Computer simulation control system

• US 20070099707A1
• Filed: 04/29/2004
• Published: 05/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Fernando Smit
• Original Assignee: Fernando Smit
• Inventors: Smit, Fernando
• Application Number:
  US10/543,983
• Publication Number:
  US 20070099707A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/46
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/407 of collapsible type
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/803 Driving vehicles or craft, e.g. cars, airplanes, ships, robots or tanks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/90 Constructional details or arrangements of video game devices not provided for in groups A63F13/20 or A63F13/25, e.g. housing, wiring, connections or cabinets
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/98 Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 31/16 creating illusions of travel

Abstract

Computer simulation control system, comprising:

• at least one control module (1, 2) for controlling a computer simulator program;
• a seat comprising a seat part (3) and a back support;
• at least one mechanism (5) for coupling the seat and the at least one control module (1, 2) to each other in such a way, that that a user can be seated on the seat part (3) of the seat for handling the at least one control module (1, 2) there-from;
• wherein the back support of the seat is movable between a first position, in which first position the back support extends at an operating angle (α) upwardly from said seat part (3) for supporting at least part of the back of a user, and a second position, in which second position the back support does not extend at said operating angle (α) upwardly from the seat part (3), for example for transportation and/or storage of the control system.

Claims

1. Computer simulation control system, comprising:

at least one control module for controlling a computer simulator program;

a seat comprising a seat part and a back support;

at least one mechanism for coupling the seat and the at least one control module to each other in such a way, that a user can be seated on the seat part of the seat for handling the at least one control module there-from;

wherein the back support of the seat is movable between a first position, in which first position the back support extends at an operating angle upwardly from said seat part for supporting at least part of the back of a user, and a second position, in which second position the back support does not extend at said operating angle upwardly from the seat part, for example for transportation and/or storage of the control system.

2. Control system according to claim 1, wherein said back support extends substantially opposite the seat part when the back support is in the second position.

3. Control system according to claim 1, wherein the back support and the seat part are arranged to at least partially enclose a storage space when the back support is in the second position.

4. Control system according to claim 3, wherein the storage space is arranged for receiving said at least part of said control module, particularly during transportation and/or storage of the control system.

5. Control system according to claim 1, wherein said seat part comprises substantially upwardly extending side parts, particularly for forming a bucket seat.

6. Control system according to claim 1, wherein said seat part comprises a seat frame, wherein said back support comprises a back support frame, wherein the seat frame and back support frame comprise frame connectors for movably connecting these frames to each other.

7. Control system according to claim 6, wherein the seat frame comprises a substantially horizontal extending bottom frame part, wherein the seat frame comprises a rear frame part extending substantially at said operating angle upwardly from the bottom frame part, wherein the back support frame) is movably connected to said rear frame part of the seat frame.

8. Control system according to claim 1, wherein the back support and the seat part of the seat are pivotally connected to each other, such that the back support is pivotal, about a pivot axis, between said first and second position.

9. Control system according to claim 1, wherein the back support and the seat part of the seat are detachably connected to each other when the back support is in the first position, for moving the back support to the second position.

10. Control system according to claim 1, comprising at least one locking mechanism for locking the back support of the seat to the seat part when the back support is in said first position.

11. Control system according to claim 10, wherein:

said seat part comprises a seat frame, wherein said back support comprises a back support frame, wherein the seat frame and back support frame comprise frame connectors for movably connecting these frames to each other; and

said locking mechanism comprises at least one bush and at least one bolt, wherein said at least one bush and said at least one bolt are arranged to cooperate with each other for locking the back support in its first position.

12. Control system according to claim 11, wherein:

said seat part comprises a seat frame, wherein said back support comprises a back support frame, wherein the seat frame and back support frame comprise frame connectors for movably connecting these frames to each other; and

each bush is attached to said seat frame, wherein each bolt is movably connected to said back support frame.

13. Control system according to claim 1, wherein at least said back support comprises a cover, wherein the cover of the back support is at least partially detachably connected to said seat part, wherein said cover preferably also extends over said seat part after assembly of the system.

14. Control system according to claim 1, wherein said control module for controlling a computer simulator program comprises a steering wheel.

15. Control system according to claim 1, wherein said control module for controlling a computer simulator program comprises at least one foot pedal.

16. Control system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one mechanism for coupling the seat part and the at least one control module to each other comprises at least one elongated element, for example a rigid bar, extending from the seat towards the at least one control module.

17. Control system according to claim 1, wherein the seat of the control system has a maximum first height when the back support—

of the seat is in the first position, wherein the control system has a second maximum height when the back support—

is in the second position, wherein said second maximum height is less than half said first maximum height.

18. Control system according to claim 1, wherein—

when seen in side view of the seat—

the length of the back support—

of the seat is about the same as the length of the seat part—

of the seat.

21. Use of a control system according to, claim 1 wherein said back support is moved from said first position to said second position and/or vice-versa.

22. Use of a control system according to claim 1 wherein said seat is adjusted for changing the maximum height of the control system.

23. Method for handling a computer simulation control system according to claim 1, wherein said back support is being moved to said second position for transportation and/or storage of the control system.

24. Method according to claim 23, wherein at least part of said control module, for example at least a steering wheel and/or at least one foot pedal, is being arranged between said seat part and said back support.

25. Method according to claim 23, wherein said back support is being moved from said second position to said first position for supporting at least part of the back of a user.

26. Container, for example a box, comprising a computer simulation control system according to claim 1, wherein the back support of the seat is positioned in said second position, wherein the back support preferably extends substantially opposite the seat part of the seat.

27. Container according to claim 25, wherein at least part of said control module is located in a storage space, which storage space is at least partially enclosed by said seat part and said back support of the seat.

28. Container according to claim 26, wherein the inner dimensions of the container (B) are about the same as, or only slightly larger, for instance about 10% or 20% larger, than the maximum outer dimensions of the seat with the back support in the second position, measured in Cartesian x-, y- and z-directions.

29. Control system according to claim 2, wherein the back support and the seat part are arranged to at least partially enclose a storage space when the back support is in the second position.

30. Control system according to claim 29, wherein:

the storage space is arranged for receiving said at least part of said control module, particularly during transportation and/or storage of the control system;

said seat part comprises substantially upwardly extending side parts, particularly for forming a bucket seat;

said seat part comprises a seat frame, wherein said back support comprises a back support frame, wherein the seat frame and back support frame comprise frame connectors for movably connecting these frames to each other;

the seat frame comprises a substantially horizontal extending bottom frame part, wherein the seat frame comprises a rear frame part extending substantially at said operating angle upwardly from the bottom frame part, wherein the back support frame) is movably connected to said rear frame part of the seat frame;

the back support and the seat part of the seat are one of pivotally connected to each other, such that the back support is pivotal, about a pivot axis, between said first and second position and detachably connected to each other when the back support is in the first position, for moving the back support to the second position;

wherein at least one locking mechanism is provided for locking the back support of the seat to the seat part when the back support is in said first position.

31. Control system according to claim 30, wherein:

at least said back support comprises a cover, wherein the cover of the back support is at least partially detachably connected to said seat part, wherein said cover preferably also extends over said seat part after assembly of the system;

said control module for controlling a computer simulator program comprises a steering wheel;

said control module for controlling a computer simulator program comprises at least one foot pedal;

the at least one mechanism for coupling the seat part and the at least one control module to each other comprises at least one elongated element, for example a rigid bar, extending from the seat towards the at least one control module;

the seat of the control system has a maximum first height when the back support of the seat is in the first position, wherein the control system has a second maximum height when the back support is in the second position, wherein said second maximum height is less than half said first maximum height;

when seen in side view of the seat—

the length of the back support of the seat is about the same as the length of the seat part of the seat.

32. Control system according to claim 11, wherein:

at least said back support comprises a cover, wherein the cover of the back support is at least partially detachably connected to said seat part, wherein said cover preferably also extends over said seat part after assembly of the system;

said control module for controlling a computer simulator program comprises a steering wheel;

said control module for controlling a computer simulator program comprises at least one foot pedal;

the at least one mechanism for coupling the seat part and the at least one control module to each other comprises at least one elongated element, for example a rigid bar, extending from the seat towards the at least one control module;

the seat of the control system has a maximum first height when the back support of the seat is in the first position, wherein the control system has a second maximum height when the back support is in the second position, wherein said second maximum height is less than half said first maximum height;

when seen in side view of the seat—

the length of the back support of the seat is about the same as the length of the seat part of the seat.

33. Control system according to claim 12, wherein:

at least said back support comprises a cover, wherein the cover of the back support is at least partially detachably connected to said seat part, wherein said cover preferably also extends over said seat part after assembly of the system;

said control module for controlling a computer simulator program comprises a steering wheel;

said control module for controlling a computer simulator program comprises at least one foot pedal;

the at least one mechanism for coupling the seat part and the at least one control module to each other comprises at least one elongated element, for example a rigid bar, extending from the seat towards the at least one control module;

the seat of the control system has a maximum first height when the back support of the seat is in the first position, wherein the control system has a second maximum height when the back support is in the second position, wherein said second maximum height is less than half said first maximum height;

when seen in side view of the seat—

the length of the back support of the seat is about the same as the length of the seat part of the seat.

34. Use of a control system according to claim 30, wherein said back support is moved from said first position to said second position and vice-versa.

35. Use of a control system according to claim 31, wherein said back support is moved from said first position to said second position and vice-versa.

38. Use of a control system according to claim 30 wherein said seat is adjusted for changing the maximum height of the control system.

39. Method for handling a computer simulation control system according to claim 30, wherein:

said back support is being moved to said second position for transportation and/or storage of the control system;

at least part of said control module, for example at least a steering wheel and/or at least one foot pedal, is being arranged between said seat part and said back support;

said back support is being moved from said second position to said first position for supporting at least part of the back of a user.

40. Method for handling a computer simulation control system according to claim 31, wherein:

said back support is being moved to said second position for transportation and/or storage of the control system;

at least part of said control module, for example at least a steering wheel and/or at least one foot pedal, is being arranged between said seat part and said back support;

said back support is being moved from said second position to said first position for supporting at least part of the back of a user.

43. Container, for example a box, comprising a computer simulation control system according to claim 30, wherein the back support of the seat is positioned in said second position, wherein the back support preferably extends substantially opposite the seat part of the seat.

44. Container, for example a box, comprising a computer simulation control system according to claim 31, wherein the back support of the seat is positioned in said second position, wherein the back support preferably extends substantially opposite the seat part of the seat.

47. Container according to claim 26, wherein:

at least part of said control module is located in a storage space, which storage space is at least partially enclosed by said seat part and said back support of the seat;

the inner dimensions of the container (B) are about the same as, or only slightly larger, for instance about 10% or 20% larger, than the maximum outer dimensions of the seat with the back support in the second position, measured in Cartesian x-, y- and z-directions.

48. Container according to claim 30, wherein:

at least part of said control module is located in a storage space, which storage space is at least partially enclosed by said seat part and said back support of the seat;

the inner dimensions of the container (B) are about the same as, or only slightly larger, for instance about 10% or 20% larger, than the maximum outer dimensions of the seat with the back support in the second position, measured in Cartesian x-, y- and z-directions.

49. Container according to claim 31, wherein:

at least part of said control module is located in a storage space, which storage space is at least partially enclosed by said seat part and said back support of the seat;

the inner dimensions of the container (B) are about the same as, or only slightly larger, for instance about 10% or 20% larger, than the maximum outer dimensions of the seat with the back support in the second position, measured in Cartesian x-, y- and z-directions.

19. Computer simulation control system, comprising:

at least one control module for controlling a computer simulator program;

a seat comprising a seat part and a back support;

at least one mechanism for coupling the seat and the at least one control module to each other in such a way, that a user can be seated on the seat part of the seat for handling the at least one control module there-from;

wherein the seat of the control system is adjustable to change the height of the system.

36. Use of a control system according to claim 19 wherein said seat is adjusted for changing the maximum height of the control system.

41. Container, for example a box, comprising a computer simulation control system according to claim 19, wherein the back support of the seat is positioned in said second position, wherein the back support preferably extends substantially opposite the seat part of the seat.

45. Container according to claim 19, wherein:

at least part of said control module is located in a storage space, which storage space is at least partially enclosed by said seat part and said back support of the seat;

the inner dimensions of the container (B) are about the same as, or only slightly larger, for instance about 10% or 20% larger, than the maximum outer dimensions of the seat with the back support in the second position, measured in Cartesian x-, y- and z-directions.

20. Computer simulation control system, comprising:

at least one control module for controlling a computer simulator program;

a seat comprising a seat part and a back support;

at least one mechanism for coupling the seat and the at least one control module to each other in such a way, that a user can be seated on the seat part of the seat for handling the at least one control module there-from;

wherein the system has a maximum first height when the back support of the seat is in a first position, wherein the control system has a second maximum height when the back support is in a second position.

37. Use of a control system according to claim 20 wherein said seat is adjusted for changing the maximum height of the control system.

42. Container, for example a box, comprising a computer simulation control system according to claim 20, wherein the back support of the seat is positioned in said second position, wherein the back support preferably extends substantially opposite the seat part of the seat.

46. Container according to claim 20, wherein:

at least part of said control module is located in a storage space, which storage space is at least partially enclosed by said seat part and said back support of the seat;

the inner dimensions of the container (B) are about the same as, or only slightly larger, for instance about 10% or 20% larger, than the maximum outer dimensions of the seat with the back support in the second position, measured in Cartesian x-, y- and z-directions.