Frame for dance platform

A frame for use with a removable switch-carrying platform during machine dance activity. The frame includes a horizontal member that serves as an anchor, and typically is disposed below the platform. An upstanding member, typically cantilevered from the anchor, may be provided to hold a trickbar, or a video display device. Sometimes, two upstanding members are provided, each at opposite front and rear ends of an installed platform, to hold a trickbar and a display device, respectively. The frame may be configured to accommodate either a single-user or dual-users. In a preferred arrangement, the frame is modular, to permit a user to form: 1) only a trickbar, 2) a trickbar in combination with a display holder, and 3) a dual-user platform. A modular dual-user platform may include a trickbar for either, both, or none of the dance platforms, as desired.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to support structures associated with switch-carrying platforms of the type used in machine dance activities. It is particularly directed to an improved frame for use in removable combination with such platforms.

2. State of the Art

Machine dance platforms, holding normally-open switches in a fixed arrangement for activation of a selected switch by placement of a user's foot, are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,227,968 and 6,410,835 to Suzuki et al. Such platforms are used commercially in a competitive game format. A machine dance platform includes nine tiles that are approximately 11 inches square; arranged in three rows of three tiles each, in a tic-tac-toe type pattern. Each tile represents a place for a user, or platform operator, to stand. Indicia, such as arrows, are displayed on certain tiles. The user of such a dance platform tries to stand on proscribed indicia in accordance with instructions visible on an associated video display. The video display is mounted for viewing by the platform operator. In a competitive arrangement, a pair of dance platforms are disposed in side-by-side harmony so that a pair of users can see the video display at the same time. An output caused by switch activation is provided from each platform as feedback to a controller operable to evaluate a user's performance.

Machine dance has been popularized in an arcade format, wherein a large framework is provided in which to hold a pair of dance platforms in fixed association with a controller and video display. The arcade assembly typically includes a trickbar, on which users may support a portion of their weight to perform advanced machine dance maneuvers. The elements are necessarily maintained in fixed association to resist theft of components.

As an offshoot from the arcade version, a home version of machine dance activity has been developed. The home version typically employs software running on a game controller, such as a Microsoft X-box™, or a Sony Playstation™, in association with a portable dance platform. A variety of dance platforms are commercially available, including “hard” and “soft” platforms. A hard dance platform typically includes a substantially rigid foundation, like a wooden board. In contrast, certain soft platforms may be rolled-up when not deployed for use. The portable platform is simply placed on the floor, and connected for communication to the game controller. The game controller typically is connected to a television set to provide the video input for the user. Unfortunately, the location of the user's television set is generally determined by recreational viewing, and therefore typically is not optimized for machine dance activity.

In an attempt to further re-create the arcade experience, an attempt has been made to provide a commercial embodiment of a trickbar for association with a portable dance platform. At least two versions of a metal dance platform including a handle bar are illustrated on the web site: http://www.ddrgame.com. Such platforms appear to be manufactured by iON, and include a pair of upstanding poles supporting a horizontal handle bar. In one version, the upstanding poles appear to be inserted into sockets carried by the metal platform. Another version additionally includes a rearward-projecting support truss disposed at the bottom of the poles.

It would be an improvement in the art to provide a frame, for association with a portable dance platform selected from a plurality of different manufacturers, which provides a solid and stable support for a trickbar. It would further improvement to provide a frame for association with a portable dance platform that is adapted to hold a video display in a position that substantially re-creates an arcade setting.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides a frame for use with a removable switch-carrying platform during machine dance activity. Sometimes, the switch-carrying platform may be made reference to as a dance platform. Such platforms include an activation surface with a plurality of designated portions corresponding to normally-open, foot actuated switches. A frame constructed according to certain principles of the instant invention may beneficially be used to enhance a user's machine dance experience, regardless of the make or model of their dance platform.

The frame includes an anchor member that has a length which, in general, is at least substantially in agreement with a length of the dance platform. The length of the anchor member provides a measure of stability to the frame, and desirably helps resist rotation about an axis normal to its horizontal length. In certain preferred embodiments, the anchor member is disposed underneath an installed dance platform. However, in one alternative embodiment within contemplation, an anchor member can be disposed about a perimeter of the platform.

The frame also includes a first upstanding member associated with the anchor member. Typically, the first upstanding member is disposed in cantilevered relation from the anchor member. Sometimes, a brace member is associated with the first upstanding member to provide a substantially horizontal portion of the brace member that is vertically spaced apart from the activation surface. One operable such brace forms a “trickbar”, which enables an advanced user to perform certain machine dance maneuvers. Desirably, to enhance stability, a vertical plane passing through the horizontal portion intersects the anchor member at some point between its opposite ends. One way to accomplish such an arrangement is to form an acute angle between the first upstanding member and the horizontal member.

One embodiment of a frame includes holding structure, associated with the first upright member, which is configured and arranged to hold a display terminal at a viewable elevation for a user standing upon the platform. In addition, a second upstanding member can be associated with the anchor member at an opposite side of the platform to hold a trickbar. Certain preferred embodiments of a frame includes an anchor member that may be arranged to receive a pair of platforms in side-by-side operable juxtaposition to enable a pair of users to simultaneously view the same display terminal. In one currently preferred frame, the anchor member is configured and arranged for removable modular assembly to permit user modification effective to form either of a single-user or dual-user assembly. That is, the modular frame may be configured to provide: 1) only a trickbar, 2) a trickbar and a display holder, and 3) a dual-user platform. The dual-user platform may include a trickbar for either, both, or none of the dance platforms, as desired.

Desirably, a frame includes retaining structure configured and arranged to resist horizontal motion of an installed dance platform in a direction along a first axis. It is also desirable for a frame to include retaining structure configured and arranged to resist horizontal motion of an installed platform in a direction normal to the first axis. Exemplary such retaining structures nonexclusively include brackets, walls, and a tub.

A currently preferred tub may be disposed in association with the horizontal member and is generally configured to provide a socket in which to receive a dance platform. A currently preferred socket resists undesirable horizontal movement of a dance platform during machine dance activity. One such tub can be dropped, or lowered, over the top of the anchor member. It is further desirable for the tub to provide edge structure, disposed about a portion of a perimeter of the socket, which is arranged to provide a tapered transition, between a support surface and the activation surface of the platform installed in the socket, effective to resist injury to an ankle of a user who steps upon the edge structure. Sometimes, structure associated with the tub is configured to provide a resilient cushion to resist imparting repetitive contact stress injury to a user of the platform.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made to the drawings in which the various elements of the illustrated embodiments will be given numerical designations and in which the invention will be discussed so as to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention. It is to be understood that the following description is only exemplary of the principles of the present invention, and should not be viewed as narrowing the claims which follow.

For purpose of this disclosure, and unless otherwise obvious in context, the directions: front, rear, left, and right are defined with respect to a user's frame of reference when standing on a machine dance platform that is installed in operable association with a frame. The machine dance platform may be characterized as being activated by a user stepping on one of a plurality of typically rectangular areas indicated on the platform's top surface. In general, the weight of the user stepping on a designated area of the platform causes a switch to close, and a corresponding electrical signal is output for use in a feedback loop. An exemplary such platform is illustrated and described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/879,439, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference as though set forth herein in its entirety. In certain alternative embodiments, a frame constructed according to certain principles of the instant invention may be adapted to receive, and to provide support for its use, any other commercially available multi-switched platform.

A first embodiment, generally indicated at100, of a frame assembly constructed according to certain principles of the invention is illustrated inFIGS. 1 through 3. The illustrated frame assembly includes an anchor element, generally indicated at104. Anchor element104has a length (L) that desirably is at least substantially in agreement with a length of an installed machine dance platform. The length of the anchor element104provides an inherent stability to resist rotation about an axis perpendicular to its length axis.

The illustrated anchor element104includes a pair of spaced apart, elongate, cylindrical rods108and110adapted for disposition underneath an installed dance platform. A workable anchor rod108, or other element of a frame, can be manufactured from structural steel pipe having a diameter between about ½ inch and about 3 inches, or so. A currently preferred anchor rod108is manufactured from 1¼ inch steel pipe. Operable metallic materials for use in forming the illustrated tubular sections include Aluminum, mild carbon steel, stainless steel, and other alloys of ferrous and nonferrous metals. Desirably, a frame made from material such as mild carbon steel is painted, or coated, to resist rust and decay. Other materials may be used for elements in alternative frame construction, including PVC water pipe having sufficient bending stiffness and strength.

Of course it is to be realized that an anchor element104may be structured in a variety of ways other than illustrated, as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. The cross-section of an anchor element may be selected to include other shapes and configurations, including a single structural element. It is within contemplation to form an anchor element104from one or more pipe (or tube, plate, etc., having any cross-section), that is suitably braced to resist rotation about its length axis. It is also within contemplation to include additional transversely oriented anchor elements (extend an anchor's footprint in right and left directions), to increase resistance of a frame from tipping. A workable anchor must simply provide a foundation on which upstanding structure may be supported to permit the upstanding structure to perform its intended function.

As illustrated, an anchor rod may be assembled from a plurality of subassembly rod segments. For example, anchor rod108may include a forward segment1115, and a rear segment117. Any convenient number of such segments may be provided to form any illustrated member or element. When provided, such segments desirably are structured to effect a simple connection there-between, such as a plug-fit engagement. The joint between segments typically includes retaining structure, such as a transversely inserted pin (such as a cotter pin), or fastener (such as a threaded bolt and nut), to resist inadvertent disassembly of the segments. Segments can also simply include male and female portions adapted to be press-fit or threaded together.

At least one upstanding member, generally indicated at120, is affixed to the anchor104. It is currently preferred to use a cantilevered arrangement for forming the association between anchor and upstanding member, to minimize an amount of floor space required by the frame. However, any structural arrangement (such as pinned joints stabilized by association of a plurality of beam members), operable to permit the upstanding structure to perform its intended function may be used in alternative embodiments within the ambit of the instant invention.

Illustrated upstanding member120includes a pair of spaced apart, left and right rear support elements,122and124, respectively. The rear support elements122,124are associated with a brace element130, effective to support a substantially horizontal portion, generally indicated at134, of brace member130at a location that is vertically spaced apart from a top surface of an installed dance platform. The illustrated brace member130forms one convenient structure that can be grasped behind a user's back, to enable the user to perform certain advanced machine dance movements. Sometimes, the brace member130may be made reference to as a “trickbar”. It is currently preferred to manufacture upstanding and brace elements from structural steel pipe sized in agreement with the anchor element.

In general, brace member130is desirably structured to operate as a stable support for at least a portion of a user's weight. A currently preferred configuration effective to enhance stability of the support130includes forming an acute angle138between the anchor104and upstanding member120(seeFIG. 2). Such angle serves to position the vertical member away from likely contact with a user's heel, and also disposes surface134at a desired location, elevated and near the rear edge of the platform, effective to enhance stability. Desirably, a vertical plane passing through the brace member130will intersect the anchor somewhere between its opposite ends. In such case, a moment arm effective to resist tipping of the frame is inevitably formed.

While the upstanding member and trickbar may (in an alternative embodiment), be formed as a “T-bar”, it is currently preferred to use a spaced apart pair of bars122,124to further reduce chance of a user's heel encountering the vertical member during machine dance activity. Further, it is currently preferred to dispose the trickbar behind a user's standing position on a platform, to reduce likelihood of the user striking their hands on the support surface134during machine dance activity in which surface134is not employed.

In general, a frame will include structure arranged for removable reception of an associatable dance platform. Further, it is desirable for a frame to include retention structure adapted to resist relative motion between the frame and an installed platform. One currently preferred such reception structure includes a tub, generally indicated at142inFIGS. 1 and 3. Tub142includes socket146in which a machine dance platform may be placed. Socket146includes a floor on which to receive either a hard-type, or a soft-type of commercially available dance platform. Desirably, walls of socket146conform in substantial agreement with a perimeter of the dance platform to resist relative motion between the platform and tub142during machine dance activity.

A portion of a socket wall is generally adapted to permit communication between an installed platform and a controller. Operable such communication-permitting structure includes a wall having a sufficiently low height to permit an electrical cable or wireless transmitter to communicate with the associated controller. Other operable structure permitting such communication include one or more passageway, slot, or interrupted wall portion.

Forward motion of the tub142relative to the anchor104is restrained by illustrated front bracket150. Rearward motion of the tub142relative to the anchor104is restrained by illustrated rear bracket154. Such brackets150,154may be permanently affixed to the anchor104, such as by welding, or may be affixed with removable fasteners. Removable brackets are sometimes desirable to permit shipping a disassembled frame in a reduced volume. Side-to-side motion of the illustrated tub142relative to the anchor104is resisted by a structural interference between spacer wall158and anchor104.

Naturally, alternative structure adapted to resist undesired motion of a platform during machine dance activity is within contemplation. For nonlimiting examples: it is within contemplation that a platform may be structured to form a direct holding interface to a frame; the frame itself may form a socket by wrapping around a perimeter portion of the platform; the frame may include brackets adapted to hold a platform in the absence of a tub, such brackets can be adjustable to accommodate a plurality of commercially available dance platforms; and other retaining arrangements that will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

A workable tub142may be formed from a material providing sufficient structural integrity to hold a platform in an operable association with a frame. Wood and/or metal could be employed to make operable tubs. However, it is currently preferred to injection mold tubs from injectable plastic or plastic-like materials including ABS, Nylon, PVC, or even rubber. A currently preferred tub can be lowered into engagement with its associated frame.

The tub142is desirably configured to enhance safety of a user. The tub142may be formed from, or include as a component, resilient material adapted to resist imparting repetitive contact stress injury to a user. It is within contemplation alternatively to provide a separate element, such as a blanket or one or more cushions disposable in socket146, or between a tub and the floor, to operate as such resilient, shock-reducing element.

Further to enhance safety, a tapered edge structure, generally indicated at162inFIG. 2, is desirably disposed about a portion of a perimeter of the socket142, and may be arranged to provide a tapered transition, between a support surface (such as a floor), and the top or activation surface of a dance platform installed in the socket. Such tapered edge desirably is configured and arranged effective to resist twisting or rolling injury to an ankle of a user who steps upon the edge structure.

A second currently preferred frame embodiment, generally indicated at200, is illustrated inFIG. 4and is adapted for a single user. Illustrated frame200includes an optional modular rear upstanding member, generally indicated at120. A front upstanding member, generally indicated at204, is also included in illustrated frame200. Front upstanding member204is desirably associated with anchor element104operably to support a video display208at an elevation and angle for comfortable viewing by a user of a platform installed in association with frame200. Operable display devices208include liquid crystal displays (LCDs), plasma screens, and cathode ray tube (CRT) displays, such as a ubiquitous television screen. Typically, upstanding member204is cantilevered from anchor104.

In certain embodiments, a “toe” of anchor104may protrude forward from the illustrated attach location to provide additional resistance to tipping of the frame200under the weight of a display monitor. However, it is currently preferred to minimize an overall length of a frame to minimize its intrusiveness in a room.

Front upstanding member204may sometimes include support structure212that is adapted to hold a controller for machine dance activity. Exemplary controllers include a Microsoft X-box™, or a Sony Playstation™. As illustrated, upstanding member204includes a pair of spaced apart posts,216and220, respectively. Of course, as with the rear upstanding member120, a single structural upstanding element is operable in an alternative embodiment within contemplation.

It is desirable for at least certain connections formable between elements, such as a brace130, and an upstanding member120, or an upstanding member120,204and an anchor104, be configured to form a removable coupling between cooperating elements. In particular, is desirable to offer a kit of modular parts which could form either a stand-alone trickbar frame, such as frame100, or convert a single-user display frame200into a dual-user display frame300(seeFIG. 5).FIG. 6illustrates a group of such modular components, generally indicated at304and individually designated by primed numerals corresponding to similar elements of a single-user frame100. With reference toFIG. 5, the spacing between illustrated anchor elements108′ and108,108and110, and110and110′ may conveniently be made uniform to permit registration of tub structure when the tub is installed at either a single-user or a dual-user position (see alsoFIGS. 7 and 8).

It should be realized that a modular single-user frame, similar to frame200illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 7, can be modified by removing upstanding member120and connecting trickbar130directly to the anchor104, thereby forming a single-user display frame without an elevated trickbar. Similarly, a modular dual-user frame, similar to frame300illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 8, may be configured to include an elevated trickbar in association with either, both, or none of the dance platforms, as desired.

Desirably, a frame100,200,300, is manufactured to permit cost-effective shipping to a retailer or other consumer. Therefore, certain preferred embodiments are structured to facilitate user assembly in the field. For example, disassembled rod subassembly elements115and117advantageously can be packed into a volume having a smaller size than an anchor rod108would require. In one preferred arrangement, all anchor and upstanding members may be structured from subassembly components that are individually sized to be received, in a disassembled condition, inside a volume320(seeFIG. 1) defined by the tub142. To facilitate forming multiple modular connections, interchangeable corner elements324may be structured for reception in association with any or all of the upstanding or anchor elements.

It is further within contemplation for connector structure of a frame300to be configured and arranged to permit angular adjustment of forward-facing vectors V1and V2, respectively, to enable first and second users to look directly at the common display208without turning their heads to one side. In such case, a pair each of forward and rear retaining brackets150,154, respectively, could be supplied, if desired, for installation of a pair between anchor elements of each of the tubs142′ and142″. In addition, the brackets150,154illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 8(which span between anchor elements of both tubs) would, of course, be removed or otherwise relocated to permit rotation of the tubs142′ and142″ (about an axis of their corresponding front upstanding element), with respect to the display208.

While the invention has been described in particular with reference to certain illustrated embodiments, such is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.