Motion platform system and method of rotating a motion platform about plural axes

• US 7,530,929 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2006
• Issued: 05/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Powergrid Fitness Inc. (InterAction Laboratories, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bruni, Thomas, Merril, Greg, Feldman, Philip
• Primary Examiner(s): RICHMAN, GLENN E
• Application Number:
  US11/360,994
• Publication Number:
  US 20060211543A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,173 Days
• Field of Search: 482/51, 482/54, 482/57, 482/146, 434 55- 62, 434/247, 434/33, 434/67, 434/29, 434/14, 434/243, 434/253, 434/28, 434/35, 434/1, 434/59, 434/60, 434/39, 434/94
• US Class Current: 482/57
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0641 enabling a lateral movement of the exercising apparatus, e.g. for simulating movement on a bicycle
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0007 by alternatively exercising arms or legs, e.g. with a single set of support elements driven either by the upper or the lower limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/001 by simultaneously exercising arms and legs, e.g. diagonally in anti-phase A63B22/0076 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 31/16 creating illusions of travel
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 Sports
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/12 Motion systems for aircraft simulators

Abstract

A motion platform system includes a support and a motion platform supported by the support and rotatable about a plurality of bearing axes The motion platform is further rotatable with respect to the support about at least one axis that is offset from the plurality of bearing axes. The motion platform may include an intermediate frame supported by the support, where the intermediate frame is rotatable about a first bearing axis with respect to the support. The motion platform may further include an inner frame supported by the intermediate frame, where the inner frame is rotatable about a second bearing axis with respect to the intermediate frame. Rotations of the inner and intermediate frames about the first and second bearing axes facilitate rotation of the inner frame with respect to the support about at least one axis offset from the bearing axes.

Claims

1. A motion platform system comprising:

a support;

a motion platform supported by said support and rotatable about a plurality of bearing axes, wherein said motion platform is rotatable with respect to said support about at least one axis that is offset from said plurality of bearing axes, and wherein said motion platform comprises;

an intermediate frame supported by said support, said intermediate frame being rotatable about a first bearing axis with respect to said support; and

an inner frame supported by said intermediate frame, said inner frame being rotatable about a second bearing axis with respect to said intermediate frame;

wherein rotations of said inner and intermediate frames about said first and second bearing axes facilitate rotation of said inner frame with respect to said support about at least one of a third axis and a fourth axis; and

at least one actuator that is actuable to facilitate rotations of said inner and intermediate frames about respective first and second bearing axes.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said inner frame includes a support section to support at least one user of said system during system operation.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a base coupled to said support to facilitate movement of said support with respect to said base in at least one direction.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said at least one direction includes a rotating direction of said support with respect to said base.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said first and second bearing axes are substantially perpendicular to each other and said third and fourth axes are respectively offset from said first and second bearing axes.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one actuator comprises a first actuator and a second actuator, said first actuator is actuated to rotate said intermediate frame about said first bearing axis, and said second actuator is actuated to rotate said inner frame about said second bearing axis.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said first and second actuators are movable in at least two directions, said inner frame rotates about said third axis in response to moving said first and second actuators simultaneously in a first set of directions, and said inner frame rotates about said fourth axis in response to moving said first and second actuators simultaneously in a second set of directions.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a controller to control rotations of said intermediate and inner frames about said first and second bearing axes in response to actuation of said at least one actuator.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a monitor to display information relating to system operation.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising:

a controller to control said monitor to display a virtual reality scenario that changes based upon user manipulation of said system.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

an exercise assembly supported by said inner frame for manipulation by a user to exercise a user body during system operation.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said exercise assembly includes a cycling assembly for manipulation by user feet.

13. The system of claim 11, further comprising:

at least one sensor in communication with said controller, wherein said at least one sensor measures manipulation of at least one of said inner frame, said intermediate frame, said at least one actuator and said exercise assembly and sends measured information to said controller.

14. The system of claim 11, further comprising:

at least one resistance member to adjust resistance to at least one of said intermediate frame, said inner frame, said at least one actuator and said exercise assembly to simulate conditions within said virtual reality scenario.

15. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an exercise assembly supported by said inner frame for manipulation by a user to exercise a user body during system operation.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said exercise assembly includes a cycling assembly for manipulation by user feet.