Patent Publication Number: US-2009233681-A1

Title: Slant top gaming cabinet with adjustable angle display

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/036,334 filed on Mar. 13, 2008, and which is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a slant top gaming cabinet with an adjustable angle display. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     As a cabinet of a gaming machine using a display such as a liquid crystal panel for displaying a game, a slant type gaming cabinet having a tilted display is disclosed in the specification of U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,914. 
     Such a slant type gaming cabinet is also disclosed in the specifications of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,332,219, 6,159,097 and 6,254,481 as one that can be used in a gaming machine in which games such as roulette, keno, poker, bingo, lotto and slot game are displayed on a display. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a slant top gaming cabinet which makes contents displayed on a display more visible to a player. 
     The first aspect of the present invention is a gaming cabinet comprising: a housing having an operating member; a display tiltably supported in the housing; and a linking device configured to link tilting movement of the display relative to the housing with an operation of the operating member. 
     The second aspect of the present invention is a gaming cabinet comprising: a housing having an operating member; a frame tiltably supported in the housing; a display supported by the frame; and a linking device configured to link tilting movement of the frame relative to the housing with an operation of the operating member. 
     The third aspect of the present invention is a gaming cabinet comprising: a housing having an operating member; a frame tiltably supported in the housing; a display supported by the frame; rotating reels being rotatably supported by the frame, being arranged behind the display, and being visible through the display; and a linking device configured to link tilting movement of the frame relative to the housing with an operation of the operating member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a slot machine of a first embodiment using a gaming cabinet according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an explanatory view showing an inside of the gaming machine shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an explanatory view showing divided areas in a matrix pattern provided on a liquid crystal panel in the slot machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an explanatory view showing a display example in the divided areas on the liquid crystal panel in the slot machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a slant type slot machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is an explanatory view showing divided areas in a matrix pattern provided on a liquid crystal panel in the slot machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is an explanatory view showing an inside of a housing of the slant type slot machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8A  is a perspective view showing a rotating reel device in the slot machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8B  is a side view showing the rotating reel device in the slot machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is an explanatory view showing an inside of a housing of a slant type slot machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a slant type slot machine according to fourth and sixth embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a slant type slot machine according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is an explanatory view showing an inside of a housing of the slot machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is an explanatory view showing an inside of a housing of the slot machine according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is an explanatory view showing an inside of a housing of the slot machine according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , general description will be given below of a slant type slot machine that is an example of a gaming machine using a gaming cabinet according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a slot machine of a first embodiment using the gaming cabinet according to the present invention.  FIG. 2  is an explanatory view showing an inside of the slant type slot machine shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     The slot machine shown in  FIG. 1  includes a slant type gaming cabinet  10 . This gaming cabinet  10  includes: a housing  11  having a handle  12  as a rotatable operating member; a liquid crystal panel  16  (corresponding to a display in the claims) which is tiltably supported in the housing  11 ; and a linking device  20  which links tilting of the liquid crystal panel  16  with a rotating operation of the handle  12 . 
     The housing  11  has a base  11   a,  a control panel portion  11   b  above the base  11   a  and a top box  11   c  above the control panel portion  11   b.    
     In an upper front of the housing  11 , an opening  11   d  is formed over the control panel  11   b  and the top box  11   c.  The liquid crystal panel  16  is housed in this opening  11   d.  A display surface  16   a  of the liquid crystal panel  16  is exposed to outside of the housing  11  in the opening  11   d.    
     On the display surface  16   a  of the liquid crystal panel  16 , symbols are rearranged every time a unit game is played. When the symbols are rearranged in the unit game, the amount of credits to be paid out is determined according to rules of a predetermined payout table. Thereafter, an award equivalent to the determined amount of credits is provided. Subsequently, the symbols are rearranged as the next unit game is started. 
     The handle  12  is provided on a side surface of the top box  11   c  in the housing  11 . This handle  12  can be rotated by a player. Moreover, in an inside of the opening  11   d  in the housing  11 , the linking device  20  (see  FIG. 2 ) is provided, which links the rotating operation of the handle  12  with tilting of the liquid crystal panel  16 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the linking device  20  includes: two guide bosses  17   a  and  17   b  on a side surface of the liquid crystal panel  16 ; guide grooves  11   e  and  11   f  on internal sides of the control panel  11   b  and the top box  11   c,  the guide bosses  17   a  and  17   b  being inserted into the guide grooves  11   e  and  11   f,  respectively; a rack  14  having its upper end pivotally attached to the guide boss  17   b;  and a pinion gear  12   b  which is attached to a rotating shaft  12   a  of the handle  12  shown in  FIG. 1  and is engaged with the rack  14 . 
     Therefore, in the slant type cabinet  10  according to the one embodiment of the present invention, when the handle  12  shown in  FIG. 1  is rotated by the player, the pinion gear  12   b  is rotated and the rack  14  engaged therewith is moved up and down relative to the top box  11   c.    
     Meanwhile, the guide boss  17   b  pivotally attached to the rack  14  is moved up and down within the guide groove  11   f,  and the other guide boss  17   a  is moved back and forth within the guide groove  11   e.  Thus, the liquid crystal panel  16  is tilted and a tilt angle of the display surface  16   a  is changed. 
     In the case of the gaming cabinet  10  shown in  FIG. 1  according to the embodiment of the present invention as described above, a player can adjust the display surface  16   a  of the liquid crystal plane  16  to a direction facing the player as front as possible, by rotating the handle  12 . This is convenient because a positional relationship between a player&#39;s eye level and the liquid crystal panel  16  varies depending on the height of each player. 
     Thus, it is possible to prevent a situation where the player has to look at the display surface  16   a  of the liquid crystal panel  16  from a direction significantly tilted with respect to a normal to the display surface, thereby making it difficult for the player to look at the symbols displayed on the display surface  16   a.    
     The slot machine using the gaming cabinet according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the slot machine of this embodiment includes the slant type gaming cabinet  10 . This gaming cabinet  10  includes: the housing  11  having the handle  12  that can be rotated by the player who operates the slot machine; a frame  17  tiltably supported in the housing  11 ; and the linking device  20  which links tilting of the frame  17  with the rotating operation of the handle  12 . 
     The housing  11  has a base  11   a,  a control panel portion  11   b  above the base  11   a  and a top box  11   c  above the control panel portion  11   b.    
     Moreover, the opening  11   d  is formed over the control panel  11   b  and the top box  11   c  of the housing  11 . This opening  11   d  is provided in the upper front of the housing  11 . In the opening  11   d,  the liquid crystal panel  16  is housed, which is attached to the frame  17  (see  FIG. 2 ) to be described later. 
     The display surface  16   a  of the liquid crystal panel  16  is exposed to the outside of the housing  11  from the opening  11   d.  As shown in  FIG. 3 , the display surface  16   a  has fifteen divided areas q 11  to q 53 . These divided areas q 11  to q 53  are arranged in a matrix pattern including first to fifth columns and first to third rows. 
     In the slot machine of this embodiment, symbols arranged in the respective divided areas q 11  to q 53  described above are rearranged as shown in  FIG. 4  every time one slot game (unit game) is executed. The arrangement and rearrangement of the symbols in the respective divided areas q 11  to q 53  are performed by the display on the liquid crystal panel  16  in the slot machine of this embodiment. 
     Moreover, in the slot machine of this embodiment, when the symbols are rearranged in the divided areas q 11  to q 53 , in the slot game, the amount of credits to be paid out is determined according to rules of a predetermined payout table. Thereafter, an award equivalent to the determined amount of credits can be provided. Subsequently, the symbols in the respective divided areas q 11  to q 53  are rearranged as the next slot game is started. The slot game is set to be executable by making a bet with game media. 
     Note that, in this embodiment, medals are taken as an example of the game media to be used for executing the slot game. However, the game media for the slot game are not limited to the medals but may include, for example, tokens, electronic money and valuable electronic information (credits) equivalent thereto. 
     Below the liquid crystal panel  16 , provided are: a medal insertion slot  21  for accepting medals; and a bill validator  22  for validating whether or not bills are legitimate and accepting the legitimate bills. Note that the bill validator  22  may be configured to be able to read a bar-coded ticket  39 . 
     Moreover, in the vicinity of the medal insertion slot  21  and the bill validator  22 , various operation switches are provided, including a payout switch  23 , a MAXBET switch  24 , a BET switch  25 , a spin repeat bet switch  26  and a start switch  27 . 
     The BET switch  25  is a switch for determining the amount of credits to be bet on the slot game to be executed on the liquid crystal panel  16 . Every time the BET switch  25  is pressed, a credit equivalent to 1 medal is bet. 
     The spin repeat bet switch  26  is a switch for executing the slot game by betting the same amount of credits as that bet in the previous game with BET switch  25  described above. 
     The start switch  27  is a switch for starting the slot game after a desired amount of credits is bet. When the start switch  27  is pressed after medals are inserted into the medal insertion slot  21  or credits are bet by use of the BET switch  25 , the slot game is started on the liquid crystal panel  16 . 
     The payout switch  23  is a switch for paying out the inserted medals. The medals to be paid out are discharged from a medal payout opening  19  provided in a front of the base  11   a  of the housing  11 . The medals paid out are accumulated in a medal tray  18 . 
     The MAXBET switch  24  is a switch for betting, in one operation, the maximum amount of credits (for example, 30 medals) that can be bet on one slot game. 
     On a front surface of the top box  11   c,  an upper display  33  is provided. The upper display  33  includes a liquid crystal panel to display a payout table and the like. 
     Moreover, a speaker  29  is provided in the top box  11   c.  Below the upper display  33 , a ticket printer  35 , a card reader  36 , a data display  37  and a keypad  38  are provided. The ticket printer  35  prints out a bar-code on a ticket, the bar-code having coded data such as the amount of credits, time and date and an identification number of the slot machine  10 , and outputs the ticket as the bar-coded ticket  39 . 
     The player can use the bar-coded ticket  39  to make a bet on a slot game with another slot machine by allowing the slot machine to read the bar-coded ticket or can change the bar-coded ticket  39  for bills and the like at a predetermined location in a gaming facility (for example, a cashier in a casino). 
     The card reader  36  allows a smart card to be inserted thereinto, reads data from the inserted smart card and writes data into the smart card. The smart card is a card carried by the player and stores data for identifying the player and data on a history of games played by the player. 
     The smart card may store data corresponding to coins, bills or credits. Moreover, instead of the smart card, a magnetic stripe card may be adopted. The data display  37  is formed of a fluorescent display or the like and displays, for example, the data read by the card reader  36  and data inputted by the player using the keypad  38 . 
     Moreover, instead of the smart card, an RFID card capable of reading and writing data contactlessly may be used. The keypad  38  is for inputting instructions or data for ticketing and the like. 
     The handle  12  that can be rotated by the player is provided on the side surface of the top box  11   c  of the housing  11 . Moreover, the linking device  20  (see  FIG. 2 ) which tilts the liquid crystal panel  16  in conjunction with the rotating operation of the handle  12  is provided, as described later, on the inside of the opening  11   d  in the housing  11 . When the handle  12  is rotated by the player, the rotation is converted into a linear motion by the linking device  20  and the linear motion is transmitted to the liquid crystal panel  16 . Thus, the liquid crystal panel  16  is tilted. By tilting the liquid crystal panel  16 , the tilt angle of the display surface  16   a  can be adjusted. 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , the linking device  20  will be described in detail below. First, the two guide bosses  17   a  and  17   b  are provided so as to protrude on a side surface of the frame  17  attached on a back side of the liquid crystal panel  16 . Of the two guide bosses, the one guide boss  17   a  is inserted into the guide groove  11   e  formed on the inside of the control panel  11   b  of the housing  11 . This guide groove  11   e  is extended so as to form a curved shape in a front-to-rear direction of the control panel  11   b.  Moreover, the other guide boss  17   b  is inserted into the guide groove  11   f  formed on the inside of the top box  11   c  of the housing  11 . This guide groove  11   f  is extended linearly in a top-to-bottom direction of the top box  11   c.    
     Furthermore, the upper end of the rack  14  is pivotally attached to the guide boss  17   b.  This rack  14  is supported on the inside of the top box  11   c  so as to be movable up and down along the guide groove  11   f.  Moreover, the rack  14  is engaged with the pinion gear  12   b.  As shown in  FIG. 1 , this pinion gear  12   b  is attached to the rotating shaft  12   a  of the handle  12  attached to the side surface of the top box  11   c  of the housing  11 . 
     In the gaming cabinet  10  of this embodiment, the linking device  20  includes the two guide bosses  17   a  and  17   b  described above, the guide grooves  11   e  and  11   f  of the control panel  11   b  and the top box  11   c,  the rack  14  and the pinion gear  12   b.  Moreover, the rack  14  and the pinion gear  12   b  in the linking device  20  are equivalent to power conversion elements for converting the rotation of the handle  12  into a tilt of the frame  17 . 
     Moreover, in the gaming cabinet  10  of this embodiment, when the handle  12  is rotated by the player, the pinion gear  12   b  shown in  FIG. 2  is rotated and the rack  14  is moved up and down. Accordingly, the guide boss  17   b  of the frame  17  is moved up and down along the guide groove  11   f  in the top box  11   c.  At the same time, the other guide boss  17   a  of the frame  17  is moved back and forth along the guide groove  11   e  in the control panel  11   b.    
     Particularly, as indicated by solid lines in  FIG. 2 , when the guide boss  17   b  is positioned at an upper end of the guide groove  11   f  by moving the rack  14  upward, the guide boss  17   a  is positioned at a rear end (right end in  FIG. 2 ) of the guide groove  11   e.  Accordingly, the liquid crystal panel  16  is set upright to the maximum extent. Thus, the frame  17  is set at a position where the display surface  16   a  of the liquid crystal panel  16  is set at the most upright angle in the opening  11   d  of the housing  11  as indicated by solid lines in  FIG. 1  (the frame  17  is not shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
     Meanwhile, as indicated by imaginary lines in  FIG. 2 , when the guide boss  17   b  is positioned at a lower end of the guide groove  11   f  by moving the rack  14  downward, the guide boss  17   a  is positioned at a front end (left end in  FIG. 2 ) of the guide groove  11   e.  Accordingly, the display surface  16   a  of the liquid crystal panel  16  is laid horizontally to the maximum extent. Thus, the frame  17  is set at a position where the display surface  16   a  of the liquid crystal panel  16  is set at the largest tilt angle in the opening  11   d  of the housing  11  as indicated by imaginary lines in  FIG. 1  (the frame  17  is not shown in  FIG. 1 ). Note that, in this state, the display surface  16   a  of the liquid crystal panel  16  is positioned in the same plane as an upper surface of the control panel  11   b.    
     Therefore, when the handle  12  is rotated by the player, the frame  17  attached on the back side of the liquid crystal panel  16  is tilted between the position indicated by the solid lines and the position indicated by the imaginary lines in  FIG. 2 . 
     In the gaming cabinet  10  of this embodiment having the configuration described above, the player can adjust the tilt angle of the frame  17 , by rotating the handle  12 , so as to cause the display surface  16   a  of the liquid crystal panel  16  to face the player as front as possible. Thus, it is possible to prevent a situation where the player has to look at the display surface  16   a  of the liquid crystal panel  16  from a direction significantly tilted with respect to a normal to the display surface, thereby making it difficult for the player to look at the symbols displayed on the display surface  16   a.    
     Note that, in the first embodiment described above, the description was given of the case where the arrangement and rearrangement of the symbols in the respective divided areas q 11  to q 53  of the display surface  16   a  of the liquid crystal panel  16  are performed by the display on the liquid crystal panel  16 . However, the arrangement and rearrangement of the symbols in the respective divided areas q 11  to q 53  of the display surface  16   a  can also be performed by a combination of the liquid crystal panel and rotating reels. 
     Next, with reference to  FIGS. 5 to 8A  and  8 B, description will be given of a slot machine using a gaming cabinet according to a second embodiment of the present invention having the configuration as described above. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the slot machine of the second embodiment using the gaming cabinet according to the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 5 , in the slot machine of this embodiment, windows  161  to  165  corresponding to first to fifth columns of divided areas q 11  to q 53  are provided in a display surface  16   a  of a liquid crystal panel  16 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the respective windows  161  to  165  are divided into top, middle and bottom window areas corresponding to first to third rows of the divided areas q 11  to q 53 . Thus, the divided areas q 11  to q 13  are allocated to the top, middle and bottom window areas in the window  161 . Similarly, the divided areas q 21  to q 23 , q 31  to q 33 , q 41  to q 43  and q 51  to q 53  are allocated to the top, middle and bottom window areas in the windows  162  to  165 , respectively. Note that, by the liquid crystal panel  16 , the divided areas q 11  to q 53  can be individually set in a transparent display state and can also be set in a state of displaying arrangement or rearrangement of symbols. 
     Moreover, in a gaming cabinet  10   a  of the slot machine of this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 7 , a rotating reel device  53  is disposed behind the liquid crystal panel  16  in the frame  17 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8A , the rotating reel device  53  has five rotating reels  53   a  to  53   e  corresponding to the windows  161  to  165  in the liquid crystal panel  16 . The respective rotating reels  53   a  to  53   e  are rotatably supported by the frame  17 . On a circumferential surface of each of the rotating reels  53   a  to  53   e,  a plurality of symbols are laid out so as to be equally spaced apart. Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 8B , the rotating reel device  53  has drive motors  56   a  to  56   e  formed of stepping motors for driving the rotating reels  53   a  to  53   e  to be rotated, respectively. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the slot machine of this embodiment allows the player to view three consecutive symbols among the symbols laid out on the circumferential surface of each of the rotating reels  53   a  to  53   e  through each of the windows  161  to  165  in the liquid crystal panel  16 , the rotating reels  53   a  to  53   e  corresponding to the windows  161  to  165 , respectively. Specifically, each of the windows  161  to  165  in the liquid crystal panel  16  includes each of groups of the three, top, middle and bottom, divided areas: q 11  to q 13 ; q 21  to q 23 ; q 31  to q 33 ; q 41  to q 43 ; and q 51  to q 53 , in the row direction, the groups corresponding to the first to fifth columns. 
     Moreover, in the slot machine of this embodiment, the symbols which are arranged in the divided areas q 11  to q 53  and are viewed by the player through the windows  161  to  165  can be rearranged by rotating and stopping each of the rotating reels  53   a  to  53   e  or by the display on the liquid crystal panel  16  in each of the divided areas q 11  to q 53 . In the case where the symbols are rearranged by rotating and stopping each of the rotating reels  53   a  to  53   e,  the corresponding divided areas q 11  to q 53  of the liquid crystal panel  16  are set in the transparent display state. Meanwhile, in the case where the symbols are rearranged by the display on the liquid crystal panel  16 , the circumferential surfaces of the rotating reels  53   a  to  53   e  behind the liquid crystal panel are hidden behind the display on the liquid crystal panel  16  and thus are not visible to the player. 
     Note that, as in the case of the gaming cabinet  10  of the first embodiment, the gaming cabinet  10   a  of this embodiment also has a handle  12  (see  FIG. 5 ) and a tilting device  20  (see  FIG. 7 ). 
     Therefore, when the handle  12  is rotated by the player, the frame  17  attached on the back side of the liquid crystal panel  16  is tilted between a position indicated by solid lines and a position indicated by imaginary lines in  FIG. 7 . 
     In the gaming cabinet  10   a  of this embodiment having the configuration described above, as in the case of the gaming cabinet  10  of the first embodiment, the player can adjust the tilt angle of the frame  17 , by rotating the handle  12  (see  FIG. 5 ), so as to cause the display surface  16   a  of the liquid crystal panel  16  to face the player as front as possible. Thus, it is possible to prevent a situation where the player has to look at the display surface  16   a  of the liquid crystal panel  16  from a direction significantly tilted with respect to a normal to the display surface, thereby making it difficult for the player to look at the symbols displayed on the display surface  16   a.    
     Moreover, in the gaming cabinet  10   a  of this embodiment, since the rotating reel device  53  is disposed behind the liquid crystal panel  16 , a backlight cannot be disposed right behind the display surface  16   a  of the liquid crystal panel  16 . 
     Thus, more significant effects can be expected regarding the following point. Specifically, since the tilt angle of the frame  17  can be adjusted so as to cause the display surface  16   a  of the liquid crystal panel  16  to face the player as front as possible, it becomes easier for the player to view the symbols displayed on the display surface  16   a  by the liquid crystal panel  16  or the rotating reels  53   a  to  53   e  behind the panel. 
     In the first embodiment described above, the description was given of the case where the frame  17  is tilted by rotating the handle  12  by the player. Meanwhile, it is also possible to directly tilt the liquid crystal panel  16 . 
     Next, with reference to  FIG. 9 , description will be given of a slot machine using a gaming cabinet according to a third embodiment of the present invention having the configuration as described above. 
       FIG. 9  is an explanatory view showing an internal configuration of a housing in the slot machine of the third embodiment using the gaming cabinet according to the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 9 , in the slot machine of this embodiment, two guide bosses  16   b  and  16   c  are provided so as to protrude on a side surface of the liquid crystal panel  16 . The guide boss  16   b  is inserted into a guide groove  11   e  on an inside of a control panel  11   b.  Moreover, the guide boss  16   c  is inserted into a guide groove  11   f  on an inside of a top box  11   c.  Furthermore, an upper end of a rack  14  is pivotally attached to the guide boss  16   c.    
     Therefore, in the gaming cabinet of the slot machine of this embodiment, a linking device  20  includes: the two guide bosses  16   b  and  16   c  described above; the guide grooves  11   e  and  11   f  on the insides of the control panel  11   b  and the top box  11   c,  into which the guide bosses  16   b  and  16   c  are inserted, respectively; the rack  14  having the upper end pivotally attached to the guide boss  16   c;  and a pinion gear  12   b  which is attached to the rotating shaft  12   a  of the handle  12  shown in  FIG. 1  and is engaged with the rack  14 . Moreover, the rack  14  and the pinion gear  12   b  in the linking device  20  are equivalent to power conversion elements for converting the rotation of the handle  12  into a tilt of the liquid crystal panel  16 . 
     Moreover, in the gaming cabinet of this embodiment, when the handle  12  is rotated by the player, the pinion gear  12   b  shown in  FIG. 9  is rotated and the rack  14  is moved up and down. Accordingly, the guide boss  16   c  of the liquid crystal panel  16  is moved up and down along the guide groove  11   f  in the top box  11   c.  At the same time, the other guide boss  16   b  of the liquid crystal panel  16  is moved back and forth along the guide groove  11   e  in the control panel  11   b.    
     Particularly, as indicated by solid lines in  FIG. 9 , when the guide boss  16   c  is positioned at an upper end of the guide groove  11   f  by moving the rack  14  upward, the guide boss  16   b  is positioned at a rear end (right end in  FIG. 9 ) of the guide groove  11   e.  Accordingly, the liquid crystal panel  16  is set upright to the maximum extent. Thus, the liquid crystal panel  16  is set at a position where the display surface  16   a  is set at the most upright angle in the opening  11   d  of the housing  11  as indicated by the solid lines in  FIG. 1 . 
     Meanwhile, as indicated by imaginary lines in  FIG. 9 , when the guide boss  16   c  is positioned at a lower end of the guide groove  11   f  by moving the rack  14  downward, the guide boss  16   b  is positioned at a front end (left end in  FIG. 9 ) of the guide groove  11   e.  Accordingly, the display surface  16   a  of the liquid crystal panel  16  is laid horizontally to the maximum extent. Thus, the liquid crystal panel  16  is set at a position where the display surface  16   a  is set at the largest tilt angle in the opening  11   d  of the housing  11  as indicated by the imaginary lines in  FIG. 1 . Note that, in this state, the display surface  16   a  of the liquid crystal panel  16  is positioned in the same plane as an upper surface of the control panel  11   b.    
     Therefore, when the handle  12  is rotated by the player, the liquid crystal panel  16  is tilted between the position indicated by the solid lines and the position indicated by the imaginary lines in  FIG. 9 . 
     In the gaming cabinet of this embodiment having the configuration described above, the player can adjust the tilt angle of the liquid crystal panel  16 , by rotating the handle  12  (see  FIG. 1 ), so as to cause the display surface  16   a  of the liquid crystal panel  16  to face the player as front as possible. Thus, it is possible to prevent a situation where the player has to look at the display surface  16   a  of the liquid crystal panel  16  from a direction significantly tilted with respect to a normal to the display surface, thereby making it difficult for the player to look at the symbols displayed on the display surface  16   a.    
     In the first to third embodiments described above, the description was given of the case where the frame  17  or the liquid crystal panel  16  is tilted by rotating the handle  12  by the player. Meanwhile, the frame  17  or the liquid crystal panel  16  can also be tilted by use of a drive source such as a motor. 
     Next, with reference to  FIGS. 10 to 14 , description will be given of slot machines using gaming cabinets according to fourth to sixth embodiments of the present invention having the configuration as described above. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the slot machine using the gaming cabinet according to the fourth and sixth embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the slot machine using the gaming cabinet according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
     In each of gaming cabinets  10   b  to  10   d  of the slot machines according to the fourth to sixth embodiments, the handle  12  provided on the side surface of the top box  11   c  of the housing  11  in the gaming cabinet  10  of the first embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  is omitted. Instead of the handle  12 , as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , a “TILT UP” button  13   a  and a “TILT DOWN” button  13   b  are provided on a side surface of a top box  11   c  of a housing  11 . 
     Moreover, in the gaming cabinets  10   b  to  10   d  according to the fourth to sixth embodiments, a tilt angle of a display surface  16   a  of a liquid crystal panel  16  is adjusted by a linking device  20  (see  FIGS. 12 to 14 ), which is provided on an inside of an opening  11   d  in the housing  11 , according to an operation of the “TILT UP” button  13   a  or the “TILT DOWN” button  13   b.  Specifically, in the slot machines  10   b  to  10   d  according to the fourth to sixth embodiments, the “TILT UP” button  13   a  and the “TILT DOWN” button  13   b  correspond to the operating member in the claims. 
     As shown in each of  FIGS. 12 to 14 , in each of the gaming cabinets  10   b  to  10   d  according to the fourth to sixth embodiments, a motor M to be rotated in a direction corresponding to the operation of the “TILT UP” button  13   a  or the “TILT DOWN” button  13   b  is provided on the inside of the opening  11   d  in the housing  11 . Moreover, a pinion gear  12   b  is attached to an output shaft M 1  of the motor M. Specifically, the motor M is equivalent to a drive source connected so as to be able to transmit power to the pinion gear  12   b  in the linking device  20  through the output shaft M 1 . 
     Moreover, in the gaming cabinets  10   b  and  10   c  according to the fourth and fifth embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the linking device  20  includes: two guide bosses  17   a  and  17   b  provided so as to protrude on a side surface of a frame  17 ; guide grooves  11   e  and  11   f  on insides of the control panel  11   b  and the top box  11   c,  into which the guide bosses  17   a  and  17   b  are inserted, respectively; a rack  14  having its upper end pivotally attached to the guide boss  17   b;  and the pinion gear  12   b  which is attached to the output shaft M 1  of the motor M and is engaged with the rack  14 . 
     Meanwhile, in the gaming cabinet  10   d  according to the sixth embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 14 , the linking device  20  includes: two guide bosses  16   b  and  16   c  on a side surface of the liquid crystal panel  16 ; guide grooves  11   e  and  11   f  on insides of the control panel  11   b  and the top box  11   c,  into which the guide bosses  16   b  and  16   c  are inserted, respectively; a rack  14  having its upper end pivotally attached to the guide boss  16   c;  and the pinion gear  12   b  which is attached to the output shaft M 1  of the motor M and is engaged with the rack  14 . 
     Moreover, in the gaming cabinets  10   b  and  10   c  according to the fourth and fifth embodiments, when the “TILT UP” button  13   a  or the “TILT DOWN” button  13   b  on the housing  11  is operated by the player, the pinion gear  12   b  shown in each of  FIGS. 12 and 13  is rotated and the rack  14  is moved up and down. Accordingly, the guide boss  17   b  of the frame  17  is moved up and down along the guide groove  11   f  in the top box  11   c.  At the same time, the other guide boss  17   a  of the frame  17  is moved back and forth along the guide groove  11   e  in the control panel  11   b.    
     Particularly, as indicated by solid lines in each of  FIGS. 12 and 13 , when the guide boss  17   b  is positioned at an upper end of the guide groove  11   f  by operating the “TILT UP” button  13   a  by the player to move the rack  14  upward, the guide boss  17   a  is positioned at a rear end (right end in each of  FIGS. 12 and 13 ) of the guide groove  11   e.  Accordingly, the liquid crystal panel  16  is set upright to the maximum extent. Thus, the frame  17  is set at a position where the display surface  16   a  of the liquid crystal panel  16  is set at the most upright angle in the opening  11   d  of the housing  11  as indicated by the solid lines in  FIGS. 10 and 11  (each of the frames  17  is not shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 ). 
     Meanwhile, as indicated by imaginary lines in each of  FIGS. 12 and 13 , when the guide boss  17   b  is positioned at a lower end of the guide groove  11   f  by operating the “TILT DOWN” button  13   b  by the player to move the rack  14  downward, the guide boss  17   a  is positioned at a front end (left end in each of  FIGS. 12 and 13 ) of the guide groove  11   e.  Accordingly, the display surface  16   a  of the liquid crystal panel  16  is laid horizontally to the maximum extent. Thus, the frame  17  is set at a position where the display surface  16   a  of the liquid crystal panel  16  is set at the largest tilt angle in the opening  11   d  of the housing  11  as indicated by the imaginary lines in  FIGS. 10 and 11  (each of the frames  17  is not shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 ). Note that, in this state, the display surface  16   a  of the liquid crystal panel  16  is positioned in the same plane as an upper surface of the control panel  11   b.    
     Therefore, in the gaming cabinets  10   b  and  10   c  according to the fourth and fifth embodiments, when the “TILT UP” button  13   a  or the “TILT DOWN” button  13   b  is operated by the player, the frame  17  attached on the back side of the liquid crystal panel  16  is tilted between the position indicated by the solid lines and the position indicated by the imaginary lines in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . 
     Moreover, in the gaming cabinet  10   d  of the sixth embodiment, when the “TILT UP” button  13   a  or the “TILT DOWN” button  13   b  is operated by the player, the pinion gear  12   b  shown in  FIG. 14  is rotated and the rack  14  is moved up and down. Accordingly, the guide boss  16   c  of the liquid crystal panel  16  is moved up and down along the guide groove  11   f  in the top box  11   c.  At the same time, the other guide boss  16   b  of the liquid crystal panel  16  is moved back and forth along the guide groove  11   e  in the control panel  11   b.    
     Particularly, as indicated by solid lines in  FIG. 14 , when the guide boss  16   c  is positioned at an upper end of the guide groove  11   f  by operating the “TILT UP” button  13   a  by the player to move the rack  14  upward, the guide boss  16   b  is positioned at a rear end (right end in  FIG. 14 ) of the guide groove  11   e.  Accordingly, the liquid crystal panel  16  is set upright to the maximum extent. Thus, the liquid crystal panel  16  is set at a position where the display surface  16   a  is set at the most upright angle in the opening  11   d  of the housing  11  as indicated by the solid lines in  FIG. 10 . 
     Meanwhile, as indicated by imaginary lines in  FIG. 14 , when the guide boss  16   c  is positioned at a lower end of the guide groove  11   f  by operating the “TILT DOWN” button  13   b  by the player to move the rack  14  downward, the guide boss  16   b  is positioned at a front end (left end in  FIG. 14 ) of the guide groove  11   e.  Accordingly, the display surface  16   a  of the liquid crystal panel  16  is laid horizontally to the maximum extent. Thus, the liquid crystal panel  16  is set at a position where the display surface  16   a  is set at the largest tilt angle in the opening  11   d  of the housing  11  as indicated by the imaginary lines in  FIG. 10 . Note that, in this state, the display surface  16   a  of the liquid crystal panel  16  is positioned in the same plane as an upper surface of the control panel  11   b.    
     Therefore, when the “TILT UP” button  13   a  or the “TILT DOWN” button  13   b  is operated by the player, the liquid crystal panel  16  is tilted between the position indicated by the solid lines and the position indicated by the imaginary lines in  FIG. 14 . 
     In the gaming cabinets  10   b  and  10   c  according to the fourth and fifth embodiments having the configuration described above, the player can adjust the tilt angle of the frame  17 , by operating the “TILT UP” button  13   a  or the “TILT DOWN” button  13   b  (see  FIG. 10 ), so as to cause the display surface  16   a  of the liquid crystal panel  16  to face the player as front as possible. Thus, it is possible to prevent a situation where the player has to look at the display surface  16   a  of the liquid crystal panel  16  from a direction significantly tilted with respect to a normal to the display surface, thereby making it difficult for the player to look at the symbols displayed on the display surface  16   a.    
     Similarly, also in the gaming cabinet  10   d  of the sixth embodiment having the configuration described above, the player can adjust the tilt angle of the liquid crystal panel  16 , by operating the “TILT UP” button  13   a  or the “TILT DOWN” button  13   b  (see  FIG. 11 ), so as to cause the display surface  16   a  of the liquid crystal panel  16  to face the player as front as possible. Thus, it is possible to prevent a situation where the player has to look at the display surface  16   a  of the liquid crystal panel  16  from a direction significantly tilted with respect to a normal to the display surface, thereby making it difficult for the player to look at the symbols displayed on the display surface  16   a.    
     Although the gaming cabinet of the present invention has been described above with reference to the illustrated embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto. The configurations of the components can be replaced by any configuration having similar functions. 
     For example, in the above embodiments, the description was given of the case where the display surface  16   a  of the liquid crystal panel  16  has the fifteen divided areas q 11  to q 53  arranged in the five columns and the three rows. However, any number of divided areas in the matrix pattern on the display surface  16   a  of the liquid crystal panel  16  can be arranged in both of the column and row directions. 
     Moreover, in the first to sixth embodiments described above, the rack  14  and the pinion gear  12   b  are used for tilting the frame  17  attached to the back side of the liquid crystal panel  16  or the liquid crystal panel  16  itself by rotating the handle  12  on the housing  11  or by operating the “TILT UP” button  13   a  or the “TILT DOWN” button  13   b  by the player. Meanwhile, a belt and a pulley or a chain and a sprocket can also be used. 
     Similarly, in the fourth to sixth embodiments described above, the motor M, the rack  14  and the pinion gear  12   b  are used for tilting the frame  17  or the liquid crystal panel  16 . Instead of those described above, a drive source other than the motor, such as an air cylinder and an oil cylinder, can be used and piston rods thereof can also be used instead of the rack  14  and the pinion gear  12   b.    
     Furthermore, in the first to sixth embodiments described above, the description was given by taking the slot machine as an example. However, the present invention can also be applied to a gaming machine in which games such as roulette, keno, poker, bingo and lotto are displayed on a display. 
     In addition, in the detailed description above, the characteristic portions are mainly described in order to make the present invention easily understandable. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in the detailed description above, and can be applied to the other embodiments, and its range of application is wide. Also, the terms and the terminology used in the present specification are used only for the purpose of explaining the present invention precisely, and not used for the purpose of limiting the interpretation of the present invention. Also, for those skilled in the art, it should be easy to contemplate other configurations, methods, etc., that are contained in the concept of the present invention, from the content of the invention described in the present specification. Consequently, the description of the scope of claims should be construed as containing equivalent configurations within a range of not deviating from a range of the technical ideas of the present invention. Also, the purpose of the abstract is to make it possible for the patent office, the general public organizations, and technicians and the like who belong to the present technical field and who are not thoroughly familiar with patent and law terms or specialized terms, to quickly judge the technical content and its essence of the present application by a simple search. Consequently, the abstract is not intended to limit the scope of the invention which should be evaluated by the description of the scope of claims. Also, in order to sufficiently understand the purpose of the present invention and the effects specific to the present invention, they should preferably be interpreted by sufficiently referring to the documents and the like that are already disclosed in public.