Computer-interactive game machine with swing-action

• US 5,054,771 A
• Filed: 07/17/1989
• Issued: 10/08/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Outer Sports Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Outer Sports Incorporated
• Inventors: Mansfield, Michael R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cheng, Joe H.
• Application Number:
  US07/381,107
• Time in Patent Office: 813 Days
• Field of Search: 272/85, 272/86, 272/92, 272/73, 272/129, 272/132, 272/96, 272/117, 272/134, 272/146, 272/DIG. 5, 272/130, 73/379, 434/247, 434/258, 434/392, 434/43, 434/57, 273/1 GE, 273/1 E, 273/DIG. 28, 273/85 G, 273/148 B, 128/25 R, 128/25 B
• US Class Current: 463/36
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0096 using performance related parameters for controlling electronic or video games or avatars
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/068 using user's body weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0087 with a seat or torso support moving during the exercise, e.g. reformers A63B22/0076 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0228 Sitting on the buttocks
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0087 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/902 Employing specific graphic or video display

Abstract

In this invention, a computer-interactive swingable member with a seat thereon is suspended from a swing-support member and swingable in a vertical arc by leg-and-feet muscle power with the feet of an individual sitting on the seat engaged in stirrups positioned in front of the swingable member. The swingable member is horizontally pivotal on an extension from a base member by arm-and-hand muscle power with the hands grasping joystick handlebars. A marker on a computer monitor is computer-interactively engaged with the movement of the seat such that swinging motion of the seat causes the marker to travel selectively up-and-down and side-to-side rotation of the seat causes the marker to travel selectively from-side-to-side on a computer monitor. Resistance to swinging and side-to-side motion can be provided selectively for exercise and the computer can be programmable for selected game and design computer software.

Claims

1. A computer interactive game machine having a video monitor interconnected with said machine, such that said video monitor is generally visible to a user of said machine, said machine comprising:

a support structure;

a swing apparatus including a seat and means for swingably mounting said seat to said support structure, said means for swingably mounting including first pivot means from which said seat is suspended and second pivot means interconnected between said support structure and said first pivot means, said first pivot means being pivotable about a first axis and said second pivot means being pivotable about a second axis, which is transverse to said first axis;

engagement means mounted to said support structure generally in front of said seat and being engagable by an operator seated in said seat for pivoting said seat in selected directions about said first and second axes; and

position sensing means interconnected between said swing apparatus and the video monitor and being responsive to movement of said seat about said first and second axes for generating a signal representative of the position of said seat.

2. The machine of claim 1 in which said engagement means include handlebar means, which are engagable by the operator'"'"'s hands for pivoting said seat about at least one of said axes.

3. The machine of claim 2 in which said handlebar means are fixed to said support structure.

4. The machine of claim 2 further including hydraulic means operably interconnecting said handlebar means and said means for swingably mounting for assisting pivoting of said seat about at least one of said axes.

5. The machine of claim 2 in which said handlebar means include trigger means interconnected with the video monitor for selectively providing interactive signals thereto.

6. The machine of claim 1 in which said engagement means include pedal means, which are engagable by the operator'"'"'s feet for pivoting said seat about at least one of said axes.

7. The machine of claim 6 in which said pedal means are connected to said support structure through said means for swingably mounting.

8. The machine of claim 1 in which said swing apparatus further includes means fixedly attached to said swing seat for supporting said video monitor generally in front of said seat.

9. The machine of claim 1 in which said support structure includes a platform portion.

10. The machine of claim 9 in which said support structure further includes at least one support arm fixed to and extending above said platform.

11. The machine of claim 1 in which said first pivot means have a generally horizontal axis and said second pivot means have a generally vertical axis.

12. The machine of claim 1 in which said means for swingably mounting further include a first mounting section, which is connected to said support structure by said first pivot means and a second mounting section which carries said seat and is connected to said first mounting section by said second pivot means.

13. The machine of claim 12 in which said engagement means include pedal means fixedly attached to and supported outwardly from said first mounting section for engagement with the operator'"'"'s feet.

14. A computer interactive game machine comprising:

a support structure;

a swing apparatus including a seat, means for swingably mounting said seat to said support structure, said means for swingably mounting including first pivot means from which said seat is suspended and second pivot means interconnected between said support structure and said first pivot means, said first pivot means being pivotable about a first axis and said second pivot means being pivotable about a second axis, which is transverse to said first axis, and means fixedly attached to said seat for supporting a video monitor generally in front of said seat;

engagement means mounted to said support structure generally in front of said seat and being engagable by an operator seated in said seat for pivoting said seat in selected directions about said first and second axis; and

position sensing means interconnected between said swing apparatus and said video monitor and being responsive to movement of said seat about said first and second axes for generating a signal representative of the position of said seat, said monitor being responsive to said signal for generating a display which is representative of the position of said seat.

15. A computer interactive game machine having a video monitor interconnected with said machine, such that said video monitor is generally visible a to an user of said machine, said machine comprising:

a support structure;

a swing apparatus including a seat and means for swingably mounting said seat to said support structure, said means for swingably mounting including first pivot means disposed above said seat and from which said seat is suspended and second pivot means interconnected between said support structure and said first pivot means, said first pivot means being pivotable about a first axis and said second pivot means being pivotable about a second axis, which is transverse to said first axis;

engagement means mounted to said support structure generally in front of said seat and being engagable by an operator seated in said seat for pivoting said seat in selected directions about said first and second axes; and

position sensing means interconnected between said swing apparatus and the video and being responsive to movement of said seat about said first and second axes for generating a signal representative of the position of said seat.