Amusement devices: games – Including means for processing electronic data – Player-actuated control structure
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-02
2001-10-02
Harrison, Jessica J. (Department: 3713)
Amusement devices: games
Including means for processing electronic data
Player-actuated control structure
C463S036000, C463S037000, C463S046000, C463S047000, C273S14800B, C273S14800B, C345S156000, C345S184000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06296571
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to mechanical linkages, and more specifically to mechanical linkages for use in computer peripherals such as a steering wheel controller and the like.
On non-powered, non-force feedback personal computer (PC) gaming steering wheel devices, springs are sometimes used to provide rotational resistance to the turning of the steering wheel. In part, the resistance is used to simulate the turning resistance of a steering wheel used in actual cars and racing machines. Additionally, however, the springs are also used to create a self-centering steering wheel which will return the wheel to a neutral, center position when the steering wheel is ungripped. This self-centering quality facilitates game play and further simulates real life driving conditions where the steering wheel tends to be somewhat self-centering when ungripped by the driver.
Most of these non-powered PC gaming steering wheels as shown in
FIG. 1
, typically have a steering wheel W mounted onto a shaft S that is contained within the controller housing H. The self-centering mechanisms which control the rotational position of the shaft S and the wheel W, are preferably contained within the housing H.
In conventional steering wheel devices, the typical spring loaded device is restricted to approximately 180° of total wheel rotation (i.e. 90° rotation in clockwise and counterclockwise direction) if a long spring life and self-centering of the wheel is desired. This is because the extension springs used to self-center the steering wheel shaft must first be stretched straight and then bent around the main shaft of the steering wheel to complete rotation greater than 90° in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction for a total of 180° of rotation. For example,
FIG. 2
shows a conventional steering wheel shaft S with an elastomeric spring E.
FIG. 2
shows the shaft rotated 90° from its neutral or resting position. As seen in
FIG. 2
, the elastomeric spring E remains in a substantially straight configuration. As the steering wheel shaft S is rotated further, to 120° from its neutral position, the elastomeric spring E is bent at location B as shown in FIG.
3
. It is this type of bending that shortens the life span of the spring. Although a variety of different types of springs such as coil springs, elastomeric cords, or similar bias members have been used, the lateral stress posed on the spring due to the bending around the steering wheel shaft eventually leads to early spring failure in these conventional assemblies.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an improved self-centering steering wheel assembly which allows for a greater degree of wheel rotation, such as a total of 240° rotation, while maintaining a long lifespan for the springs in the assembly. Such a self-centering steering wheel assembly would improve lifespan of the spring by preventing the bending of the spring about the steering wheel shaft while increasing the range of rotational motion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a self-centering steering wheel assembly having a unique flange and bias member combination as described below. The flange is mounted radially about a steering wheel shaft. The bias member, which is typically a coil spring, is pivotally coupled to the flange and has a substantially straight elongate portion offset from a center axis of the bias member by an offset distance. By offsetting the substantially straight portion of the bias member from its center axis (i.e., a straight portion from a side of a coil spring, instead of the center), the offset distance advantageously allows the steering wheel shaft to rotate at least about 120° in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction without causing the straight portion to bend. The offset distance allows the spring to move to the “other side” of the steering wheel shaft centerline without causing the substantially straight portion of the bias member to bend. This allows for the long spring life and self-centering quality of the steering wheel assembly.
In one embodiment, the present invention provides a steering wheel shaft having a flange extending radially from the shaft. A first coil spring and a second coil spring are attached to the flange to return the flange and the steering wheel shaft to a neutral position. The coil springs typically are mounted between a base of the steering wheel assembly and the flange portion of the shaft. The flange is sized to facilitate rotation of the steering wheel shaft without causing the coil springs to bend about the shaft. The coil spring preferably has an elongate portion that is offset from the centerline of the coil spring. As mentioned previously, this offset distance allows the shaft to rotate to at least about 120° from its neutral position without causing the elongate portion of the spring to bend. Preferably, the elongate portion of the coil spring has a length sufficient to allow the shaft to rotate to about 120° in either clockwise or counterclockwise direction without the coil portion of the spring contacting the flange and interfering with the rotation of the steering wheel shaft. Additionally, when the steering wheel shaft is in a neutral position, the coil springs are mounted at a pre-load angle which provides sufficient force to overcome losses in bearings of the steering wheel shaft while the angle is also small enough to prevent the straight portion of the coil spring from interfering with the shaft when the shaft is rotated to 120° from its neutral position.
A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and drawings.
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Harrison Jessica J.
Logitech Europe S.A.
Nguyen Binh-An D.
Townsend and Townsend / and Crew LLP
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