US5364271A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bicycle and motorcycle riding simulation system
Assignee: Warner Bros Entertainment Inc
•
Filing: 1992-10-02
•
Granted: 1994-11-15
•
Expires: 2012-10-02
Abstract
Abstract A bicycle simulator having a follower assembly, a wheelie assembly and power assistance resistance means. A motorcycle simulator having a coupler, a slew generator and a throttle handle. The bicycle and motorcycle simulators having a computer, motors, sensors, controls, and a video display.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack Aknin
- 👤 Wade Winblad
- 👤 Dennis Harper
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 08:42
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B17/00; G05B17/02; A; A63; A63B; A63B21/00; A63B21/00181; A63B21/005; A63B21/0058; A63B22/00; A63B22/0087; A63B22/06; A63B22/0605; A63B22/16; A63B26/00; A63B26/003; A63F; A63F13/00; A63F13/20; A63F13/21; A63F13/211; A63F13/24; A63F13/245; A63F13/25; A63F13/28; A63F13/285; A63F13/55; A63F13/57; A63F13/80; A63F13/803; A63F13/816; G09; G09B; G09B9/00; G09B9/02; G09B9/04; G09B9/05; G09B9/058; A63B2022/0635; A63B2022/0641; A63B24/00; A63B24/0087; A63B2024/009; A63B71/00; A63B71/06; A63B71/0619; A63B71/0622; A63B2071/0625; A63B2071/0638; A63B2071/0641; A63B2071/0644; A63B2220/00; A63B2220/30; A63B2220/34; A63B2220/70; A63B2220/76; A63B2220/78; A63B2225/00; A63B2225/70; A63F2300/00; A63F2300/10; A63F2300/1037; A63F2300/105; A63F2300/1062; A63F2300/60; A63F2300/64; A63F2300/80; A63F2300/8005; A63F2300/8017; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S482/00; Y10S482/901; Y10S482/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
A vehicle simulator, comprising: a frame on which a person can sit; a coupler movably connected to the frame; a beam movably connected to the coupler; a video monitor; a computer having a predetermined computer program stored therein, the computer being electrically connected to the video monitor for displaying a changing video image on the monitor in response to the predetermined computer program, the computer also being operably engaged with the frame; a control electrically connected to the computer, the control being manipulable by a person sitting on the frame for generating a control signal and sending the control signal to the computer for causing the computer to move the frame relative to the beam in response to the control signal and to change the video display on the monitor in response to the control signal; a wheelie motor, responsive to signals from the computer; and a cam operably connected to the wheelie motor, the cam also being operably connected to the frame for translating rotational motion of the wheelie motor into translational motion of the frame relative to the beam.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
A vehicle simulator, comprising: a frame on which a person can sit; a coupler movably connected to the frame; a beam movably connected to the coupler; a video monitor; a computer having a predetermined computer program stored therein, the computer being electrically connected to the video monitor for displaying a changing video image on the monitor in response to the predetermined computer program, the computer also being operably engaged with the frame; a control electrically connected to the computer, the control being manipulable by a person sitting on the frame for generating a control signal and sending the control signal to the computer for causing the computer to move the frame relative to the beam in response to the control signal and to change the video display on the monitor in response to the control signal; a wheelie motor, responsive to signals from the computer; and a cam operably connected to the wheelie motor, the cam also being operably connected to the frame for translating rotational motion of the wheelie motor into translational motion of the frame relative to the beam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The simulator of claim 1, wherein the coupler comprises four links.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
The simulator of claim 1, wherein the simulator is a motorcycle simulator and wherein the predetermined computer program simulates motion of a motorcycle over a terrain, and wherein the control includes a manually grippable throttle handle rotatably attached to the frame and operably engaged with a potentiometer for generating the control signal, the control signal being representative of the position of the handle relative to the frame.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
The simulator of claim 3, wherein the throttle handle comprises an annular hollow grip having a wall, a closed end, and an open end, and defining a longitudinal axis, the throttle handle further comprising an elongated shaft disposed within the annular grip coaxially with the grip, the shaft having a first end attached to the closed end of the grip and a second end extending into a portion of the frame.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The simulator of claim 4, wherein the frame includes a handlebar having an open end, and the second end of the shaft extends into the open end of the handlebar.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The simulator of claim 5, further comprising a potentiometer mounted on the handlebar and operably connected to the second end of the shaft for generating the control signal in response to rotational movement of the grip.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The simulator of claim 6, further comprising a support tube positioned in the grip between the wall of the grip and the shaft, the support tube having an end, the end of the support tube being connected to the handlebar.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The simulator of claim 7, further comprising at least one bearing positioned between the wall of the grip and the support tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The simulator of claim 8, further comprising a bracket attached to the handlebar and a screw threadably engaged with the bracket for holding the potentiometer onto the bracket.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The simulator of claim 1, further comprising a wheelie member operably engaged with the cam and the frame for interconnecting the cam and the frame.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The simulator of claim 5, wherein the motor is electrically connected to an encoder, and the encoder is electrically connected to the computer, wherein the computer generates a wheelie signal to cause the encoder to cause the motor to rotate in response to the wheelie signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
The simulator of claim 11, wherein the wheelie signal is representative of simulated terrain in the predetermined computer program, and the encoder causes the motor to rotate back and forth for moving the frame to simulate passage of the frame over the terrain of the predetermined computer program.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The simulator of claim 11, wherein the wheelie signal is representative of the control signal, and the encoder causes the motor to rotate a preselected amount in a first rotational direction for moving the frame to simulate movement of the frame during a wheelie.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
74 words
The simulator of claim 1, wherein the simulator is a motorcycle simulator and wherein the predetermined computer program simulates motion of a motorcycle over a terrain, and the simulator further comprises a handlebar rotatably attached to the frame, a slew generator operably coupled to the frame, and a linkage system interconnecting the handlebar and the slew generator for causing the slew generator to move the frame in response to rotational movement of the handlebar.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
79 words
The simulator of claim 14, wherein the frame has a longitudinal axis and a rear portion distanced from the handlebar, and the slew generator includes an elongated rolling pin rotatably disposed adjacent the rear portion of the frame and oriented with its longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to the axis of the frame, the slew generator also including a motor coupled to the rolling pin for causing the rolling pin to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the rolling pin.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The simulator of claim 15, wherein the slew generator further includes a pallet roller connected to the rear portion of the frame and disposed on the rolling pin.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
48 words
The simulator of claim 6, wherein the rear portion of the frame includes a bracket having a forward end connected to the rear portion of the frame and a rear end distanced from the frame, and the pallet roller is connected to the rear end of the bracket.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The simulator of claim 17, wherein the bracket is an A-shaped bracket.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The simulator of claim 18, further comprising a bearing roller rotatably attached to the rear portion of the frame for supporting the frame.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
The simulator of claim 19, further comprising a roller spring connected to the rear portion of the frame and the rear end of the A-shaped bracket, the roller spring being in tension to hold the pallet roller against the rolling pin.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
54 words
The simulator of claim 20, wherein the pallet roller has first and second ends and a radial cross-section that is circular in shape, and the diameter of the cross-section taken at a location intermediate the ends of the roller is greater than the diameter of the cross-section taken near either end of the roller.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
159 words
A vehicle simulator, comprising: a frame having a longitudinal axis on which a person can sit; a handlebar rotatably attached to the frame at substantially one end of the longitudinal axis of the frame a slew generator including an elongated rolling pin rotatably disposed adjacent a rear portion of the frame distanced from the handlebar and oriented such that the longitudinal axis of the rolling pin is generally perpendicular to the axis of the frame, a motor coupled to the rolling pin for causing the rolling pin to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the rolling pin and a pallet roller mounted on the frame and disposed on the rolling pin; and a linkage system interconnecting the handlebar and pallet roller of the slew generator for causing the pallet roller to be disposed on the rolling pin so that the rotational motion of the rolling pin causes the frame to move in response to rotational movement of the handlebar.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
159 words
A vehicle simulator, comprising: a frame having a longitudinal axis on which a person can sit; a handlebar rotatably attached to the frame at substantially one end of the longitudinal axis of the frame a slew generator including an elongated rolling pin rotatably disposed adjacent a rear portion of the frame distanced from the handlebar and oriented such that the longitudinal axis of the rolling pin is generally perpendicular to the axis of the frame, a motor coupled to the rolling pin for causing the rolling pin to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the rolling pin and a pallet roller mounted on the frame and disposed on the rolling pin; and a linkage system interconnecting the handlebar and pallet roller of the slew generator for causing the pallet roller to be disposed on the rolling pin so that the rotational motion of the rolling pin causes the frame to move in response to rotational movement of the handlebar.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
48 words
The simulator of claim 22, wherein the rear portion of the frame includes a bracket having a forward end connected to the rear portion of the frame and a rear end distanced from the frame, and the pallet roller is connected to the rear end of the bracket.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
12 words
The simulator of claim 23, wherein the bracket is an A-shaped bracket.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The simulator of claim 24, further comprising a bearing roller rotatably attached to the rear portion of the frame for supporting the frame.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
41 words
The simulator of claim 25, further comprising a roller spring connected to the rear portion of the frame and the rear end of the A-shaped bracket, the roller spring being in tension to hold the pallet roller against the rolling pin.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
54 words
The simulator of claim 26, wherein the pallet roller has first and second ends and a radial cross-section that is circular in shape, and the diameter of the cross-section taken at a location intermediate the ends of the roller is greater than the diameter of the cross-section taken near either end of the roller.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
102 words
The simulator recited in claim 22, further comprising: a coupler movably connected to the frame; a beam movably connected to the coupler; a video monitor; a control manipulable by a person sitting on the frame for generating a control signal; and a computer having a computer program stored therein, the computer connected to the video monitor for displaying a changing video image on the monitor in response to the control signal and the computer program, the computer also connected to the control engaged with the frame for causing the frame to move relative to the beam in response to the control signal.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
11 words
The simulator of claim 31, wherein the coupler comprises four links.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
67 words
The simulator of claim 28, wherein the simulator is a motorcycle simulator and wherein the predetermined computer program simulates motion of a motorcycle over a terrain, and wherein the control includes a manually grippable throttle handle rotatably attached to the frame and operably engaged with a potentiometer for generating the control signal, the control signal being representative of the position of the handle relative to the frame.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
46 words
The simulator of claim 28, further comprising a wheelie motor and a cam operably connected to the wheelie motor, the cam also being operably connected to the frame for translating rotational motion of the wheelie motor into translational motion of the frame relative to the beam.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
25 words
The simulator of claim 31, further comprising a wheelie member operably engaged with the cam and the frame for interconnecting the cam and the frame.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
46 words
The simulator of claim 32, wherein the motor is electrically connected to an encoder, and the encoder is electrically connected to the computer, wherein the computer generates a wheelie signal to cause the encoder to cause the motor to rotate in response to the wheelie signal.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
48 words
The simulator of claim 33, wherein the wheelie signal is representative of simulated terrain in the predetermined computer program, and the encoder causes the motor to rotate back and forth for moving the frame to simulate passage of the frame over the terrain of the predetermined computer program.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
44 words
The simulator of claim 33, wherein the wheelie signal is representative of the control signal, and the encoder causes the motor to rotate a preselected amount in a first rotational direction for moving the frame to simulate movement of the frame during a wheelie.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
156 words
A throttle handle for a vehicle simulator, comprising: an annular hollow grip having a wall, a closed end, and an open end, and defining a longitudinal axis; an elongated shaft disposed within the annular grip coaxially with the grip, the shaft having a first end attached to the closed end of the grip and a second end; a handlebar having an open end, wherein the second end of the shaft extends into the open end of the handlebar, the handlebar being attached to the vehicle simulator; a potentiometer mounted on the handlebar and operably connected to the second end of the shaft for generating a control signal in response to rotational movement of the grip indicative of rotational movement of the grip; and a support tube positioned in the grip between the wall of the grip and the shaft, the support tube having an end, the end of the support tube being connected to the handlebar.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
156 words
A throttle handle for a vehicle simulator, comprising: an annular hollow grip having a wall, a closed end, and an open end, and defining a longitudinal axis; an elongated shaft disposed within the annular grip coaxially with the grip, the shaft having a first end attached to the closed end of the grip and a second end; a handlebar having an open end, wherein the second end of the shaft extends into the open end of the handlebar, the handlebar being attached to the vehicle simulator; a potentiometer mounted on the handlebar and operably connected to the second end of the shaft for generating a control signal in response to rotational movement of the grip indicative of rotational movement of the grip; and a support tube positioned in the grip between the wall of the grip and the shaft, the support tube having an end, the end of the support tube being connected to the handlebar.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
23 words
The throttle handle of claim 36, further comprising at least one bearing positioned between the wall of the grip and the support tube.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
29 words
The throttle handle of claim 37, further comprising a bracket attached to the handlebar and a screw threadably engaged with the bracket for holding the potentiometer onto the bracket.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3708913A
Cited
US3686776A
Cited
US4464117A
Cited
US4542897A
Cited
US4799668A
Cited
JPH01232380A
Cited
US4941460A
Cited
US4887967A
Cited
US5209662A
Cited
US5203563A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-11-14 | 1998-05-16 | 1998-11-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-11-14 | 2002-05-16 | 2002-11-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-11-14 | 2006-05-16 | 2006-11-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |