Shift lever structure of driving game machine

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a shift lever structure suited for use in a driving game machine in which movement of a moving object is simulated in a moving space displayed on an image monitor by a simulated driving operation of a player.

2. Description of the Related Art

[0002] EP-A-0 762 316 discloses a multidirectional switch and a driving game machine using the same in which a simulated vehicle displayed on an monitor advances in response to a control signal from a control block according to a simulated driving operation of a player, said shift lever structure comprising a shift lever capable of changing its position for directing said vehicle to advance and stop, and further comprising switch sensors and micro switches for detecting said shift lever being placed in upwards and downwards gear switching positions.

[0003] Hitherto, a further driving game machine has been known in which a player performs a simulated driving operation while viewing an image of a running space displayed on an image monitor so that a car (the player's car) runs within the running space according to the simulated driving operation and competes with another car (the opponent car) in the simulated running. This driving game machine is provided with a simulated driver's seat that simulates a driver's seat of an actual car. An accelerator pedal and a brake pedal are disposed at the feet of the player sitting on the simulated driver's seat, and a shift lever is disposed on the side of the player so as to switch between advancing and reversing of the car.

[0004] The image monitor is placed to face the front of the player. On this image monitor, a running space of the car including roads, buildings, etc., is displayed as a three-dimensional image. Shown in the field of view of the player are the player's car that the player is driving, and an opponent car driven by a computer or a player at another driving game machine. The player competes with the opponent car in a predetermined game while operating operation means, such as a steering wheel, pedals, and a shift lever.

[0005] As the driving game, a racing game is known in which a competition for precedence is made in driving on a road with a number of branches in a virtual city. In such a game, high-speed running is performed by shifting the shift lever. On the other hand, when the wrong road is taken, not only advancing but also reversing is necessary. For this reason, the shift lever is allowed to be shifted to a reverse position.

[0006] That is to say, the shift lever can be switched between an advancing position for advancing the car, and a reverse position for reversing the car. The player grips and switches the shift lever every time he or she advances and reverses the car.

[0007] In a game played with such a driving game machine, the player's car is mainly advanced and is sometimes reversed according to the circumstances. Moreover, from the viewpoint of the characteristics of the game, it is preferable to advance the player's car immediately after being reversed. In switching the conventional shift lever from reverse to advance, however, the player must grip the shift lever again, and shift the shift lever from the reverse position to the advance position. The shift change operation takes much time, which delays the timing of advance, and diminishes the interest.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems.

[0009] It is the object of the invention to provide a shift lever structure of a driving game machine which allows prompt switching between an increased plurality of driving states , thereby making a driving game more interesting.

[0010] This object is fulfilled by a shift lever structure having the features disclosed in claim 1. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent subclaims. Thus it is an advantage of the invention to provide a shift lever structure of a driving game machine in which prompt switching is possible from a reversing state to an advancing state, thereby making a driving game more interesting.

[0011] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shift lever structure of a driving game machine in which a moving object displayed on an image monitor advances or reverses in a simulated running space in response to a control signal from a control section according to a simulated driving operation of a player, the shift lever structure including: a shift lever capable of changing its position between an advance position for advancing the moving object and a reverse position for reversing the moving object: a position detecting means for detecting the shift lever being placed in the positions; and a first urging means for urging the shift lever toward the advance position.

[0012] According to this invention, since the shift lever is usually placed in the advance position because of the urging force of the first urging means, the player can enjoy a driving game while advancing the moving object with his or her attention focused on the operation of a steering wheel, an accelerator pedal, and the like, without paying attention to the shift lever during the driving game. Only when reversing the moving object, the player grips the shift lever and applies force to the shift lever from the advance position toward the reverse position, whereby the position of the shift lever is changed to the reverse position against the urging force of the first urging means, and the moving object is allowed to reverse. It is not very difficult to perform a reversing operation while gripping the shift lever in one hand and steering by the other hand, and the reversing operation is not performed for a long time, which does not produce a difficult feeling in operation.

[0013] In order to shift the shift lever again from the reverse position to the advance position, it is only necessary to remove the gripping hand from the shift lever, whereby the shift lever automatically returns to the initial advance position because of the urging force of the first urging means. Therefore, there is no need to grip the shift lever and apply force to the shift lever as previously, which allows the shift lever to be shifted more quickly and more easily, and makes the driving game more interesting.

[0014] Preferably, a second urging means is provided to give a tactile response to an operation for changing the drive position of the shift lever.

[0015] In this case, the player reliably realizes, from the tactile response given by the second urging means, that the shift lever has been shifted from the advance position to the reverse position. This eliminates the need for troublesome operations, for example, visually checking the position of the shift lever, and allows the player to be absorbed in the game.

[0016] Preferably, the position detecting means is a limit switch.

[0017] In this case, the position change between the advance position and the reverse position can be reliably detected, although the limit switch is a simple and inexpensive component. It is thereby possible to reduce component cost and to detect the position more reliably. While the limit switch may be disposed at both the advance and reverse positions, even when it is disposed at one of the positions, both the positions can be detected.

[0018] Preferably, the first urging means is a coil spring.

[0019] In this case, the coil spring elastically deforms in the longitudinal direction by a greater length than other springs, such as a leaf spring and a V-spring, and thereby applies stable urging force to the shift lever.

[0020] Preferably, the control section informs the moving object of the traveling speed corresponding to the degree of depression of the accelerator, and exerts control so that the maximum speed when the shift lever is placed in the reverse position is lower than when the shift lever is placed in the advance position.

[0021] In this case, since the traveling speed in accordance with the degree of depression of the accelerator when reversing the moving object is generally lower than the advancing speed, it is possible to reliably perform a reversing operation, which is more difficult than advancing.

[0022] Preferably, a second image monitor is provided to display a simulated moving space behind the moving object at least when the shift lever is placed in the reverse position.

[0023] In this case, it is possible to steer the moving object backward while viewing the simulated moving space behind the moving object that is displayed on the second monitor. Furthermore, when the rear view is also allowed to be shown on the second monitor during advance, it can be used as the criteria for determining during the game which is adopted, advancing or reversing, thereby making the game more interesting.

[0024] Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] 

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a driving game machine to which a shift lever structure of the present invention is applied;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a shift lever structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views of the shift lever structure shown in FIG. 2, as viewed from the side, respectively showing a state in which a shift lever is placed in an advance position, and a state in which the shift lever is placed in a reverse position;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views of a shift lever structure according to another embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the side, respectively showing a state in which a shift lever is placed in an advance position, and a state in which the shift lever is placed in a reverse position; and

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control system for use in the driving game machine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] First, a description will be given of a driving game machine to which a shift lever structure of the present invention is applied. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the driving game machine. Referring to FIG. 1, a driving game machine 1 has a basic configuration comprising a simulated driver's seat 2, disposed on the rear part of a base B placed on a floor F, that simulates a driver's seat of a car; a panel board section 3 disposed on the front part of the base B; and an image monitor device 4 placed on the floor F further ahead of the panel board section 3. The simulated driver's seat 2 and the panel board section 3 are placed on the base B so as to face each other in the longitudinal direction. Accordingly, a player sitting on the simulated driver's seat 2 faces the panel board section 3 and the image monitor device 4.

[0027] The rear part of the simulated driver's seat 2 is surrounded by a rear fence member 21 that is U-shaped in plan view, and the left side thereof is guarded by a side fence member 22. Thereby, a driving space separated from the outside space is formed at the simulated driver's seat 2, and the player sitting on the simulated driver's seat 2 can have a realistic feeling similar to that of riding in an actual car.

[0028] The side fence member 22 is composed of a box member 23 that is hollow inside and is elongated in the longitudinal direction, and a top plate 24 for covering a top opening of the box member 23. The height of the box member 23 is set such that the player sitting on the simulated driver's seat 2 can rest his or her elbow thereon. In the top plate 24 of the side fence member 22, a slot 24a is cut extending in the longitudinal direction so as to allow a shift lever 51 of the present invention, which will be described later, to protrude therethrough to the outside. The position at which the slot 24a is cut is set so that the player can grip the shift lever 51 with his or her elbow resting on the top plate 24.

[0029] The panel board section 3 comprises a pair of widthwise side plates 31, a ceiling plate 32 laid between the upper edges of these side plates 31, and a front plate 33 disposed at the front ends of the side plates 31 and the ceiling plate 32. A panel board 34 is fitted in a section surrounded by the rear ends of the side plates 31 and the ceiling plate 32 so that it faces the player.

[0030] Such a panel board 34 is provided, at its center, with a steering shaft 34a that inclines upward to the rear side. A steering wheel 34b that serves as a steering tool is mounted at the rear end of the steering shaft 34a, and instruments 34c, such as a speedometer, are disposed on the right and left sides of the steering wheel 34b. Moreover, a start button 34d to be operated at the beginning of a game is disposed on the upper left side of the steering wheel 34b.

[0031] An accelerator pedal 33a and a brake pedal 33b are provided in the rear of the front plate 33 and at the feet of the player sitting on the simulated driver's seat 2. The side fence member 22 on the left side is provided with a shift lever structure 5 including the shift lever 51 of the present invention, which will be described later.

[0032] The image monitor device 4 comprises a box-shaped casing 41, a control means and an image forming means disposed inside the casing 41, which are not shown, and a flat monitor screen 42 on which three-dimensional images are projected by the image forming means. On this monitor screen 42, a virtual running space (moving space) for a car including roads and buildings is shown as a three-dimensional image under the control of the control means. Shown in the field of view of the player are a player's car (moving object) C1 that the player is driving, and an opponent car C2 driven by a computer or a player at another driving game machine. After operating the start button 34d, the player drives his or her own car C1 by manipulating the steering wheel 34b, the accelerator pedal 33a, the brake pedal 33b, and the shift lever 51, thereby competing with the opponent car C2 in a predetermined game.

[0033] In this driving game machine, what is called a "tag" game, in which the player's car C1 and the opponent car C2 exchange a time bomb Q, is adopted as the driving game. In this "tag" game, the time bomb Q is laid on the top of one of the player's car C1 and the opponent car C2, and when the car having the time bomb Q touches the other car, the time bomb Q is transferred to the other car. When the time bomb Q is carried on the opponent car C2, the player drives away his or her car C1 shown on the monitor screen 42 so that the car C1 is out of contact with the opponent car C2. In contrast, when the time bomb Q is carried on the player's car C1, the player chases and touches the opponent car C2, thereby transferring the time bomb Q on his or her car C1 to the opponent car C2.

[0034] When a preset game time has elapsed, the time bomb Q explodes. Therefore, the car that is carrying the time bomb Q at the conclusion of the preset time is judged to be the loser.

[0035] In such a "tag" game, a greater variety of running possibilities are available than in racing games in which cars run on courses; for example, advancing in all directions on a road or the like projected as a driving space on the monitor screen 42, reversing to escape from the chase by the opponent car C2, or turning into a side road. Therefore, the "tag" game is very interesting as a game, whereas, in particular, high operability of the shift lever 51 is necessary to perform such complicated running.

[0036] Next, the shift lever structure 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 2 as a perspective view, and to FIG. 3 which serves as an operational view, as necessary. The shift lever structure 5 of the present invention is applied to make the above-described driving game more interesting.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 2, the shift lever structure 5 comprises the shift lever 51 for switching between the advance and reversing of the player's car C1, a box-shaped casing 52 for housing the base end of the shift lever 51, the casing 52 being open at its top, a limit switch 53 disposed inside the casing 52, and a coil spring (first urging means) 54 for urging the shift lever 51 in a direction that tilts the shift lever 51 forward. Such a shift lever 51 is structured to switch the position thereof between an advance position for advancing the player's car C1, where the shift lever 51 tilts forward, and a reverse position for reversing the car C1.

[0038] That is to say, the shift lever 51 is composed of a sticklike lever body 51a, a fulcrum member 51b shaped like a rectangular parallelepiped and formed at a position somewhat lower than the vertical center of the lever body 51a, and a ball-shaped grip 51c disposed at the top of the lever body 51a. An annular groove 51d is formed in an annular and concave manner at the bottom of the lever body 51a, and retains one end of the first coil spring 54. The fulcrum member 51b has a through hole 51e bored to extend in the widthwise direction, and a support shaft 55, which supports the shift lever 51 and serves as a pivot center, is passed through the through hole 51e in sliding contact therewith.

[0039] The casing 52 has a pair of longitudinal wings 52a that extend from the front and rear upper ends thereof in a direction in which they separate from each other. In a state in which the casing 52 is fitted in a recess 25a of a frame 25 in the side fence member 22 (FIG. 1), the wings 52a are fixed to the frame 25 by screwing or the like, whereby the casing 52 is embedded in the top center of the side fence member 22.

[0040] Mounting holes are bored in proximity to the centers of a pair of widthwise side plates of the casing 52 so that the support shaft 55 is passed therethrough. In a state in which the fulcrum member 51b of the shift lever 51 is inserted in the casing 52, the support shaft 55 is passed through the mounting holes of the casing 52 and the through hole 51e of the fulcrum member 51b, and both ends thereof are subjected to caulking or the like, which allows the shift lever 51 to pivot about the support shaft 55.

[0041] The length of the slot 24a cut in the top plate 24 is set corresponding to the pivot range of the shift lever 51, so that the front and rear edges of the slot 24a function as stoppers when the shift lever 51 pivots within the range.

[0042] A retaining hole 52b is bored in the rear wall of the casing 52. The first coil spring 54 is retained by the retaining hole 52b at the rear end, and by the annular groove 51d of the shift lever 51 at the front end, whereby the lever body 51a is urged in a direction to tilt the grip 51c forward, and the shift lever 51 is usually in a forward tilting position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A.

[0043] The limit switch 53 is of a normally-open type (that outputs an open signal in the open state), which is composed of a switch body 53a fixed at an appropriate position of the front wall of the casing 52 and having a fixed contact piece inside thereof, and a long movable arm 53b extending from an appropriate lower position of the switch body 53a toward the rear top, mounted at its lower end pivotally about the fulcrum, and urged by an urging means (not shown) from the switch body 53a in a standing (backward tilting) direction.

[0044] The limit switch 53 outputs a close signal indicating a closed state when the movable arm 53b is pressed toward the switch body 53a into contact with the fixed contact piece. Moreover, the limit switch 53 is positioned so as to interfere with the lower end of the shift lever 51 when the shift lever 51 pivots. When the shift lever 51 is in the forward tilting position, the.movable arm 53b is in an open position, as shown in FIG. 3A, and therefore, an open signal is output. Conversely, when the shift lever 51 is brought into the backward tilting position against the urging force of the first coil spring 54, as shown in FIG. 3B, the movable arm 53b is abutted against the lower end of the shift lever 51 and is pressed toward the switch body 53a, and therefore, a closed signal is output.

[0045] That is to say, when the shift lever 51 is in the advance position as the forward tilting position, an open signal is output to a control unit 64 (described later), which makes it possible to detect the position of the shift lever 51.

[0046] FIGS. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views of a shift lever structure 5a according to another embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the side, respectively showing a state in which the shift lever 51 is placed in the advance position, and a state in which the shift lever 51 is placed in the reverse position. In this embodiment, a second coil spring (second urging means) 56, formed of what is called a compression spring, which is used to exert urging force in the expanding direction, is interposed between the lower end of the lever body 51a and the inner bottom face of the casing 52. The urging force of the second coil spring 56 is set to be smaller than that of the first coil spring 54 that urges the shift lever 51 toward the advance position. The lower end of the second coil spring 56 is positioned directly below the axial center of the support shaft 55. Other structures are similar to those in the above embodiment.

[0047] According to the shift lever structure 5a of this embodiment, in the state shown in FIG. 4A, the shift lever 51 is positioned in the advance position by the urging force of the second coil spring 56 in addition to the urging force of the first coil spring 54. When the shift lever 51 is put into the reverse position by pulling the grip 51c back in this state, the urging force of the second coil spring 56 acts in the direction that tilts the shift lever 51 forward until the shift lever 51 stands upright. When the shift lever 51 is pulled further back beyond the upright position, since the urging force of the second coil spring 56 acts in the direction that tilts the shift lever 51 backward, as shown in FIG. 4B, the operation of the shift lever 51 is rapidly eased. At this time, the player receives a tactile response, and can know that the shift lever 51 is placed in the reverse position.

[0048] By removing the hand from the grip 51c in the state in which the shift lever 51 is placed in the reverse position (FIG. 4B), the shift lever 51 pivots counterclockwise about the support shaft 55 by the action of the first coil spring 54 having a larger urging force than that of the second coil spring 56, and returns to the advance position.

[0049] Next, the control of the driving game will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control system for the driving game. As this block diagram shows, a control system 6 is incorporated in the image monitor device 4, and comprises a driving unit 61 including the steering wheel 34b, the accelerator pedal 33a, the brake pedal 33b, and the shift lever 51, a ROM 62 that serves as a read-only memory medium for storing a basic program and the like, a RAM 63 that is a random-access memory medium for temporarily storing data that is being processed, as necessary, a control unit 64 for controlling the driving of the player's car C1 and the opponent car C2 according to a game program in response to an input signal from the driving unit 61, the monitor screen 42, and the start button 34d.

[0050] In addition to the basic program of the driving game, the ROM 62 stores behavior programs of the player's car C1 and the opponent car C2, coordinate data on roads, obstacles, and the like, in the running space of the game, etc. These data are read into the control unit 64 in response to an operation signal from the driving unit 61 produced by operating the steering wheel 34b or the like, and are subjected to a simulation process in accordance with automotive engineering, whereby images on the monitor screen 42 are sequentially renewed.

[0051] At a predetermined upper position on the monitor screen 42, a rearview mirror region 42a is provided as a second image monitor. This rearview mirror region 42a corresponds to a rearview mirror that is virtually provided in the player's car C1, and displays images in the rear of the player's car C1 that can be regarded as being optically reflected in the virtual rearview mirror from the point of view of a virtual driver of the car C1. The player can check the running space behind the car C1 by viewing images in the rearview mirror region 42a. By doing this, the player can reverse the car while checking the rear view, which ensures a good reversing operation.

[0052] The control unit 64 comprises a player's car control section 641, a general car control section 642, an opponent car control section 643, a position judgement section 644, and an image processing section 645.

[0053] The player's car control section 641 controls the running of the player's car C1 by using operation signals sent from the driving unit 61, that is, operation signals from the steering wheel 34b, the accelerator pedal 33a, the brake pedal 33b, and the shift lever 51, which serve as operation means, and the car behavior program based on automotive engineering that is stored in the ROM 62. Images in front of the player's car C1 projected on the monitor screen 42 and images behind the player's car C1 projected on the rearview mirror region 42a change moment by moment, centered on the player's car C1, in response to the operations of the operation means.

[0054] The player's car control section 641 includes a judging means for judging the state of a signal from the limit switch 53. When the shift lever 51 is in the advance position and an open signal is output from the limit switch 53, the judging means directs the player's car C1 to advance, in response to this open signal, and calculates and sets the running speed for advancing in accordance with the degree of depression of the accelerator pedal 33a. Conversely, when the shift lever 51 is placed into the reverse position and a close signal is output from the limit switch 53, the judging means directs the player's car C1 to reverse, in response to this close signal, and calculates and sets the running speed for reversing in accordance with the degree of depression of the accelerator pedal 33a. This allows the player's car C1 to reliably move in the forward and backward directions within the running space, corresponding to the set position of the shift lever 51.

[0055] The player's car control section 641 is also programmed so as to inform the player's car C1 of the traveling speed corresponding to the degree of depression of the accelerator pedal 33a. Therefore, when the player strongly depresses the accelerator pedal 33a, the player's car C1 on the monitor screen 42 runs at a corresponding high speed. When the degree of depression is small, the speed of the player's car C1 is decreased correspondingly. In this embodiment, the rate of change of speed to the degree of depression varies depending on the set position of the shift lever 51. Specifically, the player's car control section 641 is programmed so as to output a command signal for commanding that the traveling speed of the player's car C1 when the shift lever 51 is placed in the reverse position is lower than when the shift lever 51 is placed in the advance position. Thereby, when the degree of depression of the accelerator pedal 33a for reversing the player's car C1 is the same as for advancing, the reversing speed of the player's car C1 is lower than the advancing speed. Therefore, it is possible to reliably perform a reversing operation, which is more difficult than advancing. When the shift lever 51 is placed at the reverse position, the traveling speed may be fixed, regardless of the degree of depression of the accelerator pedal 33a.

[0056] The general car control section 642 controls the running of one or a predetermined number of general cars, other than the player's car C1 and the opponent car C2, within the running space on the monitor screen 42. These general cars function as obstacles in the driving game.

[0057] The opponent car control section 643 controls the running of the opponent car C2 that competes with the player's car C1, and subjects the opponent car C2 to a predetermined running process in connection with the player's car control section 641.

[0058] The position judgement section 644 searches for all cars existing within a preset field of view, based on coordinate data on the player's car C1, the opponent car C2, and general cars that are sent from the player's car control section 641, the general car control section 642, and the opponent car control section 643, and outputs data on the search result to the image processing section 645. The position judgment section 644 also judges the positional relationship between the player's car C1, and the opponent car C2 and general cars, such as a collision including a minor collision, the positional relationship between the player's car C1 and a fixed obstacle, and the like. When it is determined that a minor collision or a collision has occurred between the player's car C1 and another car, or between the player's car C1 and the fixed obstacle, the position judgement section 644 sends a collision signal to the image processing section 645. Furthermore, the position judgment section 644 has the functions of determining a "tagger" car carrying the time bomb Q, and of exchanging the "tagger" between the player's car C1 and the opponent car C2 when the cars touch.

[0059] The image processing section 645 subjects all the cars searched by the position judgement section 644 and specific views (roads, buildings, etc.) in the running space within the field of view, to a well-known three-dimensional image process such as a geometric process or a rendering process. A three-dimensional image produced as the result of the process is displayed on the monitor screen 42. The image processing section 645 also counts the time that elapsed from the beginning of the game, and displays on the monitor screen 42 an image of the exploding time bomb Q, when a preset time has elapsed.

[0060] Therefore, when the player sits on the simulated driver's seat 2 (FIG. 1) and operates the start button 34d, a predetermined initial image first appears on the monitor screen 42. By operating the steering wheel 34b, the shift lever 51, and the like in the driving unit 61, an operation signal is input to the player's car control section 641, and a predetermined process is executed. A process signal is input to the position judgment section 644, and time-varying views in the running space centered on the player's car C1 are shown on the monitor screen 42. The opponent car C2 also runs under the control of the opponent car control section 643, and the driving game proceeds in which the player's car C1 and the opponent car C2 chase each other. When the time bomb Q carried by one of the player's car C1 and the opponent car C2 is transferred to the other car by a contact therebetween and the preset time elapses, the time bomb Q explodes, thereby finishing the game.

[0061] The operation of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B. FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views of the shift lever structure 5 shown in FIG. 2, as viewed from the side, respectively showing a state in which the shift lever 51 is placed in the advance position, and a state in which the shift lever 51 is placed in the reverse position. As shown in FIG. 3A, the shift lever 51 is usually placed in the advance position because of the urging force of the first coil spring 54. Therefore, when the player depresses the accelerator pedal 33a to move the player's car C1, the car C1 advances.

[0062] Only when reversing the player's car C1 for convenience of proceeding of the game, the player grips the grip 51c in his or her left hand and moves the shift lever 51 backward. Then, the lever body 51a pivots clockwise about the support shaft 55, and the lower end of the lever body 51a kicks the movable arm 53b, as shown in FIG. 3B, whereby the shift lever 51 is detected being placed in the reverse position. Consequently, the player's car C1 on the monitor screen 42 is reversed by depressing the accelerator pedal 33a.

[0063] In order to cause the reversing player's car C1 to advance again, it is only necessary to remove the hand from the grip 51c. By doing this, the shift lever 51 pivots counterclockwise about the support shaft 55 because of the urging force of the first coil spring 54, and the interference with the movable arm 53b by the lower end of the shift lever 51 is eliminated. Thereby, the shift lever 51 is detected being placed in the advance position, and the player's car C1 is advanced by depressing the accelerator pedal 33a.

[0064] In the present invention, as described in detail above, the shift lever 51 is usually placed in the advance position by the urging force of the first coil spring 54, and the player's car C1 can be reversed only when the shift lever 51 is moved to the reverse position against the urging force of the first coil spring 54 and is held in this position. Even if the shift lever 51 is moved to the reverse position, it is automatically returned to the advance position only by removing the hand from the grip 51c. Therefore, even when the player's car C1 is tactically reversed during the driving game, it is possible to greatly shorten the operation time until the player's car C1 advances, compared with the conventional art in which the shift lever is forcibly switched to the advance position while gripping the grip 51c. Even when the car temporarily reverses, the driving game, which mainly deals with advancing, can be made more interesting.

[0065] While the present invention has been described with reference to what are presently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, and is intended to cover various modifications as follows:

(1) While the "tag" game in which the car runs with the time bomb Q carried therewith is adopted as a driving game to which the shift lever structure 5 is applied, in the above-described embodiments, the present invention does not limit the driving game to the "tag" game. The driving game may be, for example, a simple chase game, or a racing game in which cars run along predetermined courses in a maze.

(2) While the shift lever 51 is placed inside the casing 52 in the above embodiments, the fulcrum member 51b of the shift lever 51 may be put between the side plates of the side fence member 22 so that the shift lever 51 can pivot about a support shaft passing between the side plates, without particularly employing the casing 52. This makes it possible to omit the casing 52, and to thereby contribute to reduction in component cost. The shift lever 51 may pivot in the lateral direction.

(3) While the limit switch 53 is used as a means for detecting the shift position of the shift lever 51 in the above embodiments, the present invention does not limit the detecting means to the limit switch 53. Instead of the limit switch 53, other mechanical switches, and proximity-sensor switches, such as a photosensor, a magnetic sensor, a capacitive sensor, and a piezoelectric sensor, may be adopted.

(4) While the first coil spring 54 is used as an urging means for urging the shift lever 51 toward the advance position in the above embodiments, the present invention does not limit the urging means to the first coil spring 54, and all types of urging means, such as a leaf spring, a V-spring, and a spiral spring, are applicable.

(5) While the shift lever 51 can pivot about the support shaft 55 in the above embodiments, the shift lever may be of a slide type that slides forward and backward along a guide member, or a button type that is moved by being pressed by a finger or the like.

(6) While a car is applied as the moving object in the above embodiments, the present invention does not limit the moving object to a car and is applicable to all moving objects, such as a helicopter or a ship, that can selectively move forward and backward.

(7) While the moving space in which the moving object moves is a two-dimensional space in the above embodiments, it may be a three-dimensional space, such as air, water, and the earth.

(8) While the speed of the player's car C1 increases in proportion to the degree of depression of the accelerator pedal 33a in the state in which the shift lever 51 is placed in the advance position, in the above embodiments, the rate of change of speed may be increased step by step in accordance with the degree of depression of the accelerator pedal 33a. This can give the player a feeling of automatic gear shifting in accordance with the degree of depression of the accelerator pedal 33a as in an actual car that is capable of automatic gear shifting, thereby making the game more realistic.

(9) While the rearview mirror region 42a is set at a predetermined upper position in the monitor screen 42 in the above embodiments, a monitor device for displaying only a running space behind the player's car C1 may be provided separately from the monitor screen 42 so that the view behind the player's car C1 is shown on a screen of this monitor device.

(10) While the view of the running space behind the player's car C1 is always shown in the rearview mirror region 42a formed on the monitor screen 42 in the above embodiments, the rear view may be displayed in the rearview mirror region 42a only when the shift lever 51 is placed in the reverse position. Furthermore, it may be possible to form a small rearview mirror region on the monitor screen 42 in the state in which the shift lever 51 is placed in the advance position, and to form a large rearview mirror region by enlarging the small rearview mirror region in the state in which the shift lever 51 is placed in the reverse position.

Claims

1. A shift lever structure of a driving game machine in which a moving object displayed on an image monitor (42) advances or reverses in a simulated moving space in response to a control signal from a control section (64) according to a simulated driving operation of a player, said shift lever structure comprising:

a shift lever (51) capable of changing its position between an advance position for directing said moving object to advance and a reverse position for directing said moving object to reverse;

position detecting means for detecting said shift lever (51) being placed in the positions; and

first urging means for urging said shift lever (51) toward the advance position.

2. A shift lever structure of a driving game machine according to claim 1, wherein second urging means (56) is provided to give a tactile response to an operation for changing the drive position of said shift lever (51).

3. A shift lever structure of a driving game machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said position detecting means is a limit switch (53).

4. A shift lever structure of a driving game machine according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said first urging means is a coil spring (54).

5. A shift lever structure of a driving game machine according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein said control section (64) informs said moving object of the traveling speed corresponding to the degree of depression of an accelerator pedal (33a), and exerts control so that the maximum speed when said shift lever (51) is placed in the reverse position is lower than when said shift lever (51) is placed in the advance position.

6. A shift lever structure of a driving game machine according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein a second image monitor is provided to display a simulated moving space behind said moving object, at least when said shift lever (51) is placed in the reverse position.

7. A shift lever structure of a driving game machine according to claim 2, wherein said second urging means (56) is provided directly below an axial center of the shift lever (51) such that said second urging means (56) exerts an urging force in its expanding direction.

8. A shift lever structure of a driving game machine according to claim 7, wherein the second urging means (56) urges the shift lever (51) towards the advance position when the shift lever (51) is in the advance position.

9. A shift lever structure of a driving game machine according to claim 8, wherein the second urging means (56) urges the shift lever (51) towards the reverse position when the shift lever (51) is in the reverse position.

10. A shift lever structure of a driving game machine according to claim 9, wherein the urging force of the second urging means (56) to urge the shift lever (51) towards the reverse position is smaller than that of the first urging means to urge the shift lever (51) towards the advance position.

Ansprüche

1. Schalthebelstruktur einer Fahrspielmaschine, in welcher sich ein sich bewegender Gegenstand, der auf einem Bildmonitor (42) angezeigt ist, in einem simulierten Bewegungsraum in Antwort auf ein Steuer- bzw. Regelsignal von einem Steuer- bzw. Regelabschnitt (64) gemäß einer simulierten Fahrtätigkeit eines Spielers vorwärts oder rückwärts bewegt, wobei die Schalthebelstruktur umfaßt:

einen Schalthebel (51) der fähig ist, seine Position zwischen einer Vorwärtsbewegungs- bzw. Vorwärtsposition zum Richten bzw. Anweisen des sich bewegenden Gegenstands, sich nach vorwärts zu bewegen, einer Rückwärtsbewegungs- bzw. Rückwärtsposition zum Anweisen des sich bewegenden Gegenstand, sich nach rückwärts zu bewegen, zu verändern;

Positiondetektionsmittel zum Detektieren des Schalthebels (51), der in den Positionen angeordnet ist; und

erste Beaufschlagungs- bzw. Zwangsmittel, um den Schalthebel (51) zu der Vorwärtsposition zu beaufschlagen, bzw. zu zwingen.

2. Schalthebelstruktur einer Fahrspielmaschine nach Anspruch 1, wobei zweite Beaufschlagungsmittel (56) zur Verfügung gestellt sind, um eine fühlbare Antwort auf eine Tätigkeit bzw. Betätigung zum Verändern der Antriebsposition des Schalthebels (51) zu geben.

3. Schalthebelstruktur einer Fahrspielmaschine nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die Positionsdetektionsmittel ein Begrenzungsschalter (53) sind.

4. Schalthebelstruktur einer Fahrspielmaschine nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, wobei die ersten Beaufschlagungsmittel eine Schraubenfeder (54) sind.

5. Schalthebelstruktur einer Fahrspielmaschine nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, wobei der Steuer- bzw. Regelabschnitt (64) den sich bewegenden Gegenstand von der Fahrgeschwindigkeit entsprechend dem Grad eines Nieder- bzw. Durchdrückens eines Beschleunigungspedals (33a) informiert, und eine Steuerung bzw. Regelung so ausführt, daß die Maximalgeschwindigkeit, wenn der Schalthebel (51) in der Rückwärtsposition angeordnet ist, niedriger ist, als wenn der Schalthebel (51) in der Vorwärtsposition angeordnet ist.

6. Schalthebelstruktur einer Fahrspielmaschine nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, wobei ein zweiter Bildmonitor zur Verfügung gestellt ist, um einen simulierten Bewegungsraum hinter dem sich bewegenden Gegenstand anzuzeigen, wenigstens wenn der Schalthebel (51) in der Rückwärtsposition angeordnet ist.

7. Schalthebelstruktur einer Fahrspielmaschine nach Anspruch 2, wobei die zweiten Beaufschlagungsmittel (56) direkt unter einem axialen Zentrum des Schalthebels (51) derart zur Verfügung gestellt sind, daß die zweiten Beaufschlagungsmittel (56) eine Beaufschlagungskraft in ihrer sich ausweitenden bzw. Dehnungsrichtung ausüben.

8. Schalthebelstruktur einer Fahrspielmaschine nach Anspruch 7, wobei die zweiten Beaufschlagungsmittel (56) den Schalthebel (51) zu der Vorwärtsposition beaufschlagen, wenn sich der Schalthebel (51) in der Vorwärtsposition befindet.

9. Schalthebelstruktur einer Fahrspielmaschine nach Anspruch 8, wobei die zweiten Beaufschlagungsmittel (56) den Schalthebel (51) zu der Rückwärtsposition beaufschlagen, wenn sich der Schalthebel (51) in der Rückwärtsposition befindet.

10. Schalthebelstruktur einer Fahrspielmaschine nach Anspruch 9, wobei die Beaufschlagungskraft der zweiten Beaufschlagungsmittel (56) zum Beaufschlagen des Schalthebels (51) zu der Rückwärtsposition kleiner als jene der ersten Beaufschlagungsmittel zum Beaufschlagen des Schalthebels (51) zu der Vorwärtsposition ist.

Revendications

1. Une structure de levier de changement de rapports de transmission d'une machine de jeu de conduite dans laquelle un objet mobile affiché sur un moniteur d'image (42) avance ou recule dans un espace mobile simulé, en réponse à un signal de commande provenant d'un bloc de contrôle (64), en fonction d'une opération simulée de conduite d'un joueur, ladite structure de levier de changement de rapports de transmission comprenant :

un levier de changement de rapports de transmission (51) capable de modifier sa position entre une position de marche avant pour faire avancer ledit objet mobile, et une position de marche arrière pour faire reculer ledit objet mobile ;

des moyens de détection de position pour détecter que ledit levier de changement de rapports de transmission (51) est placé dans une position ; et

des premiers moyens de sollicitation pour solliciter ledit levier de changement de rapports de transmission (51) vers la position de marche avant.

2. Une structure de levier de changement de rapports de transmission d'une machine de jeu de conduite selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle des deuxièmes moyens de sollicitation (56) sont prévus pour apporter une réponse tactile à une opération de modification de la position de commande dudit levier de changement de rapports de transmission (51).

3. Une structure de levier de changement de rapports de transmission d'une machine de jeu de conduite selon les revendications 1 ou 2, dans laquelle lesdits moyens de détection de position sont un interrupteur de fin de course (53).

4. Une structure de levier de changement de rapports de transmission d'une machine de jeu de conduite selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dans laquelle lesdits premiers moyens de sollicitation sont un ressort hélicoïdal (54).

5. Une structure de levier de changement de rapports de transmission d'une machine de jeu de conduite selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, dans laquelle ledit bloc de contrôle (64) informe ledit objet mobile de la vitesse de déplacement correspondant au degré d'enfoncement de la pédale d'accélérateur (33a), et exerce un contrôle, de sorte que la vitesse maximale, lorsque ledit levier de changement de rapports de transmission (51) est placé en position de marche arrière, soit moins élevée que lorsque ledit levier de changement de rapports de transmission (51) est placé en position de marche avant.

6. Une structure de levier de changement de rapports de transmission d'une machine de jeu de conduite selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, dans laquelle un deuxième moniteur d'image est prévu pour afficher un espace mobile simulé derrière ledit objet mobile, au moins lorsque ledit levier de changement de rapports de transmission (51) est placé en position de marche arrière.

7. Une structure de levier de changement de rapports de transmission d'une machine de jeu de conduite selon la revendication 2, dans laquelle lesdits deuxièmes moyens de sollicitation (56) sont prévus directement sous un centre axial du levier de changement de rapports de transmission (51), de sorte que lesdits deuxièmes moyens de sollicitation (56) exercent une force de sollicitation dans sa direction d'expansion.

8. Une structure de levier de changement de rapports de transmission d'une machine de jeu de conduite selon la revendication 7, dans laquelle les deuxièmes moyens de sollicitation (56) sollicitent le levier de changement de rapports de transmission (51) vers la position de marche avant lorsque le levier de changement de rapports de transmission (51) est dans la position de marche avant.

9. Une structure de levier de changement de rapports de transmission d'une machine de jeu de conduite selon la revendication 8, dans laquelle les deuxièmes moyens de sollicitation (56) sollicitent le levier de changement de rapports de transmission (51) vers la position de marche arrière lorsque le levier de changement de rapports de transmission (51) est dans la position de marche arrière.

10. Une structure de levier de changement de rapports de transmission d'une machine de jeu de conduite selon la revendication 9, dans laquelle la force de sollicitation des deuxièmes moyens de sollicitation (56) pour solliciter le levier de changement de rapports de transmission (51) vers la position de marche arrière est moins importante que celle des premiers moyens de sollicitation pour solliciter le levier de changement de rapports de transmission (51) vers la position de marche avant.

Drawing