US3718989A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aircraft simulator visual system
Assignee: Singer Co
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Filing: 1970-09-28
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Granted: 1973-03-06
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Expires: 1990-09-28
Abstract
Abstract A visual simulation system for a flight trainer, or the like, comprising a spherical transparency for projection on a suitable viewing surface by a point light source located within the sphere. Three axes of rotational movement are provided for imparting visual attitude cues to the student, and special mechanism comprising a four-bar parallelogram linkage is provided for maintaining proper positional relationships during simulated motion in the roll axis.
Inventors
- 👤 R Mcknight
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:56
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B9/00; G09B9/02; G09B9/08; G09B9/30; G09B9/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A projected-image visual system for a grounded flight trainer, or the like, said system comprising, in combination: a. a spherical transparency bearing an image of a real-world scene; b. a point light source for projecting a viewable image of said real-world scene; c. first structure supporting said point light source with the point from which light emanates displaced from the geometric center of said spherical transparency; d. second structure supporting said first structure and attached to said spherical transparency for movement therewith; e. first means for moving said spherical transparency about a first axis through the geometric center thereof and displaced from said point; and f. second means for effecting relative movement of said first and second structures in response to movement of said spherical transparency to maintain the position of said point fixed with respect to said geometric center.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
A projected-image visual system for a grounded flight trainer, or the like, said system comprising, in combination: a. a spherical transparency bearing an image of a real-world scene; b. a point light source for projecting a viewable image of said real-world scene; c. first structure supporting said point light source with the point from which light emanates displaced from the geometric center of said spherical transparency; d. second structure supporting said first structure and attached to said spherical transparency for movement therewith; e. first means for moving said spherical transparency about a first axis through the geometric center thereof and displaced from said point; and f. second means for effecting relative movement of said first and second structures in response to movement of said spherical transparency to maintain the position of said point fixed with respect to said geometric center.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
140 words
A projected-image visual system for a grounded flight trainer, or the like, said system comprising, in combination: a. a spherical transparency bearing an image of a real-world scene; b. a point light source for projecting a viewable image of said real-world scene; c. first structure supporting said point light source with the point from which light emanates displaced from the geometric center of said spherical transparency; d. second structure supporting said first structure and attached to said spherical transparency for movement therewith; e. first means for moving said spherical transparency about a first axis through the geometric center thereof and displaced from said point; and f. second means for effecting relative movement of said first and second structures in response to movement of said spherical transparency to maintain the position of said point fixed with respect to said geometric center.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
140 words
A projected-image visual system for a grounded flight trainer, or the like, said system comprising, in combination: a. a spherical transparency bearing an image of a real-world scene; b. a point light source for projecting a viewable image of said real-world scene; c. first structure supporting said point light source with the point from which light emanates displaced from the geometric center of said spherical transparency; d. second structure supporting said first structure and attached to said spherical transparency for movement therewith; e. first means for moving said spherical transparency about a first axis through the geometric center thereof and displaced from said point; and f. second means for effecting relative movement of said first and second structures in response to movement of said spherical transparency to maintain the position of said point fixed with respect to said geometric center.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said first and second structures compRise a first pair of parallel bars of a pivotally connected, four-bar, parallelogram linkage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention according to claim 2 and further including means for maintaining the second pair of bars of said linkage in a constant rotational orientation as said first pair of bars is rotated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
The invention according to claim 3 wherein said second structure is rotated with said transparency about said first axis and the distance between the pivotal connections of each of said second pair of bars with opposite bars of said first pair is equal to the distance between said first axis and a line parallel thereto through said point.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
The invention according to claim 4 wherein the pivotal connections of each of said second pair of bars with the bar of said first pair comprising said second structure are rotationally connected to one another, whereby said second pair of bars are maintained in a fixed rotational orientation with respect to one another.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention according to claim 5 wherein pivotal connections of said second pair of bars are rotationally connected by a sprocket and chain arrangement.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
The invention according to claim 6 wherein said sprocket and chain arrangement includes a master sprocket supported on said second structure remote from said pivotal connections thereon of said second pair of bars and said master sprocket is restrained against rotational movement about its own axis as the bar comprising said second structure is rotated about said axis.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-05 | 1976-09-04 | 1977-03-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-05 | 1980-09-04 | 1981-03-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-05 | 1984-09-04 | 1985-03-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |