U.S. Pat. No. 7,662,042

Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As mentioned above, some of the most popular products in the video game industry are games that simulate racing and flying. Some games are focused directly on racing or flying, while others include ancillary vehicle piloting. Games that include a piloting aspect are often operable with additional accessories such as steering wheels and pedals. While the accessories can be used with something as simple as a table and chair, the gaming experience can be significantly enhanced by providing a video game cockpit that allows operators to use the accessories in more realistic positions. The present invention describes methods and apparatus for enhancing video game experiences. The methods and apparatus are particularly useful with video games that include a piloting aspect, but the methods and apparatus may also be used with any other video game. The principles described herein may be used to enhance any video game using any video game system. Therefore, while the description below is directed primarily to certain accessories used for racing games, the methods and apparatus are not so limited.

As used throughout the claims and specification, the term “video game console” is used broadly to encompass any video game platform including, but not limited to: PLAYSTATION, PLAYSTATION 2, X-BOX, NINTENDO GAME CUBE, and personal computers (including MACINTOSH). The term “video game” is also used broadly to mean an electronic or computerized game played by manipulating images on a video display or television monitor. A “monitor” means a video display and includes a television set. A “cockpit” refers to a driver or pilot's compartment. The words “having” and “including” have the same meaning as the word “comprising.”

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular toFIG. 1, a simulation apparatus, for example a video game cockpit100, is shown according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 1, the video game cockpit100includes a seat or chair102connected to a cage or support apparatus104. The support apparatus104comprises a plurality of interconnected tubular members, preferably made of plastic or other lightweight materials. However, according to some embodiments the interconnected tubular members may be made of metal or any other suitable material known to those skilled in the art.

The support apparatus104includes first and second side members106,108spaced from one another. The first and second side members106,108are preferably generally parallel to one another. A first nose cross-member110attaches transversely between a first end112of the first side member106and a first end114of the second side member108. A first coupling116receives and attaches the first end112of the first side member106to the first nose cross-member110. A second similar or identical coupling117receives and attaches the first end114of the second side member108to the first nose cross-member110.

A chair cross-member120attaches transversely between a second end122of the first side member106and a second end124of the second side member108. A chair cross-member coupling126attaches the second end122of the first side member106to the chair cross-member120, and a second identical coupling (not shown inFIG. 1) attaches the second end124of the second side member108to the chair cross-member120. First and second chair couplings128,130are mounted to the chair cross-member120and are shown connected to first and second chair support members132,134. The first and second chair support members132,134are connected to the chair102, and allow the chair to be quickly and easily attached or detached from the support structure104.

Similar to the attachment of the first nose cross-member110to the first and second side members106,108, a second nose cross-member136attaches transversely between the first and second side members106,108at a variable spacing between the first nose cross-member110and the chair cross-member120. An adjustable coupling138attaches the first side member106to the second nose cross-member136, and a second identical coupling (not shown inFIG. 1) attaches the second side member108to the second nose cross-member136. According to some embodiments, the adjustable couplings138are C-clamps that are sized to receive the first and second side members106,108. The adjustable couplings138include an adjuster118that selectively loosens and tightens the engagement between the adjustable couplings138and the first and second side members106,108such that the second nose cross-member136may slide along the first and second side members106,108and be secured thereto in any number of positions, but at least three positions. The second nose cross-member136supports an adjustable pedal mount or pedal platform188. As shown inFIG. 1, the adjustable pedal platform188has a pedal module190mounted thereto. The adjustable pedal platform188is shown and described in more detail below with reference toFIG. 2.

A plurality of feet140are mounted to the first and second side members106,108as shown inFIG. 1. According toFIG. 1, feet140are mounted to the first and second side members106,108between the first and second nose cross-members110,136, and feet140are mounted at second ends122,124of the first and second side members106,108. The feet140hold the support apparatus104above a support surface. The chair102also includes a plurality of feet140. The feet140are adjustable along their respective mounts according to some embodiments to facilitate changes in weight distribution as desired.

The support apparatus104includes first and second angled members142,144attached to and extending upward from the first nose cross-member110. First ends146,148of each of the first and second angled members142,144are attached to the first nose cross-member110via couplings150. The first and second angled members142,144are generally parallel to one another and spaced from one another by a distance less than the spacing between the first and second side members106,108.

The first and second angled members142,144attach opposite of the first nose cross-member110to first and second upper members152,154, respectively. Respective pivoting mounts156attach each of the first and second upper members152,154to the first and second angled members142,144. As shown inFIG. 1the first and second upper members152,154are generally parallel to one another and parallel to the first and second side members106,108. The first and second upper members152,154are spaced above the first and second side members106,108and are arranged interior relative to the first and second side members106,108. The first and second upper members152,154may include one or more pads158. As shown inFIG. 1, there are four pads, two pads158attached to the first upper member152and two pads158attached to the second upper member154. The pads158provide a convenient place to set a monitor or television for viewing a video game. Therefore, the first and second upper members152further comprise a monitor stand. In addition, as shown inFIG. 4below, the pads158may support and/or attach a platform185to accommodate monitors of any size and shape.

The first and second upper members152,154are supported at first ends160,162by the first and second angled members142,144. Second ends164,166of the first and second upper members152,154are supported by a second cross-member168attached between third and fourth angled members170,172. The second ends164,166of the first and second upper members152,154are attached to the second cross-member168by T-couplings175.

The third angled member170extends from a coupling171at the second cross-member168down to a pivot mount174connected to the first side member106. Similarly, the fourth angled ember172extends from the second cross-member168down to a second pivot mount176connected to the second side member108. Braces178movably extend between the first side member106and the third angled member170, and between the second side member108and the fourth angled member172to support the positioning of the third and fourth angled members170,172. The braces178are preferably solid, flat support rods, but may be tubular material. The attachment of the braces178to the first and second side members106,108and to the third and fourth angled members170,172is facilitated by adjustable C-clamps173shown inFIG. 1.

Also mounted to the second cross-member168are first and second control mount members180,182(seeFIGS. 4 and 6for element182). The first and second control mount members180,182support an adjustable control mount or platform184shown and discussed in more detail below with reference toFIGS. 3-4. As shown inFIG. 1, the adjustable control platform184supports a controller, such as a steering wheel186, for example, used for manipulating a racing game.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, including the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, the support apparatus104includes a video game console mount192. The video game console mount192is shown attached to the second side member108for convenient access by a user. However, the video game console mount192may be secured to other components of the support apparatus including, but not limited to: the first side member106, one of the third and fourth angled members170,172, or one of the first and second upper members152,154. The video game console mount192is shown in more detail inFIG. 4and is designed to hold any video game console, including the platforms mentioned above. As shown inFIG. 1, the video game console mount192supports a Playstaton 2® console194.

The video game cockpit100as shown and described above provides an optimal environment for playing video games. It provides a chair102, a monitor stand including pads158to support a game monitor or monitor platform185(FIG. 4), an adjustable controller platform184for the steering wheel186or other controller, an adjustable pedal platform188for the pedal module190, and a video game console mount192for the video game console194. In addition, the video game cockpit100is separable and collapsible for storage and portability.

Referring next toFIG. 2, a detail of the adjustable pedal platform188is shown according to one embodiment of the present invention. The adjustable pedal platform188provides at least three degrees of freedom for the pedal module190. The at least three degrees of freedom include a first degree of freedom along the plane of the adjustable pedal platform188, which is represented by a first arrow206. The pedal module190may attach in any of a number of positions to the pedal platform188as indicated by the first arrow206. A second degree of freedom is represented by a second arrow208indicating adjustability of the pedal platform toward and away from a user along the first and second side members106,108. The adjustor118(and a similar adjustor on an opposite side) connecting the second nose cross-member136may be loosened, which allows the second nose cross-member136and thus the adjustable pedal platform188to translate forward and backward along the first and second side members106,108. When a convenient position for a user is reached, the adjustor118is tightened, securing the adjustable pedal platform188in place along the first and second side members106,108. A third degree of freedom for the adjustable pedal platform is represented by a third arc210. The adjustable pedal platform188may rotate about the second nose cross-member136by loosening another adjustor211(and there may be a similar or identical adjustor211on an opposing side) that permits the second nose cross-member136and thus the adjustable pedal platform188to rotate. When a desirable angled orientation of the adjustable pedal platform188is achieved, the adjustor211is tightened and the adjustable pedal platform188is secured in place rotationally. Therefore, the adjustable pedal platform188is four-way adjustable about two degrees of freedom: forward and backward along the first and second side members106,108and rotationally forward and backward about the second nose cross-member136. The pedal module190is adjustable in two additional directions as well: up and down along the plane of the platform188. The adjustability of the pedal platform188allows users of all sizes to use the video game cockpit with ease.

Similar to the adjustability of the adjustable pedal platform188, the adjustable controller platform184shown inFIGS. 3-4is six-way adjustable about at least three degrees of freedom.FIG. 3illustrates in a side view the different modes of adjustability. A first arrow198illustrates a first degree of freedom, generally in the vertical direction, which allows the adjustable control platform184and thus the steering wheel186to be raised and lowered (this adjustment is accomplished by manipulating couplings214illustrated inFIG. 4below). Generally the adjustable control platform184is raised and lowered by adjusting the placement of the connection of the braces178to the third and fourth angled members170,172and/or the first and second side members106,108(FIG. 1), which will also adjust the monitor stand height. A second degree of freedom is represented by a second arc200. The adjustable control platform184may rotate through approximately 180 degrees according to the present embodiment by adjusting a pair of couplings212shown inFIG. 4(the steering wheel186has been removed for clarity). The adjustable control platform184rotates about a control platform pivot member196when the couplings212are loosened. Accordingly, any desired rotational orientation may be accomplished by loosening the pair of couplings212, rotating the adjustable control platform184to a desired orientation, and then tightening the pair of couplings212to secure the adjustable control platform184rotationally. A third degree of freedom is represented by a third arrow202(FIG. 3). The adjustable control platform184may translate toward and away from a user along the first and second control mount members180,182(FIG. 4) by loosening a second pair of couplings214(FIG. 4). The adjustable control platform184is secured along the first and second control mount members180,182(FIG. 4) by retightening the second pair of couplings214(FIG. 4) at a desired position.

As shown inFIG. 4, according to some embodiments the pads158may support a monitor platform or stand185as opposed to directly supporting a monitor. Accordingly, the platform185is shown in phantom and may taper toward the front of the video game cockpit.

Although some of the embodiments shown illustrate the video game console mounts192supporting a PLAYSTATION 2 console, the mounts192as shown inFIG. 4may hold other game platforms or a personal computer. Therefore, for embodiments wherein a personal computer is used, there may be a keyboard mounting arm212(FIG. 5) coupled to the support apparatus104(FIG. 1). Referring toFIG. 5, the keyboard mounting arm213may hold a computer keyboard and is adjustable in several directions. The keyboard mounting arm213may include two keyboard mounts215and a plurality of adjustors. For example, the keyboard mounting arm213shown includes a first mount216that may be attached, for example, to an end of the fourth angled member172(FIG. 4). Second and third adjustors218,220may be loosened and tightened to facilitate positioning the keyboard mounting arm213in any convenient position so that a user has easy access to the computer keyboard and/or a computer mouse. According to some embodiments, the keyboard mounts215may support a keyboard platform217to accommodate a keyboard and/or a mouse and mouse pad of any shape or size.

As mentioned above, the video game cockpit100is adjustable for users of all sizes. In addition, the video game cockpit100is collapsible for storage and portability. Referring next toFIG. 6, the video game cockpit100is shown with the support apparatus104and the chair102separated, and with the support apparatus104collapsed to a low profile. The chair102is separated from the support apparatus104by loosening the first and second chair couplings128,130and removing the first and second chair support members132,134therefrom.

To collapse the support apparatus104into the configuration shown inFIG. 6, the video game console194(FIG. 1), the steering wheel186(FIG. 1), and the pedal module190(FIG. 1) are preferably removed. The braces178(FIG. 1) are detached from either the first and second side members106,108or the third and fourth angled members170,172. In addition, the pivoting mounts156between the first and second angled members142,144or the first and second upper members152,154are removed. Accordingly, the first and second angled members142,144fold in and under the adjustable pedal platform188, the third and fourth angled members170,172collapse down onto the first and second side members106,108, and the first and second upper members152,154collapse down onto the adjustable pedal platform188. Consequently, the entire support apparatus104collapses to a much lower profile of no more than 12 inches high, preferably only about 10 inches high or less. If used, the arm attachment212(FIG. 5) is usually removed from the support apparatus104prior to collapse.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various other changes in the form and details may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.