Amusement devices: games – Including means for processing electronic data – Player-actuated control structure
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-29
2001-06-26
Harrison, Jessica J. (Department: 3713)
Amusement devices: games
Including means for processing electronic data
Player-actuated control structure
C463S037000, C273S14800B, C273S440000, C273S442000, C434S061000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06251015
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
One embodiment of the present invention relates to steering wheel, paddle and joystick-type game unit controllers and more particularly pertains to a new game unit controller with handlebars for controlling a game unit in a manner that simulates the feel of a bicycle, scooter, motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle, snowmobile, jet ski, or the like.
2. Related Art
Many input devices have been developed for controlling game units and/or computer systems. For example, steering wheel, paddle, and joystick-type game unit controllers are commonly used to simulate the feel of automobiles, aircraft, and watercraft.
In these respects, the game unit controller with handlebars according to one embodiment of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of controlling a game unit in a manner that simulates the feel of a bicycle, scooter, motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle, snowmobile, jet ski, or the like.
SUMMARY
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of steering wheel, paddle and joystick-type game unit controllers one embodiment of the present invention provides a new game unit controller with handlebars construction wherein the same can be utilized for controlling a game unit in a manner that simulates the feel of a bicycle, scooter, motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle, snowmobile, jet ski, or the like.
To attain this, one embodiment of the present invention provides a game unit controller with a base having a planar bottom face and a bulbous top face. A socket is formed in the top face of the base for reasons that will soon become apparent. Also included is a clamp that has a top end fixedly coupled to the bottom face of the base, a free bottom end, and a lever. The lever is configured for selectively urging the bottom end of the clamp towards the bottom face of the base. By this structure, the clamp serves for receiving a peripheral edge of a table. As such, the bottom face of the base rests on a top surface of the table and the bottom end of the clamp engages a bottom surface of the table. The base is thus adapted to be fixed with respect to the table during use. Next provided is a pivoting unit including a ball pivotally received in the socket of the base. Associated therewith is a post fixedly coupled to the ball and extending therefrom in a vertical direction.
In use, the game unit controller is connected to a game unit and adapted for transmitting a first down pitch control signal to the game unit upon urging the post in a forward direction, transmitting a second down pitch control signal to the game unit upon urging the post in a rearward direction, transmitting a leftward control signal to the game unit upon urging the post in a leftward direction, and transmitting a rightward control signal to the game unit upon urging the post in a rightward direction.
For simulating the feel of a bicycle, scooter, motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle, snowmobile, jet ski, or the like, a handlebar assembly is provided. The handlebar assembly includes a central portion fixedly coupled at a midpoint thereof to a top end of the post of the pivoting unit in perpendicular relationship therewith. Integrally coupled to ends of the central portion is a pair of side portions that reside in a single common plane which is situated above and in parallel with the central portion of the handlebar assembly. Mounted on the handlebar assembly is a pair of hand grips. The hand grips include a fixed hand grip and a throttle hand grip with the throttle hand grip being rotatably coupled to the corresponding side portion of the handlebar assembly. Each hand grip includes a cylindrical outboard extent coupled to an end of one of the side portions of the handlebar assembly. For maintaining hands of a user on the hand grips, an annular inboard extent is coupled to an inboard end of the outboard extent of each hand grip.
In operation, the game unit controller is adapted for transmitting an acceleration control signal to the game unit upon rotation of the throttle hand grip. Further provided is a throttle thumb lever having an inboard end pivotally coupled about a vertical axis to one of the side portions of the handlebar assembly. The throttle thumb lever is ideally situated adjacent to the throttle hand grip such that the throttle thumb lever resides below the same. Upon depression of the throttle thumb lever, the game unit controller serves for transmitting the acceleration control signal to the game unit. A brake hand lever has an inboard end pivotally coupled to one of the side portions of the handlebar assembly adjacent to the throttle hand grip. The brake hand lever ideally resides below the throttle hand grip. In operation, the game unit controller is adapted for transmitting a brake control signal to the game unit upon depression of the brake hand lever.
Similar to the brake hand lever, an upshift hand lever has an inboard end pivotally coupled to one of the side portions of the handlebar assembly. The upshift hand lever, however, is positioned adjacent to the fixed hand grip such that the upshift hand lever resides below the fixed hand grip. The game unit controller is adapted for transmitting an upshift control signal to the game unit upon depression of the upshift hand lever.
Finally, a downshift thumb lever has an inboard end pivotally coupled about a vertical axis to one of the side portions of the handlebar assembly. The downshift thumb lever is ideally situated adjacent to the fixed hand grip such that the downshift thumb lever resides below the same. Upon depression of the downshift thumb lever, the game unit controller serves for transmitting a downshift control signal to the game unit.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4978300 (1990-12-01), Letovsky et al.
patent: 5125843 (1992-06-01), Holloway
patent: 5240417 (1993-08-01), Smithson et al.
patent: 5364271 (1994-11-01), Aknin et al.
patent: 5547382 (1996-08-01), Yamasaki et al.
Clayton Sheila
Harrison Jessica J.
Micron Electronics Inc.
Park Vaughan & Fleming LLP
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