High performance motorcycle simulator and helmut display

• US 5,006,072 A
• Filed: 06/27/1989
• Issued: 04/09/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bernard Fried Racing Enterprises
• Original Assignee: Bernie Fried Racing Enterprises Incorporated
• Inventors: Letovsky, Howard, Fried, Bernard
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Doyle, Jennifer L.
• Application Number:
  US07/372,690
• Time in Patent Office: 651 Days
• Field of Search: 434/69, 434/61, 434/55, 434/56, 434/57, 434/58, 350/174, 350/171, 350/638, 350/601, 358/88, 358/104
• US Class Current: 434/61
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/058 for teaching control of cycles or motorcycles

Abstract

A motorcycle simulator which is capable of providing six degrees of movement freedom to realistically simulate the sensory cues experienced while operating a high performance motorcycle. A helmet mounted video display system is also provided which provides a wide field of view image to enhance the simulator sensory cues.

Claims

1. A helmet mounted visual display system for providing a wide field of view video display to an individual wearing the helmet, said visual display system comprising:

(A) a helmet shaped to be worn by an individual, said helmet having a surface defining a front visual opening in front of the individual'"'"'s eyes;

(B) a visor assembly located in front of said front visual opening, said visor assembly comprising;

(a) a horizontal video display;

(b) a parabolic mirror having a curvature sufficient to expand said horizontal video display and being positioned to reflect said horizontal video display to provide a vertical video display;

(c) collimating lens means for focussing said vertical video display at infinity to thereby provide a wide field of view video display; and

(C) means for mounting said visor assembly to said helmet.

2. A helmet mounted visual display system according to claim 1 wherein a left and right horizontal video displays are provided to produce a stereo video display and wherein left and right parabolic mirrors and left and right collimating lens means are provided to produce a stereo wide field of view video display.

3. A helmet mounted visual display system according to claim 1 wherein said collimating lens means comprises two collimating lenses wherein one of said collimating lenses is located in front of each eye of the individual.

4. A motorcycle stimulator which is capable of movement with six degrees of freedom to provide an operator with a realistic simulation of riding a motorcycle, said simulator comprising:

a support structure having a left side, a right side, a front end and a rear end;

a motorcycle mount assembly attached to said support structure;

a motorcycle frame having a front end and a rear end and including a front fork assembly, main frame and rear fork assembly wherein said motorcycle frame is attached to said mount assembly at said main frame;

sway means for controllably moving said motorcycle mount assembly between the left and right sides of said support structure;

surge means for controllably moving said motorcycle mount assembly between the front and rear ends of said support structure;

roll means for controllably moving the motorcycle frame from a vertical position to inclined positions on the left or right side of said vertical position;

yaw means for controllably pivoting the motorcycle mount assembly to provide horizontal rotation of said motorcycle frame relative to said support structure;

front fork elevator means for controllably lowering and raising the front end of said motorcycle frame;

rear fork elevator means for controllably lowering and raising the rear end of said motorcycle frame independently of said front fork elevator means wherein said sway means, surge means, roll means, yaw means, front fork elevator means and rear fork elevator means can be controlled to provide movement of said motorcycle frame with six degrees of freedom to thereby provide a realistic simulation of riding a motorcycle; and

visual display means for providing a visual representation which simulates the riding of a motorcycle, said visual display means comprising a helmet mounted visual display system comprising;

a. a helmet shaped to be worn by an individual, said helmet having a surface defining a front visual opening in front of the individual'"'"'s eyes;

b. a visor assembly located in front of said front visual opening, said visor assembly comprising;

(1) a horizontal video display;

(2) a parabolic mirror having a curvature sufficient to expand said horizontal video display and being positioned to reflect said horizontal video display to provide a vertical video display;

(3) collimating lens means for focusing said vertical video display at infinity to thereby provide a wide field of view video display; and

c. means for mounting said visor assembly to said helmet.

5. A motorcycle simulator which is capable of movement with six degrees of freedom to provide an operator with a realistic simulation of riding a motorcycle, said simulator comprising:

a support structure having a left side, a right side, a front end and a rear end;

a motorcycle mount assembly attached to said support structure;

a motorcycle frame having a front end and a rear end and including a front fork assembly, main frame and rear fork assembly wherein said motorcycle frame is attached to said mount assembly at said main frame;

sway means for controllably moving said motorcycle mount assembly between the left and right side of said support structure;

roll means for controllably moving the motorcycle frame from a vertical position to inclined positions on the left or right side of said vertical position;

yaw means for controllably pivoting the motorcycle mount assembly to provide horizontal rotation of said motorcycle frame relative to said support structure;

front fork elevator means for controllably lowering and raising the front end of said motorcycle frame;

rear fork elevator means for controllably lowering and raising the rear end of said motorcycle frame independently of said front fork elevator means wherein said sway means, surge means, roll means, yaw means, front fork elevator means and rear fork elevator means can be controlled to provide movement of said motorcycle frame with six degrees of freedom to provide a realistic simulation of riding a motorcycle; and

visual display means for providing a visual representation which simulates the riding of a motorcycle, said visual display means comprising a helmet mounted visual display system comprising;

a. a helmet shaped to be worn by an individual, said helmet having a surface defining a front visual opening in front of the individual'"'"'s eyes;

b. a visor assembly located in front of said front visual opening, said visor assembly comprising;

(1) a vertical video display positioned for viewing through said front visual opening;

(2) collimating lens means for magnifying and focusing said vertical video display at infinity to thereby provide a wide field of view video display; and

c. means for mounting said visor assembly to said helmet.