CA2167510C

CA2167510C - A steering wheel control apparatus for a television game machine

Info

Publication number: CA2167510C
Application number: CA002167510A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Kenji Tosaki; Masanori Kudou
Original assignee: Sega Corp
Current assignee: Sega Corp
Priority date: 1994-05-20
Filing date: 1995-05-18
Publication date: 2002-02-12
Anticipated expiration: 2015-05-18
Also published as: DE69507767T2; WO1995032038A1; EP0710496A4; EP0710496A1; KR960703644A; DE69507767D1; CA2167510A1; BR9506241A; EP0710496B1; JP2963768B2; KR0162731B1; US5989123A

Abstract

A handle operating device for television game machines, which is used in game for car races or the like and is of a compact and simple construction and which can be fixed at an optimum position for operation. The device comprises a plurality of button switches provided on a surface of an upper post, which connects a central portion of a handle to right and left grip portions of the handle and within the reach of the thumbs without detaching one's hands from the grip portions and transmitting an operating signal of the game, and a pair of right and left shift levers provided on the back side of the central portion of the handle and having points of application in the vicinity of the grip portions. The invention has a further feature in that side surfaces of a base casing which rotatably supports the handle extend in a vertical direction and in a longitudinal direction so as to permit thighs of a player to fixedly interpose the side surfaces therebetween and the handle is constructed to be adjustable in an angular position and in a heightwise position.

Description

21675~Q
SPECIFICATION
A. Steering Wheel Control Apparatus For A Television Game Machine t~ IELD OF' THE INVEN'fTON
The present invention relates to a steering wheel control apparatus that. is connected to a home television game machine by a cable or by radio and that is manipulated by a player.
BACKGROUND OF 'fHE INVENTION
Conventional_television game machines that simulate the operations of vehicles, such as automobiles, airplanes and ships, are uaed a~~ is shown in fig. 1, for example.
More specifically, a television game machine 1 trans-mits video image s i_gnals and speech signals to a television set 2, via a cable, for a game program that is contained in a game cartridge, which is installed in the television game machine 1, and thcis provides a game on the television set 2. A steering wheel control. apparatus 3 for a car race game is connected to the television game machine 1 and 2U oui:puts a drive signal to the television game machine 1 to control the game.
In the Steerl.rlg wheel control apparatus 3, its body 4 corresponds to the instrument panel of an automobile, and a steering wheel. 6 is attached to the distal end of a steering shaft 5, which is so provided that it projects diagonally upward from the body 4.
During the game, t:he player needs only manipulate the l b751 ~
steering wheel control apparatus 3, while the steering wheel control. apparatus 3 is placed either on a table 7, as is shown in hig. 1, or directly on a floor. In addition, when the player sits on a sofa, etc., to play a game, he can place the steering wheel. control apparatus 3 on his lap. Under such conditions, the player commonly manipulates a button switch or a shift lever (not shown), which are provided on the body 4, while operating the steering wheel 6.
Such a conventional steering wheel control apparatus, however, doer not provide excellent usability, and has the following shortcomings.
The first problem is concerned with the positions of the various awitcrnes that are located on a steering wheel control apparatus. More specifically, for the television game machine that simulates the operations of vehicles, such as cars, airplanes and ships, by manipulating a steering wheel while watching a monitor screen, in addition to a steering wheel, which is employed to indicate the direction o:E travel, a steering wheel. control apparatus normally inc:Ludes various switches that are mounted on the body. There are steering apparatuses that resemble a control stick for an airplane, where one push button switch i.s provided on the top of the control stick or where a bur_ton switch is provided on the reverse side of the control stick.
The above television game, however, requires not only 2 i ~;~ 51'CJ
the operation o:f a steering device to indicate the direction of movement, but also the manipulation of switches for acce:Lerat:ing, for braking and for shifting gears, or for offensive and defensive maneuvering and for changing a field view. As these switches are arranged on the body 4 of the :steering wheel control apparatus 3, as is shown in the above prior art, a player must remove one hand from the steering wheel 6 t:o manipulate the switches during the game, s;o that prompt reaction is difficult and usability is degraded.
It is po:~sible for a player to hold a steering wheel with one hand and to place the other hand on the switches in advance; however, the driving posture will be uncomfortable and the operation will be carelessly performed.
While, as is described above there are control stick steering devices that have a single button switch, there are no such control apparatuses that have a plurality of switches that can be se7_ected and manipulated while a control stic)c is being held. The above described control stick steering devices, therefore, are not appropriate for games that require multiple operat:ion switches.
However, if a control apparatus has only one operation switch that is located out of sight, it will not cause any problems during operation. Whereas if there are a plurality of sw itches that are positioned out of sight, since they ax-e oui_si_de the f.i.eld of vision, when they are ~167~10 used operating ermors can occur.
The second problem is related to a gearshift lever that is frequently used during a car race game. Primarily, the operation switch that corresponds to a gearshift lever is attached to the body 4.
Since a player needs to remove one hand from the steering wheel 6 to manipulate a gearshift lever during the game, there is loss of time at the shift operation. Thus, in a car race game in which quick responses are required, a player can not cope with t;he speed at which the game progresses.
F'or large game. machines that are installed in a game center, etc., gearshift levers are so provided for a steering wheel as to resemble the arrangement for a real racecar. This gear.~shift lever is called a seesaw gearshift lever, or a so-called a butterfly gearshift lever, which is so designed that a shift-up operation and a shift-down operation can not be performed at the same time.
The butterf ly gearshif t lever is so designed that it is large and l~he periphery of the steering wheel is accordingly complicated and does not have an attractive appearance.
The butterfly gearshift lever is riot appropriate for installation on a steering wheel control. apparatus for home use that muss: be compactly made.
The third problem arises when, as is shown in Fig. 1, a game is played while the steering wheel control apparatus Z1~~5 3 is positioned on the table 7, and the manipulation of the steering wheel 6 must be performed as quickly as possible For a car racing dame, etc. When a player is engaged in such a game, extra force is imposed on the steering wheel 6, with the result that the steering wheel control apparatus 3 is moved.
When the steer:i_ng wheel control apparatus 3 is moved, i.t is impossible to control the direction of travel by using the steering wheel 6, and it is necessary to halt the game during play.
As a player roust therefore constantly take care not to move the steering wheel control apparatus 3 while handling the steering wheel. 6, the player can not concentrate on the game.
The same conditions are encountered when the steering wheel control apparatus 3 is placed on a floor and used.
rurther, when the steering wheel control apparatus 3 is held on the lap and used, the steering wheel control apparatus 3 is not stably supported and a player has to take so much care not to move the control apparatus 3 that the player can not, concentrate on the game that is being played.
Since thc~ player must pay attention to matters other than those concerned with the playing of a game, the player is prevented from concentrating fully on playing the game, and can not, therefore, thoroughly enjoy it.
The fourth problem is related to the position of the steering wheel 6. The steering wheel 6 is fixed in a standard position on the steering wheel control apparatus 3 for a television game machine. When the position of the steering wheel E> is so fixed, the operation of the steering 'S wheel 6 may be difficult for a player whose size does not correspond to the average, or for a player who has a unique operating posture. To provide realism in the procedures for the game, some conventional control apparatuses 3 vibrate the steering wheel 6 by causing the steering wheel 6 to slide up and down and to be extended upward and retracted. Such a performance is only for causing the vibration, and under normal conditions, when vibration is not required, the steering wheel 6 returns to the standard position, whicin is not always the position that is 1.'~ appropriate for a player.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
It is there:Eore one object of the present invention to provide a steering wheel control apparatus, for a home television game machine, that is compactly made and has a simple structure, and that overcomes the various operational shortcomings that are detailed above.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a steering wheel control apparatus, for a television game machine, wherewith a player can selectively manipulate a plurality of switches while holding a steering wheel.

-, r To achieve the above objects, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a steering wheel control apparatus for a game machine, which supplies a control signal to said gams machine, comprising:
a steering wheel having a pair of grips at symme-trically located positions to the center of rotation;
a plurality of button switches provided at positions on a front portion of said steering wheel and to which thumbs of hands holding said grips can be moved, and transmitting said control signal; and a switch arranged in a center or near said center of a front face of said steering wheel.
As a result, a player can selectively manipulate a plurality of button switches while holding the steering wheel.
The steering wheel control apparatus, therefore, possesses excellent usability, and is appropriate for television games that require quick. control responses. Thus it is possible for games to provide progressively greater gratification for players as skill i:~ acquired in their use, and the players can enjoy the games more.
A plurality of button switches are located at the front of the steer_Lng wheel and within sight of the player, so that a player can observe the manipulation of switches and can prevent errors during their operation.
For a rotary steering wheel that has a pair of grip portions, the arrangement of a plurality of button switches on the grip portions can facilitate a more complex and a higher level switch manipulation.
According to the present invention, a switch, such as a game start switch, that is not used during a game is located in the center, or in the vicinity of the center, at the front of the steering wheel. With this arrangement, since to manipulate that switch one hand must be removed from the steering wheel, manipulation errors can be prevented.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a steering wheel control apparatus, for a home ~~.: r. . ~

television game machine, that has a gearshift mechanism that is compactly and simply constructed around a steering wheel and that is appropriat:e for employment with such a steering wheel control apparatus when it is used with a home television game machine.
To achieve this object, according to the present invention, there is provided a steering wheel control apparatus, for a game machine, which supplies a control signal to said game machine, comprising:
a pair of grip portions positioned at predetermined right and left locations on a steering wheel; and a pair of shift levers provided at a reverse surface of said steering wheel, said pair of shift levers having manipulable segments near said grip portions and being independently operated when fingers of both hands holding said pair of grip portions contact said manipulable segment, wherein a signal to shift up is generated by the operation of one of said shift levers and a signal to shift down is generated by the operation of said other shift lever.
Since a steering wheel control apparatus according to the present invention is so designed that the individual shift levers on the reverse surface of a steering handle are operated independently, the shift lever mechanism can be compactly and simply constructed around the steering wheel, and is appropriate for employment with the steering wheel control apparatus for home use. Even with a television game that is played at home, a player can enjoy a sense of control that is similar to that which is experienced when actually driving a racecar.
Preferably, a signal processing means for processing signals from the shift levers is provided so that, even when both the shift levers are being operated, it is assumed that the control that is imposed by one of the gearshift levers is valid and that tlhe result of the operation of the other is invalid. Errors that occur during the operation of the gearshift levers can be automatically eliminated. Further, the ~z control apparatus can be thus fixed in place, and the operation of the apparatus treat has button switches and the shift levers on the obverse and reverse sides of the steering wheel can be performed perfectly.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a steering wheel control apparatus, for a television game machine, than a player can easily and securely fix in place so that the player does not have to take special care not to move the control. apparatus while engaged in playing a game.
To achiE:ve this object, according to the present invention, there is provided a steering wheel control apparatus, which supplies a control signal to a game machine, comprising:
a base casing rotatably supporting a steering shaft of a steering wheel, said base casing having sides which converge along a front to rear direction so that said sides can be easily held between player's thighs.
Since a player can securely hold the base casing between the thighs,. and the player does not, therefore, have to be careful about shifting the steering wheel control apparatus unnecessarily while manipulating the steering wheel, when engaged in a game., the player can concentrate on and fully enjoy playing the game.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a plate is extended t:o the right and to the left along the bottom face of the base casing. The player can hold the base casing between the thighs,, and at the same time, can press down on the plate, which extends outward to either side, with the thighs from above, so thait the base casing can be held more securely.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a steering wheel position adjustment structure, of a steering wheel control apparatus for a television game machine, that permits a steering wheel to be moved to an optimal operating position for a player.
To achieve this object, according to the present invention, there is provided a steering wheel position adjusting structure for a steering wheel control apparatus for a game machine that supplies control signals to said game machine, comprising:
a steering column for rotatably supporting a steering wheel;
a base casing for rotatably supporting said steering column to be inclined;
steering column temporary inclination holding means for permitting said steering column to be rotated and for temporarily holding said steering column at a desired position;
and steering column inclination locking means for inhibiting the rotation of said steering column.
When the locking means has been released, the steering column i:~ temporarily held by the temporary holding means so that it can be inclined. The steering column is freely inclined by moving a steering wheel and can be maintained at a proper inclination.. Then, the steering wheel can be secured in an optimal inclined position by setting and locking the locking means.
Preferably, said steering column temporary inclina-tion holding means comprises:
- an external bottom wall face of said steering column formed in a curved shape, a plurality of grooves extending toward the sides on the external bottom wall face formed along a circumference of the face, an engagement member extending from t:he base casing and having an engagement protrusion at the distal end thereof which can be displaced downward by elastic deformation, where the engagement protrusion of said engagement member engages one of said grooves in said steering column so that said inclined steering column is temporarily held at the position.
Also preferably, said steering column inclination locking means comprises:
- an inclination locking member provided to the base casing, so that an active portion thereof can be freely engaged r' a:.

upward with and disengaged from said engagement protrusion by an operation of the inclination locking member, whereby when said active portion of said inclination locking member engages with said engagement protrusion of said engagement member, a downward displacement of said engagement protrusion is inhibited and thus said locked state is provided, and when said active portion of said inclination locking member is separated from said engagement protrusion, said downward displacement of staid engagement protrusion is permitted and thus a lock relea:~ed state is provided.
With this arrangement, if the locking is released by operating the inclination locking member, the downward displacement of the engagement protrusion is permitted. In this condition, when the steering column is inclined, at its distal end the engagement protrusion is disengaged from the groove in the steering column by the elastic deformation of the engagement member, and engages another groove, after sliding over the cylindrical portion between the grooves, to hold the steering column temporarily.
In the lock released state, the steering column can be freely inclined by moving the steering wheel and can be temporarily held at a desired position. Further, when the inclination locking member is operated and it is set in the locked state, the downward displacement of the engagement protrusion is inhibited. The engagement protrusion is therefore securely fitted in the groove in the steering column and the inclination of the steering wheel is fixed.
In addition, to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a steering wheel control apparatu:~ for a game machine that supplies control signals to said game machine, comprising:
steering column temporary extension holding means for permitting a soteering shaft to be extended or depressed and for temporarily holding said steering shaft at a desired position; and steering column extension locking means for inhi-21b7510 biting said steering shaft from being extended or depressed.
When th.e locking means is set in the lock released state, the steering shaft is temporarily held by the temporary holding means so that it can be freely extended or depressed.
The steering shaft can therefore be freely extended or depressed with the steering handle and can be temporarily maintained at a desired height. When the steering shaft is locked by the locking means, the steering wheel can be fixed at an optimal vertical position.
l0 Preferably, said steering column temporary extension holding means comprises:
- a p7_urality of grooves extending in a direction vertical to an axial direction of said steering shaft formed on a surface of said steering shaft and along the axial direction, - a cylindrical engagement member, said cylindrical engagement member being inserted extendingly or depressingly along the axial direction by the steering shaft, being rotated together therewith, and having an engagement piece which includes an engagement pawl whose distal end is bent inward, 20 said engagement piece being displaced by elastic deformation thereof in a direction of the greatest diameter of the cylindrical engagement member, whereby, when said engagement pawl engages with one of said grooves in said steering shaft, said extension/
depression position of said steering shaft is temporarily determined.
Also preferably, said steering column temporary extension locking means comprises:
- a circular extension/depression locking member 30 rotatably engaging with an end of said cylindrical engagement member and being :~o operated that an operating portion thereof externally contacts to, or separates from, said engagement piece of said engagement member, wherein said cylindrical engagement member is rotatably supported by said steering column, whereby when said operating portion of said E '.~

21675.0 extension/depress.ion locking member contacts said engagement piece of said engagement member, an expansion of said diameter of said engagement piece is inhibited and a locked state is provided, and when said operating portion of said extension/
depression locking member separates from said engagement piece of said engagement member, said expansion of said diameter of said engagement piece is permitted and an unlocked state is provided.
When the locking condition is released by the operation of the extension/depression locking member, the displacement of t:he engagement pawl in the direction in which the diameter is expanded is permitted. Under this condition, when the steering shaft is extended or depressed, the engagement pawl a.t the end is removed from the groove in the steering shaft by the elastic deformation of the engagement piece, and engages another groove after sliding over the side face between the grooves, so that the steering shaft is thus temporarily held.

As is described above, in the lock released state, the steering shaft can be freely extended and depressed with the steering wheel, and can be temporarily held at a desired position. Further, since, in the locked state that is provided by -the operation of the extension/depression locking member, 'the displacement of the engagement piece is inhibited in t:he direction in which the diameter is expanded, the engagement pawl is securely fitted into the groove of the steering shaft and the vertical position of the steering wheel is fixed.
The inclinai:.ion and the extension/depression of the steering wheel can be adjusted by t:he provision of the steering wheel inclination position adjustment structure and the steering wheel extension/depression position adjustment structure.
According to the present invention, a plurality of button switches are provided above and on the right and the left sides at given positions on a steering wheel, and a gearshift lever pair is arranged on the reverse side.
While a steering wheel is being handled, these button switches and the gearshift lever pair can be manipulated by the thumbs and the other fingers. In addition, for increased usability, the base casing of the steering wheel 2'_i control apparatus can be securely positioned by its being held between the thighs of a player. Further, since the vertical position and the rotational position of the steering wheel can. be adjusted, a player can more easily handle the steering wheel while manipulating the button switches and the gearshift levers.
The various objects of the present invention are further achieved by a steering wheel control apparatus, which supplies a control signal to a game machine connected to a monitor, comprising:
a base casing;
a steering column supported by said base casing at a predetermined inclination;
a steering shaft rotatably provided to said steering column;
a steering wheel including a steering wheel center portion which is provided at a top end of said steering shaft, an upper elongating member and a lower elongating member which extend from said steering wheel center portion in right and left radial direcaions, and grips which are provided between said upper elongating member and said lower elongating member, wherein substantially arched openings are formed between said steering wheel center portion and said grips; and a plurality of button switches, provided on said upper face of said left and right upper elongating members and near said grips, provided within a range to which a thumb of a hand of a player holding said grip reaches, and supplying said control signal to said game machine.
According to the present invention there is also provided a steering wheel control apparatus, which supplies control signal t:o a game machine connected to a monitor, comprising:
a base casing;
a steering column rotatably supported by said base casing at a predetermined inclination;
a steering shaft rotatably provided to said steering column;
a steering wheel including a steering wheel center portion provided at a top end of said steering shaft, an upper ;;x~;<

post and a lower post extending from said steering wheel center portion in right and left radial directions, and grips provided between said upper post and said lower post, substantially arched openings being formed between said steering wheel center portion and said drips, said steering wheel being constituted by an upper casing and a lower casing; and a right and left operation member rotatably supported, between the upper and lower casings, by shafts at a center of said upper and said lower casings, and being l0 integrally formed :from a center portion rotatably supported and right and left manipulable segments which are extended toward said grips and positioned near said grips and in said substantially arched openings, wherein said right and left operation member controls right and left switches in said steering wheel by being pulled up with fingers of said right and left hands ho7_ding said grips.
The present invention also provides a steering wheel control apparatus for a game machine, which supplies a control signal to said game machine, comprising:
20 a base casing;
a steering column supported by said base casing at a predetermined inc:Lination;
a steering shaft rotatably provided to said steering column;
a steering wheel including a steering wheel center portion which is provided at a top end of the steering shaft and right and left grips provided through extending from the steering wheel center portion wherein substantially arched openings are formed between said steering wheel center portion 30 and said grips;
a plurality of upper-face operation means, provided at an upper-face :;ide of the steering wheel center portion and at a near side of the grips to which the hands of the player holding each grip can reach, for supplying said control signals to the game machine; and back-face operation means, provided at a back-face ~"'~ ~, side of the steering wheel center portion and at a near side of the grips to which the hands of the player holding each grip can reach, for supplying said control signals to the game machine.
Further provided is a steering wheel control apparatus for a game machine, which supplies a control signal to said game machine, comprising:
a base casing;
a steering column supported by said base casing at a predetermined inclination;
a steering shaft rotatably provided to said steering column;
a steering wheel including a steering wheel center portion which is provided at a top end of the steering shaft and right and left: grips provided through extending from the steering wheel center portion;
a cylinder rotatable together with the steering shaft and provided in the steering column; and a spring' provided around the cylinder and having an upper terminal and. a lower terminal which are abutted between an upper protrusion and a lower protrusion provided to the surface of the cylinder and to an upper stopper and a lower stopper provided to the interface of the steering column;
whereby 'when the steering wheel is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise, the steering wheel has a centering function for returning to the other direction through an elasticity of the spring generated between the upper protrusion and the lower stopper or between the lower protrusion and the upper stopper.
The present invention also provides a steering wheel control apparatus,, which supplies control signals to a game machine connected to a monitor, comprising:
a base casing;
a steering column supported by said base casing at a predetermined inclination;
a steering shaft rotatably provided to said steering 16a .,.. r a, .;

column;
a steering wheel including a steering wheel center portion which is provided at a top end of said steering shaft, an upper elongating member and a lower elongating member which extend from said steering wheel center portion in right and left radial directions, and grips which are provided between said upper elongat_Lng member and said lower elongating member, wherein substantially arched openings are formed between said steering wheel center portion and said grips;
a plurality of button switches, provided on said upper face of said left and right upper elongating members and near said grips, provided within a range to which a thumb of a hand of a player holding said grip reaches, and supplying said control signals to~ said game machine; and right and left operation member provided at a reverse side of said steering wheel, having right and left operation portions which are near said right and left grips so that a finger of a player holding said grip reaches thereto, and supplying said control signals to said game machine.
There i:~ finally provided a steering wheel control apparatus, which :supplies a control signal to a game machine, comprising:
a base <:asing rotatably supporting a steering shaft of a steering wheel, said base casing having sides which converge along a front to rear direction so that said sides can be easily held between player's thighs;
a pair of grip portions positioned at predetermined right and left locations on,a steering wheel; and a pair of operation members provided at a reverse side of said steering wheel, and having manipulable segments near said pair of grip portions, so as to supply predetermined control signals to said television game machine by an operation to said manipulable segment with fingers of right and left hands holding said grip portions.
16b The accompanying drawings are provided as reference material for enhanced comprehension of the present invention and to accompany t:he explanation of the present invention. The present invention, however, is not limited to the structure that are depicted in the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 is a sketch illustrating a conventional steering wheel. control apparatus that is being used;
Fig. 2 is a rear view of a steering wheel control apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a top view of a steering wheel control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 4 is a side view of a steering wheel control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 5 is a sketch illustrating a right hand holding the right grip portion of the steering wheel in Figs. 2, 3 and 4;
Fig. 6 is a partially exploded perspective view of a steering wheel showing a gearshift lever according to the embodiment of the present invention;
16c 21615 C~
Fig. 7 i.s a partial cross sectional view of the steering wheel. in fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a di~7gram illustrating a simultaneous driving processor for the gearshift levers in Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a slsetch showing the steering wheel control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention while it. i.s in use;

Fig. 10 i.s a side view of ttue steering wheel control apparatus wit=h tl~e base casing in its cross section, showing the inclination locked state of the embod iment of t:he present invention;

Fig. 11 is a side view of the steering wheel control apparatus in Fig. 10 when i.t is temporarily held;

Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a steering shaft, an er:tension/depression locking member, and an engagement cylinder member that constitute an exten-sion/depress:i.on adjustment mechanism according to the embodiment of t=he preseni_ invention;

Fig. 13 i_:~ a cross sectional. view of the steering wheel control apparatus when the extension/depression portion adjustment structure is locked by the mechanism Fig.
in 12;

Fig. 19 is a cross sectional view of the steering wheel control appa:raCu~~ when the c:xten:~ion/depressionportion adjustment structure is temporarily held by the mechanism in Fig. 12;

Fig. 15 is a bottom view of an extension/depression locking member 38 in Fig. 12;

1 'l Fi_g. 16 i,s a partially cutaway side view of a centering mechanism of the steering wheel control apparatus according to the embodimer~l_ of the presi~nt invention;
Fig. 17 is a ~~i_de view of the centering mechanism when the steering wheel is rotated to the right;
Fig. 18 i.s a side view of the centering mechanism when the steering wheel is rotated to the left;
Fig. 19 is a top view ol: the steering wheel of the steering wheel control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present. invention;
Fig. 20 =is a top view of a handlebar control apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 21 is a perspective view of a control column control apparatus according to an additional embodiment of the present inveni:ion;
Fig. 22 is a rear view of a steering wheel control apparatus according to a further embodiment of the present invention;
):'ig. 23 is an exploded diagram of a steering wheel showing shit=L levee :~ occordind Lo :>ti:l 1. another ernbodi.rnent of the pr esent invent. ion; and Fig. 24 is a cross sectional view of the steering wheel in Fig. 23.
BEST MOD1J:~ 1?OI2 L=AI2I2Y1NV OUT 'ftlE INVENTION
[Outline of a steering wheel control apparatus]
Figs. 2 throue~h 4 are a near view, a top view and a 1. 8 side view for a steering wheel control apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
The steering wheel control apparatus of the embodiment is employed by be:i.ng connected to a home television game.
As is shown in Iii. 7 t-or the prior art, a television game machine 1 transrnit.s an :image signal and a speech signal to a television :? t:o develop a game. A steering wheel control apparatus 3 accorcli.ng to tire embodiment, which is used for a driving game, such as a car racing game, is connected for control to the television game machine 1 via a cable 16, and outputs dlrive control signals to the television game machine 1 to control the progress of t:he game. In this embodiment, the steering wheel control apparatus 3 may also output the dr_Lve ccmtroa signals to the television game ma chine 1 through radio.
A player needs only to operate the steering wheel control apparatus 3, and may use it by placing it on a table 4, as is shown in fi.g. 1, or directly on a floor.
The player installs a so1-tware cartridge for a driving game, such as a car racing game, in the television game machine 1, holds a steering wheel 7.4 of the steering wheel control apparatus 3, and starts the game.
For a car racing game, a scene representing a race track as it is viewed from the operator's seat of a racecar and that includes images representing competitors' cars appears on a television 2 that_ is in front of the player.
The video scene changes in response to the manipulation of the driving controls, so that the player is given the sense of driving as a participant in a car race.
The basic structure of the steering wheel control apparatus 3 in this embodiment will now be explained.
For a base casing 10 of the steering wheel control apparatus 3, an upright front wall 10a inclines slightly to the rear up to its top rear edge, a top wall lOb is formed so that it inclines diagonally downward to the rear until it reaches a bottom wall and thus serves as a rear wall, and side walls lOc cover the right and the left sides.
The side wa7~ls 10c approach each other as they extend to the rear.
The lower ends of the side walls extend horizontally to the right and left, and the rear edge of the top wall 10b 1_'i extends backward horizontally so together they form a single plate :LOd. The plate lOd is substantially rectangular in shape and creping is performed on the surf ace .
The lower face of the base casing 10 is covered with a bottom plate 11.
A cylindrical steering column 12 is fitted to an opening in the ~~enter of the inclined top wall 10b, and a steering shaft :13 is inserted into the steering column 12 to rotatably support the shaft 13. A steering wheel 14 is integrally formed at the upper end of the steering shaft 13 that projects upward.
The steering wheel 14 extends to the right and to the .~ x'"~

left and has hand grips 14a at the edge portions. These grips 14a are formed via upper and lower posts 14b and 14c t_hut extend radial.l_y to the right and to the left from the steering wheel center portion 14d. Three push button switches 15 are azrranged on t:he upper post 14b that is located in front of each of the grips 14a. Gearshift levers 125 and 12E> that. control. gears during a car racing game are provided ou t:tie i.-ear side of the steering wheel 14, so that the operating portion for each of the gearshift .levers 1.25 and 12(~ is positioned in an arched opening 14e that lies between the st=Bering wheel center portion 14d and the hand grip 14a. Another button switch 19 is located above the steerinc:J wheel. center portion 14d.
A cable 16 thal.. extends from the steering column 12 is connected to the ~=elevi.sion game machine 1.
The steering wheel_ control apparatus 3 in the embodiment has thc~ above described appearance and its base casing 10 is formed it the above shape. To use such a steering wheel control apparatus 3, as will be explained while referring t.o Fi.g. 9, a player who is seated on, a piece of furniture, suct-r as a sofa, places the steering wheel. control appa:~~~atus 3 between i:he thighs. Then, while holding the ~~ide c.~alls 10c of the base casing 10 with the thighs, at the same time the player sandwiches the horizontally extemii_ng plate l.Od between the thighs and the seat so as to ~~tahil.ize irhe :steering wheel control apparatus 3.

21b1~10 [Button switches c..~ri t:he steering wheel control apparatus]
In Fig. 5 is shown the state when the right hand grip 14a is held by thf-: right hand. 'rhe hand grip 14a can be securely held w:itlu the fingers, except :Eor the thumb, and the proximal joint of the thumb. 'fhe three push button switches 15 are so arranged that they lie within a range where the thumb can move freely, and especially at positions where the pad of the right thumb (the palmar surface of the thumb where the curved ridges that produce a fingerprint: are :local-ed) c-an easily be brought into contact with tha l.uattons 15. Though not shown, the three push button s~aitcles on the left side are also arranged at t=he positions where the pad of the left thurnb can easily be brought into contact with thc: button switches while the lef t hand holds the hand grip 14a .
A player, tl-iurefore, can selectively depress the swi-tches in the two three push button sets with the right or the left thuml:~, while exercising control by securely holding the hand grips 1.4a with both hands.
On the other hand, the push button switch 19 that is l-orated above the :steering wheel center portion 14d can not be depressed umle~>:-~ one or the ottuer of the hands releases a hand grip 7-4a.
The push button sw itches 1-5 and 19 are located on the front face of the steering wheel 14 that is in sight of an operator with a common posture. In addition, the button switches 15 are located on ei.tlier upper posts 14b between 2. 2 the right and left hand grips 14a. Therefore, a player can look at these butaon switches 15 while depressing them with the thumbs and without releasing the hand grips.
An example where the present invention is applied to a car racing game will now be explained.
In this game, acceleration, braking, gear changing and jumping can be performed, and an image on a television screen can be a:Ltered so that a scene can be viewed from various angles.
Various viewing angles can be selected: an angle at which an operator is commonly looking straight forward from an operator's seat; an angle at which an operator is looking to the rear; and an angle for a view point that is different from the view from the view point of the operator 1~; and that is upward and diagonally to the rear of the car.
Among the three push button switches 15 on the right side, the rightmost bush button switch is an acceleration switch, the middle push button switch is a brake switch, and the leftmost push button switch is a jump switch.
2i7 These switches are manipulated frequently during the game.
While the hand grip 14a is held by the right hand, the right thumb can be employed to selectively depress the push button switches 15.
Among the t=hree push button switches 15 on the left 25 side, the leftmost push button switch is, for example, a gear change switch and the other two are switches for changing the view angle. While the hand grip 14a is held .'~

2167~~
by the left hand, the left, hand thumb can be employed to selectively d~~pre~» t=he three push button switches 15.
'Ihe push buttcm swit~ti 19 that is located above the ~~teering wheel cernt:er portion 14d :is a game start switch.
After a player starts the game by depressing the push button switch 19 that: is above the steering wheel center portion 1.4d, the p:i ayer grasps the hand grips 14a with both hands, controls the st.eeri.ng wheel 14 for driving while watching the image on t~h~ television screen, and 1.0 selectively employs hi~~ thumbs to depress the three push button switches 15 on either side without releasing either hand f rom the hand gr ips 14 a . Thus , usabi l ity is exce l lent and quick o~>erati.ng responses are possible; and as the player gains proFiciency, his enjoyment of the game increases.
'lhe thumb of t.le right hand, especially, is frequently employed in consonance with race conditions to change the clri_vi.ng speed or i::o make a jump, so that a player's skill is best demonstrat-.ed by its use.
The gear change switcto that is depressed by the thumb of the left: hand is used rather frequently. The remaining push button switcl~c~s, 4rhich are employed to change the view angle, are operat:.ed to accy.rire information about the position of the lulayer's car and about how the race is progressing.
Since the push button swi.tc:hes that are to be depressed by the thum~ba ca:~n be visually identified, erroneous selections can be avoided.
Further, since the push button switches are located within the range where the thumbs of t:he hands on the hand grips can contact them, not much space for the installation of these switches is required and the periphery of a steering wheel c:an be compactly designed.
On the other hand, as there is no need to depress the push button switch 19 during a game, and since if the switch 19 is mis-takenly depressed it will cause an annoying 1G interruption, i.a., the halting of the game, the switch 19 is so positioned that a hand must be removed from a grip to depress it in order to prevent it from being mistakenly depressed.
[Shift levers for the steering wheel control apparatus]
Conventionally, multiple operating switches of various types are provided for the base casing 10 of the steering wheel control apparatus 3, and a switch for instructing the shifting of a gear in a game is also provided on the base casing 10. In the steering wheel cantrol apparatus 3 of this embodiment, the shift levers 125 and 126 are provided for the steering wheel 14.
The driving mechanism of the shift levers 125 and 126 will be described while referring to Figs. 6 and 7.
In Figs. 6 and 7 is shown the structure of the right shift lever 126; the left shift lever 125 has the same structure. The right shift lever 126 is used to instruct :~ A

21 b7510 a shift up and tlnE~ lefi~ shift. lever 125 is employed to instruct a shift down.
The steering wtre~:l 14 is c:c:~nsti.tuted by joining casings 120a and 1201 LhaO. are an obvc:rst Half and a reverse half (an upper half anct a lower tralf), which are substantially symmetrical.
In t:he reverses side casi.n<1 120b, the circumference of a bottom wall 130 is enclosed within an external wall 131 and an internal wa 11 13?. ~trat is formed around the opening 1.0 _L4e .
One part of the bottom wal.1 130 projects inward (upward) along thc> iroternal wall 132, at the opening 14e, which is near the center, to form a recessed rectangular step wall 133. Au the front and the rear of the step wall 1.33 are side walls that. extend t:he front and the rear internal walls 132. Tn the center of the step wall 133, a perpendicular rectazngular olpening 134 is formed that extends longitudina ll.y to the f ront and to the rear.
Circular hole: 1.35 and 136 that are positioned in line are provided in tt;e step wall 133, and upright cylindrical portions 135a and 1.36a are provided around the circular holes 135 ancj 136, respective:Ly.
A boss 1.37, in which a screw hole is formed, and a pin 13r3 project ntpward near the rear circular hole 136.
A pair of beurinc~s 139 are located upright on the bottom wall. 13U mt a positu.on that; faces a rectangular openir-tg 134. '1'ti~~ paired bear:incJs 139 are rectangular pieces that face Beach other, and that have a recess 139a formed in each upper edge.
In the obverse side casing l2Ua, to correspond to the reverse side casing 120b, a bottom wall 140 is enclosed within an external wall 141, arrd an opening 14e is defined by an internal wall 142. A pair of front and rear pressure nieces 143 that o~ou.r-e::~ponci l.o the bearings 139 project downward from the bottom wall. 140.
A rubber contract piece 150 is fitted into and around the cylindrical yorti.on 1_36a of the step wall 7.33 in the reverse side casi.ug 1.20b. 'L'lne cone shaped rubber contact piece 150 is insc:.rted i.uto t=he cylindrical portion 136a with a distal cony end :150a facing downward. A flange 150b at its circumference is posit=Toned and supported on the upper edge of l:he cylindrical portion 136a and a rectangular ~cwitcl~ base plate 151 is pressed against it.
The switch base plate 1.51 includes circular holes 151a and 151b that are located at diagonally facing corners.
The upper end of 1_he pin 138 is fitted into the circular hole 151b, while a screw 1~2 is fitted into the other circular hole .151.a and into tire boss 137. The switch base p:Late 151 is thus fixed to the caring 120b while pressing against the rubber contact= piece 1.50.
L:lect.ric cord.; 1.514 extend from the switch base plate 1_51 .
A tactile or a micro switch may be employed instead of the rubl.~er c:orltaot. 150.

~1b~~10 As is shown i.n Fig. 7, thE, distal end portion 150a of the rubber contact= piece 15U projects downward a little through the circular hole 136, and a contact terminal 150c is provided an i=hc: reverse side of the distal end portion 150a.
A contac:G teia~inal 151c is located on the switch base plate 151 oppositc> l.o flue contact Germinal 150c. When the distal enct poi:i_i.oro :1'_>Oa otthe rubber contact 150 is pushed up from below ancf elastic deformation moves the contact 1.0 terminal 150c upward and br i.nc3s it. into contact with the contact terminal 1.51c, the switch is turned on.
A spring 153 i.s inserted .in t=he cylindrical portion 1.35a on the step wall 133.
With this arrangement, the shift lever 126 is attached under the step wall. 133, for which i:he rubber contact piece 150 and the sprin<1 153 are provided.
The shift. Lever 126 is formed as though a rectangle plate were folded to form three steps, as is shown in Fig.
6 . Assuming that: Ghe lef t s ide i s the base end s ide, a base end hor:izont.a,l portion 126a; an inclination portion 126b, which is i:r~lded diagorraLly downward; a horizontal center portion 126c, which is so folded that it runs horizontally; a pf:erpend:icu.lar portion 126d, which is folded vertically downwa~:d; and a horizontal distal end portion 126e, which is so folded Gtrat it. runs horizontally, are formed in the named order (corn the base end toward the U~7pUSltE?, thE' C~l.sl~11 E.rld.
2 'J

z A rotary shaft 127 i.s securely attached to the edge of the base end horizontal portion 126a. The projecting ends 127a are rotatably f i tted irW~ tkae recesses 129a in the bearings 139. Thk: horizontal center portion 126c, which the bottom wall 13(:) of the casirng 120b contacts, is located at a position, that is one step lower than the base end kiorizontal portion 1.26a and the inclined portion 126b is between them. The horizontal distal end portion 126e is located at th~~ posi.tion that is lower by the thickness of t:he bottom wall 1.30 than the horizontal center portion 126c, and the perpendicular portion 126d is between them (see Fig. 7).
The positions of cylinders 128 and 129, which project upward from the distal. end horizontal portion 126e, correspond to the positions of the circular holes 135 and 136 in the step wall 133 of the casing 120b, and a vertically el_ongat=ed stopper 126f is provided outward of the cylinders. 128 and X29.
To assemble the shift lever 126, the base end horizontal portion 126a is inserted into the rectangular opening 134 below the step wall 133 of the reverse side casing 120b, and both ends 12'7a of the rotary shaft 127 are fitted into t=he recesses 139a of t:he bearings 139. Then, as is shown in Fi.g. 7, the horizontal center portion 126c rests on the: bottom wall 130, the perpendicular portion 1264 extends outward from the rectangular opening 134, and the distal End horizontal portion 126e lies in the same 2ibi~~~
plane as the :bottom wall 133, while the distal end of the portion 126e :projects slightly into the opening 14e.
The cylinder 129 stands opposite flue distal end portion 1.50a of the rubber contact 1.50, which is exposed and extends downward t:hrough the circular hole 136. The other cylinder 128 stancas opposite t:he circular hole 135.
The stopper 1.?6f is opposite the inner edge of the internal wall 132 along the opening 14e.
When the ;sprirzc~ 153 is inserted into the cylinder 135a around the edge of the circular hole 135 and the distal end reaches the horizontal portion 126e of the lower shift Lever 126, the cylinder 128 is inserted into the spring 153 to serve as the core for the spring.
When the obverse side casing 120a is coupled with the thus structured reverse side casing 120b, the external walls 131 and 141 and the internal walls 132 and 142 abut against each othez~ and form a continuous surface. The ends 1.2 7a of the rotary shaft 12? of t:he shift lever 126 are pressed down lightly, so that: presser pieces 143 and the bearings 139 are slightly shifted relative to each other and overlapped, and the position of the rotary shaft 127 is so fixed that= it c:an be rotated.
The spring 153 is situated between the obverse casing 120a and the shift lever 126 and pushes the shift lever 126 down.
'Chereforc~, tluc~ slrif t_ lever 126 can swing vertically around the rotary shaft 127, and when no external force is ~1~~5~
applied, the ~~hift: lever 126 is driven down by the spring 153 so as to provic-le a surface that is in the same plane as the reverse s=ide casing l2Ub of the steering wheel, as is indicated by the solid lines in 1?ig. 7. When the end (operating point) of the distal end horizontal portion 126e, which extends slightly into the opening 14e of the shift lever 7.26, i.s pushed upward, as is indicated by the chain double-dashed line in fig. 7, the shift lever 126 is raised against. the downward pressure that is exerted by the 1.0 spring 153. 'rhe cylinder x.29 pushes the distal end portion 1.50a of the rubber contact 150 upward so that the contact terminal 150c is brought into contact with the contact germinal 151c on t:he switch base plate 151 and the switch is turned on.
The stopper 126f abuts upon the step wall 133 to prevent unnecessauy movement of the shift lever.
Although oIlly the driving mechanism for the right shift lever 126 has been explained, the driving mechanism for the Left shift lever 125 is the same. When the control apparatus is actually operated by a player, the player grasps both ;wand grips 14a of the steering wheel 14 to rotate the steering wheel 1~1, and to operate the shift levers 125 and 126, places the Fingers other than the thumbs at points where they may be lifted.
The right shift lever 126 may be operated to shift up, while the left sln.ift :Lever 125 may be operated to shift down.

Although the right and left shift levers 125 and 126 are independently provided in this embodiment, according to another embodiment. of the present invention, the right and left shift levers may be integrally formed. That embodiment will now be~explained while referring to Figs. 23 and 24.
Fig. 23 is a bottom view of a steering wheel 14 with a lower casing 120~b removed. Fig. 24 is a cross sectional view taken along the line A-A showing the state when the lower l0 casing 120 b is attached. The right and left shift levers 125 and 126 are integrally formed as is denoted by reference number 170 as a right and left operation member in this embodiment. In other words, the portion that extends from a right operating portion 1708 to a left operating portion 170L
is integrally formed. For the shift lever 170, a rotary shaft 171 that is provided in the center is fixed between a shaft support portion :L72a, which is provided on an upper casing 120a, and a shaft: support portion 172b, which is provided on the lower casing 120b. The operating portions l7oR and 170L of 20 the shift lever 170 are respectively projected into the right and the left openings 14e through gaps between an internal wall 142 of the upper casing 120a and a bottom wall 130 of the lower casing l2ob.
Further,, upright stoppers 173 that are formed on the shift lever 170 are located opposite stoppers 174 on the upper casing 120a. In E'ig. 24, the left operating portion l7oL has been pulled up, while the right operating portion 1708 has been accordingly lowered because they are integrally formed.
Right and left limit switches 178 are provided on the 30 upper casing 120a. Windows 175 for switches are so provided in a _. 2167510 the shift lever 170 that they match the positions of the limit switches 178. In addition, switch manipulation portions 176 are so provided in the shift lever 170 that they match the positions of switch operating pieces 179 of the limit switches 178. As is apparent from Figs. 23 and 24, the limit switches 178 are inserted into the switch windows 175. The switch manipulation portion 176 of one of the operating portions 1708 and 170L that is pulled up presses the operating piece 179 of the corresponding limit switch 178, so that the switch is turned on.
With the integrally formed structure, right and left shift levers can be prevented, to a degree, from being pulled up at the same time.
As is described above, the shift levers can be located at the reverse of a steering wheel for the television game machine for home use. A player can perform a shift change without removing his hands from the steering wheel, and can experience a feE~ling that is similar to the sensation that is encountered during actual operation of a racecar.
Since, as is described above, the steering wheel control apparatus has a compact structure with which the operation of the right and left shift levers is performed independently, the apparatus is optimal for a home -~ :c 21b751~
television game machine, and has a good appearance because of the simplified periphery of the steering wheel.
Since the points at which operation of the shift levers 125 and 126 :is possible are the edges of the horizontal distal end portions 126e, the shift lever can be actuated by touching i t wi t:lz one of the f fingers other than a thumb .
A player therefore can easily operate the shift levers and avoid operation errors.
As the right and left shift Levers 125 and 126 are independently open aced, even though they are usually not actuated at the same tune, there is a chance that the shift Levers 125 and 126 can through error be operated erroneously at the same time. In such a case, a shift up signal and a shift. down signal arE~ generated at the same time, and therefore specific procE:ssing is required. In the modification :~luown i.n figs. 23 and 24, the integrally :formed shift level- will be elastically deformed if a player pushes up on both sides of the shift lever with a stronger than usual pressure, and the operation for the right and left shift leaver portions w:i.ll be initiated at the same time and instrciction signals for both operations will be generated.
The steE~rirlg wheel control apparatus 3 in this embodiment ha.s an electric processor that is employed when both the right and the left sluift levers 125 and 126 are in the operational state.
The procE:ssor is shown in F'ig. 8.

2i ~~~~G
A shift down switch 160 for the left shift lever 125 and a shift up switch 161 for the right shift lever 126 are connected to the ground terminal at one ends and are connected to input terminals of respective OR gate type HAND gates 162 and 163 at another ends with being pulled up to voltage V,:, .
The output terminals of the NAND gates 162 and 163 are respectively connected to one input terminals I, and I~ of AND gate type NANI) gates 164 and J.65. Output terminals O, and O~ of the NAND gates 164 and 165 are connected to another input terminals I:, and Iz of the NAND gates 165 and 164.
A signal indicating a sh i.ft down is output from the output terminal 0, of the HAND gate 164, and a signal indicating a shift. up is output from the output terminal OL
of the NAND gate 165.
With a high voltage level. as 1 and a low voltage level as 0, when both switches J.60 and 161 are off, the input terminals I, .and I:, of the NAND gates 164 and 165 are at 0 and the output terminals O, and 0~ are at 1 (it should be noted that when the output is a 0 an instruction signal is generated).
If one o:E the switches, f or exarnp:le, the shift down switch 160 is turned on f first, the voltage level at the input terrnina.l I, of the HAND gate 164 is changed to 1, and t:he voltage level at the other input terminal I~ is 1.
Thus, the voltage level at tlue output terminal 0, becomes 21~I~i 0 and a shift down instruction signal is output.
At this time, the input terminal I_, of the NAND gate 165 has a voltage level of 0. Lven if the shift up switch 161 is turned on later so that both switches are in the ON
state at the same time and the voltage level at the input terminal I,, becomes 1, the output terminal Oz remains at 1, and a shift up instruction i.s not issued.
Therefore, priority is given to the switch that is turned on first and that switch is regarded as the valid one, while th~s swii.ch that is turned on later is invalid.
As is described above, when the switches are placed in t:he operating state at the same time, and when the shift down switch 160 is turned off first, the voltage at the input terminal I of the NAND ga to 164 is set to 0.
Accordingly, the vol.tac~e level at the output terminal 0, becomes 1 and thc~ instruction for a shift down is not generated. At trhe same time, the voltage level at the input terminal I,, of the NAND gate 165 becomes 1 and the voltage level at t:he input terminal I,, is 1. The voltage level of the outplat terminal Oz is changed to 0 and an instruction signal for a shift up is output.
When the switches are placed in the ON state at the same time, the switch that is turned off first is regarded as the invalid one and the switch that is maintained on is regarded valid. Such processing substantially matches the intent of a player.
'thus, even if a player erroneously operates the right and left shift levers 125 and 126 at the same time, the aperation progresses automatically in consonance with the intent of the player, and excellent usability is provided.
( fixed str.~uct:ure of ttoe base c.;asing of the steering wheel control apparatus]
Figs. 2 through 4 will be referred to again for the explanation oiE the fixed st=ructure of the base casing 10 of the steering wheel control. apparatus in this embodiment.
The front wall. 10a, the tap wall 10b, the side walls l.Oc and the plate 10d constitute t:he structure as shown.
'fo use the steering wheel control apparatus 3, as is shown in Fig. 9, t=he steering wheel control apparatus 3 is placed, with the steering wheel 14 held by the hands, between thighs PF of a player P who is seated on the sofa 9. The thighs contact t:he side walls lOc of the base casing' 10 to hold the base casing 10, and at the same time, t:he thighs arc= mounted on the horizontally extending plate lOd to hold :i.t bet=ween the t~iighs and the sofa 9, so that t=he steering wheel. control apparatus is securely held in place.
Since bo1=h front ends l0dc of the plate 10d are diagonally cut bacvlc ( see t:he broken line in Fig. 3 ) , the back of the kinees of the player P does not touch the plate 10d and the player feels comfortable while using it.
Further, as the surface of the plate 10d is processed by creping to preVeni~ it from sliding, t:he steering wheel control apparatus 3 is securely held in place by the pressure of the thighs.
The side wal:Ls lOc of the base casing 10 that is held between the thighs are so provided that their interval is reduced toward the rear. That is, the side walls lOc are so provided that they form a shape that is similar to an opened fan from t:he juncture of the legs outward toward the knees, so that it is easy to hold the steering wheel control apparatus 3 between the thighs while using it. As is described, th,e steering wheel control apparatus 3 is securely fixed by the thighs PF of the player P. The player P does not., therefore, have to worry about the base casing 10 shifting during the operation of the steering wheel, and can thus concentrate on playing and can fully enjoy the game.
In this embodiment, the creping is performed on the surface of the plate lOd. The formation of protrusions, and dimple processing or knurling, which are effective for the prevention of sliding, may be performed, or a coating of rubber to prevent sliding may be applied.
If rubber feet or sucking disks are attached to the bottom plate 11 on the lower face of the plate 10d, the rubber feet or the sucking disks will perform effectively with some types of chairs in which the player P sits, and the steering wheel control apparatus 3 can be held more securely.
The steering wheel control apparatus 3 of this ,~ i 2167~i embodiment is so designed that a plurality of the button switches 15, and the shift levers 725 and 126 are provided on the steering wheel 14 so t~tiat the player P can control the game whi:l.e P holding the steering wheel 14. If the base casing 10 is adequately secured by the thighs of the player P, as is described above, the usability of the apparatus can be enhanced.
[Steering wheel position adjustment mechanism]
The steering wheel control apparatus 3 of this embodiment permits the position of the steering wheel 14 to be changed and adjusted to a position that is appropriate for a player. The adjustment mechanism will now be explained while referring again to Figs. 2, 3 and 4, and to Figs. 10 through 15.
First, the position adjustment rnechanism for the inclination angle of the steering column 12 will be explained.
As is shown in Figs. lU and 11, between the side walls lOc of the base casing 10, the slightly lower end center portion of the steering column 12 is pierced by a shaft 20 that passes through it horizontally and supports the steering colLtnlT1 1a and permits it to incline freely.
A bottom wall 12a of the cylindrical steering column 12 serves as a part. of a cylindricaJ_ wall that employs the shaft 20 as a center axis. Three grooves 21, which are extended horizontally, are formed at equal intervals along 21 b~51 the external. circumference of tine cylinder. In the embodiment, the boundary portions at the grooves 21 are formed smoothly and thus the external circumference of the bottom wall 12a has a wave shape.
In the opening, of the top wall lOb of the base casing 10, into which thc~ steering colurnn 12 is fitted, a flat engagement member 22 that has a predetermined width extends from the lower edge of the opening. As is shown in Figs.
and 11, the engagement member 22, which is extended 1.0 downward from the opening edge, is bent forward and extends horizontally, and its list=al end is curved upward to form an engagement protrusion 23.
The engagement member 22 that has a long length from the front to the rear is flexible, and the engagement protrusion 23 at the distal end can be displaced downward by elastic deformation. The engagement protrusion 23 of the engagement member 22 is fitted into one of the grooves 21 in the bottom wall 12a of the steering column 12 to temporarily hold the steering column 12 at a current inclined position.
A cylindrical inclination 1_ocking member 25 is inserted along the top face of the bottom wall 11 through a round hole, which is located in the lower end center of the front wall 10a of the base casing 1.U, and is rotatably supported while it is clir~cted to the iron t and to the rear.
A knob 25a is formed at flue portion, of the inclination locking member 25, that extends forward from the front wall 10a of the base casing 10. An operating portion 25b that projects to i~he side :is formed at the distal end of the member 25 that is inserted into the base casing 10. The operating portion 25b can engage the recess that i.s defined by the lower face of_ the engagement protrusion 23 of the engagement member 22, which is curved upward.
I:n Fig. 7.0 is shown the locking state for the inclination aocklng mernber 25. In this condition, the engagement pi'otru:~ion 23 of the engagement member 22 is fitted into the center groove 21 in the bottom wall 12a of the steering CUlurnn 12, and the operating portion 25b of the inclination locking member 25 engages the recess that is formed at the distal end of the engagement protrusion 23. The downward displacement of the engagement protrusion 23 is inhibited by the operating portion 25b that engages it. Even if a player desires to change the inclination of the steering column 12, the engagement protrusion 23 can not be removed from the groove 21 in the bottom wall 12a of the steering column 12 by which the steering column 12 is held in the inclined position, and the inclination of the steering column 12. can not be changed.
When the knob ?5a of i:he incl.inati.on locking member 25 is rotated about 9u degrees, i:he inclination locking member rotates the same distance. As is shown in Fig. 11, the 25 operating portion 25b is threreby disengaged from the engagement protrusion 23 and the engagement member 22 is therefore su~sceptibl.e i~o elastic deformation, enabling the w 216710 engagement protrusion 23 t_o be displaced downward.
At this time, the steering column 12 is temporarily held by the engagement protrusion 23. As is shown in Fig.
1_1, if the ~:teering column 12 is inclined further, the engagement protrusion 23, which is fitted into the groove 2.1 by the elastic deformation of tire engagement member 22, is thereby disengaged from that groove 21, travels along the circumference of t:he cylinder, and engages the next groove 21. The inclination angle of the steering column 12 is thus changed and the st:eeri.ng column 12 is temporarily held in posit: ion (see the Chain double-dashed lines in Fig.

11).
Such a state is shown in Fig. 11. When the steering column 12 is held t=emporarily, the steering column 12 can be inclined and its inclination angle can be changed and set at three dif-.ferent angles by engaging the three individual grooves 21 with t:he engagement protrusion 23.
In other words, tho inclination angle of the steering wheel 14 can be adjusted and set at. three separate angles.
When the incl:i.nation locking member 25 is rotated and the operating port..ion 25b engages the engagement protrusion 23 to lock thc~ steering column 12, the inclination angle of the steering wheel. 14 is fixed.
The adju:~tment of the positioning distance for the steering wheel l~l, i.e., tfue extension and depression structure of the steering strat:t 13, will now be described whi.l.e referring to Figs. 12 through 15.

~i6~51~
The steering =shaft 13, to which the steering wheel 14 is integrally fixed at its top end, is formed in a substantially para.ll.elepiped shape, and three grooves 30 that extend perpendicular to the axial direction are formed, in a row along the shaft, in side faces that are opposite to each other. 'fhe steering shaft 13 is fitted into an engagement: cylinder 31.
The engagemeni~ cylinder 31 is hollow, and the opening in its lower half has a substantially parallelepiped shape that is the same as the cross section of the steering shaft 13. The steering shaft 13 is fitted into and slides in the axial direction within that lower half and the two rotate together.
The upper half of the engagement cylinder 31 is cylindrical, and in it two pairs of engagement pieces 32 and 34, in which each piece faces a like piece, are formed by the provision of a plurality of slits in the axial direction.
The engagement. pieces 32 each have an engagement pawl 33 that protrudes inward, and the other engagement pieces 34 each have an engagement pawl 35 that projects outward.
An annular member 36 i.s fi.tted around the external surface of the engagement cylinder 31 at a location that is slightly lower than the center.
A ring shaped ex tensiorr/depression locking member 38 is rotatably fitted over the top end of the engagement cylinder 31, and the steerirml shaft 13 is passed through the extension,idepression locking member 38.
The exten~~ion/depression locking member 38 consists of a tapered external wall 38a arrd a circular portion 38b, with the diameter at its top edge being the smallest.
Slits 38c are formed on opposite sides in the tapered external wall 38a, and a plurality of: grooves 38d are formed in the exterw al surface. The configuration of the interior of the ext:ension/depression locking member 38 is apparent from the description in Fig. 15 that illustrates i is structure fi orr~ below. More specifically, four operating portions 39, each of which projects inward toward another from the internal surface of the wall 38a, are arranged para:llel_ t=.o the center axis. Further, engagement portions 40 that are perpendicular to the center axis are provided via walls 40a that: extend downward from the circular portion 3tib (that extend upward in the diagram).
While the wall 40a i.s provided at one end of each engagement portiorn 40, a stopper wall 40b is provided at t:he other end of the engagement portion 40 in parallel to t:he operating por.-tion 39. With this arrangement, the circular portion 38b, the walls 40a, the engagement portions 40 and the stopper walls 40b define spaces, and t:he engagement puwl_s 35 can be rotated, which will be described later.
The distance b~~twc7E~n the opposing operating portions 39 and the distance bei_ween the engagement portions 40 are slightly greater than the outer diameter of the engagement ~1b151Q
cylinder 31. The inner diameter of the circular portion 38a is smaller than the outer diameter of the engagement cylinder 31 and greater than floe outer diameter of the steering shaft 13.
In the extension/depress.:ion locking member 38 that covers the top end of the engagement cylinder 31, the engagement pieces 32 and 34 that are arranged in a circle around the engagement cylinder 31 are fitted into the corresponding operating portions 39 and the engagement portions 40. By d:i.splac:ing the engagement piece 34 inward, each engagement pawl 35 whose distal end faces outward is engaged in the portion that is defined by the engagement portion 40. The engagement pawls 35 can move within this space in the direction .indicated by the arrow B in Fig. 15, and as a result, tlne extension/depression locking member 38 ran be rotatably acttaclned to the engagement cylinder 31.
When the steering shaft 1.3 is inserted, the engagement pieces 32 of the engagement cylinder 31 are elastically displaced outward by the engagement pawls 33 that extend inward. WhE:n the engagement pawls 33 reach opposing grooves 30, t~ogetlier they engage the grooves 30 and the engagement pieces 32 return to their original positions relative to t=he cylinder.
In this m.annei:, the steering shaft 13 is inserted into the engagement cylinder 31, and the extension/depression locking member 3F3 is fitted over the top end of the engagement cylinder 31. 'this stage is shown in Figs. 13 and 14. As is shovfn in Fig. 15, the operating portions 39 of the exten:~ion/clepression locking member 38 are set in the locked state (i_he state as indicated by the chain double-dashed. lines) when the operating portions 39 are positioned at. the distal ends of the engagement pieces 32 (indicated by the chain double-dashed lines), and in the released stal:.e wlmru the operating portions 39 are removed from the distal eruds of the engagement pieces 32 by the rotation of the extension/depression locking member 38 in the direction. indicated by the arrow A in Fig. 15.
In Fig. 13 i.s shown the locked state. The engagement pawls 33 at the distal ends of the engagement pieces 32 of the engagement cylinder 31 are fitted into the grooves 30 i.n the steering stmft, 1:3, and the operating portions 39 are positioned at. the edge of. the engagement pieces 32, which inhibits the disengagement of the Engagement pawls 33 from the grooves 30 with the engagement pieces 32 opening outward. The stece:r_ing strait 13, therefore, can not be ex-tended or depressed, and the operating distance for the steering wheel 1~1 (the height position of the steering wheel 14 ) is f ixect .
In this concti.t=ion, when the extension/depression locking member 38 rotates in i:he direction indicated by the arrow A in Fig. 15 to set the released state, the engagement pieces 32 are shitted in the direction indicated by the arrow B, and they can be spread outward, as is indicated by the double-headed arrow C. Then, the steering shaft 13 is e:Ktended or depressed by holding the steering wheel 14 and pulling or pushing it. The engagement pieces 32 are elasticall~~ deformed, and the engagement pawls 33 are removed from the grooves 30. Then, as is shown by the chain double-dashed lines in >r'ig. 14, the engagement pawls 33 slide over the side faces between the grooves 30 and engage other grooves 30, so ttnat t:he steering shaft 13 is temporarily held in place. The =~oli.d lines in Fig. 14 indicate i:he temporary holding state.
In this state, the position of the steering wheel 14 can be freely charuged. In this embodiment, three sets of opposed grooves 3c> are formed in the steering shaft 13 to enable it to :be moved forward and backward and positioned t:he three different:. levels.
1.5 When the steering shaft 13 is temporarily held at a proper position, the extension/depression locking member 38 is rotated in the direction opposite to the arrow A so as t:o provide the locked state with 'the operating portions 39 positioned at. the distal ends of the engagement pieces 32.
Since the engagement pawls 35 are sandwiched between the walls 40a and the :topper walls 40b, movement in the direc-tion that is indi.c:ated by the arrow B and the range is limited, as is described above.
The position of the steering wheel 14 can be adjusted and fixed in the above described manner.
pCentur.ing mectmni:~rn]

~167~1~
The steering wheel control apparatus 3 in this embodiment has a centering mechanism by which, when a steering wheel i5 released, it is automatically returned to a center portion for stra:i.ght forward driving. The centering mechanism will now be described while referring to Figs. 16 through 18.
The steering column 1.2 is indicated by the chain double-dashed. liner irn Figs. 16 through 18, and stoppers 50 and 51 project inward at given positions inside the steering column 12.. The stoppers 50 and 51 are located at positions along tloe upper and lower faces 36a and 36b of the annular rnember 36, which is fitted over the engagement cylinder 31 that rotates with the steering shaft 13.
Protrusions 55 and 56 are provided at predetermined positions on the upper arrd lower faces 36a and 36b of the annular member 36.
In Fig. 16 is shown a steering wheel 14 when it is in the center position for straight forwarding driving. The protrusions '_i5 and 56 of i:he engagement cylinder 31 are positioned side by side with tl-re respective stoppers 50 and 51 of the steering column 12. A torsion spring 52 is so provided around the external surface of the annular member 36, with it:s top end 52a abuttiIlg upon the stopper 50 and the protrusion 55 a:md its bottom end 52b abutting upon the stopper 51 and the protrusion 56, that the torsion sprint 52 exerts a ;light: urging force in the closing direction.
As is shown pm Fig. 17, therefore, when the steering 2j~~~j~
wheel 14 is rotated clockwise, the engagement cylinder 31 is also rotated clockwise wit-h the steering shaft 13 and t:he protrusions ~S and 56 are rotated clockwise as is indicated by the arrow D. The top end 52a of the torsion spring 52 is held stationarily by the stopper 50, and the bottom end 52b i::> driven by the protrusion 56. As a result, the torsion spring 52 is gradually opened, while a reaction force acts on the steering wheel 14 to return it to its origir~.al position.
When the ~~teer:ing wheel 14 is rotated counterclockwise, the protrusions 55 and 56 are turned in the direction indicated by the arrow E, as is shown in Fig. 18. The bottom end 52b of t:he torsion spring 52 is held stationary by the stopper 57 , and the top end 52a is driven by the protrusion 55, so that the torsion spring 52 is gradually opened. A reaction force acts on t:he st=Bering wheel 14 to return it to its original position.
The reaction .force ttnat acts on the steering wheel 14 increases in consonance with an increase in the steering angle.
When the playi:u P rotates t:he steering wheel 14, he is aware of a reaction force that is consonant with the steering angle. P~hen the player P releases the steering wheel 14, it. is automatically returned to the center position for :~trai.ght forwarding driving, thus imparting to the player P a sensation of actually driving a car.
The steering wheel control apparatus in this embodiment 216?510 has the above de r;c:r.i.bed arrangement. The player P sits down on the seat 9 while holdving the steering wheel control apparatus 3 beLweF-m t.W ~ t_lr.i cilos , a:rnd f: i.xes the base casing 10. First, t=:he knob 25a of. the inclination locking member 25 is manipulated to rcelease the steering wheel 14 from a fixed inclination anti t:o temporar_il.y hold it in position.
The steering column 1?. is inclined with the steering wheel 14 and is adjusted to the most appropriate inclination angle. Then, t:he incli.naLion 1_ocking member 25 is manipulated again to the locked position to fix the inclination Uf the steering wheel 14. 1'ol.lowing this, the extension/depressi.orr locking memtaer 38 is rotated to release the s1=Bering wheel 14 from i=he position in which it is fixed and to temporarily hold it in position. The steering shaft 13 is extended or depressed with the steering wheel 14 t=o adjc_ist. t tie posi.t::ion (the height) of the steering wheel 14 so as to obtain the most appropriate position. Th.e ext:ension/depression locking member 38 is aperated and 7_ocked, and the position of the steering wheel 14 is fixed.
As is described above, since the inclination and the position of l.he steering wheel 14 can be adjusted, the steering wheel 14 can be set at an optimal position for each player and can be controlled easily, and a player can always enjoy a game under the best conditions. Especially when a plural.:ity of_ operational button switches 15 and the shift levers 7_25 and 12G are provided on the steering wheel 14, a steering wheol 1.4 can be fixed at an optimal position for a player, and its usabi.lil~y can be increased.
Since the centeri.mg mechanism is provided for the steering wheel, a player can experience a feeling that is similar to actually driving a car, and can thus enjoy the game more.
The steering control in this embodiment is performed by a control disk DISC, which is provided around the engagement cylinder 36, and a light transmitter/detector PD, which is provided ad=jacent to the di_slc DISC, as is shown in Fic~. 13. A plurality of holes are formed intermittently aror.znd the circumference of the control disk DISC. Light that is emitted by the transmitter/detector PD
on one side of the disk passes through these holes and is acquired on the other side to detect the rotational direction and the angle of tOe steering wheel.
In Fig. 'L9 is shown another embodiment where button switches 19a and 19b are provided on the upper and lower sides of a center portion 14d of a steering wheel 14. A
game start switch and a game stop switch are provided in the steering wheel c:ent:er portion ~.4d and serve as button switches that are rnot used during the playing of_ the game.
Figs. 20 and 21. show an example where a plurality of button switches are provided on a handlebar that is employed for motorcycles, and an example where a plurality of button switches are provided on a control stick.
Fig. 20 is a t.op view of a handle bar 250. Handlebars 252 and 253 that extend to the left and to the right from a rotary shaft 251. have grips 254 and 255 at their distal ends. Push button seL;s 25G and 257, in each of which are three push button->, are respectively located at the roots of the grips 251 and 255, toward the front of the handlebar. The push button switch sets 256 and 257 are in sight of a player, enabling the player to visually select a button and to depress the button with a thumb while holding the grips 2.54 and 255. Another push button switch 258 is also providF:d near the rotary shaft 251. These push button switches can ft.rnction the same as those in the previous embodiment.
As is shown in Fig. 21., which shows a control stick 260, three push button switches 262 are arranged across the top end of a drip '1.61, and a player can selectively depress the push button switch 26?. wit.h a thumb while holding the grip 267..
A modification of_ the embodiment in Fig. 2 is shown in Fig. 22. Although a base casing 10 is structured the same as that in the previous embodiment, a steering wheel 14 has a simple circular shape, rather than having a shape wherein the right and the left sides of the :steering wheel are symmetrically formed.
I:NDUSTRIAI~ APPLICABILITY
First, according to the present invention, a player can selectively manipulate a plurality of button switches while holding the steering wheel. The steering wheel control apparatus, ttneret<~re, posses:~e>s excel.lent usability, and is appropriate for tE:~ lev.i s.ion games that require quick control responses. ~'hus it i.s po~~~~:i_lole~ for games to provide progressively greater gratification for players as skill is acquired in their use, and the players can enjoy the games more.
A plurality oL button switches are located at the front of the steering wloeel and wi thin sight. of the player; so that a player can observe the manipulation of switches and can prevent errors during their operation. For a rotary steering wheel that has a pair of grip portions, the arrangement of. a pl ura 1 i_ty of button switches on the grip portions can facilitate a more complex and a higher level switch manipulation.
Further, a switch that i.s not used during a game is located in the center, or in the vicinity of center, at the front of the steering wheel. With this arrangement, since one hand must. be removed f.rorn the steering wheel in order to manipulate t=hat. switch, manipulation errors can be pre vented.
Second, since a steering wheel control apparatus according to the present invention is so designed that the individual shift levers on the reverse surface of a steering handle arc- operated :i.ndependent.l.y, the shift lever mechanism can be compactly and simply constructed around the steering wheel, and is appropriate for employment with the steering wheel control apparatus that is to be connected to a te7.ev ision game machirre for home use . Even in with a television game that. is played at home, a player can enjoy a sense of control l.luat is similar to tOrat which is experienced when actua.l7y driving a racecar.
Further, when both the shift levers are being operated, electric processing is performed so that it is assumed that the control that is imposed by one of the shift levers is valid and that the result of the operation of the other is invalid. Therefore, err-ors that occur during the operation of the shift levers can be aut:omaticall.y eliminated so as to follow the desire of a player as much as possible.
Third, accord_i.ng t.o the present invention, since a player can securely hold the base casing of the steering wheel control apparatus between the thighs, and the player does not, therefore, have to be careful about shifting the steering wheel control apparatus unnecessarily while manipulating the steering wheel, the player concentrate on and fully enjoy play.i.ng the game.
A plate is extended to the right and to the left along the bottom face oi~ the base casing. The player can hold the base casing between the thighs, and at the same time, can press down on the plate', wh:LCh extends outward to either side, with the t:hi.dhs from above, so that the base casing can be held more secure:Ly. With the securing mechanism, a player- can manipurlate the structure wherein a plurality of button switches and the shift levers are provided on the steering wheel..
J !1 21b7~i~J
Fourth, according to the present i.nventi.on, when the locking meana has been released, the steering column is temporarily lueld lny the temporary holding means so that it can be inclined. 'Che steering column is freely inclined by moving a steE~ring whee.L and can be maintained at a proper inclination. The steering wheel can be secured in an optimal inclined position by setting and locking the locking means, and such a condi.t:ion that the steering wheel is easily operated at an optimal. inclined position can be provided.
In addition, when the locking means is set in the lock released state, the steering shaft is temporarily held by the temporary holding rneans so that it can be freely extended or d<~pres.sed. The steering shaft can therefore be freely extended or depressed with the steering hand7.e and can be temporarily maintained at a desired height. When the steering shaft. i.s locked by the locking means, the steering wheel can be fixed at an optimal vertical position f-or easy operation.
The inclination and the extension/depression of the steering wheel can be adjusted by the provision of the steering wheel inclination position adjustment structure and the steering wheel extension/depression position adjustment structure. 'f'he usability is therefore enhanced.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A steering wheel control apparatus for a game machine, which supplies a control signal to said game machine, comprising:
a steering wheel (14) having a pair of grips at symmetrically located positions to the center of rotation;
a plurality of button switches (15) provided at positions on a front portion of said steering wheel and to which thumbs of hands holding said grips can be moved, and transmitting said control signal; and a switch (19) arranged in a center or near said center of a front face of said steering wheel.

2. A steering wheel control apparatus, which supplies a control signal to a game machine connected to a monitor, comprising:
a base casing (10);
a steering column (12) supported by said base casing at a predetermined inclination;
a steering shaft (13) rotatably provided to said steering column;
a steering wheel (14) including a steering wheel center portion (14d) which is provided at a top end of said steering shaft, an upper elongating member (14b) and a lower elongating member (14c) which extend from said steering wheel center portion in right and left radial directions, and grips (14b) which are provided between said upper elongating member and said lower elongating member, wherein substantially arched openings (14e) are formed between said steering wheel center portion and said grips; and a plurality of button switches, provided on said upper face of said left and right upper elongating members and near said grips, provided within a range to which a thumb of a hand of a player holding said grip reaches, and supplying said control signal to said game machine.

3. A steering wheel control apparatus for a game machine according to claim 2, wherein:
said base casing (10) includes sides (10c) converging along a front to rear direction and a plate extending beyond said sides in the left and right directions along the bottom surface thereof where said left and right directions are defined by a view of a user operably seated behind the steering wheel control apparatus;
whereby a player securely holds said sides of said base casing between said player's thighs, and presses down on said plate with said player's thighs from above.

4. A steering wheel control apparatus for a game machine according to claim 2, wherein said base casing rotatably supports said steering column (12) to be inclined freely, further comprising:
a steering wheel position adjusting structure which includes:
- temporary holding means (22) for permitting said steering column to be rotated and for temporarily holding said steering column at a desired angle; and - locking means (25) for inhibiting the rotation of said steering column.

5. A steering wheel control apparatus for a game machine according to claim 4, wherein, in said steering wheel position adjusting structure, said temporary holding means comprises:
an external bottom wall face (12a) of said steering column formed in a curved shape, a plurality of grooves (21) extending toward the sides on the external bottom wall face formed along a circumference of the face, an engagement member (22) extending from the base casing and having an engagement protrusion at the distal end thereof which can be deplaced downward by elastic deformation, where the engagement protrusion (23) of said engagement member engages one of said grooves in said steering column so that said inclined steering column is temporarily held at the position; and said locking means comprises:
- an inclination locking member (25) provided to the base casing, so that an active portion (25b) thereof can be freely engaged upward with and disengaged from said engagement protrusion (23) by an operation of the inclination locking member, whereby when said active portion (25b) of said inclination locking member engages with said engagement protrusion (23) of said engagement member, a downward displace-ment of said engagement protrusion is inhibited and thus said locked state is provided, and when said active portion (25b) of said inclination locking member is separated from said engagement protrusion, said downward displacement of said engagement protrusion is permitted and thus a lock released state is provided.

6. A steering wheel control apparatus for a game machine according to claim 2, further comprising a steering wheel position adjusting structure which includes:
temporary holding means (33) for permitting said steering shaft to be extended or depressed and for temporarily holding said steering shaft at a desired position; and locking means (39) for inhibiting said steering shaft from being extended or depressed.

7. A steering wheel control apparatus for a game machine according to claim 6, wherein, in said steering wheel control position adjusting structure comprises:
said temporary holding means comprises:
- a plurality of grooves (30) extending in a direction vertical to an axial direction of said steering shaft (13) formed on a surface of said steering shaft and along the axial direction, - a cylindrical engagement member (31), said cylindrical engagement member (31) being inserted extendingly or depressingly along the axial direction by the steering shaft, being rotated together therewith, and having an engagement piece (32) which includes an engagement pawl (33) whose distal end is bent inward, said engagement piece being displaced by elastic deformation thereof in a direction of the greatest diameter of the cylindrical engagement member, whereby, when said engagement pawl engages with one of said grooves in said steering shaft, said extension/
depression position of said steering shaft is temporarily determined; and said locking means comprises:
- a circular extension/depression locking member (38) rotatably engaging with an end of said cylindrical engagement member and being so operated that operating portion (39) thereof externally contacts to, or separates from, said engagement piece (32) of said engagement member, wherein said cylindrical engagement member (31) is rotatably supported by said steering column, whereby when said operating portion (39) of said extension/depression locking member (38) contacts said engagement piece (32) of said engagement member, an expansion of said diameter of said engagement piece is inhibited and a locked state is provided, and when said operating portion (39) of said extension/depression locking member (38) separates from said engagement piece (32) of said engagement member, said expansion of said diameter of said engagement piece is permitted and an unlocked state is provided.

8. A steering wheel control apparatus, for a game machine, which supplies a control signal to said game machine, comprising:
a pair of grip portions (14a) positioned at predeter-mined right and left locations on a steering wheel (14); and a pair of shift levers (125, 126) provided at a reverse surface of said steering wheel, said pair of shift levers having manipulable segments near said grip portions and being independently operated when fingers of both hands holding said pair of grip portions contact said manipulable segment, wherein a signal to shift up is generated by the operation of one of said shift levers and a signal to shift down is generated by the operation of said other shift lever.

9. A sneering wheel control apparatus for a game machine according to claim 8, wherein said shift levers (125, 126) have a base (127) supported at a rotation center of said steering wheel, extend toward said grip portions, and have said manipulable segments at distal ends thereof positioned near said grip portions to serve as floating active points.

10. A steering wheel control apparatus for a game machine according to claim 8, further comprising:
a signal processing means for processing signals from said shift levers so that, when both said shift levers are being operated, one of said shift lever operations is valid and the other shift lever operation is invalid.

11. A steering wheel control apparatus, which supplies control signal to a game machine connected to a monitor, comprising:
a base casing (10);
a steering column (12) rotatably supported by said base casing at a predetermined inclination;
a steering shaft (13) rotatably provided to said steering column;
a steering wheel (14) including a steering wheel center portion (14d) provided at a top end of said steering shaft, an upper post (14b) and a lower post (14c) extending from said steering wheel center portion in right and left radial directions, and grips (14a) provided between said upper post and said lower post, substantially arched openings (14e) being formed between said steering wheel center portion and said grips, said steering wheel being constituted by an upper casing (120a) and a lower casing (120b); and a right and left operation member (170) rotatably supported, between the upper and lower casings, by shafts (172a, 172b) at a center of said upper and said lower casings, and being integrally formed from a center portion rotatably supported and right and left manipulable segments which are extended toward said grips (14a) and positioned near said grips and in said substantially arched openings (14e), wherein said right and left operation member controls right and left switches in said steering wheel by being pulled up with fingers of said right and left hands holding said grips.

12. A steering wheel control apparatus, which supplies a control signal to a game machine, comprising:
a base casing (10) rotatably supporting a steering shaft (13) of a steering wheel (14), said base casing having sides (10c) which converge along a front to rear direction so that said sides can be easily held between player's thighs.

13. A steering wheel control apparatus for a game machine according to claim 12, wherein:
a plate (10d) is extended to the right and to the left along said bottom face of said base casing (10) where said left and right directions are defined by a view of a user operably seated behind the steering wheel control apparatus.

14. A steering wheel position adjusting structure for a steering wheel control apparatus for a game machine that supplies control signals to said game machine, comprising:
a steering column (12) for rotatably supporting a steering wheel (14);
a base casing (10) for rotatably supporting said steering column to be inclined;

steering column temporary inclination holding means (22) for permitting said steering column to be rotated and for temporarily holding said steering column at a desired position;
and steering column inclination locking means (25) for inhibiting the rotation of said steering column.

15. A steering wheel control apparatus for a game machine, according to claim 14, wherein, said steering column temporary inclination holding means comprises:
- an external bottom wall face (12a) of said steering column formed in a curved shape, a plurality of grooves (21) extending toward the sides on the external bottom wall face formed along a circumference of the face, an engagement member (22) extending from the base casing and having an engagement protrusion at the distal end thereof which can be deplaced downward by elastic deformation, where the engagement protrusion (23) of said engagement member engages one of said grooves in said steering column so that said inclined steering column is temporarily held at the position;
and said steering column inclination locking means comprises:
- an inclination locking member (25) provided to the base casing, so that an active portion (25b) thereof can be freely engaged upward with and disengaged from said engagement protrusion (23) by an operation of the inclination locking member, whereby when said active portion (25b) of said inclination locking member engages with said engagement protrusion (23) of said engagement member, a downward displacement of raid engagement protrusion is inhibited and thus said locked state is provided, and when said active portion (25b) of said inclination locking member is separated from said engagement protrusion, said downward displacement of said engagement protrusion is permitted and thus a lock released state is provided.

16. A steering wheel control apparatus for a game machine, according to claim 15, wherein said external bottom wall face (12a) of said steering column is formed in substantially a wave shape due to the provision of said plurality of grooves (21).

17. A steering wheel control apparatus for a game machine according to claim 14, further comprising:
a pair of grip portions (14a) positioned at predetermined right and left locations on a steering wheel (14); and a pair of shift levers (125, 126) provided at a reverse surface of said steering wheel, said pair of shift levers having manipulable segments near said grip portions and being independently operated when fingers of both hands holding said pair of grip portions contact said manipulable segment, wherein a signal to shift up is generated by the operation of one of said shift levers and a signal to shift down is generated by the operation of said other shift lever.

18. A steering wheel control apparatus for a game machine according to claim 14, wherein:
said base casing (10) has sides (10c) which converge along a front to rear direction.

19. A steering wheel control apparatus for a game machine that supplies control signals to said game machine, comprising:
steering column temporary extension holding means (33) for permitting a steering shaft to be extended or depressed and for temporarily holding said steering shaft at a desired position; and steering column extension locking means (39) for inhibiting said steering shaft from being extended or depressed.

20. A steering wheel control apparatus for a game machine according to claim 19, wherein:
said steering column temporary extension holding means comprises:
- a plurality of grooves (30) extending in a direction vertical to an axial direction of said steering shaft (13) formed on a surface of said steering shaft and along the axial direction, - a cylindrical engagement member (31), said cylindrical engagement member (31) being inserted extendingly or depressingly along the axial direction by the steering shaft, being rotated together therewith, and having an engagement piece (32) which includes an engagement pawl (33) whose distal end is bent inward, said engagement piece being displaced by elastic deformation thereof in a direction of the greatest diameter of the cylindrical engagement member, whereby, when said engagement pawl engages with one of said grooves in said steering shaft, said extension/
depression position of said steering shaft is temporarily determined; and said steering column temporary extension locking means comprises:
- a circular extension/depression locking member (38) rotatably engaging with an end of said cylindrical engagement member and being so operated that an operating portion (39) thereof externally contacts to, or separates from, said engagement piece (32) of said engagement member, wherein said cylindrical engagement member (31) is rotatably supported by said steering column, whereby when said operating portion (39) of said extension/depression locking member (38) contacts said engagement piece (32) of said engagement member, an expansion of said diameter of said engagement piece is inhibited and a locked state is provided, and when said operating portion (39) of said extension/depression locking member (38) separates from said engagement piece (32) of said engagement member, said expansion of said diameter of said engagement piece is permitted and an unlocked state is provided.

21. A steering wheel control apparatus for a game machine according to claim 19, further comprising:
a pair of grip portions (14a) positioned at predeter-mined right and left locations on a steering wheel (14); and a pair of shift levers (125, 126) provided at a reverse surface of said steering wheel, said pair of shift levers having manipulable segments near said grip portions and being independently operated when fingers of both hands holding said pair of grip portions contact said manipulable segment, wherein a signal to shift up is generated by the operation of one of said shift levers and a signal to shift down is generated by the operation of said other shift lever.

22. A steering wheel control apparatus for a game machine according to claim 19, wherein a base casing (10) rotatably supporting said steering shaft (13) has sides (10c) which converge along a front to rear direction.

23. A steering wheel control apparatus, for a game machine comprising:
a steering wheel inclination position adjusting structure, comprising:
- a steering column (12) for rotatably supporting a steering wheel (14);
- a base casing (10) for rotatably supporting said steering column to be inclined;
- steering column temporary inclination holding means (22) for permitting said steering column to be rotated and for temporarily holding said steering column at a desired position; and - steering column inclination locking means (25) for for inhibiting the rotation of said steering column;
the steering wheel control apparatus further comprising a steering wheel extension/depression adjusting structure comprising:
- steering column temporary extension holding means (33) for permitting a steering shaft to be extended or depressed and for temporarily holding said steering shaft at a desired position; and - steering column extension locking means (39) for inhibiting said steering shaft from being extended or depressed.

24. A steering wheel control apparatus, for a game machine, according to claim 23, wherein:
said steering column temporary inclination holding means comprises:
- an external bottom wall face (12a) of said steering column formed in a curved shape, a plurality of grooves (21) extending toward the sides on the external bottom wall face formed along a circumference of the face, an engagement member (22) extending from the base casing and having an engagement protrusion at the distal end thereof which can be deplaced downward by elastic deformation, where the engagement protrusion (23) of said engagement member engages one of said grooves in said steering column so that said inclined steering column is temporarily held at the position;
said steering column inclination locking means comprises:
- an inclination locking member (25) provided to the base casing, so that an active portion (25b) thereof can be freely engaged upward with and disengaged from said engagement protrusion (23) by an operation of the inclination locking member, whereby when said active portion (25b) of said inclination locking member engages with said engagement protrusion (23) of raid engagement member, a downward displacement of said engagement protrusion is inhibited and thus said locked state is provided, and when said active portion (25b) of ;said inclination locking member is separated from said engagement protrusion, said downward displacement of said engagement protrusion is permitted and thus a lock released state is provided;
said steering column temporary extension holding means comprises:
- a plurality of grooves (30) extending in a direction vertical to an axial direction of said steering shaft (13) formed on a surface of said steering shaft and along the axial direction, and - a cylindrical engagement member (31), said cylindrical engagement member (31) being inserted extendingly or depressingly along the axial direction by the steering shaft, being rotated together therewith, and having an engagement piece (32) which includes an engagement pawl (33) whose distal end is bent inward, said engagement piece being displaced by elastic deformation thereof in a direction of the greatest diameter of the cylindrical engagement member, whereby, when said engagement pawl engages with one of said grooves in said steering shaft, said extension/
depression position of said steering shaft is temporarily determined; and said steering column temporary extension locking means comprises:
- a circular extension/depression locking member (38) rotatably engaging with an end of said cylindrical engagement member and being so operated that an operating portion (39) thereof externally contacts to, or separates from, said engagement piece (32) of said engagement member, wherein said cylindrical engagement member (31) is rotatably supported by said steering column, whereby when said operating portion (39) of said extension/depression locking member (38) contacts said engagement piece (32) of said engagement member, an expansion of said diameter of said engagement piece is inhibited and a locked state is provided, and when said operating portion (39) of said extension/depression locking member (38) separates from said engagement piece (32) of said engagement member, said expansion of said diameter of said engagement piece is permitted and an unlocked state is provided.

25. A steering wheel control apparatus for a game machine according to claim 9, further comprising:
a signal processing means for processing signals from said shift lever so that, when both said shift levers are being operated, one of said shift lever operations is valid and the other shift lever operation is invalid.

26. A steering wheel control apparatus for a game machine, which supplies a control signal to said game machine, comprising:
a base casing;
a steering column supported by said base casing at a predetermined inclination;
a steering shaft rotatably provided to said steering column;
a steering wheel including a steering wheel center portion which is provided at a top end of the steering shaft and right and left grips provided through extending from the steering wheel center portion wherein substantially arched openings are formed between said steering wheel center portion and said grips;
a plurality of upper-face operation means, provided at an upper-face side of the steering wheel center portion and at a near side of the grips to which the hands of the player holding each grip can reach, for supplying said control signals to the game machine; and back-face operation means, provided at a back-face side of the steering wheel center portion and at a near side of the grips to which the hands of the player holding each grip can reach, for supplying said control signals to the game machine.

27. A steering wheel control apparatus for a game machine, which supplies a control signal to said game machine, comprising:

a base casing;

a steering column supported by said base casing at a predetermined inclination;
a steering shaft rotatably provided to said steering column;
a steering wheel including a steering wheel center portion which is provided at a top end of the steering shaft and right and left grips provided through extending from the steering wheel center portion;
a cylinder rotatable together with the steering shaft and provided in the steering column; and a spring provided around the cylinder and having an upper terminal and a lower terminal which are abutted between an upper protrusion and a lower protrusion provided to the surface of the cylinder and to an upper stopper and a lower stopper provided to the interface of the steering column;
whereby when the steering wheel is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise, the steering wheel has a centering function for returning to the other direction through an elasticity of the spring generated between the upper protrusion and the lower stopper or between the lower protrusion and the upper stopper.

28. The steering wheel control apparatus as recited in claim 27, further comprising button means on said steering wheel for supplying control signals to said game machine.

29. The steering wheel control apparatus as recited in claim 27, further comprising an operation member operably disposed on said steering wheel between the center portion and one of the left and right grips, said operation member supplying signals to said game machine.

30. The steering wheel control apparatus as recited in claim 29, further comprising button means on said steering wheel for supplying control signals to said game machine.

31. The steering wheel control apparatus as recited in claim 27, further comprising means for adjustably inclining said steering column with respect to said base casing, and further comprising means for locking said steering column in a selected inclined position.

32. The steering wheel control apparatus as recited in claim 27, further comprising means for adjustably extending said steering column with respect to said base casing, and further comprising means for locking said steering column in a selected extended position.

33. A steering wheel control apparatus, which supplies control signals to a game machine connected to a monitor, comprising:
a base casing;
a steering column supported by said base casing at a predetermined inclination;
a steering shaft rotatably provided to said steering column;
a steering wheel including a steering wheel center portion which is provided at a top end of said steering shaft, an upper elongating member and a lower elongating member which extend from said steering wheel center portion in right and left radial directions, and grips which are provided between said upper elongating member and said lower elongating member, wherein substantially arched openings are formed between said steering wheel center portion and said grips;

a plurality of button switches, provided on said upper face of said left and right upper elongating members and near said grips, provided within a range to which a thumb of a hand of a player holding said grip reaches, and supplying said control signals to said game machine; and right and left operation member provided at a reverse side of said steering wheel, having right and left operation portions which are near said right and left grips so that a finger of a player holding said grip reaches thereto, and supplying said control signals to said game machine.

34. A steering wheel control apparatus, which supplies a control signal to a game machine, comprising:
a base casing rotatably supporting a steering shaft of a steering wheel, said base casing having sides which converge along a front to rear direction so that said sides can be easily held between player's thighs;

a pair of grip portions positioned at predetermined right and left locations on a steering wheel; and a pair of operation members provided at a reverse side of said steering wheel, and having manipulable segments near said pair of grip portions, so as to supply predetermined control signals to said television game machine by an operation to said manipulable segment with fingers of right and left hands holding said grip portions.

35. A steering wheel control for a game machine according to claim 33, wherein:
said steering wheel is constituted by an upper casing (120a) and a lower casing (120b);
the right and left operation member (170) is provided between said upper and lower casings and rotatably supported by shaft support portions (172a, 172b) provided at a center of the upper and lower casings, wherein the right and left operation member includes a center portion supported by the shafts support portions and right and left operating portions extended toward said grips (14a) and positioned near said grips and in openings (14e), and said center portion and said right and left operating portion are integrally formed; and said right and left operation member controls right and left switches in said steering wheel by being pulled up with fingers of said right and left hands holding said grips.