Patent US4538992A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4538992A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image pick-up assembly for a vehicle training simulator
Assignee: Singer Co
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Filing: 1984-05-17
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Granted: 1985-09-03
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Expires: 2004-05-17
Abstract
Abstract The disclosure describes an image pick-up assembly for use in a vehicle training simulators and the assembly has an optical system to detect images in a direction of travel and to transmit these images to an electronic camera. A terrain-following head unit is formed to traverse a terrain model and contains the optical system. A gimbal joint couples the terrain-following head unit with the electronic camera to permit relative universal movement between the two. Releasable locking device is described to lock the terrain-following head unit in an operating position relative to the electronic camera so that it is releasable by a force when the terrain-following head unit engages an obstacle on the terrain model.
Inventors
- 👤 Anthony J. Summerfield
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 21:27
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B9/00; G09B9/02; G09B9/04; G09B9/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
An image pick-up assembly for a vehicle training simulator comprising a television camera and a terrain-following head unit to traverse a terrain model; the terrain-following head unit including an optical system to transmit an image of the terrain to the television camera; said terrain-following head unit is coupled to the television camera by a gimbal joint to couple said terrain-following head unit to said television camera to permit universal movement; and means to lock the terrain-following head unit in a normal operating position relative to the television camera, said means being releasable by a predetermined force if the terrain-following head unit engages an obstacle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
An image pick-up assembly for a vehicle training simulator comprising a television camera and a terrain-following head unit to traverse a terrain model; the terrain-following head unit including an optical system to transmit an image of the terrain to the television camera; said terrain-following head unit is coupled to the television camera by a gimbal joint to couple said terrain-following head unit to said television camera to permit universal movement; and means to lock the terrain-following head unit in a normal operating position relative to the television camera, said means being releasable by a predetermined force if the terrain-following head unit engages an obstacle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which the optical system of the terrain-following head unit includes a reflector and an objective lens and is coupled to the television camera by a flexible bellows to accommodate relative movement of the terrain following head unit and the television camera.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 2 in which the gimbal joint comprises two parts with mating part-spherical annular surfaces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 3 in which the locking means comprises a plurality of spring-loaded balls mounted on one part of the joint and engaging recesses in the part-spherical annular surface of the other part.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 4 including an electrical switch connected with each of a number of said balls to sense when the ball is lifted out of its recess by movement of the terrain-following head unit about the gimbal joint.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 5 including a proximity sensor in the form of a guard structure surrounding the terrain-following head unit and resiliently displaceable relative to the terrain-following head unit, displacement of the guard structure in any direction resulting in actuation of an electrical contact.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 6 in which the guard structure is carried by resilient rods each of which is electrically conductive and extends with clearance through an electrical contact ring which it contacts to close an electrical circuit when the guard structure is displaced.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
128 words
An image pick-up assembly for a vehicle training simulator, comprising: an optical system to detect images substantially continuously in a direction of travel movement and to transmit said images substantially perpendicular to said direction of travel to an electronic camera means, a terrain-following head unit to traverse a terrain model and adapted to contain said optical system during said travel movement, a gimbal joint means to couple said terrain-following head unit to said electronic camera means to permit relative universal movement between said terrain-following head unit and said camera means, and releasable locking means to lock said terrain-following head unit in a normal operating position relative to said electronic camera means, said locking means being releasable by a predetermined force if the terrain-following head unit engages an obstacle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
128 words
An image pick-up assembly for a vehicle training simulator, comprising: an optical system to detect images substantially continuously in a direction of travel movement and to transmit said images substantially perpendicular to said direction of travel to an electronic camera means, a terrain-following head unit to traverse a terrain model and adapted to contain said optical system during said travel movement, a gimbal joint means to couple said terrain-following head unit to said electronic camera means to permit relative universal movement between said terrain-following head unit and said camera means, and releasable locking means to lock said terrain-following head unit in a normal operating position relative to said electronic camera means, said locking means being releasable by a predetermined force if the terrain-following head unit engages an obstacle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
An image pick-up assembly as claimed in claim 8 in which said gimbal joint means includes two matching surfaces in sliding engagement and said two surfaces being formed with a predetermined radius of curvature.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
An image pick-up assembly as claimed in claim 9 in which said releasable locking means includes a plurality of spring-loaded balls mounted in bores formed in one part that defines one of said matching surfaces, and a second part having means to define a plurality of recesses each to receive one of said spring-loaded balls.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
An image pick-up assembly as claimed in claim 10 in which each of said springs that provide a predetermined magnitude force includes a pin positioned to move in response to movement of said balls to actuate an electrical switch.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
64 words
An image pick-up assembly is claimed in claim 11 including an articulated shoe means, a plurality of position transducer means, and means to connect an intermediate rack and pinion between said articulated shoe means and each of said position transducer means, so that any movement of said articulated shoe means is represented by an electrical signal generated by at least one position transducer means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-09-02 | 1989-03-04 | 1989-09-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-09-02 | 1993-03-04 | 1993-09-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-09-02 | 1997-03-04 | 1997-09-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |