FR2838314A1 - Support furniture for video game equipment, has main section for supporting screen, console, steering wheel and pedals, and articulated section for supporting chair - Google Patents

Abstract

The piece of furniture comprises a main section (100) and an articulated door (103) which moves up to cover the front of the main section when in the folded state. A video game normally includes a screen (114), a console and two terminals. The first terminal is a set of pedals (108) and a second terminal is a driving bloc (109) with a steering wheel. The main furniture section (100) includes at least two supports, one (107) for the pedals (108) and another one (110) for the driving block (109). The supports are movable with respect to each other in order to reposition the terminals from the play position, in which at least one terminal is outside the main section, to the rest position, in which the articulated door (103) can be closed to cover the front of the main section (100).

Description

<Desc / Clms Page number 1>

 Support unit for video game device.

 The present invention relates to a support device, of the furniture type, for a video game device. This piece of furniture is more particularly intended to be used for the use of games such as driving or driving simulation games, but it could quite well be used for the use of any other type of video game.

 The field of the invention is, in general, that of video games. In this area, there are essentially two main categories of games: - the first category of video games consists of so-called high-end games, which can be found, for example, in shopping centers or in specialized stands. Each high-end game support structure is dedicated to a specific game. These games call in particular, in order to accentuate the feelings of realism for the players, with arrangements of more and more numerous and sophisticated gaming peripherals which are specific to the game to which they are assigned; - the second category of video games consists of games that are accessible via a single game platform, called a game console.

By means of a single console, a player can access a multitude of games which are stored in storage means, for example of the digital disc type. Certain gaming peripherals have gradually appeared to replace or replace the traditional joysticks usually used with such consoles. In particular, for driving and piloting simulation games, there are peripherals such as pedal blocks, or rudder pedals, and steering wheels. Generally speaking, the term peripheral designates both the elements which can be connected to the console and the accessory elements which can be arranged around this console.

 The second category of games, which is intended for home use, faces three essential drawbacks: - first of all, even adding peripherals to the console, the sensations of realism are much worse than with so-called games high-end, if only because of the layout of these peripherals which is not optimized, for example to give the player the feeling of being

<Desc / Clms Page number 2>

 installed in a car. In fact, when these peripherals are sold, there is no structure intended to arrange them appropriately for the game. The player therefore arranges them approximately around the console, depending on the space available to him, but he loses as feelings; - then, adding peripherals to a game console poses a problem of space; to be realistic, a steering wheel or a block of pedals must be of a certain size. The resulting congestion, especially when the player no longer uses these peripherals, as well as the awareness of this congestion, is a problem which can reduce the number of peripherals sold; - Finally, the greater the number of peripherals, the more tedious their arrangement and connection around - or on the console. As we saw in the previous point, the size of the devices requires that they be stored, and, this storage is not necessarily possible near the place of play, their installation is relatively long.

 The main object of the present invention is to solve all the problems which have just been explained. To this end, the applicant proposes a piece of furniture whose structure is adapted to receive various video game peripherals, and in particular driving simulation game peripherals. In addition, the cabinet provides different compartments and / or articulated supports which allow on the one hand to reliably fix the different peripherals to these compartments, and on the other hand to be able to adjust these different peripherals relative to each other so to be able to obtain an optimal playing position and thus reconstitute an ideal and realistic playing atmosphere, close to that of high-end games.

 An important feature of the invention is that each device is linked to a compartment or to an articulated support of the piece of furniture so that it can pass, in a minimum of time and movement, and therefore of effort, from a game configuration to a so-called rest configuration, which corresponds to the storage of peripherals and the console. Furthermore, due to the structure of the furniture proposed, the invention also makes it possible to incorporate an additional peripheral which is not

<Desc / Clms Page number 3>

 usually not commercially available for domestic use, namely a seat, which preferably has characteristics which allow it to be assimilated to a pilot's seat. According to the various embodiments of the invention, the seat can be simply and completely stored in the cabinet when the game is no longer used.

 The invention therefore essentially relates to a support unit for a video game device consisting in particular of a console, a first device constituted by a block of pedals and a second device constituted by a steering wheel block or a lifting beam, said piece of furniture comprising a main box and a door hinged on a front face of the main box, characterized in that the piece of furniture comprises in the main box at least a first support and a second support for fixing the pedal block and the steering wheel block respectively, the supports being movable with respect to each other to move the peripherals from a play position, with at least one peripheral disposed outside the box, to a rest position in which the hinged door can be closed on the main box.

 In an exemplary embodiment, the cabinet according to the invention comprises, in the main box, a third support for changing a third device, constituted by a seat, from the playing position with the seat arranged outside the main box, the rest position. The main box can also include a fourth support for receiving the game console.

 In different embodiments, the first support can be constituted by a first board and means for sliding the first board horizontally, and the second support can be constituted by a second board and means for sliding the second board in a direction oblique and upwards in order to bring the steering wheel block or the lifter from the rest position to the play position.

 In first different embodiments, the third support can be constituted by a face of the door on which: - either the seat is arranged in a folding form; - either the seat can be brought by means of a horizontal guide rail;

<Desc / Clms Page number 4>

In these first embodiments, the articulation of the door is produced by means of a horizontal hinge disposed between a lower face of the main box and the door.

 In a second embodiment, the third support is constituted by a horizontal guide slide on which the seat is directly fixed. In this second embodiment, the articulation of the door is produced by means of a vertical hinge disposed between a left or right face of the main box and the door. Another solution for this embodiment consists in fixing the door on the rear of the seat.

 The invention and its different applications will be better understood on reading the description which follows and on examining the accompanying figures. These are presented for information only and in no way limit the invention. The figures show: - in Figure 1, a first variant of a first embodiment of the furniture according to the invention; - In Figure 2, a second variant of the first embodiment of the furniture according to the invention; - In Figure 3, a second embodiment of the furniture according to the invention.

 In the various figures, a main box 100 constituting the periphery of the cabinet according to the invention is shown in section so that the interior of the main box 100 is visible. The main box is of substantially parallelepiped shape, with an upper face 101, a lower face 102, a front face 103, a rear face 104 a left face 105 and a right face 106. The various figures represent the furniture according to the invention in a position called play position: in this position, the front face 103, which is constituted by a door, is open.

 A first support 107, constituted by a first board, is arranged in the lower part of the main box 100. On this board, we come to have the lifter 108, or pedal block. The first support may include fixing means so that the pedal unit 108 is fixedly disposed on the first support 107. The first board 107 can slide horizontally: for this purpose, a first set of guide bars can be arranged at the inside the main box 100 on

<Desc / Clms Page number 5>

 the left face 105 and on the right face 106. By strips, we mean an assembly of two parts, for example metal, a first part, called fixed, being fixed to the main box 100, the second part, said free, being able to slide in or on the first part over part or the entire length of the first part. The length of these strips defines the maximum amplitude of the translational movement of the first board 107 disposed between the free parts of these guide strips.

 A first blocking latch, not shown, can be placed on at least one of the guide bars in order to block the position of the first support 107 in a position chosen by a player for a whole playing time. The chosen position can be among several predetermined positions, materialized by holes made in each of the parts constituting each strip, and into which the first blocking latch can be introduced.

 A flying block 109 is disposed on a second support 110. The second support 110 essentially consists of a second board 111 and means 112 for sliding the second board 111 from a so-called rest position to the play position or vice versa . The means 112 may for example consist of a second set of guide bars, which are arranged obliquely inside the main box 100 on the left face 105 and on the right face 106, and on which the second is fixed. plate 111. The angle defined by the second set of guide bars 112 and the underside is between 30 and 60 degrees. The second board 111 can be placed on shims directly fixed to the free parts of the strips, these shims serving to keep the second board 111 horizontal.

 A second blocking latch, not shown, is provided to block at least one of the two guide strips 112 in the playing position. Here again, the position chosen can be one of several predetermined positions, materialized by holes in each of the parts constituting each strip, and into which one can introduce the second locking latch.

 Figure 1 shows the flywheel 109 in a play position and in a rest position. The guide bars 112 are long enough that the steering wheel unit 109 can be brought out of the box

<Desc / Clms Page number 6>

 main 100 in a playing position. Most peripherals of the flying block type have a structure which makes it possible to grip the second board 111. If certain flying blocks do not have such a structure, the latter can be fixed, with fixing means not shown, on the second board 111 so that the steering wheel does not come off its support during a game phase.

 An intermediate board 113 is arranged in the upper part of the main box 100. This board is intended to receive the game console itself. It therefore constitutes a means of supporting the console.

The intermediate board 113 preferably covers almost the entire depth of the cabinet, so that the console can be arranged near the front face 103 of the main box 100, so that the player can easily access this console. The intermediate board is arranged at a height such that it does not hinder the oblique translation movements of the flywheel 109 which passes from a rest position to a play position or vice versa.

 A game screen 114 is placed on the upper face 101 of the main box 100. This upper face must have a sufficient flat surface so that the game screen can be placed on it, and it must be strong enough to support the weight of the 'screen. Small openings are provided in the upper face 100 so as to let through the electrical wires necessary for the connection between the console and the screen. In the same way, cavities are provided, for example at the bottom of the rear face 104 to connect the console and / or the various peripherals to the mains supply.

 In the first exemplary embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the door 103 opens in a rotational movement around a horizontal axis materialized in the form of hinges arranged between the lower face 102 and the front face 103. small feet 115 are arranged on the front face 103, outside the main box 100, to form support points on the front face when the piece of furniture is in a play configuration. The number and distribution of these feet are optimized so that the door does not yield under the weight of the seat and the player. These feet can in particular be two supports making the entire width of the door 103, and arranged in parallel on the upper end and on the lower end

<Desc / Clms Page number 7>

 of the door 103. Thus, in such a configuration, it is the part inside the main box 100 of the front face 103 which serves as support for a third peripheral 116 constituted by a pilot seat.

 In a first variant, illustrated in Figure 1, the seat 116 is foldable but still has a lower part 117 which can be fixed to the third support, so that it is held so that it can be incorporated without difficulty into the box main 100 when door 103 is closed.

 In a second variant, illustrated in FIG. 2, the seat 116 is rigid. It is associated with a horizontal guide slide 118 which makes it possible to bring the seat 116, mounted on support rollers 119, from a rest position to a play position and vice versa. Different seat positions are shown in this figure. Locking means are provided, for example at the level of the support rollers 119, to prevent any movement of the seat once the player has determined his playing position. The guide slide 118 may for example consist of one or more two telescopic rods, which are fixed at the level of the seat and on certain internal faces of the main box 100.

 The shape of the seat 116 and the arrangement of the first support means 107 and the second support means 110 are such that, in the rest position, the seat 116 can be fitted between the first support 107 and the second support 111.

 In the second exemplary embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 3, the door 103 opens in a rotational movement around a vertical axis, materialized in the form of hinges arranged between the left face 105, or the right face 106, and the front face 103. In this embodiment, a seat 116 is provided which is identical to that of the second variant of the first embodiment, where the support rollers 119 are directly in contact with the ground to change the position of the seat .

 Another variant of this second embodiment consists in securing the front face 103 of the box 100 with the sliding seat 116. The front face of the box thus follows the horizontal movement of the seat 116, and always has the appropriate dimensions to close the box 100 when in the rest position.

<Desc / Clms Page number 8>

 The arrangement of the various support means is therefore such that the player can: - on the one hand easily determine the arrangement of the various gaming peripherals to experience optimal sensations; - on the other hand quickly switch the various gaming peripherals from a gaming configuration to a resting configuration, and conversely, the resting position having the advantage of being space-saving since the various peripherals are stored in the cabinet closed.

 In an improved version of the support piece according to the invention, provision is made for fixing means on the left face 105 and / or the right face 106 so that two or more pieces of furniture support according to the invention can be secured. Such an arrangement can in particular be envisaged when several players wish to play against one another, or against each other. The cavities in the rear face, previously mentioned, or other cavities provided specifically for this purpose, can be used to connect the various peripherals associated with a first support unit to the game console arranged in a second support unit.

 In all the embodiments described, the game console remains accessible without having to open the front face 103, and therefore without having to install the seat associated with the piece of furniture. For this purpose, there is provided either a cavity formed in the front face 103 approximately at the height of the intermediate board 113, or a system for opening the upper part of the front face 103. A player can thus continue to use his game console with the usual gamepads, without the specific peripherals incorporated in the furniture. Speakers can also be arranged on specific supports of the box 100 so that they are also accessible when the player uses his console without having deployed the various peripherals.

Claims (11)

1- Support furniture for video game device consisting in particular of a console, a first device constituted by a block of pedals (108) and a second device constituted by a steering wheel block or a lifter (109), said piece of furniture comprising a main box (100) and a door (103) articulated on a front face of the main box (100), characterized in that the piece of furniture comprises in the main box (100) at least a first support (107) and a second support (110) for respectively fixing the pedal block (108) and the steering wheel block (109), the supports being movable with respect to each other to move the peripherals from a playing position, with at least one peripheral arranged outside the main box (100), in a rest position in which the hinged door (103) can be closed on the main box (100).  2- furniture according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises in the main box (100) a third support (103) for changing a third device, consisting of a seat (116), the playing position with the seat (116) disposed outside the main box (100), in the rest position.  3- Furniture according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first support (107) consists of a first board and means for sliding the first board horizontally.  4- Furniture according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the second support (110) is constituted by a second board and means for sliding the second board in an oblique direction and upward in order to bring the steering wheel unit or the lifter (109) from the rest position to the play position.  5- Furniture according to one of claims 2 to 4 characterized in that the third support (103) is constituted by a face of the door on which is arranged the seat (116) in a folding form.  6- Furniture according to one of claims 2 to 4 characterized in that the third support (103) is constituted by a face of the door on which the seat (116) can be brought by means of a horizontal guide slide ( 118). <Desc / Clms Page number 10>  7- Furniture according to one of claims 5 or 6 characterized in that the articulation of the door (103) is achieved by means of a horizontal hinge disposed between a lower face (102) of the main box (100) and the door (103).  8- Furniture according to one of claims 2 to 4 characterized in that the third support (103) is constituted by a horizontal guide slide (118) on which the seat (116) is directly fixed.  9- Furniture according to the preceding claim characterized in that the door (103) is fixed to the rear of the seat (116).  10- Furniture according to claim 8 characterized in that the articulation of the door (103) is achieved by means of a vertical hinge disposed between a left face (105) or a right face (106) of the main box (100) and the door (103).  11- Furniture according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises in the main box (100) a fourth support (113) for receiving the game console.