Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates generally to the field of motion simulators and more particularly to a chair and mechanical support system providing motion capability in response to physical control inputs by a user associated with inputs to a videogame or other simulation with associated motion. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Computer video games provide numerous simulations which involve aircraft, spacecraft or other moving vehicles. The realistic video presentations provide an exciting game playing environment for the user. The ability to have actual motion of a chair in which the user sits significantly enhances the virtual reality provided by the game. Motion base simulators for aircraft pilot training and other similar devices have been available for some time; however, such devices are very complicated and expensive. 
   Arcade games and amusement park games which employ video have been developed which include some movement of the user&#39;s seat. However, such games are typically unavailable for purchase by individual users and like commercially available flight simulation systems are extremely expensive. Further, the arcade game systems are typically single game units without capability for variation of games. 
   It is therefore desirable to provide a system to create motion simulating the environment created in a video game for a user in an inexpensive and simple mechanical device. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a motion simulation chair having a base providing elevated attachment points for a number of support cables. A seat support is carried within the base and engages a seat for an occupant at a top end. The seat support has companion attachment points for the support cables at a bottom end. A control system incorporates a forward vertical control element constrained for three axis motion about a control point. A horizontal control element displaced upward from the control point and extending rearward from the forward vertical control element, engages the seat support. A control column or joy stick operated by the user imparts motion to the forward vertical control element about the control point. Moving the horizontal control element alters the suspension angles of the cables providing a corresponding movement and tilt of the seat support and seat. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the support and control elements of a first embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the supporting base of the first embodiment; 
       FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the seat support of the first embodiment; 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the control structure of the first embodiment; 
       FIG. 5  is a bottom isometric view of a second embodiment of a seat and seat support with control structure; 
       FIG. 6  is a top isometric view of the seat and seat support with control structure of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a top isometric view of the supporting base of the second embodiment; 
       FIG. 8  is a side isometric view of the control structure of the second embodiment; 
       FIG. 9A  is a top isometric of the seat bottom with integral seat support of the second embodiment; 
       FIG. 9B  is a bottom isometric of the seat bottom and integral seal support of  FIG. 9A ; 
       FIG. 9C  is a top isometric of a leg rest attaching to the seat bottom for the second embodiment; 
       FIG. 9D  is a bottom isometric of the leg rest of  FIG. 9C ; 
       FIG. 9E  is a rear isometric of a seat back attaching to the seat bottom for the second embodiment; and, 
       FIG. 9F  is a front isometric of the seat back of  FIG. 9E . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   An embodiment of the invention is described herein with respect to use with video games or computer simulations. In alternative uses, a chair employing the invention could be used with an interactive movie, television program, internet site or any other plot or action driven entertainment media. All current active video game chairs or active simulators rely on input/controls from the computer or media source to move the simulation chair in concert with the motion of the visual image. With the present invention the user&#39;s physical movement of the chair&#39;s control induces motion in the chair and in advanced embodiments simultaneously sends matching directional signals to the media to produce corresponding visual appearance of motion within the media. The simplest example is a flight simulator. In this application, the user moves the chair&#39;s control to both change the direction of the airplane in the video flight simulator and to induce the corresponding movement of the chair. 
   Referring to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows a first embodiment of a support and control structure incorporating the present invention. A supporting base  10  rests on the floor providing a rigid support for the motion simulation system. For the embodiment shown, the base detail is shown in  FIG. 2  and incorporates a circular top connection ring  12  and a circular bottom rest ring  14 . The top connection ring is supported from the bottom rest ring by columns  16 . 
   Carried within the supporting base is a seat support  18 . The seat support of the first embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  and in detail in  FIG. 3  includes a suspension ring  20  and a control connection square  22  supported from the suspension ring by columns  24 . The control connection square provides support for an attached seat (not shown) and rigid connection for the controls as will be described in greater detail subsequently. The suspension ring is connected to the top connection ring of the base by cables  26 . This support arrangement allows motion of the seat support in pitch and roll relative to the base about a neutral positively stable initial position by altering the relative angles of the support cables. For the embodiment shown, the cables attach at four support corners laterally displaced from a centerline of the seat support. 
   The elements of the control structure as shown in  FIG. 1  and in detail in  FIG. 4  include a control column  30  or “joy stick” which allows control of the motion simulation seat by the occupant. The control column includes controller brackets  32  for connection of convention video game controllers or other electronic devices for interaction with a computer video game as will be described in greater detail subsequently. The control column attaches to a forward vertical control post  34 . In alternative embodiments, the control column may be an extension of the vertical control post. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, a column connection bracket  36  is employed in the embodiment shown for adjustable connection of the control column to the vertical control rod. A horizontal control shaft  38  extends rearward from the control column and vertical control post. The shaft is rigidly attached to the seat through control connection square with inserts  44  received in bores  28  in the connection square and directly imparts motion to the seat as will be described in greater detail subsequently. 
   A rear vertical control rod  40  extends downward from the control shaft to engage an aft control connection described in detail subsequently. The forward vertical control post extends through and is restrained by a ball mount  42  which is rigidly attached to the base. The ball mount allows reciprocating motion of the post axially through the mount and allows rotation of the post by spherical displacement of the ball within its socket. For the embodiment shown, a ball mount attachment flange  46  extends from the top connection ring. 
   The rear vertical control rod passes through and is constrained by a rear articulating joint assembly  48 . The rear articulating joint assembly provides mobility in three axes for the rear vertical control rod in the embodiment shown. For the first embodiment, the rear articulating joint includes a rear ball mount  50  attached to a slip rod  52  received in a telescope barrel  54  mounted to the base. The slip rod is rotatable about its axis within the telescope barrel and axially extendible into and out of the barrel. For the forward ball mount and rear ball mount a “uniball” structure is employed in exemplary embodiments. A KSTM-16 base mounted nylon sleeve bearing produced by IGUS is employed in examples of the embodiments shown. The forward vertical control post, horizontal control shaft and rear vertical rod form a pinned structure with the post and rod orthogonal to the shaft. The location of the horizontal shaft is upward from the ball mount which acts as the motion control point. 
   In operation, the seat support and an attached seat is suspended by the cables at a neutral point absent input from the occupant through the control column. In conjunction with operation of the standard controller connected to the video game, the player occupying the seat pushes on the control column. When the seat occupant pushes forward on the control column, the forward vertical control post rotating forward about the ball joint urges the horizontal control shaft forward which slightly moves the seat support forward changing the angle of the rear cables relative to the vertical to a more obtuse angle with the front cables adopting a more acute angle allowing the seat support suspension ring to adopt a forward tilt providing a pitch down motion for the seat. The forward vertical control post is also urged downward along its axis through the ball mount while rotating forward to provide mechanical relief for angle adjustment within the system. The rear vertical control rod provides reacting forces to maintain alignment of the seat support. The rear vertical control rod slides axially upward through rear ball mount in the rear articulating joint, and the slip rod is urged axially out of the receiving telescope barrel. Releasing pressure on the column returns the seat to its neutral point. Suspension of the seat support from the top connection ring of the base to the suspension ring on the seat support provides positive static stability. 
   Similarly, pulling on the control column urges the rigidly attached horizontal control shaft rearward with the seat creating a more obtuse relative angle in the front cables and a more acute angle in the rear cables tipping the front of the seat support upward providing a pitch up motion for the seat. The forward control post slides axially upward through the ball mount and the rear vertical control rod slides axially downward through rear ball mount in the rear articulating joint with the slip rod urged axially into the receiving telescope barrel for angular relief. 
   Pushing the control column right causes the horizontal control shaft to be rotated clockwise about an axis  56  (best seen in  FIG. 4 ) extending through the ball joints. Reaction of the front vertical control post and rear vertical control rod in their respective ball mounts moves the seat support which is rigidly attached to the shaft to the right increasing the angle in the right supporting cables and decreasing the angle in the left supporting cables resulting in a right roll position for the seat support and seat. 
   Similarly, pushing the control column left causes the horizontal control shaft to be rotated counter-clockwise about the axis extending between the ball joints. Reaction of the front vertical control post and rear vertical control rod in their respective ball mounts rotates the seat support into a left roll position. 
   A second embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  7  and  8  wherein a seat support  60  is rigidly attached to a seat pan  62 . Corner pillars  64  in the support provide the bottom attachment for supporting cables  66 . As in the prior embodiment, a control column  68  is attached to a forward vertical control post  70  and a horizontal control shaft  72 . A bracket  74  provides engagement for the column, post and shaft. As in the first embodiment, the forward vertical control post is received in a ball joint  76 . Force reaction at the rear of the horizontal control shaft is provided by a rear vertical rod  78  depending from the shaft and engaged by a receiver  80  having a slot  82 . For the embodiment shown in the drawings, the rear vertical rod is an integral element with the horizontal shaft with a “hockey stick” configuration. As in the first embodiment, the forward vertical control post, horizontal control shaft and rear vertical rod form a rigid structure with the post and rod orthogonal to the shaft. The receiver allows the rear vertical rod to move longitudinally forward and rearward in the slot, to be angled in the slot and to be axially inserted and withdrawn through the slot providing the three axes of motion as previously described for the rear articulating joint of the first embodiment. This provides freedom for motion of the seat base and seat as rigidly connected to the horizontal shaft in the pitch directions while providing lateral reaction forces necessary to maintain the forward vertical control post and rear vertical control rod in a planar alignment thereby avoiding yaw motion or other instability in combined roll and pitch motions of the seat. The receiver is supported for rotation about its axis to constrain the rear vertical rod for force reaction in roll. 
   Support cables  66  attach from the corner pillars on the seat support to support landings  84  on a base  86  best seen in  FIG. 7 . The base is fabricated as a frustoconical element having a bottom  88  resting on the floor and a central chamber  90  receiving the seat support. A first integrated landing  92  provides an attachment for the ball joint engaging the forward vertical control post. A second integrated boss  94  provides attachment saddles  96  engaging the ends of the receiver. Plates  98  (shown in  FIG. 8 ) constrain the receiver ends in the saddles. For the embodiments shown in the drawings, the horizontal control shaft is shown as a separate element. In alternative embodiments, the horizontal control element may be integrated into the seat support or seat as a molded feature receiving the forward vertical control post and rear vertical control rod. Additionally, while the support landings are shown in a horizontal configuration in the drawing embodiments, vertical attachment of end tabs on the cables to the base is provided in alternative embodiments. 
   For the embodiment shown in the drawings, a seat back  100  is received in selected pair of adjustment slots  102  in the seat pan. The placement of the seat back allows adjustment for the length of the occupant&#39;s thigh as well as providing center of gravity adjustment for optimal performance of the motion simulation with control balance. A lower leg support  104  attaches to the front of the seat pan. Details of the seat pan with the depending seat support, the seat back and leg rest are seen in  FIGS. 9A-9F . For the embodiment shown, the seat elements as well as the base previously described with respect to  FIG. 7  are formed from molded poly styrene covered foam, fiberglass or similar composite structure for light weight with high rigidity. As shown in  FIGS. 9B and 9C , the seat pan and leg rest interface includes an aperture  106  through which the control column extends and the seat pan includes a bore  108  receiving the horizontal control shaft for rigid attachment. The leg rest incorporates tenons  110  received in mortise cutouts  112  in the seat pan for inter-engagement to secure the leg rest to the seat pan.  FIGS. 9E and 9F  show details of the seat back including engagement ridge  114  received in the slots of the seat pan. 
   For the various embodiments shown in the drawings and described herein, the base and support elements are shown as circular. Alternative geometric shapes sufficient for interactive suspension of the seat support within the base and attachment of the seat to the support may be employed in alternate embodiments of the invention. In alternative embodiments, the mechanical leverage elements for control can be a single rod extending above the seat passing down through both a pivot point (ball joint) attached to the chair and on to a pivot point (ball joint) attached to the fixed base. By moving the upper end of the rod in any direction from the center, or the at-rest position, the chair will move in the same direction relative to the base. This motion results in a change of support angle for the cables relatively lengthening the elevation of cables in the direction of motion (a more acute angle with respect to the vertical) and shortening the elevation of cables opposite the direction of motion to tilt the chair. By way of example, pushing the rod forward will move/tilt the chair forward. Pulling the rod back will move/tilt the chair back. Release the control and the chair will return to its center, at-rest position. Similar motion can be had to any point of the compass 
   Returning to  FIG. 8 , the present invention incorporates a sensor module  120  supported by a bracket  122  attached to landing  92  in the base for rigid support. The control column extends through the sensor for detection of relative motion in multiple axes. Data from the sensor may be provided through potentiometers  124  connected to a computer as input for interaction with a video game with which the motion simulation chair is being employed. As an exemplary operation, the input from the motion sensor may be employed to replace joystick input from standard controller  126  for visual scene pan and tilt in the video game. This avoids any control mismatch between the physical motion of the motion simulation chair and input by the player/occupant for vision tilt/pan thereby enhancing the gaming experience. 
   The present invention as described for the exemplary embodiments herein provides a simple mechanical system for providing a motion simulation system to be used in conjunction with computer video games or similar devices such as Microsoft X-Box® or Sony Playstation® where visual imagery is provided. Controllers for the electronic interaction with the gaming device are easily mountable on the control column as described and the simple control induced motion by the occupant/player significantly adds to the virtual reality of the gaming experience. 
   Having now described the invention in detail as required by the patent statutes, those skilled in the art will recognize modifications and substitutions to the specific embodiments disclosed herein. Such modifications are within the scope and intent of the present invention as defined in the following claims.

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