The present invention relates to a computer simulation control system, comprising:
Such a computer simulation control system is known from the racing car industry. After assembly, said at least one control module and the seat are coupled to each other by said coupling mechanism. The control module comprises, for example, a steering wheel which is positioned in front of the seat—in a suitable driving position—for a race simulation. The computer may be, for instance, an external home computer, personal computer, game computer and the like. Control modules for controlling computer simulator programs are known and marketed by, for instance, Logitech™.
During use, a user takes place in the seat for handling said at least one control module. Furthermore, during use, the control module is usually connected to a computer which runs said simulator program, for controlling that program. The assembled control system provides a high reality simulation environment and particularly a relatively real feel of the simulation environment during the control of the simulator program.
A disadvantage of the known computer simulation control system is, that it requires relatively much space. Therefore, the transportation and/or storage of the known system is relatively complex and expensive. Particularly, only a relatively small number of control systems can be packed in one loading volume, for instance in one shipping container or in one trailer compartment, leading to high transportation costs per control system. Besides, the handling of a relatively large control system during transport thereof is relatively difficult, and may lead to collisions which might damage sensitive parts of the system. Furthermore, it may be desired to move the control system from one place to another by an end-user, so that the system can be used in different locations. This is also relatively difficult to accomplish in view of said handling problems of the system.
The present invention aims to improve the computer simulation control system. Particularly, the invention aims to provide a computer simulation control system, wherein the system can be transported, stored and/or handled relatively safe and easy.
To this aim, the computer simulation system of the present invention is characterized by the features of claim 1.
According to the present invention, the back support of the seat is movable between a first position, in which first position the back support extends at an operating angle upwardly from said seat part for supporting at least part of the back of a user, and a second position, in which second position the back support does not extend at said operating angle upwardly from the seat part, for example for transportation and/or storage of the control system.
During normal use of the control system, said back support is in the first position, for creating a relatively real simulator control environment. When the control system is not in use, the back support can simply be moved to the second position, for instance a substantially horizontal position, particularly for reducing the overall dimensions of the control system, and more particularly for reducing the height of the system. When the back support is in said second position, the control system can be transported, stored and/or handled relatively easy, for example in a relatively small area. This further leads to a substantial reduction of transporting and/or storing costs. Until the present invention, no one has come up with this simple inventive idea that the seat of the computer simulation control system can simply be arranged as described above, leading to said advantages.
In one embodiment of the invention, the back support and the seat part of the seat are detachably connected, for instance with a hinge system, to each other when the back support is in the first position, for moving the back support to the second position. The back support can simply be removed from the seat part, to further reducing the overall dimensions of the system.
According to an other aspect of the invention, the back support and the seat part of the seat are pivotally connected to each other, such that the back support is pivotal, about a pivot axis, between said first and second position. Therefore, the back support can be folded up towards the seat part of the seat. This results in the overall system dimensions being reduced substantially.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the seat of the control system has a maximum first height when the back support of the seat is in the first position, wherein the control system has a second maximum height when the back support is in the second position, wherein said second maximum height is less than half said first maximum height.
Thus, a large reduction of the dimensions of the system is achieved, when the back support of the seat is in the second position. Particularly, the height of the system can be reduced by half or even more, preferably also leading to a reduction of transport volume by a factor 2 or more. Therefore, transportation and/or handling costs of each computer simulation control system may also be reduced by about the same amount, of a factor 2 or more.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the back support and the seat part are arranged to at least partially enclose a storage space when the back support is in the second position.
Such a storage space can be used for safely storing various objects and the like, wherein the back support and seat part of the seat can serve to protect such objects from being damaged. In that case, it is advantageous when the storage space is arranged for receiving said control module or at least part thereof, particularly during transportation and/or storage of the control system. Thus, the overall computer simulation control system can be stored and/or transported in a very compact manner, wherein—furthermore—said at least part of said control module is being protected well within said storage space. Such protection is further improved when the seat part and back support are provided with one or more relatively soft upholstering materials. .
The present invention also provides a seat which is characterized by the features of claim 19. Such a seat provides one or more of the above-mentioned advantages to the control system.
The present invention also provides a use of a control system according to any of the claims 1-18, wherein said back support is moved from said first position to said second position and/or vice-versa. For instance, said back support is moved to said second position when the control system is to be stored and/or transported safely and with ease. The back support is simply moved to the first position when the control system is to be used for controlling a computer simulator program. Then, the assembled system can provide a relatively real feeling of, for example, the driving seat of a simulated racing car, for the case that the system is used in combination with a racing simulator program.
The present invention further provides a method for handling a computer simulation control system according to any of claims 1-18, wherein said back support is being moved to said second position for transportation and/or storage of the control system. This also provides at least some of the above-mentioned advantages. Preferable, at least part of said control module, for example at least a steering wheel and/or at least one foot pedal, is being arranged between said seat part and said back support. Thus, a relatively compact system can be obtained, wherein said at least part of the control module can be protected by the seat part and the back support. For operation, wherein said back support is being moved from said second position to said first position for supporting at least part of the back of a user.
The present invention also provides a container, for example a box, which is characterized by the features of claim 25.
The container advantageously comprises a computer simulation control system according to any of claims 1-18, wherein the back support of the seat is positioned in said second position, wherein the back support preferably extends substantially opposite the seat part of the seat. Therefore, the container can be relatively compact, requiring little storage and/or transportation space. Also, such container can be handled relatively easy, preferably by a single person, and for example stored in a relatively compact trunk of a private car. Besides, it is advantageous when at least part of said control module is located in a storage space, which storage space is at least partially enclosed by said seat part and said back support of the seat. Therefore, the seat of the control system serves as an inner container for storing said control module or control module part.
Further embodiments of the present invention are described in the accompanying claims.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts.
In the present embodiment, said control module for controlling a computer simulator program comprises a steering column with a steering wheel 1 and two foot pedals 2. Said mechanism for coupling the seat and the control module 1, 2 comprises an elongated element 5, for example a rigid bar, extending from a lower part 15 of the seat towards the at least one control module 1, 2. Said lower seat part 15 comprises seat support members 15 which extend below said seat part 3. Said seat part 3 also comprises substantially upwardly extending side parts 16, particularly for forming a bucket seat. Besides, the back support 4 comprises shoulder supports 25.
During use, said control module 1, 2 is connected to computing means or the like for controlling one or more computer programs being run thereon. In particular, the present embodiment of the control system is arranged for controlling a computer racing simulation. Also, during use, one or more displays are provided for displaying a virtual simulator environment. Said computing means and display are not shown in the present figures.
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In the present embodiment, the seat frame 6 and back support frame 8 comprise frame connectors 7 for movably connecting these frames 6, 8 to each other. In particular, the back support 4 of the seat is at least movable between said first position and a second position. This second position of the back support 4 is shown in
In the present embodiment, the back support 4 and the seat part 3 of the seat are pivotally connected to each other, such that the back support 4 is pivotal about a pivot axis 10 between said first and second position. To this aim, the frame connectors comprise suitable hinges 7 which connect the back support frame 8 to the rear frame part 6b of the seat part.
Alternatively, the back support 4 and the seat part 3 of the seat may be, for example, detachably connected to each other when the back support 4 is in the first position, for moving the back support 4 to a suitable second position. Such a detachable connection can be provided in various ways. For instance, opposite ends of the frames 6, 8 of the back support 4 and the seat part 3 of the seat may be arranged to be clamped, slid and/or clicked detachably onto each other. For example, the rear frame of the seat part may comprise upwardly extending tubes or bushes which receive downwardly extending pins of the back support frame 4 for providing such detachable connection.
Besides, the present embodiment comprises locking mechanisms 11, 12 for locking the back support 4 of the seat to the seat part 3 when the back support 4 is in said first position. As is visible in
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Preferably, the cover part 13a extending over the rear side of the seat is at least partially detachably connected to said seat part 3. For example, the cover 13 may comprise one or more sections, extending at the rear side of the seat, which are detachably connected to the seat part. Such detachable connection can be provided by various means, for example Velcro™ material, push buttons, elastic material, wire material, strings and/or other suitable means. When the back support is to be moved to the second position, said cover part 13a is simply detached at least partially from the seat part of the seat, to avoid the cover obstructing said movement.
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Also, preferably, —when seen in the side view of the seat as in
Besides, preferably, the seat serves as a inner container for containing and protecting sensitive parts of the control system, for instance said control module 1, 2. Also, a computer for running simulator software may be stored in said storage space S, provided that the computer has suitable dimensions with respect to the volume of that space S. As has been indicated in
While specific embodiments of the invention have been described above, it will be appreciated that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as described. The description is not intended to limit the invention.
For instance, the computer simulation control system can be suitable for use in combination with a driving simulator program, a racing simulator program, a flying simulator program or the like. The system may comprise one or more control modules, wherein each module may be provided with one or more controls, for instance a wheel, pedal, force-feed-back controls and/or the like.
Said mechanism for coupling the seat and the at least one control module to each other may be arranged in various ways. For instance, such mechanism may be attached to or be detachably connected to the seat. Also, such mechanism may be attached to or be detachably connected to said control module. For instance, the mechanism may be adjustable to adjust the position of the seat and said control module with respect to each other, particularly for providing a comfortable control environment to a user.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/NL04/00288 | 4/29/2004 | WO | 2/2/2006 |