Side-mounted throttle and weapons controller for computer video games and flight simulation

• US 5,591,082 A
• Filed: 01/05/1995
• Issued: 01/07/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Guillemot Corporation A French Societe Anonyme
• Original Assignee: ThrustMaster, Inc. (Guillemot Corporation SA)
• Inventors: Jensen, Christopher, Carter, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrison, Jessica
• Assistant Examiner(s): SAGER, MARK ALAN
• Application Number:
  US08/368,585
• Time in Patent Office: 733 Days
• Field of Search: 273/148 B, 273/438, 273/85 G, 273/434, 244/220, 244/221, 244/228, 244/230, 244/234, 345/158, 345/161, 345/156, 74/471 XY, 434/45, 341/20, 341/33, 364/410
• US Class Current: 463/38
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/22 Setup operations, e.g. calibration, key configuration or button assignment
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/803 Driving vehicles or craft, e.g. cars, airplanes, ships, robots or tanks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1018 Calibration; Key and button assignment
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8017 Driving on land or water; Flying
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/04 Controlling members for hand actuation by pivoting movement, e.g. levers
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 5/03 Means for enhancing the operator's awareness of arrival of the controlling member at a command or datum position; Providing feel, e.g. means for creating a counterforce arrangements for indicating the position of the controlling member G05G1/015
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/047 the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks for switches H01H25/04
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20201 Control moves in two planes

Abstract

The throttle controller according to the invention includes a rectangular base having a shaft pivotally mounted thereon with a potentiometer having a stem connected to the shaft for sensing the position of the shaft. A cable is connected to the potentiometer for transmitting the sensed position to the video game. A handle is disposed along one side of the base and connected to a first end of the shaft for pivotally moving the shaft responsive to angular movement of the handle. The handle is comprised of two parts. A vertical handle member connected to the shaft and perpendicular thereto and a handle portion connected to the vertical handle member, which extends over the base and adapted to receive a user'"'"'s hand. The shaft is mounted on the base by means of circular bearings that are received in a bearing mounts on the base. A braking mechanism is frictionally engaged with the shaft for adjusting the resistance of the handle to pivotal movement. The braking mechanism includes a braking arm pivotally mounted on the base, with an arcuate portion frictionally engaged from the shaft and a spring-loaded adjustment mechanism for adjustment of the friction force.

Claims

1. A video game controller for a video game comprising:

a base;

a longitudinal shaft mounted on the base for rotational movement about a longitudinal axis of the shaft;

a handle fixedly connected to the shaft, the shaft rotatable about the longitudinal axis responsive to pivotal movement of the handle about the longitudinal axis;

a first sidewall mounted on the base;

a second sidewall mounted on the base and parallel to the first sidewall and spaced therefrom to form a slot between the first and second sidewalls;

an annular ridge mounted on the shaft and received in the slot formed between the first and second sidewalls;

a potentiometer having a rotatable stem operatively coupled to the shaft so that the stem rotates responsive to rotation of the shaft, the potentiometer generating an electrical signal that is proportional to the rotational position of the stem; and

a cable coupled to the potentiometer for providing the electrical signal to the video game.

2. A video game controller for a video game according to claim 1 wherein the annular ridge mounted on the shaft and received in the slot formed between the first and second sidewalls includes a first rectangular portion at a first position along the annular ridge and a second rectangular portion at a second position along the annular ridge.

3. A video game controller for a video game according to claim 1 wherein the annular ridge mounted on the shaft and received in the slot formed between the first and second sidewalls includes:

a first semicircular ridge; and

a second semicircular ridge, wherein said first and second semicircular ridges circumscribe the shaft when placed together.

4. A video game controller for a video game according to claim 1 further comprising:

a third sidewall mounted on the base;

a fourth sidewall mounted on the base and parallel to the third sidewall and spaced therefrom to form a second slot between the third and fourth sidewalls; and

a second annular ridge mounted on the shaft and received in the second slot formed between the third and fourth sidewalls.

5. A video game controller for a video game comprising:

a base;

a longitudinal shaft mounted on the base for rotational movement about a longitudinal axis of the shaft;

a handle fixedly connected to the shaft, the shaft rotatable about the longitudinal axis responsive to pivotal movement of the handle about the longitudinal axis;

a detent mechanism including a protrusion mounted on the shaft and

an arcuate spring having a slot formed therein, the spring mounted on the base opposing the shaft so that the slot is aligned with the protrusion so that the protrusion engages the slot when the handle is pivotally moved to a first predetermined position;

a potentiometer having a rotatable stem operatively coupled to the shaft so that the stem rotates responsive to rotation of the shaft, the potentiometer generating an electrical signal that is proportional to the rotational position of the stem; and

a cable coupled to the potentiometer for providing the electrical signal to the video game.

6. A video game controller for a video game according to claim 5 further including a braking mechanism frictionally engaging the shaft, the braking mechanism including a rotatable knob for adjusting the amount of friction exerted on the shaft.

7. A video game controller for a video game comprising:

a base;

a longitudinal shaft mounted on the base for rotational movement about a longitudinal axis of the shaft;

a handle fixedly connected to the shaft, the shaft rotatable about the longitudinal axis responsive to pivotal movement of the handle about the longitudinal axis;

a braking arm pivotally mounted on the base and having an arcuate portion frictionally engaged with the shaft; and

an adjustment mechanism coupled between the base and the braking arm for adjusting a frictional force applied by the braking arm to the shaft;

means mounted in the base and coupled to the shaft for sensing a position of the handle; and

means for transmitting a the sensed position to the video game machine.

8. A video game controller for a video game according to claim 7 wherein the means for transmitting the sensed position to the video game includes a cable coupled to the sensing means.

9. A video game controller for a video game according to claim 7 wherein the means for sensing the position of the handle includes a potentiometer mounted on the base and having a stem connected coaxially to the shaft so that the stem rotates responsive to movement of the shaft.

10. A braking mechanism for a video game controller having a pivoting handle connected to a rotatable shaft mounted on a base, the braking mechanism comprising:

a braking arm having an arcuate portion at a first end of the arm frictionally engageable with the shaft, the arm terminating at a second end, opposite the first end; and

an adjustment mechanism mounted between the base and the second end of the braking arm to apply a force on the second end for adjusting a frictional force applied by the arcuate portion of the braking arm to the shaft.

11. A braking mechanism for a video game controller according to claim 10 wherein the braking arm includes a pin at the first end for pivotally mounting the braking arm in the base.

12. A braking mechanism for a video game controller according to claim 10 wherein the braking arm includes a pin at a distal end of the arcuate portion opposite the second end, the stem receivable in a slot in the base of the video game controller to allow the arm to pivot about the pin.

13. A braking mechanism for a video game controller according to claim 10 wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a rotatable knob mounted between the base and the second end of the braking arm to adjust the force applied to the second end of the arm.

14. A braking mechanism for a video game controller according to claim 13 wherein the rotatable knob includes a helical thread for applying pressure to the second end of the braking arm responsive to rotation of the knob.

15. A braking mechanism for a video game controller according to claim 14 wherein the second end of the braking arm includes a helical thread complementary to the helical thread of the rotatable knob.

16. A braking mechanism for a video game controller according to claim 13 wherein the adjustment mechanism further includes:

a pivot coupling the first end of the braking arm to the base; and

a spring for biasing the rotatable knob into engagement with the second end of the braking arm.

17. A braking mechanism for a video game controller according to claim 13 wherein the second end of the braking arm includes a helical thread in contact with the rotatable knob.

18. A braking mechanism for a video game controller according to claim 17 wherein the rotatable knob includes a helical thread at a distal end thereof, the helical thread of the knob mounted on the helical thread of the braking arm so that the helical thread of the knob slides over the helical thread of the braking arm as the knob is rotated.