Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to cockpit structures, and, more particularly, to an adjustable cockpit structure for video game simulation.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The video game industry has expanded over the years to include large segments of the general population. Among 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, and others include ancillary vehicle piloting. Some video game consoles thus include piloting components in addition to a standard game controller, mouse, or keyboard. For example, some video consoles are available with foot pedals, steering wheels, flight sticks, and other accessories. As video games have become more sophisticated, the demand for more realistic environments in which to operate them has also increased.  
         [0003]     Typically, video games that incorporate a racing or flying aspect are operated using a hand-held controller. When users elect to add additional components such as foot pedals and steering wheels, often the additional components are simply set on the floor or a table. The user generally sits at the table in a kitchen or computer chair with the pedals at his feet. While sitting at a table and operating a steering wheel and foot pedals may add to the simulation experience, there is much room for improvement.  
         [0004]     Therefore, there has been some development of portable video game simulation cockpits intended to more closely mimic a driving or flying position. For example, design patent numbers D376,186 and D446,263 illustrate two prior race car simulation cockpits. However, traditional race car simulation cockpits are tailored only to certain users. Typical race car simulation cockpits are not adjustable to accommodate users of various size. At best, some race car simulation cockpits may allow for sliding adjustment of a seat forward and back, but no other adjustments are available. Moreover, traditional race car simulation cockpits do not provide an integral adjustable monitor stand and they are bulky and difficult to transport and store.  
         [0005]     In addition, prior race car simulation cockpits are not adaptable for use with all of the multiple video gaming platforms currently available. Race car simulation cockpits are typically designed for use with certain video game platforms, but not with others. For example, one race car simulation cockpit may be designed for use with a Nintendo® game system, but not with a personal computer or a Macintosh®.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     In one of many possible embodiments, the present invention provides a video game cockpit. The video game cockpit includes a support apparatus and a seat. The support apparatus comprises an adjustable pedal mount, an adjustable controller mount, and an adjustable monitor stand. The adjustable pedal and controller mounts may comprise platforms that are four-way or six-way adjustable. The adjustable pedal and controller mounts provide customized use of the video game cockpit for users of all sizes. The support apparatus may also include a game console mount. The game console mount is used to hold any game console, including a personal computer. The support apparatus may also include a keyboard mounting arm for holding a computer keyboard.  
         [0007]     According to some embodiments, the support apparatus is removable from the seat. The support apparatus is also collapsible to a low profile to facilitate transport and storage.  
         [0008]     The foregoing and other features, utilities and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of the present invention and are a part of the specification. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples of the present invention and do not limit the scope of the invention.  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a video game cockpit assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view of a pedal mount of the video game cockpit assembly of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged side elevation view of a controller mount of the video game cockpit assembly of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of the controller mount of  FIG. 3 .  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a keyboard mounting arm used with the video game cockpit assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the video game cockpit assembly of  FIG. 1  showing a chair detached from a support apparatus and the support apparatus collapsed to a low profile configuration. 
     
    
       [0016]     Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0017]     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.  
         [0018]     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&#39;s compartment. The words “having” and “including” have the same meaning as the word “comprising.”Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIG. 1 , a simulation apparatus, for example a video game cockpit  100 , is shown according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the video game cockpit  100  includes a seat or chair  102  connected to a cage or support apparatus  104 . The support apparatus  104  comprises 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.  
         [0019]     The support apparatus  104  includes first and second side members  106 ,  108  spaced from one another. The first and second side members  106 ,  108  are preferably generally parallel to one another. A first nose cross-member  110  attaches transversely between a first end  112  of the first side member  106  and a first end  114  of the second side member  108 . A first coupling  116  receives and attaches the first end  112  of the first side member  106  to the first nose cross-member  110 . A second similar or identical coupling  117  receives and attaches the first end  114  of the second side member  108  to the first nose cross-member  110 .  
         [0020]     A chair cross-member  120  attaches transversely between a second end  122  of the first side member  106  and a second end  124  of the second side member  108 . A chair cross-member coupling  126  attaches the second end  122  of the first side member  106  to the chair cross-member  120 , and a second identical coupling (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) attaches the second end  124  of the second side member  108  to the chair cross-member  120 . First and second chair couplings  128 ,  130  are mounted to the chair cross-member  120  and are shown connected to first and second chair support members  132 ,  134 . The first and second chair support members  132 ,  134  are connected to the chair  102 , and allow the chair to be quickly and easily attached or detached from the support structure  104 .  
         [0021]     Similar to the attachment of the first nose cross-member  110  to the first and second side members  106 ,  108 , a second nose cross-member  136  attaches transversely between the first and second side members  106 ,  108  at a variable spacing between the first nose cross-member  110  and the chair cross-member  120 . An adjustable coupling  138  attaches the first side member  106  to the second nose cross-member  136 , and a second identical coupling (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) attaches the second side member  108  to the second nose cross-member  136 . According to some embodiments, the adjustable couplings  138  are C-clamps that are sized to receive the first and second side members  106 ,  108 . The adjustable couplings  138  include an adjuster  118  that selectively loosens and tightens the engagement between the adjustable couplings  138  and the first and second side members  106 ,  108  such that the second nose cross-member  136  may slide along the first and second side members  106 ,  108  and be secured thereto in any number of positions, but at least three positions. The second nose cross-member  136  supports an adjustable pedal mount or pedal platform  188 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the adjustable pedal platform  188  has a pedal module  190  mounted thereto. The adjustable pedal platform  188  is shown and described in more detail below with reference to  FIG. 2 .  
         [0022]     A plurality of feet  140  are mounted to the first and second side members  106 ,  108  as shown in  FIG. 1 . According to  FIG. 1 , feet  140  are mounted to the first and second side members  106 ,  108  between the first and second nose cross-members  110 ,  136 , and feet  140  are mounted at second ends  122 ,  124  of the first and second side members  106 ,  108 . The feet  140  hold the support apparatus  104  above a support surface. The chair  102  also includes a plurality of feet  140 . The feet  140  are adjustable along their respective mounts according to some embodiments to facilitate changes in weight distribution as desired.  
         [0023]     The support apparatus  104  includes first and second angled members  142 ,  144  attached to and extending upward from the first nose cross-member  110 . First ends  146 ,  148  of each of the first and second angled members  142 ,  144  are attached to the first nose cross-member  110  via couplings  150 . The first and second angled members  142 ,  144  are generally parallel to one another and spaced from one another by a distance less than the spacing between the first and second side members  106 ,  108 .  
         [0024]     The first and second angled members  142 ,  144  attach opposite of the first nose cross-member  110  to first and second upper members  152 ,  154 , respectively. Respective pivoting mounts  156  attach each of the first and second upper members  152 ,  154  to the first and second angled members  142 ,  144 . As shown in  FIG. 1  the first and second upper members  152 ,  154  are generally parallel to one another and parallel to the first and second side members  106 ,  108 . The first and second upper members  152 ,  154  are spaced above the first and second side members  106 ,  108  and are arranged interior relative to the first and second side members  106 ,  108 . The first and second upper members  152 ,  154  may include one or more pads  158 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , there are four pads, two pads  158  attached to the first upper member  152  and two pads  158  attached to the second upper member  154 . The pads  158  provide a convenient place to set a monitor or television for viewing a video game. Therefore, the first and second upper members  152  further comprise a monitor stand. In addition, as shown in  FIG. 4  below, the pads  158  may support and/or attach a platform  185  to accommodate monitors of any size and shape.  
         [0025]     The first and second upper members  152 ,  154  are supported at first ends  160 ,  162  by the first and second angled members  142 ,  144 . Second ends  164 ,  166  of the first and second upper members  152 ,  154  are supported by a second cross-member  168  attached between third and fourth angled members  170 ,  172 . The second ends  164 ,  166  of the first and second upper members  152 ,  154  are attached to the second cross-member  168  by T-couplings  175 .  
         [0026]     The third angled member  170  extends from a coupling  171  at the second cross-member  168  down to a pivot mount  174  connected to the first side member  106 . Similarly, the fourth angled ember  172  extends from the second cross-member  168  down to a second pivot mount  176  connected to the second side member  108 . Braces  178  movably extend between the first side member  106  and the third angled member  170 , and between the second side member  108  and the fourth angled member  172  to support the positioning of the third and fourth angled members  170 ,  172 . The braces  178  are preferably solid, flat support rods, but may be tubular material. The attachment of the braces  178  to the first and second side members  106 ,  108  and to the third and fourth angled members  170 ,  172  is facilitated by adjustable C-clamps  173  shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0027]     Also mounted to the second cross-member  168  are first and second control mount members  180 ,  182  (see  FIGS. 4 and 6  for element  182 ). The first and second control mount members  180 ,  182  support an adjustable control mount or platform  184  shown and discussed in more detail below with reference to  FIGS. 3-4 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the adjustable control platform  184  supports a controller, such as a steering wheel  186 , for example, used for manipulating a racing game.  
         [0028]     According to some embodiments of the present invention, including the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the support apparatus  104  includes a video game console mount  192 . The video game console mount  192  is shown attached to the second side member  108  for convenient access by a user. However, the video game console mount  192  may be secured to other components of the support apparatus including, but not limited to: the first side member  106 , one of the third and fourth angled members  170 ,  172 , or one of the first and second upper members  152 ,  154 . The video game console mount  192  is shown in more detail in  FIG. 4  and is designed to hold any video game console, including the platforms mentioned above. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the video game console mount  192  supports a Playstaton 2® console  194 .  
         [0029]     The video game cockpit  100  as shown and described above provides an optimal environment for playing video games. It provides a chair  102 , a monitor stand including pads  158  to support a game monitor or monitor platform  185  ( FIG. 4 ), an adjustable controller platform  184  for the steering wheel  186  or other controller, an adjustable pedal platform  188  for the pedal module  190 , and a video game console mount  192  for the video game console  194 . In addition, the video game cockpit  100  is separable and collapsible for storage and portability.  
         [0030]     Referring next to  FIG. 2 , a detail of the adjustable pedal platform  188  is shown according to one embodiment of the present invention. The adjustable pedal platform  188  provides at least three degrees of freedom for the pedal module  190 . The at least three degrees of freedom include a first degree of freedom along the plane of the adjustable pedal platform  188 , which is represented by a first arrow  206 . The pedal module  190  may attach in any of a number of positions to the pedal platform  188  as indicated by the first arrow  206 . A second degree of freedom is represented by a second arrow  208  indicating adjustability of the pedal platform toward and away from a user along the first and second side members  106 ,  108 . The adjustor  118  (and a similar adjustor on an opposite side) connecting the second nose cross-member  136  may be loosened, which allows the second nose cross-member  136  and thus the adjustable pedal platform  188  to translate forward and backward along the first and second side members  106 ,  108 . When a convenient position for a user is reached, the adjustor  118  is tightened, securing the adjustable pedal platform  188  in place along the first and second side members  106 ,  108 . A third degree of freedom for the adjustable pedal platform is represented by a third arc  210 . The adjustable pedal platform  188  may rotate about the second nose cross-member  136  by loosening another adjustor  211  (and there may be a similar or identical adjustor  211  on an opposing side) that permits the second nose cross-member  136  and thus the adjustable pedal platform  188  to rotate. When a desirable angled orientation of the adjustable pedal platform  188  is achieved, the adjustor  211  is tightened and the adjustable pedal platform  188  is secured in place rotationally. Therefore, the adjustable pedal platform  188  is four-way adjustable about two degrees of freedom: forward and backward along the first and second side members  106 ,  108  and rotationally forward and backward about the second nose cross-member  136 . The pedal module  190  is adjustable in two additional directions as well: up and down along the plane of the platform  188 . The adjustability of the pedal platform  188  allows users of all sizes to use the video game cockpit with ease.  
         [0031]     Similar to the adjustability of the adjustable pedal platform  188 , the adjustable controller platform  184  shown in  FIGS. 3-4  is six-way adjustable about at least three degrees of freedom.  FIG. 3  illustrates in a side view the different modes of adjustability. A first arrow  198  illustrates a first degree of freedom, generally in the vertical direction, which allows the adjustable control platform  184  and thus the steering wheel  186  to be raised and lowered (this adjustment is accomplished by manipulating couplings  214  illustrated in  FIG. 4  below). Generally the adjustable control platform  184  is raised and lowered by adjusting the placement of the connection of the braces  178  to the third and fourth angled members  170 ,  172  and/or the first and second side members  106 ,  108  ( FIG. 1 ), which will also adjust the monitor stand height. A second degree of freedom is represented by a second arc  200 . The adjustable control platform  184  may rotate through approximately 180 degrees according to the present embodiment by adjusting a pair of couplings  212  shown in  FIG. 4  (the steering wheel  186  has been removed for clarity). The adjustable control platform  184  rotates about a control platform pivot member  196  when the couplings  212  are loosened. Accordingly, any desired rotational orientation may be accomplished by loosening the pair of couplings  212 , rotating the adjustable control platform  184  to a desired orientation, and then tightening the pair of couplings  212  to secure the adjustable control platform  184  rotationally. A third degree of freedom is represented by a third arrow  202  ( FIG. 3 ). The adjustable control platform  184  may translate toward and away from a user along the first and second control mount members  180 ,  182  ( FIG. 4 ) by loosening a second pair of couplings  214  ( FIG. 4 ). The adjustable control platform  184  is secured along the first and second control mount members  180 ,  182  ( FIG. 4 ) by retightening the second pair of couplings  214  ( FIG. 4 ) at a desired position.  
         [0032]     As shown in  FIG. 4 , according to some embodiments the pads  158  may support a monitor platform or stand  185  as opposed to directly supporting a monitor. Accordingly, the platform  185  is shown in phantom and may taper toward the front of the video game cockpit.  
         [0033]     Although some of the embodiments shown illustrate the video game console mounts  192  supporting a Playstation 2® console, the mounts  192  as shown in  FIG. 4  may hold other game platforms or a personal computer. Therefore, for embodiments wherein a personal computer is used, there may be a keyboard mounting arm  212  ( FIG. 5 ) coupled to the support apparatus  104  ( FIG. 1 ). Referring to  FIG. 5 , the keyboard mounting arm  213  may hold a computer keyboard and is adjustable in several directions. The keyboard mounting arm  213  may include two keyboard mounts  215  and a plurality of adjustors. For example, the keyboard mounting arm  213  shown includes a first mount  216  that may be attached, for example, to an end of the fourth angled member  172  ( FIG. 4 ). Second and third adjustors  218 ,  220  may be loosened and tightened to facilitate positioning the keyboard mounting arm  213  in 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 mounts  215  may support a keyboard platform  217  to accommodate a keyboard and/or a mouse and mouse pad of any shape or size.  
         [0034]     As mentioned above, the video game cockpit  100  is adjustable for users of all sizes. In addition, the video game cockpit  100  is collapsible for storage and portability. Referring next to  FIG. 6 , the video game cockpit  100  is shown with the support apparatus  104  and the chair  102  separated, and with the support apparatus  104  collapsed to a low profile. The chair  102  is separated from the support apparatus  104  by loosening the first and second chair couplings  128 ,  130  and removing the first and second chair support members  132 ,  134  therefrom.  
         [0035]     To collapse the support apparatus  104  into the configuration shown in  FIG. 6 , the video game console  194  ( FIG. 1 ), the steering wheel  186  ( FIG. 1 ), and the pedal module  190  ( FIG. 1 ) are preferably removed. The braces  178  ( FIG. 1 ) are detached from either the first and second side members  106 ,  108  or the third and fourth angled members  170 ,  172 . In addition, the pivoting mounts  156  between the first and second angled members  142 ,  144  or the first and second upper members  152 ,  154  are removed. Accordingly, the first and second angled members  142 ,  144  fold in and under the adjustable pedal platform  188 , the third and fourth angled members  170 ,  172  collapse down onto the first and second side members  106 ,  108 , and the first and second upper members  152 ,  154  collapse down onto the adjustable pedal platform  188 . Consequently, the entire support apparatus  104  collapses to a much lower profile of no more than 12 inches high, preferably only about 10 inches high or less. If used, the arm attachment  212  ( FIG. 5 ) is usually removed from the support apparatus  104  prior to collapse.  
         [0036]     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.

Technology Category: 1