FIELD OF INVENTION

THIS INVENTION relates to a simulator assembly for providing movement about two or more axes and in particular, but not necessarily limited to, a simulator assembly for home use which is controlled by a personal computer.

In another aspect this invention relates to a sensory isolation hood and in particular, but not necessarily limited to, a collapsible hood attached to a desk for reducing visual or audible distractions.

BACKGROUND ART

Simulators are commonly used for entertainment or training purposes. One basic form of simulator is generally used in the home in which a personal computer displays images upon a Visual Display Unit

(VDU). The simulator is controlled by a computer program in which images are displayed to the VDU by communication with a joystick or keypads to provide an illusion of, for instance, piloting an aircraft or driving a vehicle.

When such simulators are used at home, visual or audible distractions may occur due to ambient lighting or noise and people moving or talking.

In general, another problem with simulators of the type used in the home is that the reality of simulation is limited as they do not usually have a means of providing movement in conjunction with images displayed by the VDU.

Simulator assemblies used in amusement arcades generally provide movement about two of three axes, the three axes being a longitudinal, a transverse and a vertical axis. The rotations about these three axes provide simulated roll, pitch and yaw respectively. Such simulator assemblies are relatively expensive, large, heavy and are not suited for home use.

Disclosed in patent specifications US 5018973 and

US 4066256 are simulator assemblies for providing simulated roll and pitch. However, the simulator mechanisms disclosed do not provide simulator yaw and their size makes them impractical for home use.

Simulator assemblies have been developed and used which provide simulated roll, pitch and yaw. Examples of which are disclosed in patent specifications GB 154860 and US 4584869. However, such simulators are relatively expensive, have unnecessary complex support and actuation mechanisms, and require impractical amounts of space which is not always available in the home. For these reasons simulators which provide simulated roll, pitch and yaw are generally only found at amusement parks, fair grounds or in training institutions such as an aircraft pilot training centre.

A further problem with the above simulator assemblies is that there is unnecessary movement of the display unit. Accordingly, if such a simulator assembly is used in conjunction with a computer in which the VDU is supported by the assembly, the VDU would be susceptible to failure or damage due to the unnecessary movement and forces applied thereto. Further, the positioning of the display unit with respect to the axial movement of current simulator assemblies may give rise to an inadequate or unrealistic simulation effect. If the VDU is supported by a stationary platform then the relative effect of simulation is reduced.

It is an aim of the invention to overcome or alleviate at least some of the problems associated with prior art simulator assemblies.

When a personal computer is used in the home or office, visual or audible distractions may occur due to ambient lighting or noise and people moving or talking. Accordingly, the concentration of a person

using the personal computer may be affected both causing the person annoyance and lack of concentration.

Further, when a person is using the personal computer as a simulator the visual or audible distractions may reduce the enjoyment and simulation effect displayed upon the VDU. To reduce these distractions, the desk supporting the personal computer is normally located in a corner or up against a wall. However, in general, this does not provide a solution which adequately overcomes these distractions .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a simulator assembly including: a mounting means; a support member pivotally attached at one end thereof to said mounting means to allow pivotal movement of said support member about a vertical axis and at least one orthogonal axis thereto; and actuation means operatively associated with the other end of said support member, said actuation means, in use, providing pivotal movement about said vertical axis and said at least one orthogonal axis. Suitably, said support member is pivotally attached to said mounting means to allow pivotal movement about three mutually orthogonal axes, these being said vertical axis, a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis. The said actuation means may, in use, provide movement about said three mutually orthogonal axes.

Preferably, said support member is pivotally attached to said mounting means to further allow pivotal movement about axes that are non-orthogonal to said vertical axis.

Preferably, said support member is pivotally attached to said mounting means to further allow

pivotal movement about axes that are non-orthogonal to said transverse axis.

Suitably, said actuation means may in use further provide movement about said axes that are non- orthogonal to said vertical axis.

Suitably, said actuation means may in use further provide movement about said axes that are non- orthogonal to said transverse axis.

Preferably, said support member is pivotally attached to said mounting means by a ball joint.

Suitably, said ball joint may be integral with said mounting means.

Preferably, said mounting means may be a frame. The frame may be a desk or table. Suitably, said actuation means may include a wheel operatively coupled to a wheel actuator.

Preferably, said wheel is in contact with an arcuate track such that, in use, rotation of said wheel provides relative movement between said wheel and said track thereby providing said pivotal movement about said vertical axis.

Preferably, said actuation means further includes a first actuator operatively associated with said track, said first actuator providing movement about said transverse axis.

Suitably, said actuation means further includes a second actuator spaced from said first actuator, said second actuator being operatively associated with said track, wherein, in use, concurrent movement of both said first and second actuators provides movement about said transverse axis, and selective movement of both said first and second actuators provides movement about said longitudinal axis. Suitably, said wheel actuator may be mounted to said first actuator or said first and second actuators.

Alternatively, said wheel actuator may be suitably mounted to said support member.

Suitably, the said first and second actuators are operatively associated with said track by a flexible coupling means. The said flexible coupling means may be a spring or rope attached to a respective said first and second actuator.

Alternatively, said flexible coupling means is preferably an elongate rigid member pivotally attached to said track by a track mounted ball joint and pivotally attached to a respective said first or second actuator by an actuator ball joint.

Preferably, said first actuator includes a threaded shaft and travelling nut arrangement. The said second actuator may also be a further shaft and further travelling nut arrangement.

Preferably said flexible coupling means is attached to said travelling nut and said further travelling nut. Suitably, said first actuator is operatively coupled to an electric motor. The said second actuator may also be operatively coupled to an electric motor. Preferably, said wheel actuator is an electric motor. Preferably, there is a visual display unit support means associated with said support member. More preferably, said visual display unit support means is in close proximity to said one end.

There may be a keyboard support means associated with said support member.

Suitably, there is a collapsible hood means attached to said mounting means or to said support member, wherein when extended said hood means at least partially covers said support member. Preferably, said hood means, when extended, at least partially covers said visual display unit support means.

Suitably, said mounting means has a recess for allowing said hood means when collapsed to be stored therein. The said support means may have a recess for allowing said hood means to be stored therein. The said hood means may be opaque or translucent. Preferably, said hood means is adapted to be selectively extended.

Suitably, said assembly and hood means are adapted such that when said hood means is extended a totally enclosed simulation environment is provided.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a sensory isolation hood means adapted to be attached to a desk such that when extended a visual display unit supported on said desk and an area adjacent to said desk are covered by said hood means .

Suitably, said hood means is adapted to be supported solely by attachment to said desk.

Preferably, said hood means has an attachment means adapted to attach said hood means to said desk. The attachment means may include a clamping means.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a sensory isolation hood means mounted to a desk such that when extended a visual display unit supported on said desk and an area adjacent to said desk are covered by said hood means.

Suitably, said hood means is adapted such that when extended it covers a person seated in said area.

Suitably, when extended said hood means provides an enclosed area therein.

Preferably, said hood means is adapted to be selectively extended.

Suitably, said desk has a recess for allowing said hood when collapsed to be stored therein. The said hood means may be formed from any suitable material. Preferably, the said hood means is formed from a frame having a canvass covering.

Alternatively, said hood means is preferably formed from a suitable plastics material.

Suitably, said hood means may be opaque or translucent. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect reference will now be made to preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:- FIG 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG 2 illustrates the ball joint of FIG 1 ; FIG 3 is a side view of FIG 1 when the hoods are extended; FIG 4 is a plan view of a second preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG 5 is a side elevation section view through A- A of FIG 4;

FIG 6 is a rear view of FIG 4; FIG 7 is a perspective view of an alternative aspect of the invention; and

FIG 8 is a side elevation of FIG 7 including a chair.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIGS 1 and 2 there is a simulator assembly 1 in which a mounting means in the form of a ball joint socket 3a is mounted to side 2 of a desk 4. Ball joint socket 3a has a plate 5 which is attached to desk 4 by screws 7 inserted in holes 6 and screwed into desk 4.

A support member in the form of an A-Frame 8 has a ball 9 mounted adjacent end 10. Ball 9 is captively engaged in ball joint socket 3a thereby providing a ball joint 3. Actuators 11 are coupled to end 12 of A-Frame 8 and skirt 13 conceals A-Frame 12 and actuators 11.

A seat 14 and surround 15 are mounted to A-Frame

8 and a visual display unit support 19 is mounted to arm 20 which extends from A-Frame end 10. A keyboard support 21 is also mounted to arm 20.

The mounting of support 19 is such that it is in close proximity to end 10. This therefore reduces movement of visual display unit support 19 about ball joint 3 when assembly 1 is in use. Further, the position of a visual display unit on support 19 allows for an improved simulation effect due to the axis of movement being at a point directly behind a supported visual display unit.

When in use actuators 11 provide pivotal movement about ball joint 3 such that pivotal movement is about three axes. The three axes are a vertical axis, a transverse axis, and a longitudinal axis in which t h e movements are indicated by arrows A, B and C respectively. Other pivotal movements are also possible or illustrated by arrows D and E.

As illustrated in FIG 3 a collapsible hood 16 extends from desk 4 towards surround 15. Also a collapsible hood 17 extends from surround 15 towards desk 4 and screens 15a slide from respective sides of surround 15 towards desk 4. Hood 16 and 17 meet at 18 thereby forming an enclosed area which reduces or eliminates distractions when a user is seated in seat 14. Further, when screens 15a are extended a totally enclosed area is formed.

Hood 16, when collapsed, is stored in a recess 4a in desk 4 and hood 17, when collapsed, is stored in a recess 15a in surround 15.

If it is desired to partially retract hood 53 a pair of adjacent magnets 16a or 17a when contacting each other retain a section of a respective hood 16 or

17 in a collapsed position thereby providing selective hood extension.

Referring to the second preferred embodiment shown in FIGS 4 to 6 there is a simulator assembly 22

in which a mounting means or ball joint socket 23a is attached to a mounting member 24.

Support member or A-Frame 25 is pivotally attached adjacent end 60 to socket 23a by a ball 26, thereby providing a ball joint 23 for pivotal movement of A-Frame about a vertical, transverse and longitudinal axis.

A seat 27 is mounted at end 28 and free running wheels 29 and 30 are rotatably mounted to shafts 31 and 32 which extend from end 28. Motor 33 is mounted to A-Frame 25 and mounted to the shaft 34 of motor 33 is a driving wheel 35.

Wheels 29 and 30 and driving wheel 35 are mounted in arcuate track 36 which is a "C" shaped channel in which wheels 29 and 30 contact an upper surface 37 of track 36 and driving wheel 35 contacts a lower surface 38.

Two spaced actuators in the form of a threaded shafts 39 and 40 and travelling nuts 41 and 42 each have a respective couplings 43 and 44 pivotally attached thereto by respective ball joint assemblies 45 and 46. Further, couplings 43 and 44 are attached to the track by respective ball joint arrangements 47 and 48. This provides flexible coupling between travelling nuts 41 and 42, and arcuate track 36.

Two motors (not shown) are coupled to respective shafts 39 and 41 by any suitable direct or indirect coupling means, schematically shown by 49 and 50, to provide movement of nuts 41 and 42 along shafts 39 and 41.

A visual display unit support 51 is mounted adjacent end 60 such that in use a visual display unit supported thereon will be subjected to substantially less pivotal movement than the seat 27. When in use, the motor 33 turns driving wheel 35 which moves A- Frame 25 along track 36 about a vertical axis, illustrated by V, extending through ball joint 23.

This pivotal movement is illustrated by arrows W and provides simulated yaw.

When nuts 41 and 42 concurrently travel along their respective shafts 39 and 41 at the same speed and in the same direction, A-Frame 25 pivots about a transverse axis, illustrated by T, extending through ball joint 23. This movement is illustrated by arrows X and provides simulated pitch.

When only one of nuts 41 and 42 travel along a respective shaft 39 or 41 A-Frame 25 pivots about a longitudinal axis, illustrated by L, extending through ball 26. This pivotal movement is illustrated by arrows Y and provides simulated roll. Further, if nuts 41 and 42 concurrently travel along respective shafts in opposite directions, A-Frame 25 again pivots about the longitudinal axis to also provide simulated roll. Combinations of simulated roll, pitch and pitch yaw are possible by selective movement of drive wheel 38 and nuts 41 and 42. Referring to another form of the invention illustrated in FIGS 7 and 8 there is a desk 52 having a collapsible hood 53 which when collapsed is stored in a desk recess 54. Hood 53 includes frame members 59 and a covering canvass 60. When extended hood 53 covers part of desk surface 55 and an area 56 which is adjacent to desk 52. Hood 53 is attached to the desk by clamps (not shown) such that the hood can be removed for cleaning purposes.

As illustrated specifically in FIG 8, a chair 57 positioned in area 56 is covered by the hood 53. In this embodiment hood 53, when extended, is suspended from desk 52. Magnets 58 are attached to hood frame members 59 and by suitable force the attraction of adjacent magnets 58 can be overcome thereby allowing hood 53 to be extended.

In use, when hood 53 is extended, it provides a covered area (area 56 and part of desk surface 55) for

human sensory isolation which reduces visual and audible distractions occurring outside this covered area. Accordingly, a computer simulator visual display unit supported on desk surface 55 and a person (viewer) seated on chair 57 can be covered by hood 53 in which the elimination or reduction of visual and audible distractions provides an improved environment for computer simulators.

Although, the invention has been described with reference to a computer simulator, it may also be used for other purposes such as providing an environment for studying.