Ulllted States Patent [19]
`Tosaki et al.
`
`US005989123A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,989,123
`Nov. 23, 1999
`
`[54] STEERING WHEEL CONTROL APPARATUS
`FOR A TELEVISION GAME MACHINE
`
`4/1985 Yeh ......................................... .. 463/38
`4,509,383
`4,887,966 12/1989 Gellerman ............................... .. 463/38
`
`[75] Inventors: Kenji Tosaki; Masanori Kudou, both
`of Tokyo, Japan
`
`[73] Assignee: Sega Enterprises, Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
`[21] Appl. No.:
`08/581,519
`[22] PCT Filed:
`May 18, 1995
`
`[86] PCT No.:
`
`PCT/JP95/00950
`
`§ 371 Date:
`
`Jan. 11, 1996
`
`§ 102(e) Date: Jan. 11, 1996
`
`[87] PCT Pub. No.: WO95/32038
`
`PCT Pub. Date: Nov. 30, 1995
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`[30]
`May 20, 1994
`[JP]
`May 20, 1994
`[JP]
`May 20, 1994
`[JP]
`Jan. 5, 1995
`[JP]
`
`Japan .................................. .. 6-129898
`Japan
`..
`.. 6-129900
`Japan
`Japan
`.... .. 7-015515
`
`A03F 9/22
`Int. Cl.6 ..
`[51]
`463/37; 463/47
`[52] US. Cl. ................ ..
`[58] Field of Search ................................ .. 463/36, 37, 47;
`434/62, 29, 30, 71
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2098392 4/1990 Japan .
`8400524 2/1984 WIPO .
`8911704 11/1989 WIPO.
`
`Primary Examiner—Valencia Martin-Wallace
`Assistant Examiner—James Schaaf
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Price Gess & Ubell
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`
`The present invention relates to a steering Wheel control
`apparatus for a television game machine, that is used for a
`car race game, etc., that is structured compactly and simply,
`and that can be operated While the apparatus is ?xed at an
`optimal position. The feature of the steering Wheel control
`apparatus is that a plurality of button sWitches transmitting
`game control signal are provided on a surface of upper posts
`betWeen a center portion of a steering Wheel and hand grips
`on each side thereof, Within a range to Which a thumbs of
`player’s hand holding the grip Without departing from the
`grips. Further, at the reverse of the center portion of the
`steering Wheel, shift levers having operation points near the
`respective grips are provided. The side face of a base casing
`rotatably supporting the steering Wheel is extended perpen
`dicularly and to the front and to the rear so that the player
`can securely hold the base case betWeen the thighs. In
`addition, the steering Wheel control apparatus includes a
`structure for adjusting the angle and the height of the
`steering Wheel.
`
`4,494,754
`
`1/1985 Wagner, Jr. ....................... .. 273/148 B
`
`35 Claims, 24 Drawing Sheets
`
`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, Ex. 1002
`
`p. 000001
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 1999
`
`Sheet 1 0f 24
`
`5,989,123
`
`1
`
`FIG.
`
`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, Ex. 1002
`
`p. 000002
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 1999
`
`Sheet 2 0f 24
`
`5,989,123
`
`FIG.
`
`2
`
`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, Ex. 1002
`
`p. 000003
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 1999
`
`Sheet 3 0f 24
`
`5,989,123
`
`FIG. 8
`
`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, Ex. 1002
`
`p. 000004
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 1999
`
`Sheet 4 0f 24
`
`5,989,123
`
`FIG.
`
`4
`
`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, Ex. 1002
`
`p. 000005
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 1999
`
`Sheet 5 0f 24
`
`5,989,123
`
`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, Ex. 1002
`
`p. 000006
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 1999
`
`Sheet 6 0f 24
`
`5,989,123
`
`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, Ex. 1002
`
`p. 000007
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`7
`
`FIG.
`
`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, Ex. 1002
`
`p. 000008
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 1999
`
`Sheet 8 0f 24
`
`5,989,123
`
`FIG. 8
`
`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, Ex. 1002
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`p. 000009
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 1999
`
`Sheet 9 0f 24
`
`5,989,123
`
`9
`
`FIG.
`
`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, Ex. 1002
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`p. 000010
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 1999
`
`Sheet 10 0f 24
`
`5,989,123
`
`FIG. 10
`
`1-7
`
`1/ 22/
`
`,ul.
`V
`21
`
`F
`25b
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`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, Ex. 1002
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`p. 000011
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 1999
`
`Sheet 11 0f 24
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`5,989,123
`
`F1G.11
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`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, Ex. 1002
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`p. 000012
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 1999
`
`Sheet 12 0f 24
`
`5,989,123
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`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, Ex. 1002
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`p. 000013
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 1999
`
`Sheet 13 0f 24
`
`5,989,123
`
`FIG.18
`
`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, Ex. 1002
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`p. 000014
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 1999
`
`Sheet 14 0f 24
`
`5,989,123
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`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, Ex. 1002
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`p. 000015
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 1999
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`Sheet 15 0f 24
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`5,989,123
`
`FIG.15
`
`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, Ex. 1002
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`p. 000016
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 1999
`
`Sheet 16 0f 24
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`5,989,123
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`PIG.16
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`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, Ex. 1002
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`p. 000017
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 1999
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`Sheet 17 0f 24
`
`5,989,123
`
`FIG.17
`
`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, Ex. 1002
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`p. 000018
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 1999
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`Sheet 18 0f 24
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`5,989,123
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`F1G.18
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`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, Ex. 1002
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`p. 000019
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 1999
`
`Sheet 19 0f 24
`
`5,989,123
`
`FIG.19
`
`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, Ex. 1002
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`p. 000020
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 1999
`
`Sheet 20 of 24
`
`5,989,123
`
`FIG. 20
`
`
`
`256
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`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, EX. 1002
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`p. 000021
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`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, Ex. 1002
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`p. 000021
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 1999
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`Sheet 21 of 24
`
`5,989,123
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`FIG. 21
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`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, EX. 1002
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`p. 000022
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`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, Ex. 1002
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`p. 000022
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 23, 1999
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`Sheet 22 of 24
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`5,989,123
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`F1022
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` [V
`
`5
`42--
`
`//mob
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`/«ma
`
`..I"\
`
`W
`L
`
`10 ~\\
`
`We
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`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, EX. 1002
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`p. 000023
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`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, Ex. 1002
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`p. 000023
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 23, 1999
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`Sheet 23 of 24
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`5,989,123
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`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, EX. 1002
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`p. 000024
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`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, Ex. 1002
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`p. 000024
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`M
`
`5,989,123
`
`_S.w:E,WEE2EKTs:EE2:w:
`
`:2EEwe
`2.9:w:i_2;:/2:
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`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, EX. 1002
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`p. 000025
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`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, Ex. 1002
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`p. 000025
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`

`
`5,989,123
`
`1
`STEERING WHEEL CONTROL APPARATUS
`FOR A TELEVISION GAME MACHINE
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to a steering wheel control
`apparatus that
`is connected to a home television game
`machine by a cable or by radio and that is manipulated by
`a player.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Conventional television game machines that simulate the
`operations of vehicles, such as automobiles, airplanes and
`ships, are used as is shown in FIG. 1, for example.
`More specifically, a television game machine 1 transmits
`video image signals and speech signals to a television set 2,
`via a cable, for a game program that is contained in a game
`cartridge, which is installed in the television game machine
`1, and thus provides a game on the television set 2. A
`steering wheel control apparatus 3 for a car race game is
`connected to the television game machine 1 and outputs a
`drive signal to the television game machine 1 to control the
`game.
`
`its body 4
`In the steering wheel control apparatus 3,
`corresponds to the instrument panel of an automobile, and a
`steering wheel 6 is attached to the distal end of a steering
`shaft 5, which is so provided that it projects diagonally
`upward from the body 4.
`During the game, the player needs only manipulate the
`steering wheel control apparatus 3, while the steering wheel
`control apparatus 3 is placed either on a table 7, as is shown
`in FIG. 1, or directly on a floor. In addition, when the player
`sits on a sofa, etc., to play a game, he can place the steering
`wheel control apparatus 3 on his lap. Under such conditions,
`the player commonly manipulates a button switch or a shift
`lever (not shown), which are provided on the body 4, while
`operating the steering wheel 6.
`Such a conventional steering wheel control apparatus,
`however, does not provide excellent usability, and has the
`following shortcomings.
`The first problem is concerned with the positions of the
`various switches that are located on a steering wheel control
`apparatus. More specifically,
`for the television game
`machine that simulates the operations of vehicles, such as
`cars, airplanes and ships, by manipulating a steering wheel
`while watching a monitor screen, in addition to a steering
`wheel, which is employed to indicate the direction of travel,
`a steering wheel control apparatus normally includes various
`switches that are mounted on the body. There are steering
`apparatuses that resemble a control stick for an airplane,
`where one push button switch is provided on the top of the
`control stick or where a button switch is provided on the
`reverse side of the control stick.
`
`The above television game, however, requires not only the
`operation of a steering device to indicate the direction of
`movement, but also the manipulation of switches for
`accelerating,
`for braking and for shifting gears, or
`for
`offensive and defensive maneuvering and for changing a
`field view. As these switches are arranged on the body 4 of
`the steering wheel control apparatus 3, as is shown in the
`above prior art, a player must remove one hand from the
`steering wheel 6 to manipulate the switches during the game,
`so that prompt reaction is difficult and usability is degraded.
`It is possible for a player to hold a steering wheel with one
`hand and to place the other hand on the switches in advance;
`however, the driving posture will be uncomfortable and the
`operation will be carelessly performed.
`
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`While, as is described above there are control stick
`steering devices that have a single button switch, there are
`no such control apparatuses that have a plurality of switches
`that can be selected and manipulated while a control stick is
`being held. The above described control stick steering
`devices, therefore, are not appropriate for games that require
`multiple operation switches.
`However, if a control apparatus has only one operation
`switch that is located out of sight, it will not cause any
`problems during operation. Whereas if there are a plurality
`of switches that are positioned out of sight, since they are
`outside the field of vision, when they are used operating
`errors can occur.
`
`The second problem is related to a gearshift lever that is
`frequently used during a car race game. Primarily,
`the
`operation switch that corresponds to a gearshift lever is
`attached to the body 4.
`Since a player needs to remove one hand from the steering
`wheel 6 to manipulate a gearshift lever during the game,
`there is loss of time at the shift operation. Thus, in a car race
`game in which quick responses are required, a player can not
`cope with the speed at which the game progresses.
`For large game machines that are installed in a game
`center, etc., gearshift levers are so provided for a steering
`wheel as to resemble the arrangement for a real racecar. This
`gearshift
`lever is called a seesaw gearshift
`lever, or a
`so-called a butterfly gearshift lever, which is so designed that
`a shift-up operation and a shift-down operation can not be
`performed at the same time.
`The butterfly gearshift lever is so designed that it is large
`and the periphery of the steering wheel
`is accordingly
`complicated and does not have an attractive appearance.
`The butterfly gearshift lever is not appropriate for instal-
`lation on a steering wheel control apparatus for home use
`that must be compactly made.
`The third problem arises when, as is shown in FIG. 1, a
`game is played while the steering wheel control apparatus 3
`is positioned on the table 7, and the manipulation of the
`steering wheel 6 must be performed as quickly as possible
`for a car racing game, etc. When a player is engaged in such
`a game, extra force is imposed on the steering wheel 6, with
`the result that the steering wheel control apparatus 3 is
`moved.
`
`When the steering wheel control apparatus 3 is moved, it
`is impossible to control the direction of travel by using the
`steering wheel 6, and it is necessary to halt the game during
`play.
`As a player must therefore constantly take care not to
`move the steering wheel control apparatus 3 while handling
`the steering wheel 6, the player can not concentrate on the
`game.
`
`The same conditions are encountered when the steering
`wheel control apparatus 3 is placed on a floor and used.
`Further, when the steering wheel control apparatus 3 is held
`on the lap and used, the steering wheel control apparatus 3
`is not stably supported and a player has to take so much care
`not to move the control apparatus 3 that the player can not
`concentrate on the game that is being played.
`Since the player must pay attention to matters other than
`those concerned with the playing of a game, the player is
`prevented from concentrating fully on playing the game, and
`can not, therefore, thoroughly enjoy it.
`The fourth problem is related to the position of the
`steering wheel 6. The steering wheel 6 is fixed in a standard
`position on the steering wheel control apparatus 3 for a
`
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`p. 000026
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`5,989,123
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`3
`television game machine. When the position of the steering
`wheel 6 is so fixed, the operation of the steering wheel 6 may
`be difficult for a player whose size does not correspond to
`the average, or for a player who has a unique operating
`posture. To provide realism in the procedures for the game,
`some conventional control apparatuses 3 vibrate the steering
`wheel 6 by causing the steering wheel 6 to slide up and down
`and to be extended upward and retracted. Such a perfor-
`mance is only for causing the vibration, and under normal
`conditions, when vibration is not required,
`the steering
`wheel 6 returns to the standard position, which is not always
`the position that is appropriate for a player.
`
`DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
`
`invention to
`is therefore one object of the present
`It
`provide a steering wheel control apparatus, for a home
`television game machine, that is compactly made and has a
`simple structure, and that overcomes the various operational
`shortcomings that are detailed above.
`It is another object of the present invention to provide a
`steering wheel control apparatus, for a television game
`machine, wherewith a player can selectively manipulate a
`plurality of switches while holding a steering wheel.
`To achieve the above objects, according to the present
`invention, a steering wheel control apparatus, which is
`employed as control means for a television game machine,
`comprises: a steering wheel having a predetermined grip;
`and a plurality of button switches that are so arranged and
`positioned, at a front location on the steering wheel, as to be
`accessible when the thumb of a hand with which the grip is
`held is shifted while the hand is holding the steering wheel.
`As a result, a player can selectively manipulate a plurality
`of button switches while holding the steering wheel. The
`steering wheel control apparatus, therefore, possesses excel-
`lent usability, and is appropriate for television games that
`require quick control responses. Thus it
`is possible for
`games to provide progressively greater gratification for
`players as skill is acquired in their use, and the players can
`enjoy the games more.
`A plurality of button switches are located at the front of
`the steering wheel and within sight of the player, so that a
`player can observe the manipulation of switches and can
`prevent errors during their operation.
`For a rotary steering wheel that has a pair of grip portions,
`the arrangement of a plurality of button switches on the grip
`portions can facilitate a more complex and a higher level
`switch manipulation.
`According to the present invention, a switch, such as a
`game start switch, that is not used during a game is located
`in the center, or in the vicinity of the center, at the front of
`the steering wheel. With this arrangement, since to manipu-
`late that switch one hand must be removed from the steering
`wheel, manipulation errors can be prevented.
`invention to
`It
`is an additional object of the present
`provide a steering wheel control apparatus, for a home
`television game machine, that has a gearshift mechanism
`that is compactly and simply constructed around a steering
`wheel and that is appropriate for employment with such a
`steering wheel control apparatus when it is used with a home
`television game machine.
`To achieve this object, according to the present invention,
`a steering wheel control apparatus, which is used for a
`television game machine, comprises: a pair of grip portions
`that are positioned at predetermined right and left locations
`on a steering wheel; and a pair of shift levers that are
`
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`provided on a reverse surface of the steering wheel, with the
`pair of shift levers having manipulable segments, which are
`near the pair of grip portions, whereat, when fingers of both
`hands holding the pair of grip portions are in contact with the
`manipulable segments, a signal to shift up a gear is gener-
`ated by actuation of one of the gearshift levers and a signal
`to shift down a gear is generated by actuation of the other
`gearshift lever.
`Since a steering wheel control apparatus according to the
`present invention is so designed that the individual shift
`levers on the reverse surface of a steering handle are
`operated independently, the shift lever mechanism can be
`compactly and simply constructed around the steering
`wheel, and is appropriate for employment with the steering
`wheel control apparatus for home use. Even with a television
`game that is played at home, a player can enjoy a sense of
`control that is similar to that which is experienced when
`actually driving a racecar.
`Asignal processing means for processing signals from the
`shift levers is provided so that, even when both the shift
`levers are being operated, it is assumed that the control that
`is imposed by one of the gearshift levers is valid and that the
`result of the operation of the other is invalid. Errors that
`occur during the operation of the gearshift levers can be
`automatically eliminated. Further, the control apparatus can
`be thus fixed in place, and the operation of the apparatus that
`has button switches and the shift levers on the obverse and
`
`reverse sides of the steering wheel can be performed per-
`fectly.
`It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
`steering wheel control apparatus, for a television game
`machine, that a player can easily and securely fix in place so
`that the player does not have to take special care not to move
`the control apparatus while engaged in playing a game.
`To achieve this object, according to the present invention,
`with a steering wheel control apparatus, which is used for a
`television game machine, a base casing that rotatably sup-
`ports a steering shaft for a steering wheel has sides that are
`extended perpendicularly and substantially forward and
`backward so that
`the sides can be easily held between
`player’s thighs.
`Since a player can securely hold the base casing between
`the thighs, and the player does not, therefore, have to be
`careful about shifting the steering wheel control apparatus
`unnecessarily while manipulating the steering wheel, when
`engaged in a game, the player can concentrate on and fully
`enjoy playing the game.
`A plate is extended to the right and to the left along the
`bottom face of the base casing. The player can hold the base
`casing between the thighs, and at the same time, can press
`down on the plate, which extends outward to either side,
`with the thighs from above, so that the base casing can be
`held more securely.
`It is still another object of the present invention to provide
`a steering wheel position adjustment structure, of a steering
`wheel control apparatus for a television game machine, that
`permits a steering wheel to be moved to an optimal operating
`position for a player.
`To achieve this object, according to the present invention,
`a steering wheel position adjusting structure, of a steering
`wheel control apparatus that is used for a television game
`machine, comprises: a steering column for rotatably sup-
`porting a steering wheel; a base casing that pivots and
`permits the steering column to be freely inclined; temporary
`holding means for permitting the steering column to be
`inclined and for temporarily holding the steering column at
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`5,989,123
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`5
`a desired position; and locking means for inhibiting an
`inclination of the steering column.
`When the locking means has been released, the steering
`column is temporarily held by the temporary holding means
`so that it can be inclined. The steering column is freely
`inclined by moving a steering wheel and can be maintained
`at a proper inclination. Then,
`the steering wheel can be
`secured in an optimal
`inclined position by setting and
`locking the locking means.
`In the temporary holding means, the external bottom wall
`face of the steering column is virtually formed in a curved
`shape, and a plurality of grooves that extend toward the sides
`are formed along the circumference of the curved face. An
`engagement member is formed that extends outward from
`the base casing and that has an engagement protrusion at its
`distal end, which is displaced downward by elastic defor-
`mation. When the engagement protrusion engages one of the
`grooves in the steering column, the inclined steering column
`is temporarily held at that position. In the locking means, the
`active portion of an inclination locking member, which is
`provided for the base casing, can be freely engaged down-
`ward with, and disengaged from the engagement protrusion.
`When the active portion of the inclination locking member
`engages the engagement protrusion,
`the locking means
`inhibits the downward displacement of the engagement
`protrusion and thus provides the locked state. When the
`active portion of the inclination locking member is separated
`from the engagement protrusion, the locking means permits
`the downward displacement of the engagement protrusion
`and thus provides the lock released state.
`With this arrangement,
`if the locking is released by
`operating the inclination locking member,
`the downward
`displacement of the engagement protrusion is permitted. In
`this condition, when the steering column is inclined, at its
`distal end the engagement protrusion is disengaged from the
`groove in the steering column by the elastic deformation of
`the engagement member, and engages another groove, after
`sliding over the cylindrical portion between the grooves, to
`hold the steering column temporarily.
`In the lock released state,
`the steering column can be
`freely inclined by moving the steering wheel and can be
`temporarily held at a desired position. Further, when the
`inclination locking member is operated and it is set in the
`locked state, the downward displacement of the engagement
`protrusion is inhibited. The engagement protrusion is there-
`fore securely fitted in the groove in the steering column and
`the inclination of the steering wheel is fixed.
`In addition, to achieve the above object, according to the
`present
`invention, a steering wheel position adjusting
`structure, of a steering wheel control apparatus that
`is
`employed for a television game machine, comprises: tem-
`porary holding means for extending or depressing a steering
`shaft, which is integrally formed with a steering wheel and
`for
`temporarily holding the steering shaft at a desired
`position; and locking means for inhibiting the steering shaft
`from being extended or depressed.
`When the locking means is set in the lock released state,
`the steering shaft
`is temporarily held by the temporary
`holding means so that it can be freely extended or depressed.
`The steering shaft can therefore be freely extended or
`depressed with the steering handle and can be temporarily
`maintained at a desired height. When the steering shaft is
`locked by the locking means, the steering wheel can be fixed
`at an optimal vertical position.
`For the temporary holding means, a plurality of grooves
`that extend in a direction that is perpendicular relative to the
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`axial direction of the steering shaft are formed in the surface
`of and around the steering shaft. An engagement piece is
`provided on the end of a cylindrical engagement member
`that engages the steering shaft, which can be freely extended
`and depressed in the axial direction, and that rotates with the
`steering shaft. The engagement piece can be displaced by the
`elastic deformation in the direction of the greatest diameter
`of an inward protruding engagement pawl that is provided at
`the distal end of the engagement piece. When the engage-
`ment pawl engages one of the grooves in the steering shaft,
`the extension/depression position of the steering shaft is
`temporarily determined. In the locking means, a circular
`extension/depression locking member, which rotatably
`engages the end of the cylindrical engagement member, is so
`operated that the active portion of the extension/depression
`locking member can be externally connected to, or discon-
`nected from,
`the engagement piece of the engagement
`member. And the cylindrical engagement member is rotat-
`ably supported by the steering column. When the active
`portion of the extension/depression locking member con-
`tacts the engagement piece of the engagement member, the
`expansion of the diameter of the engagement piece is
`inhibited and the engagement member is locked in place.
`When the active portion of the extension/depression locking
`member is separated from the engagement piece of the
`engagement member, the expansion of the diameter of the
`engagement piece is permitted and the locked state is
`released.
`
`When the locking condition is released by the operation of
`the extension/depression locking member, the displacement
`of the engagement pawl
`in the direction in which the
`diameter is expanded is permitted. Under this condition,
`when the steering shaft is extended or depressed, the engage-
`ment pawl at the end is removed from the groove in the
`steering shaft by the elastic deformation of the engagement
`piece, and engages another groove after sliding over the side
`face between the grooves, so that the steering shaft is thus
`temporarily held.
`in the lock released state, the
`As is described above,
`steering shaft can be freely extended and depressed with the
`steering wheel, and can be temporarily held at a desired
`position. Further, since, in the locked state that is provided
`by the operation of the extension/depression locking
`member, the displacement of the engagement piece is inhib-
`ited in the direction in which the diameter is expanded, the
`engagement pawl is securely fitted into the groove of the
`steering shaft and the vertical position of the steering wheel
`is fixed.
`
`The inclination and the extension/depression of the steer-
`ing wheel can be adjusted by the provision of the steering
`wheel
`inclination position adjustment structure and the
`steering wheel extension/depression position adjustment
`structure.
`
`According to the present invention, a plurality of button
`switches are provided above and on the right and the left
`sides at given positions on a steering wheel, and a gearshift
`lever pair is arranged on the reverse side. While a steering
`wheel
`is being handled,
`these button switches and the
`gearshift lever pair can be manipulated by the thumbs and
`the other fingers. In addition, for increased usability, the base
`casing of the steering wheel control apparatus can be
`securely positioned by its being held between the thighs of
`a player. Further, since the vertical position and the rota-
`tional position of the steering wheel can be adjusted, a player
`can more easily handle the steering wheel while manipulat-
`ing the button switches and the gearshift levers.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The accompanying drawings are provided as reference
`material for enhanced comprehension of the present inven-
`
`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, Ex. 1002
`
`p.000028
`
`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, Ex. 1002
`
`p. 000028
`
`

`
`5,989,123
`
`7
`tion and to accompany the explanation of the present inven-
`tion. The present invention, however, is not limited to the
`structure that are depicted in the accompanying drawings.
`FIG. 1 is a sketch illustrating a conventional steering
`wheel control apparatus that is being used;
`FIG. 2 is a rear view of a steering wheel control apparatus
`according to one embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 3 is a top view of a steering wheel control apparatus
`according to the embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 4 is a side view of a steering wheel control apparatus
`according to the embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 5 is a sketch illustrating a right hand holding the right
`grip portion of the steering wheel in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4;
`FIG. 6 is a partially exploded perspective view of a
`steering wheel showing a gearshift lever according to the
`embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 7 is a partial cross sectional view of the steering
`wheel in FIG. 6;
`FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a simultaneous driving
`processor for the gearshift levers in FIG. 6;
`FIG. 9 is a sketch showing the steering wheel control
`apparatus according to the embodiment of the present inven-
`tion while it is in use;
`FIG. 10 is a side view of the steering wheel control
`apparatus with the base casing in its cross section, showing
`the inclination locked state of the embodiment of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 11 is a side view of the steering wheel control
`apparatus in FIG. 10 when it is temporarily held;
`FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a steering
`shaft, an extension/depression locking member, and an
`engagement cylinder member that constitute an extension/
`depression adjustment mechanism according to the embodi-
`ment of the present invention;
`FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the steering wheel
`control apparatus when the extension/depression portion
`adjustment structure is locked by the mechanism in FIG. 12;
`FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of the steering wheel
`control apparatus when the extension/depression portion
`adjustment structure is temporarily held by the mechanism
`in FIG. 12;
`FIG. 15 is a bottom view of an extension/depression
`locking member 38 in FIG. 12;
`FIG. 16 is a partially cutaway side view of a centering
`mechanism of the steering wheel control apparatus accord-
`ing to the embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 17 is a side view of the centering mechanism when
`the steering wheel is rotated to the right;
`FIG. 18 is a side view of the centering mechanism when
`the steering wheel is rotated to the left;
`FIG. 19 is a top view of the steering wheel of the steering
`wheel control apparatus according to the embodiment of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 20 is a top view of a handlebar control apparatus
`according to another embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a control column control
`apparatus according to an additional embodiment of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 22 is a rear view of a steering wheel control
`apparatus according to a further embodiment of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 23 is an exploded diagram of a steering wheel
`showing shift levers according to still another embodiment
`of the present invention; and
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`FIG. 24 is a cross sectional view of the steering wheel in
`FIG. 23.
`
`BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE
`INVENTION
`
`Outline of a steering wheel control apparatus
`
`FIGS. 2 through 4 are a rear view, a top view and a side
`view for a steering wheel control apparatus according to one
`embodiment of the present invention.
`The steering wheel control apparatus of the embodiment
`is employed by being connected to a home television game.
`As is shown in FIG. 1 for the prior art, a television game
`machine 1 transmits an image signal and a speech signal to
`a television 2 to develop a game. A steering wheel control
`apparatus 3 according to the embodiment, which is used for
`a driving game, such as a car racing game, is connected for
`control to the television game machine 1 via a cable 16, and
`outputs drive control signals to the television game machine
`1 to control the progress of the game. In this embodiment,
`the steering wheel control apparatus 3 may also output the
`drive control signals to the television game machine 1
`through radio.
`A player needs only to operate the steering wheel control
`apparatus 3, and may use it by placing it on a table 4, as is
`shown in FIG. 1, or directly on a floor.
`The player installs a software cartridge for a driving
`game, such as a car racing game, in the television game
`machine 1, holds a steering wheel 14 of the steering wheel
`control apparatus 3, and starts the game.
`For a car racing game, a scene representing a race track
`as it is viewed from the operator’s seat of a racecar and that
`includes images representing competitors’ cars appears on a
`television 2 that is in fron