reels.

On the surface of the front panel 11, five pay lines L1 to L5 connecting the symbols of three frames on each reel 8a, 8b, 8c viewed from the symbol display window 20 in the horizontal and oblique directions are shown. I have. When the reel is stopped, these 5
Each reel 8a, 8b, 8 is placed on the winning lines L1 to L5 of the book.
The symbols of c are aligned. These winning lines L1 to L5
Are validated as one, three, and five in accordance with the number of inserted medals.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the lower panel 13 is formed by performing silk screen printing on a rear surface of a transparent substrate 30 having a uniform thickness, such as a glass plate or an acrylic plate, with a printing ink having translucency. , A printing surface 31 is formed. The printing surface 31 includes, for example, a background portion 31a represented by black ink and a design portion 31b represented by multicolor ink. The entire design portion 31b is swelled toward the front surface side, thereby forming a three-dimensional design in which the front surface is the convex portion 32, and the position corresponding to the convex portion 32 on the rear surface is the concave portion 33. For example, when the thickness d of the lower panel 13 is 3 mm, the height h of the projection 32 is set to 7 to 8 mm.
The above-mentioned three-dimensional design is formed by setting the degree to about. In this embodiment, in order to increase the contrast of the printing surface 31,
The surface of the printing surface 31 is subjected to wrinkling surface processing called graining.

Behind the lower panel 13, a light source 40 such as a fluorescent lamp is arranged. The light source 40 irradiates light toward the lower panel 13 to provide illumination from behind. The light source 40 is not limited to a fluorescent lamp, but may be a white lamp, a light emitting diode, or the like. In addition, illumination light of different colors as well as illumination light of a single color may be switched and emitted.

In order to manufacture the lower panel 13 having the above structure, as shown in FIG. 6, one side of the transparent substrate 30 is subjected to silk screen printing to form a printing surface 31, and then the transparent substrate 30 is heated to a temperature close to its melting point. By pressing the heated pressing mold 34 against the printing surface 31 of the transparent substrate 30, the design portion 31b bulges to the surface side, and the convex portion 32 and the concave portion 33 are formed.
To form a three-dimensional design.

In this embodiment, the entire printing surface 31 is formed of a translucent printing ink. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Only the design portion 31b is formed of a translucent printing ink. The background portion 31a may be formed of a printing ink having no translucency. Further, in this embodiment, printing is directly performed on one surface of the transparent substrate 30. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a printed film-like printed sheet may be attached to the transparent substrate 30.

Further, in this embodiment, the symbol portion 31b
Are bulged to the front side, and a convex portion 32 is formed on the front surface, and a concave portion 33 is formed on the rear surface at a position corresponding to the convex portion 32. As shown in FIG. The whole may be swelled to the rear surface, and the convex portion 32 may be formed on the rear surface, and the concave portion 33 may be formed at a position corresponding to the convex portion 32 on the front surface.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a part of the symbol portion 31b is bulged to the surface side, and the convex portion 32b is formed on the surface.
A, a concave portion 33A is formed at a position corresponding to the convex portion 32A on the rear surface, and another part of the symbol portion 31b is bulged toward the rear surface side to form a concave portion 33B on the front surface and the concave portion 33 on the rear surface.
The protrusion 32B may be formed at a position corresponding to B. In this case, two light sources 40 are used as light sources for back lighting.
a, 40b may be used. Although not shown,
By recessing a part of the portion swelling toward the front surface toward the back surface, a recess can be formed in the projection.

FIG. 9 shows a front panel 11 in which the present invention is implemented.
The design part 31b is bulged to the surface side, and the convex part 32 is formed on the surface.
Are formed. Usually, behind the front panel 11,
Since the light source 41 such as a fluorescent lamp for illuminating the outer peripheral surfaces of the three reels 8a, 8b, 8c is arranged, the light source for the reel illumination can be used for the back illumination of the three-dimensional design.
Note that the present invention is applied to the lower panel 13 and the front panel 1.
It is needless to say that the present invention can be carried out not only on the upper panel 12 but also on the upper panel 12.

In the above-structured slot machine,
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the design portion 31 b of the printing surface 31 formed on the back surface of the lower panel 13 bulges to the front side to form the convex portion 32, so that the light source 40 is turned on or off. When the back lighting is performed, the three-dimensional shape of the symbol portion 31b is lifted by the illumination light, and the illumination light is diffused by the convex portion 32 to exhibit the function of a convex lens. Gives a strong stimulus to vision.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the pattern portion 31b of the printing surface 31 is bulged to the back surface side to form the concave portion 33 on the front surface. At this time, the three-dimensional shape of the symbol portion 31b rises due to the illumination light, and the illumination light is condensed by the concave portion 33 to exhibit the effect of the concave lens. Therefore, the three-dimensional effect of the symbol portion 31b is emphasized, and a strong stimulus to the visual sense of the player is given. give.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the design portion 31b of the printing surface 31 is bulged to both front and back surfaces to form the convex portions 32 and the concave portions 33, so that the light sources 40a and 40b are turned on or off. When the back lighting is performed, the three-dimensional shape of the symbol portion 31b rises due to the illumination light,
Since the illumination light is diffused by the convex portion 32 and collected by the concave portion 33, the three-dimensional effect of the symbol portion 31b is emphasized, and a strong stimulus is given to the player's vision.

[0027]

As described above, according to the present invention, a three-dimensional design in which the design part protrudes to the front or back surface is formed by swelling the design part represented by the translucent ink on the back or back surface of the transparent substrate. Since it is formed, a symbol part having a sufficiently three-dimensional effect is obtained as compared with the conventional example in which the underlying symbol is printed two-dimensionally, and it is possible to stimulate the visual sense of the player.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the internal structure of the slot machine.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a configuration of a front panel.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a lower panel.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a method of manufacturing the lower panel.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the lower panel.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the lower panel.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a front panel.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Front panel 12 Upper panel 13 Lower panel 30 Transparent substrate 31 Printing surface 31b Design part 32, 32A, 32B Convex part 33, 33A, 33B Concave part

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] April 22, 1999 (1999.4.2
2)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claim 1

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Kenyuki Inoue 5-8-5 Imagawa, Higashisumiyoshi-ku, Osaka Co., Ltd. Inoue Process Kogei Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shinichi Takahashi 3-1-1-10 Takaidanaka, Higashiosaka City Takahashi Industrial Arts Co., Ltd. EB16 FA04

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An exterior panel constituting a front surface of a gaming machine,
In an electric decoration device for a gaming machine, comprising a light source for back lighting arranged behind an exterior panel, the exterior panel is printed on a back surface of a transparent substrate, at least a design portion of which is represented by a translucent ink. A lighting device for a gaming machine, comprising: a surface having a three-dimensional design in which the design part protrudes to the front surface by bulging the design part toward the back side of the exterior panel. 2. An exterior panel constituting a front surface of the gaming machine,
In an electric decoration device for a gaming machine, comprising a light source for back lighting arranged behind an exterior panel, the exterior panel is printed on a back surface of a transparent substrate, at least a design portion of which is represented by a translucent ink. A lighting device for a gaming machine, comprising: a surface having a three-dimensional design in which the design part protrudes to the back surface by bulging the design part to the back side of the exterior panel. 3. An exterior panel constituting a front surface of the gaming machine,
In an electric decoration device for a gaming machine, comprising a light source for back lighting arranged behind an exterior panel, the exterior panel is printed on a back surface of a transparent substrate, at least a design portion of which is represented by a translucent ink. Having a surface, and swelling a part of the design part toward the front side of the exterior panel, and swelling the swelling part or another part of the design part toward the back surface of the exterior panel, whereby the design part is formed. An illumination device for a gaming machine with a three-dimensional design protruding on both sides.