US5542672A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fishing rod and reel electronic game controller
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1995-03-17
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Granted: 1996-08-06
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Expires: 2015-03-17
Abstract
Abstract An electronic controller is provided for controlling fishing simulation computer games. The controller includes a rod handle, a reel housing attached to the rod handle, and a rod shaft pivotally mounted within the reel housing and extending therefrom. The reel housing contains a motor to operate a gyroscope which is also positioned within the reel housing. A plurality of switches to transmit information to the computer game are provided on the reel housing. A reel crank handle extends from the reel housing and includes a break for applying resistance to the reel handle. A rod shaft pivoting apparatus that includes magnets and that act on metal plates attached to the rod shaft to pivotally move the rod shaft. The controller further includes communication cables that interconnect with a computer for transmitting information between the computer and the controller.
Inventors
- 👤 Chris Meredith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 09:44
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05G; G05G1/00; G05G1/08; G05G1/085; A; A63; A63F; A63F13/00; A63F13/20; A63F13/21; A63F13/211; A63F13/24; A63F13/245; A63F13/25; A63F13/28; A63F13/285; A63F13/80; A63F13/818; A63F13/90; A63F2300/00; A63F2300/10; A63F2300/1043; A63F2300/105; A63F2300/1062; A63F2300/80; A63F2300/8035
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
233 words
An electronic controller apparatus for controlling fishing simulation electronic games, comprising: a housing formed with an interior space, the housing comprising: a gyroscope disposed at the interior space of the housing for exerting force on the housing; an electric motor connected to the gyroscope for powering the gyroscope; a crank extending from the housing; a brake operatively associated with the crank for applying variable resistance to the crank; a magnet disposed at the interior space of the housing; a microprocessor disposed at the interior space of the housing, the microprocessor connected to the electric motor, the brake and the magnet from which information is transmitted to the microprocessor; a handle extending from a first side of the housing, the handle comprising: a support member for supporting the electric motor, a grip portion; and a shaft comprising: a first end mounted to a second side of the housing opposite to the first side of the housing, the first end of the shaft comprising: a metal plate disposed on the first end of the shaft, pivot means for pivotally connecting the first end of the shaft at the interior space of the housing, a second end opposite to the first end of the shaft and extending from the housing, wherein the magnet is selectively-energized to coact with the metal plate on the first end of the shaft to move the shaft about the pivot means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
233 words
An electronic controller apparatus for controlling fishing simulation electronic games, comprising: a housing formed with an interior space, the housing comprising: a gyroscope disposed at the interior space of the housing for exerting force on the housing; an electric motor connected to the gyroscope for powering the gyroscope; a crank extending from the housing; a brake operatively associated with the crank for applying variable resistance to the crank; a magnet disposed at the interior space of the housing; a microprocessor disposed at the interior space of the housing, the microprocessor connected to the electric motor, the brake and the magnet from which information is transmitted to the microprocessor; a handle extending from a first side of the housing, the handle comprising: a support member for supporting the electric motor, a grip portion; and a shaft comprising: a first end mounted to a second side of the housing opposite to the first side of the housing, the first end of the shaft comprising: a metal plate disposed on the first end of the shaft, pivot means for pivotally connecting the first end of the shaft at the interior space of the housing, a second end opposite to the first end of the shaft and extending from the housing, wherein the magnet is selectively-energized to coact with the metal plate on the first end of the shaft to move the shaft about the pivot means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
122 words
An electronic controller apparatus for a fishing simulation electronic game, comprising: a housing constructed with an interior space; power means disposed at the interior area of the housing; gripping means connected to the housing for gripping the apparatus, the gripping means comprising: support means for supporting the power means; force exerting means disposed at the interior space of the housing, the force exerting means connected to the power means to exert force on the housing; a shaft connected to the housing at an opposite end thereof from the gripping means; control means connected to the power means and the force exerting means for controlling the power means and the force exerting means to exert force on the housing to move the housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
122 words
An electronic controller apparatus for a fishing simulation electronic game, comprising: a housing constructed with an interior space; power means disposed at the interior area of the housing; gripping means connected to the housing for gripping the apparatus, the gripping means comprising: support means for supporting the power means; force exerting means disposed at the interior space of the housing, the force exerting means connected to the power means to exert force on the housing; a shaft connected to the housing at an opposite end thereof from the gripping means; control means connected to the power means and the force exerting means for controlling the power means and the force exerting means to exert force on the housing to move the housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the force exerting means comprises a gyroscope.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the gyroscope is disposed at the center of the interior of the housing, the gyroscope being coaxial with the gripping means and the shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the power means is an electric motor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the housing further comprises: a crank extending from the housing to simulate reeling in of a fishing line.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the housing further comprises: resistance means for applying resistive force to the crank to simulate resistance on the fishing line.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising: a pivot member disposed at the interior space of the housing and connected to the shaft to pivotally connect the shaft to the housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the shaft further comprises: a metal plate disposed on the shaft at a region of the shaft terminating in the interior space of the housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising: a magnet disposed at the interior space of the housing, the magnet coacting with the metal plate on the shaft to move the shaft about the pivot member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the control means comprises: a microprocessor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
65 words
An electronic controller apparatus for controlling fishing simulation electronic games, the apparatus comprising: a housing; gripping means connected to the housing; a rod extending from the housing, the rod pivotally mounted to the housing for movement between a first position and a second position different than the first position; and means for controlling movement of the rod between the first position and the second position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
65 words
An electronic controller apparatus for controlling fishing simulation electronic games, the apparatus comprising: a housing; gripping means connected to the housing; a rod extending from the housing, the rod pivotally mounted to the housing for movement between a first position and a second position different than the first position; and means for controlling movement of the rod between the first position and the second position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the rod comprises a first and a second end, the first end of the rod terminating within the housing and comprising: a metal plate disposed on the first end of the rod within the housing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: a magnet disposed within the housing, the magnet arranged to coact with the metal plate of the rod to effect movement of the rod.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the housing further comprises: a microprocessor for receiving information of the simulated reeling; and means for transmitting the information of the simulated reeling to the microprocessor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: a crank extending from the housing to simulate reeling in of a fishing line; and a brake for operatively engaging the crank to apply varying degrees of resistance to the crank when the crank simulates reeling.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising: a gyroscope disposed within the housing; and drive means disposed within the gripping means, the drive means connected to the gyroscope to drive the gyroscope.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the gyroscope, the gripping means and the rod are coaxial.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the gripping means and the rod extend from opposite sides of the housing.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-08-06 | 2000-02-05 | 2000-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-08-06 | 2004-02-05 | 2004-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-08-06 | 2008-02-05 | 2008-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |