Abstract:
A video game chair for enhancing the enjoyment of a video game includes a chair member formed of a horizontal seat portion with a backrest portion vertically extending therefrom. This is a chair that utilizes arm movement, torso movement, leg movement and finger movement to control video games. The chair&#39;s movement is under resistance which is variable to suit the needs of the person playing the game. This resistance allows for a video gamer to benefit from extreme cardio and bodybuilding workouts while having their mind “in the game”. It is intended that this chair would be compatible with multiple video game consoles and computers

Description:
PREVIOUS FILING  
       [0001]    This application emanates from a previously filed application Oct. 9, 2008. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to a uniquely designed chair that enhances the comfort and experience of a video game player integrated in operation with a video game chair whereas movement of the human body will control the video game. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Home video game systems are more popular then ever. Modem technological advancements in gaming systems have resulted in literally hundreds of games with unprecedented depth and detail. As these systems evolved, so has the demographic profile of those who purchase and play them. No longer just for kids, these games appeal to children and adults alike. The price of the most popular gaming systems, such as Sony Playstation™, X-Box 360™ and Sega™ have fallen in recent times making them even more common. All of these facts have resulted in widespread use of such games and an increase in our sedentary lifestyle. The only exercise that one receives while using these video game systems is to the finger area which is only a step above watching television. Accordingly, there is a need for means by the playing of video games and physical activity can be combined to provide not only entertainment but exercise as well. The development of the present invention fulfills this need. The present invention comprises an apparatus that allows the control of a video game system by the user performing actions or movements in a chair. The invention connects to commonly available video games by the use of a multi-adapter plug. The invention can be used by itself or with the use of a hand controller as well. The chair resembles a cross between an office chair and a weight bench. In this manner the user can activate game functions by pressing or moving chair arms and/or foot supports. Such movement would be governed by resistance mechanism and tension bars in much the same manner as resistance type weight machines. 
         [0004]    Other game functions could be provided with conventional pushbuttons located at the end of the arms or the foot support mechanisms. It is envisioned that the invention would work optimally with games that would simulate the motion of an athlete such as boxing, skiing, basketball and the like. Additionally, new software titles that would take advantage of the invention would be usable as well. The use of the present invention provides not only a new and unique method of playing video games, it also adds movement and exercise to a pastime that has been plagued by the lack of physical activity 
         [0005]    The prior art includes many varieties of exercise machines: exercycles, rowing machines, and weight-lifting machines found in fitness centers. None of these has a video game which is connected to the machine. There are a multitude of video games on the market which incorporate randomly generated targets to be “destroyed” by the operator by manipulation of hand controls by the operator. The operation of these games is almost effortless, with respect to the expenditure of physical energy by the operator; there are none that can be employed to achieve an optimal aerobic level of physical exertion for cardiovascular conditioning. 
         [0006]    There are also known various monitor game machines which simulate such activities as the flight of an airplane attacking enemy bombers, driving a car at high speed through traffic or in a race or obstacle course, and the like. These devices may employ a video unit comprised of a computer, program, and video screen. The cockpit or seat of the operator typically will tilt, rotate, or otherwise move in response to controls manipulated by the operator. The object of these inventions is to provide realism to video games. Two such inventions are U.S. Pat. No. 4,461,470 Astroth, dated Jul. 24, 1984, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,478,407, Manabe, dated Oct. 23, 1984. However, the prior art does not include a simulator which provides the opportunity for strenuous exercise by the operator. 
         [0007]    In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a lithium-ion battery which retains high safety while having high capacity and high power. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention overcomes disadvantages of the prior art. 
         [0009]    The present invention relates to a chair specifically designed to enhance the experience of a video game player. The device comprises a chair member including a horizontal seat portion with a backrest portion vertically extending therefrom. Both the seat portion and backrest portion are preferably encapsulated with a padded foam material for enhanced comfort. 
         [0010]    This is a chair that functions as a video game controller utilizing movement of the human body to control the video game. Movement of the human body is under resistance when using this char to control the video game, thus allowing for a form of entertaining physical exercise. 
         [0011]    This invention replaces the common hand held controller used for controlling video game consoles. Various forms of controllers have been made to control video games. This chair is designed to replace the majority of the different styles from the following list: joystick, keyboard, hand held, etc. 
         [0012]    This is a chair that utilizes arm movement, torso movement, leg movement and finger movement to control video games. The chair&#39;s movement is under resistance which is variable to suit the needs of the person playing the game. This resistance allows for a video gamer to benefit from extreme cardio and bodybuilding workouts while having their mind “in the game”. It is intended that this chair would be compatible with multiple video game consoles and computers. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0013]    The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood 20 with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the exercise and video game chair  10 , according 25 to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram of the exercise and video game chair  10  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
       [0000]    
       
         exercise and video game chair handgrip 
         handgrip sensor finger button foot sensor footpad 
         leg waist flexure headrest cushion seat cushion back cushion torso speaker 
           43  electrical box 
           44  sound jack 
           45  multi-adapter plug 
           46  power cord 
           47  sound and control pad 
           48  headrest speaker 
           49  wiring 
           50  input/data module 
           51  audio module 
           60  torso restraint 
           80  game console 
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0030]    The present invention describes an apparatus and method for an exercise and video game chair (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , which provides a means for an exercise chair which interfaces with a video game console  80  using a multi-adapter plug  45 . In this manner the user can activate game functions by pressing finger buttons  22 , moving handgrips  20 , and pressing footpads  31 . The user&#39;s movements are to be governed by resistance mechanisms in much the same manner as resistance type weight machines. It is envisioned that the invention  10  would work optimally with games that would simulate the motion of an athlete such as boxing, skiing, basketball and the like. The invention  10  provides a sound system  51  with various controls  47  and can be either used as a stand-alone exercise machine or used with the aforementioned game console  80  interface. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a front perspective view of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a seat cushion  40 , a back cushion  41 , a headrest cushion  39 , a pair of handgrips  20 , a pair of foot sensors  30 , a pair of footpads  31 , four (4) legs  32 , a waist flexure  33 , and an electrical box  43 . 
         [0032]    The apparatus  10  provides a chair means similar to a typical office chair including a seat cushion  40 , a back cushion  41 , a headrest cushion  39 , and four (4) legs  32 , and is envisioned to be made using standard materials such as ploy-foam filled cushions  39 ,  40 ,  41  and coverings made using materials such as cloth, leather, vinyl or the like. The aforementioned chair sections  39 ,  40 ,  41  may be provided in a variety of materials, styles, and designs and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the present invention  10 . 
         [0033]    The apparatus  10  further comprises a pair of headrest speakers  48  located in the headrest cushion  39  and four (4) torso speakers  42 , a pair of each located on opposite sides of the back cushion  41 . The speakers  42 ,  48  are envisioned to provide grills which are integral to the back cushion covering  41  and are envisioned to provide various speaker types such as woofer, mid-range, tweeter, and the like, thereby accurately reproducing the audio portion of the game or to broadcast music. The back cushion  41  further comprises a locking torso restraint  60  similar to those used on roller coasters providing control of the shoulder and chest area of the user, thereby enabling both forward and backward motion of the back cushion  41  via the waist flexure  33 . The waist flexure  33  provides a flexible panel positioned between, and connected to, the seat cushion  40  and the back cushion  41 . The waist flexure  33  is envisioned to be made of a rugged and flexible material such as fiberglass, plastic, urethane rubber, or the like, thereby providing a resistance motion to enhance the exercise function. The waist flexure  33  is further envisioned to provide an electrical input signal to the electrical box  43  when flexed. The seat cushion  40  provides an attachment means to four (4) legs  32  to stabilize and support the apparatus  10  during use. 
         [0034]    The legs  32  are envisioned to be made using rugged materials such as metal, wood, fiberglass, or the like and are designed to extend outward from the center of the apparatus  10  forming a wide base, thereby supporting vigorous motions resulting from exercise and gaming activity. The legs  32  provide an attachment means to a sound and control pad  47 , a pair of hand sensors  21 , and a pair of foot sensors  30 . 
         [0035]    The sound and control pad  47  is envisioned to provide a control means including speaker volume control, game functions, and the like. The sound and control pad  47  is envisioned to be located generally at a top-front location along a leg  32  being easily accessed by the user while actively engaged in a game or exercise activity. The sound and control pad  47  is envisioned to be attached to said legs  32  either as an integrally molded part or fastened thereto using screws, rivets, or the like. 
         [0036]    The handgrips  20  further comprise a pair of handgrip sensors  21  and a pair of finger buttons  22 . The handgrips  20  are envisioned to be similar to typical gaming grips common in the industry, thereby providing input signals to the game console  80  from a pair of integral handgrip sensors  21  and a pair of finger buttons  22 . The handgrips  20  are envisioned to be made using flexible injection molded plastic parts, thereby providing a resistance motion to enhance the exercise function. 
         [0037]    The footpads  31  further comprise a pair of foot sensors  30 . The footpads  31  are envisioned to function in a similar manner to the handgrips  20 , thereby providing input signals via the foot sensors  30  to said game console  80  as the user moves his/her feet. The footpads  31  are envisioned to provide foot straps to secure the user&#39;s feet to said pads  31 . The footpads  31  are envisioned to be made using flexible injection molded plastic parts, thereby providing a resistance motion to enhance the exercise function. 
         [0038]    The electrical box  43  provides an enclosure means for a variety of electrical and electronic components required to operate the apparatus  10 . The electrical box  43  also comprises sound jacks  44 , a power cord  46 , and a multi-adapter plug  45 . The electrical box  43  is envisioned to be a box shaped enclosure made using materials such as plastic, metal, or the like. The electrical box  43  is envisioned to be located under the seat cushion  40  being affixed thereto using screws, rivets, and the like. The wiring  49  is envisioned to be routed internally within the legs  32  and cushions  39 ,  40 ,  41  from said input devices and speakers  42 ,  48 . 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a functional block diagram of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a plurality of input devices such as a pair of handgrip sensors  21 , a pair of finger buttons  22 , a waist flexure  33 , a pair of foot sensors  30 , and a sound and control pad  47 . Said input devices are to be connected internally to the electrical box  43  via wiring  49  being routed to an input/data module  50  located therein said electrical box  43 . The apparatus  10  further comprises a plurality of speakers  48 ,  42  being connected to an audio module  51  also contained within the electrical box enclosure  43  via wiring  49 . 
         [0040]    The apparatus  10  further comprises a 110-volt power cord  46 , a multi-adapter plug  45  to communicate signal data to a game console  80 , and a pair of sound jacks  44  enabling interface with the game console sound system  80 . 
         [0041]    It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
       2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
       [0042]    The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . The method of installing and utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: positioning the apparatus  10  in front of, and at a desired distance, from a television; connecting the multi-adapter plug  45  into the game console  80 ; routing and plugging speaker cables from the game console  80  into the audio jacks  44  located thereon the electrical box  43 ; plugging the 110-volt power cord  46  into an available electrical outlet; activating the game console  80  and loading the desired game; making necessary adjustments and selections using the sound and control pad  47  such as sound volume, game mode, and the like; initiating the game sequence using the sound and control pad  47 ; and, enjoying the enhanced gaming and exercise experience while using the apparatus  10 . 
         [0043]    Another alternate embodiment of the present invention  10  comprises the addition of a game console  80  built integrally into the apparatus  10  perhaps being located adjacent to, or incorporated into the electrical box  43  portion. 
         [0044]    The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.