Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/080,611 filed Apr. 5, 2011 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,042,811 on Oct. 25, 2011, which itself claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Pat. Appl. Ser. No. 61/331,673, filed on May 5, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The current invention relates to the field of video game accessories, more specifically to an inflatable vehicle that is adapted to receive a WII game controller. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    For many years, video games have been a popular form of entertainment for players of all ages and skill levels. Since the earliest games have first been introduced to the public, there has been a continuous effort on the part of game developers to produce games having a realistic feel. In this regard, the NINTENDO WII presents a vast improvement to the state of the art. 
         [0004]    WII games are played by means of a WII controller. The WII controller uses accelerometer and optical sensor technology to sense the motion imparted by a player to accordingly manipulate images displayed on a game display screen. Players of WII games use the WII controller to simulate the various motions associated with all types of games and sports such as, for example, bowling, golf, baseball, basketball, golf, tennis, boxing and car racing. 
         [0005]    The closest that developers have come to simulating a driving experience is through the means of a steering wheel device, which houses a WII controller. The steering wheel is not connected to any supporting structure, but rather is it held in a player&#39;s hands and rotated about its axis by a player. 
         [0006]    Because of several factors, the WII steering wheel does not successfully replicate the driving experience. First, a player sits in his/her normal surroundings—which is very different from sitting in the confines of a vehicle. Moreover, the steering wheel must be held with two hands at all times because it is not attached to any supporting structure. 
         [0007]    The concept of an inflatable kart for use by a player during video game play already exists in a product identified as the WINFUN Plug and Play kart. The WINFUN game does not simulate the real world experience of the WII game in that it does not sense the movement of the steering wheel as a real parameter in the skill of the driver operating the simulated automobile. Instead of a rotatable steering wheel that is adapted to receive a game controller, the WINFUN product comprises a hard-wired control having buttons to control movement on a screen. In fact, as a consequence of the real life action achieved with the current invention, the inventors have found that it is important to ensure that the steering column be securely attached to the housing because of the need for such connection to be maintained and to provide an accurate driving experience. Such secure attachment was not required with the WINFUN product. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The invention is directed to a realistic-appearing inflatable vehicle, in which a player sits when playing a driving game. The steering wheel (or handle bar) is provided with one or more compartments for receiving a WII or a similar game controller(s). A player sits in the vehicle seat while playing the game and turns the steering wheel in much that same way as a person would while driving a real vehicle. The controller is secured within the steering wheel and is largely obscured from a player&#39;s view. This adds to the authenticity of the experience. 
         [0009]    Additionally, a steering wheel attachment mechanism for attaching the steering wheel to the housing of the kart is reinforced above and beyond a conventional connection in toy karts to ensure that there is not physical separation between these elements as the game is being played. Because of the intense experience achieved with the WII game, such secure connections ensure the game is played without it failing as the driver becomes more and more excited. 
         [0010]    The invention thus allows for players to experience realistic driving conditions while playing a WII driving game thereby enhancing the overall game experience. 
         [0011]    The vehicles are inflatable and therefore compactly transported and stored. Once inflated, they are light and portable. In addition, they may be easily deflated for convenience of storage. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a front, perspective view of a race car according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a user operating a race car according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 3A-3B  are exploded perspective views of a steering wheel attachment mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention 
           [0015]      FIG. 3C-3F  are exploded perspective views showing a game controller being inserted into the steering and the steering wheel being fastened to the attachment mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4A  is a top perspective view of a base member and a collar according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective view showing a steering column cap assembled to the steering column base according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4C  is a perspective view of the underside of a steering column cap showing interlocking mechanisms for attaching the steering wheel to the base according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4D  is a bottom plan view of column cap shown in  FIG. 4C . 
           [0020]      FIG. 4E  is a top plan view of a base member and collar according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4F  is a top plan view showing the interlocking mechanisms provided respectively on the column cap and collar before they are rotated together according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4G  is a top plan view of the interlocking mechanisms of  FIG. 4F  showing the rotation of the members locking them together. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a side elevational view showing the steering wheel attachment mechanism coupled to the base with an interlocking tab according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of a race car according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view of a race car according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an inflatable water recreational vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the above-identified figures. However, the drawings and the description herein of the invention are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It will be understood that various modifications of the present description of the invention are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. Also, features or steps described herein may be omitted, additional steps or features may be included, and/or features or steps described herein may be combined in a manner different from the specific combinations recited herein without departing from the spirit of the invention, all as understood by those of skill in the art. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  shows an inflatable race car that is fashioned to resemble a real-life car having wheels  10 , a front bumper  12 , a rear bumper  14 , doors  16 , a dashboard  28  and a steering wheel  22 . The interior of the car has a floor surface  18  and a seat  20 , which is positioned near the rear end of car. An underlying chassis  19  supports the structural elements of the car. 
         [0029]    Toward the front end of the car, there is a front body structure  24 , which arises from floor surface  18 . The front body structure  24  serves as a front body of the vehicle and as a steering wheel attachment structure. Front body is an elevated structure  24  having a first end (base) rising from the floor surface  18  and a second end forming a gradual peak  25 . Two sidewalls  30   a ,  30   b  descend from peak  25  toward each side of the car and are each flanked at their base by an exposed floor surface. Another two walls slope frontward and rearward. A frontward wall  26  descends from peak  25  facing the exterior of the car (“exterior wall”) and a rearward wall  28  faces the interior of the car (“interior wall”). The exterior wall  26  is designed to look like the front hood of a race car—having a gradual downward slope. The interior wall is a dashboard  28  and it serves as a location for mounting the steering wheel  22 . Dashboard  28 , is provided with an attachment mechanism for pivotably attaching a steering wheel  22 . 
         [0030]    The various structural elements, such as, for example, the chassis  19 , wheels  10 , seat  20  and front body  24  each comprise a respective-shaped structures made of PVC or such similar material. The respective structures take shape when they are fully inflated with air. It will be understood that some of the structures may be independently formed and require to be separately inflated, whereas, other structures may be in fluid communication with each other such that air is shared between two or more structures. 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , during play, a player sits on seat  20  resting his/her feet on the floor and naturally grasps the steering wheel  22  in the same manner as one would when driving a real-life vehicle. The motion of the steering wheel is sensed in the WII game by line of sight communication between the controller held in the steering wheel  22  and a console located in the proximity of a screen  33 . The motion of the steering wheel is, thus, sensed as real life motion to control images displayed on a display device. There are other motion sensitive driving games which can sense movement of a specific game controller and such games can advantageously use this invention. 
         [0032]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the car is designed to accommodate both adults and children alike. For example, to best accommodate players of wide ranging heights, the ear is designed with an elongated foot resting area  31  (best shown in FIG.  7 )—for receiving a player&#39;s foot in any location along the elongated area  31 . In a preferred embodiment, foot resting area  31  is an exposed floor surface  18  on either side of front body structure  24 . A player sitting on seat  20  places his/her feet in foot resting area  31 . The legs of an adult or tall player may extend entirely into foot resting area  31  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ), whereas the legs of a child might extend only partway into foot resting area  31 . In addition, the car design also allows for a child to sit directly on the floor  18  in front of seat  20  to better reach steering wheel  22 . 
         [0033]    The distance between seat  20  and front body structure  24  is preferably from about 200 mm to 250 mm. This distance was found by the inventor to best accommodate the fullest range of player heights. The width of seat  20  is from about 330 min to 400 mm. 
         [0034]    Furthermore, steering wheel  22  may be adjusted (e.g. between the two positions depicted in  FIG. 6 ) to tailor steering wheel accessibility to players of various heights. A short player, for example, will move the steering inward (toward him/herself) for ease of reach, whereas a taller player might tilt the steering outward (away from him/herself). 
         [0035]    In addition to adjustability, the steering wheel is securely mounted such that it is able to withstand forces exerted by an adult playing the WII game. To that end, the various components that comprise the steering wheel attachment and locking mechanism (described in more detail below) is reinforced and designed to be of high integrity. 
         [0036]    In order to support adults, a thick PVC (or a material similar thereto) material is used. In a preferred embodiment, the PVC is double the thickness of inflatable pool toys. 
         [0037]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  show a steering wheel attachment mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown, a base member  40  is securely attached to the dashboard  28  of front structure  24 . Preferably, a permanent glue is utilized to attach base member  40 . Most preferably the permanent glue is of a kind that possess elastic qualities after being fully dried. Base  40  is adapted to receive a wheel attachment mechanism for attaching a steering wheel. For example, in a preferred embodiment, a collar  42  attached to base  40  is sized and shaped to be inserted into a complementary tubular steering column cap  44 . Steering column cap  44  is designed to be tightly secured to collar  42 . To that end, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, collar  42  comprises one or more attachment tabs  130  (best seen in  FIG. 4A ) helping to ensure a secure connection between the steering column and base  40  or body of the kart. This will be described in more detail below with reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
         [0038]    As an added security measure and to ensure proper alignment, in an embodiment of the invention, tab  46  is vertically slidably connected to column cap  44 , which moves into a corresponding slot  48  in collar  42 . Tab  46  slides upward and downward (i.e. toward and away from the collar as oriented in  FIG. 3   a )—but not laterally. To secure the steering wheel, a user inserts the cap  44  into collar  42  and rotates it until the parts are assembled and locked together as will be described below. 
         [0039]    It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the parts of the steering column may be connected by any of various engagement means—all of which are within the scope of the invention. For example, column cap  44  may be held within collar  42  by way of a tight frictional engagement, detent mechanism, threaded engagement or any similar locking mechanism. In addition, the steering wheel and steering column cap could be permanently mounted to the inflatable vehicle or made unitary therewith. Still further, in another embodiment of the invention—a steering column cap is not required. Rather, a steering wheel could be mounted by a pivot directly onto a base provided on the vehicle—obviating the need for a steering column cap. 
         [0040]    Each of the engagement means requires that the securement between the steering column cap and body be such that it is sufficiently strong that even an adult excited during the playing of the WII game can not physically separate the steering wheel from the body of the inflatable kart. 
         [0041]      FIG. 3B  shows a perspective view of the steering column cap  44 . As shown, a rotating head  49  couples a steering wheel cradle  50  to the steering wheel column  44 . In a preferred embodiment, head  49  extends from a cylindrical shaft (not shown) that is rotatably held in the interior of steering column cap  44 . The cylindrical shaft serves as an axle for the movement of head  49 . Head and attached cradle  50  are thereby free to rotate as would a real-life steering wheel. In a preferred embodiment, however, in the interior of the steering column cap, the cylindrical shaft that supports head  48  is attached to two springs at two diametrically opposed regions. The result of the attached springs is that when not acted upon by a user, the cylinder (and ultimately the attached steering wheel) is biased to return to a default position. 
         [0042]    Steering wheel cradle  50  comprises a bottom, fixed member  54  and a top movable cover member  56 . Bottom member  54  has a floor and two opposing sidewalls that form a carriage  55 . Bottom member  54  and top cover  56  are preferably joined together—most preferably by way of a mechanical or live hinge. Steering wheel cradle  50 , selectively attaches the steering wheel  22  to the steering column cap  44 —as described in more detail with reference to  FIGS. 3C-3F . 
         [0043]      FIG. 3C  a shows steering wheel  22  having a compartment  58  for receiving a game controller  60 . The steering wheel  22  is preferably molded of plastic or such similar material. As shown, a crossbar  60  (or spoke) spans the diameter of the steering wheel  22 . In a preferred embodiment, crossbar  60  is molded to comprise a groove that is sized and shaped to conform to the outside contours of a respective game controller. A user places the controller  60  into the compartment  58 , which fits snugly therein. Crossbar  60  functions as part of a compartment for receiving a game controller and as the attachment point for the steering wheel  22  (as described in more detail below). 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 3D , with the controller  60  placed within the compartment  58 , the steering wheel  22  is ready to be attached to the steering column cap  44 . To that end, a user opens the cover  56  of steering wheel cradle  50  to expose carriage  55 . Carriage  55  is sized and shaped to accommodate an underside surface of crossbar  60 . Once the steering wheel  22  with a game controller  60  positioned therein is placed into the carriage  55 —top cover  56  is pressed downward ( FIG. 3E ) to a closed position ( FIG. 3F ). In a preferred embodiment, a slot  57  provided on cover  56  catches a corresponding elongated tooth  59  on bottom member  54 . Slot  57  and tooth  59  engage to keep maintain cover  56  in a closed position. Cover  56  functions to secure the steering wheel  22  to the steering column cap  44  and to secure the game controller  60  within the compartment  58 . The steering wheel  22  is thus easily attachable/detachable from the vehicle via cradle  50 . 
         [0045]    It should be noted that in some embodiments of the invention a top cover or clasp is not required to maintain the controller within the compartment. Rather, compartment  58  is sized to capture and maintain the controller in a tight frictional grip. Furthermore, steering wheel may be fixed to a pivoting member—obviating the need for a cradle. 
         [0046]      FIGS. 4A through 4G  illustrate and show the interconnection between collar  42  and steering column cap  44 . In fact, collar  42  and steering column cap  44  comprise an interconnectable steering wheel attachment mechanism allowing the parts which comprise the inflatable kart to be separated and yet securely assembled when use is desired. 
         [0047]    While the terms steering column cap  44  and collar  42  are used to identify the parts, it is understood that a steering column cap is that portion of the kart between the base  40  and rotating head  49 . A “steering wheel attachment mechanism” is coupling device for coupling a steering wheel to a vehicle body. 
         [0048]      FIG. 4A  shows collar  42  which is attached to base  40  in a secure manner. A slot or receptacle  48  is provided, the purpose of which will be described hereinafter. Collar  42  is annular and encloses therewithin a plastic socket member to which column  44  is attached. Collar member  42  comprises an inner annular ring  43  having annularly located tabs  130 . Additionally, an opening  132  in the upper portion of the annular wall of collar member  42  is provided for ease of assembly. 
         [0049]      FIG. 4C  is a perspective view of the underside of steering column cap or cap  44 . Column cap  44  is a tubular member which is adapted to attach to collar  42 . Three slotted locks  140  are attached to an inner annular ring member  144  and are integrally formed therewith. Each locking member  140  comprises an inner slightly curved slot  142  which is adapted to receive tabs  130  in collar  42 . As may be seen from  FIG. 5 , slot  48  receives tab  46  as will be described hereinafter. 
         [0050]      FIGS. 4D and 4E  are respectively bottom and top plan views of members  44  and  42  showing the interlocking members  130  and  140 . 
         [0051]      FIGS. 4F and 4G  illustrate how members  130  and  140  interlock with tabs  130  fitting into the slot area formed in part by slot  142  and the surrounding wall structure thereabout. When receptacles  140  are rotated (in a clockwise manner in the orientation depicted in  FIGS. 4F and 4G ) they capture tabs  130  as illustrated in  FIG. 4G . 
         [0052]    In one preferred embodiment of the invention, a locking mechanism is provided to further ensure that these members may not become separated during active use. For example, tab  46  is moved downwardly as in  FIG. 5  to lock into recess  48  in base  40 , preventing relative rotation between cap  44  and collar  42 . The additional locking mechanism provided by tab  46  in slot  48  further ensures against separation of the steering wheel column assembly during active use. As shown in  FIG. 4C , a pair of locking teeth  148  disposed in parallel channels attach tab  46  to column cap  44  and which prevent lateral movement of the same. 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , in a preferred embodiment of the invention, cradle  50  is connected to head  48  by way of a pivotable connection. In that manner, steering wheel  22  is adjustable by pivoting the same to a desired angle. Pivotable connection may be achieved by way of a ball and socket or by such similar pivotable connection between head  49  and cradle  50 . 
         [0054]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , with a game controller positioned and secured within the steering wheel compartment—a player naturally controls the steering wheel—much the same way one would in a real-life car. The enclosed remote accordingly controls a car shown on a screen in accordance with any of various video driving games. The car is lightweight and can be easily moved around within signal range of the game&#39;s controller/sensor. 
         [0055]    As may be well understood, the game controller requires line of sight to the console so that the mounting of the game controller must be such that even though it is housed within an inflatable kart, it must be positioned to provide such line of sight communication. To achieve that end, the steering wheel is positioned at the peak  25  of front body structure  24  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0056]    It will be understood that various types of vehicles and styles of sports vehicles could be produced according to different embodiments of the invention. For example, referring to  FIG. 8 , an inflatable personal watercraft (PWC)  61  is shown for simulating WII water sports. As shown, the vehicle is designed to mimic the look and feel of a real JET SKI or WAVE RUNNER. The PWC comprises an inflatable bottom platform  62 , upon which an oblong seat  64  is disposed. An outward pointing front body  66  serves as a mounting point for a handle bar column  68 . Handle bar  70  is pivotably connected to fixed column  68  by way of a pivot member or fulcrum as is well known in the art. 
         [0057]    For some driving games, a WII nun chuck may be required for playing. To that end, in an embodiment of the invention, handle bar  70  is provided with two different compartments—each designed to receive respective units of the WII nun chuck. As shown in  FIG. 8 , handle bar  70  comprises a right-hand bar  72  and a left-hand bar  74 . The right hand bar  72  comprises a compartment that is sized and shaped to receive a standard WII remote. As shown, a cut-out or window  76  is provided in the front-facing side of right-hand bar  72  to allow access to the “B” button of the WII remote. Left-hand bar  74  is sized and shaped to receive the complementary unit to the WII remote—forming the nun chuck. Left-hand bar  74  is similarly provided with a window  78  for allowing access to a button that is positioned on the underside of the nun chuck unit. 
         [0058]    In other embodiments of the invention, a game controller holding assembly is attached to any of various inflatable vehicles or vessels, such as, an airplane, ship, submarine, army tank, and motorcycle in order to respectively simulate operating conditions of the same. 
         [0059]    It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention set forth herein relates, broadly, to a novel inflatable vehicle having a game controller attachment means in a steering mechanism. The steering mechanism (e.g. steering wheel, handle bar, yoke, etc.) is either permanently or temporarily attached to a base on the inflatable vehicle. A base refers to any specific insertion or mounting point for a steering mechanism. For example, a base may comprise an area of reinforced material for receiving a steering wheel or an area having an attachment mechanism for attaching a steering mechanism. 
         [0060]    It will be further understood that the invention is not limited to accommodating a WII remote—but encompasses an inflatable vehicle that similarly receives any game controller—wired or wireless. For example, a compartment  58  may be molded to accommodate SONY&#39;s MOVE controller or any similar game controller. 
         [0061]    In one embodiment of the invention, the inventive inflatable vehicle is provided with different detachable steering wheels—each to accommodate respective differently sized game controllers. In another embodiment, a compartment inside a steering wheel is designed to receive different inserts—each insert being sized and shaped to respectively accommodate different game controllers. 
         [0062]    Having described this invention with regard to specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the description is not meant as a limitation since further modifications and variations may be apparent or may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. It is intended that the present application cover all such modifications and variation as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Technology Category: a