Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a video simulation
apparatus operated by one or more persons seated in a
simulated cockpit of an airplane or other transportation
device and which provides steering and response to
computer generated pictures displayed on the screen of
the video monitor, positioned at the front of the
cockpit. The video simulator contains a computer which
displays pictures via the monitor of flight or other
transportation situations or the like. In response to
the person steering to control the video simulator, the
video simulator can simultaneously rotate 360 in the
directions of pitch, roll, and yaw in addition to ascent
and descent, to provide a sense of realism to the
occupants.
The terms pitch, roll and yaw are aviation
terms which will be used to describe the rotational
directions of the video simulation apparatus. These
terms are defined hereinbelow.
These movements can further be classified as
being made about one or more of three axes of rotation.
These axes are called longitudinal, normal (sometimes
referred to as the vertical axis) and lateral. For the
purpose of describing the rotational movement of the
video simulator, the longitudinal axis runs through the
center of the simulator's cockpit sphere in the direction
fore and aft relative to the seating. The normal or
vertical axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis
and extends in a vertical direction when the simulator is
in the level flight mode; the lateral axis is
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and runs starboard
and port of the seating within the cockpit. Thus, both
the longitudinal lateral axes are referenced to the
cockpit seating although both of these axes will change
35 position as the cockpit seat moves. The normal or
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vertical axis remains affixed regardless of the cockpit
seat location.
A turning maneuver rotates the simulator about
the normal axis and results in rotation in the yaw
direction. The simulation of climbing and diving
produces rotational movement around the lateral axis
which is also referred to as the pitch axis. Banking
left or right rotates the simulator about the
longitudinal or roll axis.
The present invention has the ability to create
realism to the video simulator machine via the 360
rotational movements of pitch, roll and yaw in addition
to vertical ascent and descent. ~ monitor is positioned
at the front of the cockpit and steerlng devices operated
by one or more persons in response to pictures displayed
on the screen of the monitor, in which the cockpit is
rotated in any of the pitch, roll and yaw movements, as
well as ascent and descent movements, in response to the
movements of the steering devices or computer
interaction. This invention has measures to ensure the
safety of the persons and the surrounding environment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a video
simulation apparatus which is comprised of a stationary
base; a rotating base mounted on the stationary base and
adapted to rotate during the use of the apparatus; first
mounting means intermediate the stationary base and the
rotating base so as to permit the rotating baGe to
rotate 360 on the stationary base about the normal axis;
a master ring mounted rotatably within and perpendicular
to the rotating base by a second mounting means, said
second mounting means being adapted to allow for 360
rotation of said master ring abcut the longitudinal axis
of the apparatus, the master ring being also adapted to
receive a sphere housing which is mounted rotatably
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within the master ring. The sphere housing is mounted
within the master riny by third mounting means such tha-t
the sphere housing will rotate 360 about the lateral
axis of the video simulation apparatus. The arrangement
of the sphere housing is such that the sphere housing may
also rotate about the longitudinal axis through rotation
of the master ring about the longitudinal axis of the
video simulation apparatus. A cockpit is located within
the sphere housing and has a video monitor system mounted
therein to provide video graphics to the user. Control
means operable by the user of the simulation apparatus is
also provided to control the movement of the sphere
housing and also to control movement of the view of the
video monitor system. A power supply means located
within the stationary base is also provided to supply
power via the master ring to the video monitor systems
and the control means.
The invention further relakes to a video
simulation apparatus comprising:
a) a stationary base mounted on a supporting
surface and defining orthogonal longitudinal, lateral and
normal axes;
b) a rotating base mounted on the stationary base
and adapted to rotate 360 about the normal axis of said
apparatus;
c) a master ring mounted on the rotating base and
adapted to rotate 360 about the longitudinal axis of
said apparatus and to rotatably support a sphere housing
therein;
d) base carriage assemblies located intermediate
and within said stationary base and said rotating base,
said base carriage assembly adapted to rotatably secure
said rotating base to said stationary base such that said
rotating base can rotate 360 about the normal axis of
3~ said apparatus, said base carriage assembly including
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upper and lower base frames, said lower base frame
supporting several sets of pairs of wheels, each of said
wheels being affixed to said lower base frame by an
adjustable wheel bracket, one of the adjustable wheel
brackets being mounted to said lower base frame by a
spring assembly such that each of said pair of wheels are
in substantial parallel alignment with one another and
are adapted to receive a base track therebetween, said
base track being secured to said upper base frame, said
base carriage assembly also including a pair of motors,
one each to provide drive to a pair of powered wheels of
said wheels mounted to said lower base frame;
e) master ring carriage assemblies to rotatably
support said master ring within the base of said
apparatus and allow for rotation of said master ring
about the longitudinal axis of each of said carriage
assemblies being comprised of a carriage frame supporting
thereto wheels, said wheels being so arranged on said
carriage frame so as to secure therebetween, on either
side of said carriage frame, one of a pair of master ring
tracks, said master ring tracks running substantially
parallel the length of said carriage frame, each of said
carriage frames being secured to said revolving base by
an adjustable position frame~ said adjustable position
frame also being secured to the upper base frame of said
base carriage assemblies, each of said master ring
carriage assemblies also including a motor to generate
drive to pairs of powered wheels of said wheels mounted
to said carriage frame;
f) sphere carriage assemblies adapted to rotatably
support said sphere housing within said master ring and
allow for rotation of said sphere housing about the
lateral axis of said apparatus, each of said sphere
carriage assemblies comprising a carriage frame, said
carriage frame supporting wheels so arranged on each side
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of said carriage frame so as to secure therebetween one
of a pair of sphere tracks, said sphere tracks being
secured to said sphere housing, said carriage frame also
supporting a motor, said motor providing drive to a pair
of powered wheels of said wheels located on either s:ide
of said carriage frame;
g) means to supply vertical lift, ascent and
descent to said sphere housing;
h) a video monitor system mounted within a cockpit
located within said sphere housing; and
i) control means operable by the user to control
the movement of said sphere housing said control means
including a compu-ter, a joystick control means and foot
control means.
Further features and advantages of the
invention will be compared to those skilled in the
relevant art from the following description of a
preferred embodiment of the invention read in conjunction
with the appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In drawings which illustrate an embodiment of
the invention;
FIG. 1 is a side view of one preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a front view of that preferred
embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a top view of the preferred
embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a front view in section of the
preferred embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a side view in section of the
preferred embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the base power
assembly of FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is sectional view, on the scale of FIG.
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6, which is ta~en a]ong a plane indicated by 7-7 in FIG.
6;
FIG. 8 is a sectional view, along the scale of
FIG. 6, which is taken along a plane indicated by 8-8 in
FIG. 6;
FIG. 9 is a front view of the base carriage
assembly of FIG. 4;
FIG. 10 is a side view of the vertical lift
assembly;
YIG. 11 is a front view of the sphere carriage
assembly of FIG. 4;
FIG. 12 is a front view of the master riny
carriage assembly of FIG. 4;
FIG. 13 is a sectional front view of the
internal units of the video simulator of the present
invention; and
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the
electrical transfer unit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRE:FERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the drawings in detail, the video
simulator 9 of this invention includes a sphere housing 3
containing the simulated cockpit of an airplane or other
transport~tion device 80 (see FIG. 5). Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 4, the video simulator 9 is generally
comprised of the following elements:
A. A stationary base 1 has a rotating base 2
mounted on it by way of a pair of base carriage
assemblies 29. The base carriage assemblies attach the
rotating base 2 to the stationary base 1 in such a manner
that the rotating base 2 is able to rotate 360~ about the
normal axis during operation of the video simulator 9,
and thus provides yaw movements.
B. A master ring 4 is mounted rotatably within and
perpendicular to the rotating base 2 by way of a pair of
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master ring carriage assemblies 5~b. The master ring
carriage assemblies 5~b attach the master ring 4 to the
rotating base 2 in such a manner as to permit the master
ring ~ to rotate 360 about the longitudinal axis of the
apparatus.
C. The sphere housing 3 is adapted to be received
inside the master ring 4. As the master ring rotates
about the longitudinal axis of the video simulator, it
carries the sphere housing 3 with it, thus enabling the
sphere housing to rotate 360D about the longitudinal axis
of the simulator, thereby providing the simulator wlth
roll movements.
D. The sphere housing 3 is rotatably secured
inside the master ring 4 by a pair of sphere carriage
assemblies 54a generally similar in structure to the
master ring carriage assemblies 54b. The sphere carriage
assemblies 54a attach the sphere housing 3 to the master
riny 4 in such a manner as to permit the sphere housing
to rotate 360 about the lateral axis of the simulator,
thereby providing the simulator with pitch movements.
E. A vertical lift assembly 43 is provided to
raise and lower ~he entire simulator 9 With respect to
the external surface 100 on which the simulator rests.
For clarlty, only one vertical lift assembly 43 is
illustrated in FIG. 4, but it is recognized that a
vertical lift assembly will be associated with each base
carriage assembly 29 for raising or lowering the base 1
o~ the simulator 9.
F. A cockpit 80 (FIG. 5) is housed inside the
sphere housing 3. The cockpit 80 contains the seat 93
which is occupied by the user, as well as the visual
screen 83 and the controls ~or operating the simulator.
In greater detail, the sphere 3 is positioned
in the master riny ~ which is in turn positioned in
35 rotating base frame 2. Rotating base frame 2 is
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positioned on base l. Master ring 4 consists of the
master ring track 6 and master ring power/signal rail 7.
Track 26 and power/signal rail 27 are also included on
sphere 3 (see FIG. 3). Entrance into sphere 3 is by two
sliding doors 8 (see FIGS. 2,3). Attached to master ring
4 is the protective cowling 5.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, sphere 3 is mounted
within master ring 4 by sphere carriage assembly 54a and
master ring 4 is mounted within rotating base frame 2 by
master ring carriage assembly 54b. Rotating base frame 2
is positioned on base l by base carriage assembly 29.
The power source for the video simulator is
provided by a wall plug 202 to a step down transformer 68
which transfers llO volts electricity to the power
interrupti.on relay 70. Power is provided from the power
interruption relay 70 to the base power assembly 14. The
power then proceeds through power/signal rail 7 which is
attached to master ring 4 and continues through the
electrical transfer unit 55 (see FIG. ll) to
power/signal rail 27 on sphere 3. From power/signal rail
27, power is then transferred to cockpit 80.
If the electrical power supplied to the video
simulator is interrupted, then the power interruption
relay disengages the main power supply circuit and hooks
up with and receives 12 volt power from the emergency
: battery 69. When power interruption occurs, the video
simulator will automatically return to the normal
starting position and will remai.n there until proper llO
volt electricity is restored.
In the interior of sphere 3 (FIG. 5), the
cockpit 80 is comprised of the following parts: The
computer 81 coordinates with operator controls and thus
provides command signals to control the video graphics
displayed on given monitors, programs, and e~ecutes the
game movements of pitch, roll, and yaw, as well as the
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vertical ascent and descent. Main screen monitor 82
displays the graphic pictures of the outer regions of the
program. The pictures displayed on the main screen
monitor 82 are projected to the larger visual screen 83.
Information monitor 84 displays airplane or other
transportation control instruments or the like. Control
panel 85 consists of various buttons which activate
various aspects of the computer program.
Foot control 86 controls the yaw movements, and
joystick control 87 controls the pitch and roll
rotations. The centre of gravity compensator 88
automatically positions the sphere in a balanced
position, so as to reduce the wear and tear to the video
simulator parts. Courtesy light ~9 is a constantly lit
12 volt light. Speaker 90 provides simulated sound of
airplane, other transportation device, engine noise, or
the like. Emergency light 91 is a self powered light
which is activated only if there should be a power
interruption. Panel 92 is the housin~ for the control
panel 85, the maln screen monitor 82, the visual screen
83, and the information monitor 84.
Seat 93 is a contoured seat whereby the
occupant positions himself into for the purpose of safety
and comfort. Seat restraint 94 is a safety restraint
which holds the occupant into the seat so as not to be
flopping about when the machine is in operation. The
machine will not operate unless the seat restraint is in
place. Step up transformer 95 converts the 12 volt
electricity back to 110 volts for the purpose of powering
the computer 81 and the main screen monitor 82 and the
information monitor 84. Floor 96 supports various
apparatus mounted thereto and provides footing for the
; user.
With reference to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the base
power/signal assembly 14 is located at the center of base
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1 (see FIG. 4). The electrical contact assembly 17 ancl
contact guide 16 are located on the power/s~gnal probe
15. The power/signal probe 15 is supported by spindle 18
(as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8) and lifted slightly by
bushing 19, which i5 located on power signal base 20 for
the purpose of allowing the electrical contact assembly
17 to make contact on the power/signal base 20. The
spindle 18 is anchored to support plate 22 and protrudes
through power/signal base 20. The adjustable support
plate 22 is positioned on base unit 23. Power buss 21a
receives power and transfers power through power/signal
base 20, then through electrical contact assembly 17 and
into power/signal rail 7. Signal buss 21b, sends
commands from computer 81 (see FIG. 5) to the base
carriage assembly 29 (FIG. 4) and vertical lift assembly
43 (FIGS. 4 and 10).
The base carriage assembly 29, shown in detail
in FIG. 9, is located in base 1 (see FIG. 4). Upper base
frame 30 is the frame for rotating base frame 2.
Attached to upper base frame 30 is track adjuster bracket
32 which holds base track 38. Positioned on the bottom
of base track 6 is powered wheel 33b, and on the top
wheel 33a. These are suitably made from a hard rubber-
like material such as Neoprene (T.M.). Located through
wheels 33a, 33b, is wheel axle 34. Holding wheel axle 34
in wheel 33a, is the adjustable wheel bracket 35b. The
adjustable wheel bracket 35b is attached to lower base
frame 31, and reinforcement plate 37 which are connected
to the stationary base 1. Spring 36 located on
adjustable wheel bracket 35b provides the proper tension
to hold wheel 33a to base track 38. The adjustable wheel
bracket 35a which holds the powered wheel axle 34, and
powered wheel 33b, is attached to lower base frame 31 and
reinforcement plate 37. The base carriage assembly 29
provides the video simulator with the yaw movements.
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As illustrated in FIG. 10, the vertical lift
assembly 43 raises or lowers the entlre simulator 9
relative to the external surface 100. The vertical lift
assembly operates on the rack 45 and pinion 46a, 46b
application. It consists of these parts; the leg 44
attached to the lower base frame 31 of the base carriage
assembly 29 and supported on the external surface lO0,
rack 45, pinion 46a, powered pinion 46b, pinion axle 47
and bushing guides 4~. The vertical lift assembly 43 is
attached to the lower base frame 31 so that relative
movement between the pinions 46a, 46b and the rack 45
raises and lowers the simulator 9 relative to the surface
100. This assembly provides the video simulator with the
ascent and descent movements.
The sphere carriage assemblies 54a as shown in
FIG. ll, are attached to master ring 4 via the tension
adjusters 57. The tension adjusters 57 are attached to
carriage frame 56. Wheels 33a and powered wheel 33b are
adjustable to carriage frame 56. The sphere tracks 26
(see FIG. 11) are parallel with the carriage frame 56 and
are held and driven by wheels 33a and 33b. The
electrical transfer unit 55 contacts between master ring
power/signal rail 7 and sphere power/signal rail 27. The
purpose of the sphere carriage assembly 54a is to provide
stability by holding the sphere 3 into master ring 4 via
the tension adjusters 57 and the sphere track 26
tFIGS. 11,13) as well as provide the pitch rotations.
The master ring carriage assembly 54b,
illustrated in FIG. 12, is attached to the upper base
frame 30, as shown in FIG. 4, via the adjustable position
frame 63. The adjustable position frame 63 is attached
to carriage frame 56. Wheels 33a and powered wheels 33b
are adjustable to carriage frame 56. The master ring
tracks 6 (see FIG. 13), are parallel with carriage frame
56 and are held and driven by wheels 33a and 33b. The
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master rin~ 4 is rotated by the master ring carriage
assembly 54b to provide the video simulator with the roll
movements.
FIG. 13 is illustrative of the top view of the
sphere carriage assembly 54a. Wheels 33a and powered
wheels 33b are adjustable to carriage frame 56 by the
tension adjustors 57 (see FIG. 11). Master ring track 6
is parallel with carriage frame 56 and is held and driven
by wheels 33a and 33b. Attached to the inside of
carriage frame 56 is the motor 58 which drives the drive
shafts 60 via the gear boxes 59. The sphere carriage
assembly 54a illustrated in FIG. 11 is similar in
construction to the master ring carriage assembly 54b
illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 in that the carriage Erame
56 of the sphere carriage assembly 54a is held and driven
by wheels 33a and 33b against sphere track 26 (see FIG.
11), while the carriage frame 56 of the master ring
carriage assembly 54b is held and driven by wheels 33a
and 33b against the master ring track 6 (see FIG. 13).
The differences between the sphere carriage assemhly 54a
and the master ring carriage assembly 54b are the
following: 1) sphere carriage assembly 54a has the
electrical transfer unit 55 and master ring carriage
assembly 54b does not and 2) master ring carriage
assembly 54b has an adjustable position frame 63, and
sphere carriage assembly 54a has the tension adjusters
57. Reference is made to FIGS. 11, 12.
The motors 58, are synchronized as to provide
accuracy when the video simulator is in motion.
FIG. 14 illustrates the electrical transfer
unit 55. This electrical transfer unit 55 is attached to
the master ring by power/signal rail 7. The power and
command impulses are transferred through the electrical
current wires 61 and proceed through the springs 62 and
to the electrical contact assembly 17. The electrical
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contact assemblies 17 ali~n with the sphere power/signal
rail 27, (see FIG. 4). The buss 64 provides the motors
58 with power and command impulses from the computer 81.
MODE OF OPERATION
In operation, the Video Simulator 9 is powered
via a wall plug 202. The operator opens the door 8 and
climbs into the eockpit 80. He then positions himself
into the seat 93. The oeeupant then proceeds to fasten
seat restraint 94 to provide safety when seated in the
cockpit 80 in preparation for simulated flight. The
start button located on the control panel 85 is then
pushed to activate the simulator. Once the simulator is
activated the center of gravity compensator 88 positions
itself to provide the video simulator with the balance
needed to reduce wear and tear on the carriage assemblies
54a and 54b. The computer 81 then displays the pictures
of a suitable game program through the main screen
monitor 82 which is projected to the visual screen 83 and
provides attitude information to the simulator. The
information monitor 84 displays various flight
information. The joystick control 87 and the foot
control 86 also become aetivated so as to control the
video simulator movements in flight. The joystick
control 87, when pulled backward, causes the front of the
sphere 3 to ascend and when pushed forward causes said
front of the sphere 3 to descend. These rotational
movements give the occupants the impression of pitch.
The computer 81 responds to the joystick control 87
impulses of forward and backward and sends impulse
commands to the motors 58 which are located in sphere
carriage assemblies 54a. The motors 58 then respond to
the given commands and cause the powered wheels 33b via
the drive shats 60 and gear boxes 59 to rotate the
sphere 3. The joystick control 87 when positioned to the
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left causes the sphere 3 via the master ring 4 to rotate
counterclockwise. The joystick control 87 when
positioned to the right causes the sphere 3 via the
master ring 4 to rotate clockwise. These movements give
the occupants the impression of roll. The computer 81
responds to the joystick control 87 impulses of left and
right and sends command impulses to the motors 58 which
are located in master ring carriage assemblies 54b. The
motors 58, then respond to the given commands and cause
the powered wheels 33b via the drive shafts 60 and gear
boxes 59 to rotate the master ring 4 in the roll
rotations.
The foot control 86 when pushed to the left
causes the rotating base frame 2 to rotate
counterclockwise. When the foot control 86 is pushed to
the right it causes the rotating base frame 2 to rotate
clockwise. These movements give the occupants the
feeling of yaw in an airplane. The computer 81 responds
to these impulses and sends command impulses to the
motors 58 which are located on lower base frame 31 and
then respond to the given commands and cause the powered
wheels 33b via the wheel axle 34 to rotate the rotating
base frame 2 via the base carriage assembly 29.
The vertical lift assembly 43 is occupant
controlled via the computer 81 by given buttons provided
for the occupant. The computer 81 can also control
vertical lift for simulated use in the computer program.
All the said movements which are controlled by
the occupant, via the joystick control 87, foot control
86 and control panel 85 are synchronized with the
computer pictures displayed on the main screen monitor
82. The computer 81 sound synthesizer provides airplane
or other transportation device noises, or the like,
through speakers 90. This enhances the realism of this
machine.
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When the duratlon of the simulation has lapsed,
the video simulator will return to the normal starting
position previously described in FIG. 4.
Various modifications can be made to this
present invention without departiny from the apparent
scope thereof.
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