Pneumatic operating device for game machine

• US 4,850,591 A
• Filed: 11/17/1987
• Issued: 07/25/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Capcom Company Limited (Capcom Entertainment Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Capcom Company Limited (Capcom Entertainment Incorporated)
• Inventors: Morohashi, Tsuyoshi, Kamimori, Masatsugu, Kubozono, Takashi, Takezawa, Keisuke
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Application Number:
  US07/121,808
• Time in Patent Office: 616 Days
• Field of Search: 273/37, 273/53, 273/54 R, 273/181, 273/391, 273/371, 273/374, 273/386, 273/1 E, 273/85 G, 273/DIG. 28, 273/148 B, 92/33, 235/145 R, 200/81 R, 200/81.4, 200/81 H
• US Class Current: 463/37
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/008 using hydraulic or pneumatic force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/56 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/218 using pressure sensors, e.g. generating a signal proportional to the pressure applied by the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/44 involving timing of operations, e.g. performing an action within a time slot
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/52 involving aspects of the displayed game scene
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/833 Hand-to-hand fighting, e.g. martial arts competition A63F13/837 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1056 involving pressure sensitive buttons
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/638 according to the timing of operation or a time limit
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/66 for rendering three dimensional images
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8029 Fighting without shooting
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/24 using pneumatic or hydraulic actuator for storing energy in a spring motor H01H3/301

Abstract

A pneumatic operating device particularly suited for a video boxing game machine in which a displayed boxer is made by a player to fight against an opponent. The device includes an air chamber whose volume is variable by applying an impact to a slider button. The air chamber is connected through a pressure transmission passage to a pressure sensor which detects the pressure variation within the air chamber to produce a corresponding electric signal for controlling the displayed boxer.

Claims

1. A game machine comprising:

display means for displaying an image or images controlled by a player or players;

at least one pneumatic operating device, said pneumatic operating device including

a slider button which is hit by the player or players, an air chamber having a variable volume and operatively connected to said slider button in a manner such that the pressure within said air chamber varies when said slider button is hit by the player or players,

a pressure transmission passage connected at one end to said air chamber,

a pressure sensor connected to the other end of said passage for detecting the pressure therein, and

means, responsive to said pressure sensor, for producing signals which vary as a function of the intensity of the impact applied to the slider button by the player or players.

2. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein said air chamber is formed with a port which is always open to the atmosphere for allowing escape and entry of air respectively upon volumetric reduction and an increase of said chamber.

3. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein

said slider button is slidably guided by guide surface means and urged by a spring in a direction to cause volumetric increase of said air chamber.

4. The device as defined in claim 3, wherein

said guide surface means includes a first cylindrical guide surface and a second cylindrical guide surface which is larger in diameter than said first guide surface, and

said slider button has a projecting central pusher portion slidably guided by said first guide surface and an outer flange slidably guided by said second guide surface.

5. The device as defined in claim 3, wherein

said guide surface means is provided by a cylindrical casing.

6. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein

said air chamber is provided by a cylinder slidably receiving a piston, and

said slider button is connected to said piston by means of a piston rod.

7. The device as defined in claim 6, wherein

said cylinder is closed by a closure plate which is slidably penetrated by said piston rod, and

the interior space of said cylinder is divided by said piston into a first chamber located closer to said slider button and a second chamber located farther from said button to serve as said air chamber.

8. The device as defined in claim 7, wherein

each of said first and second chambers communicates with a port.

9. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein

said slider button has a projecting pusher portion supporting a shock absorbing pad which is covered by a flexible protection cover.

10. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein

said pressure transmission passage is provided by a flexible tube.

11. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein

said pressure sensor is provided in the form of a diffused semiconductor pressure transducer.

12. A pneumatic operating device of a game machine including display means for displaying an image or images controlled by a player or players, the operating device comprising:

a slider button which is hit by the player;

an air chamber having a variable volume and operatively connected to said slider button in a manner such that the pressure within said air chamber varies when said slider button is hit by the player, wherein said air chamber is formed with a port which is always open to the atmosphere for allowing escape and entry of air respectively upon volumetric reduction and an increase of said chamber;

a pressure transmission passage connected at one end to said air chamber; and

a pressure sensor connected to the other end of said passage for detecting the pressure therein to produce a signal representative of the intensity of the impact applied to the slider button by the player.

13. The device as defined in claim 12, wherein said slider button is slidably guided by guide surface means and urged by a spring in a direction to cause volumetric increase of said air chamber.

14. The device as defined in claim 13, wherein said guide surface means includes a first cylindrical guide surface and a second cylindrical guide surface which is larger in diameter than said first guide surface, and

said slider button has a projecting central pusher portion slidably guided by said first guide surface and an outer flange slidably guided by said second guide surface.

15. The device as defined in claim 12, wherein said guide surface means is provided by a cylindrical casing.

16. The device as defined in claim 12, wherein said air chamber is provided by a cylinder slidably receiving a piston, and said slider button is connected to said piston by means of a piston rod.

17. The device as defined in claim 16, wherein said cylinder is closed by a closure plate which is slidably penetrated by said piston rod, and he interior space of said cylinder is divided by said piston into a first chamber located closer to said slider button and a second chamber located further from said button to serve as said air chamber.

18. The device as defined in claim 17, wherein said first chamber is also formed with a port which is always open to the atmosphere for allowing escape and entry of air respectively upon volumetric reduction and increase of said first chamber.

19. The device as defined in claim 12, wherein said slider button has a projecting pusher portion supporting a shock absorbing pad which is covered by a flexible protection cover.

20. The device as defined in claim 12, wherein said pressure transmission passage is provided by a flexible tube.

21. The device as defined in claim 12, wherein said pressure sensor is provided in the form of a diffused semiconductor pressure transducer.