WO2000033924A2

WO2000033924A2 - Ski and snowboard simulator

Info

Publication number: WO2000033924A2
Application number: PCT/US1999/028776
Authority: WO
Inventors: James L. Rodnunsky
Original assignee: Rodnunsky James L
Priority date: 1998-12-07
Filing date: 1999-12-06
Publication date: 2000-06-15
Also published as: WO2000033924A9; WO2000033924A3; AU2353000A

Abstract

This invention is a downhill ski and snowboard simulator that has an upwardly facing platform (23) for carrying a skier or snowboarder, the platform being movably supported by a support base. The support base (30) is capable of causing the platform to make roll, yaw, sway and pitch movements. The platform includes an endless belt powered by a drive system to simulate forward movement. The platform is controlled by a control system that directs the platform to move in accordance with a predetermined sequence.

Description

SKI AND SNOWBOARD SIMULATOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a ski and snowboard simulator. More particularly, the invention is an apparatus for practicing skiing and snowboarding maneuvers on a simulated ski slope.

While various devices have been proposed to simulate downhill snow skiing, no device has been able to replicate all of the actual forces encountered in real downhill skiing or snowboarding. Specifically, previous devices were unable to create the forces that result from a simulated ski surface simultaneously pitching, rolling, yawing, swaying and simulating forward movement. Such an inadequate device is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4, 074,903, to Diez de Aux, wherein a ski simulator platform is unable to simulate forward, sway and yaw movements. Similarly in U.S. Pat. No. 4,423,864, to Wiik, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,408,067, to Armstrong, the ski simulator platform is unable to simulate roll, yaw and sway movements. Devices shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,794, to Shimojima et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,864, to Ikuta, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,749,811, to Wilson, are ski simulators where the trainee effects movement of the ski simulator platform rather than a drive system according to the present invention. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a ski and snowboard simulator which has an upwardly facing platform for carrying a ski trainee, the platform being movably supported by a support base. The platform includes an endless belt, defining an upwardly facing area adapted wherein the endless belt movement is uphill, towards a rear end of the platform to simulate forward movement of the trainee relative to the support. The platform also includes a drive system for simulating forward movement of the trainee via the endless belt. The support base is capable of hydraulically effecting roll, yaw, sway and pitch movements of the platform.

The operation of the five platform movements is controlled by a control system which is programmed so as to predetermine the sequence of the roll, yaw, pitch, sway, and endless belt movements of the platform. For example, the control system (or preferred data processor) would preferably direct a combination of platform movements in accordance with a simulated ski hill displayed to the trainee on a display device which is visible to the trainee from his position on the platform.

Thus, for example, in the case of downhill skiing simulation, the display device would preferably show a rear view of a skier or snowboarder travelling down a ski hill, and the data processor would be programmed so as to effect the roll, yaw, sway, and pitch movements of the platform, and also to vary the speed of the endless belt for simulating forward movement of the trainee in accordance with the position of the image of the skier on the hill at any particular instant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a profile view of the four axis/endless belt ski and snowboard simulator, overhead safety system, visual display system, instructor, and rear video camera according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top view of the structure forming the components of the endless belt platform and showing a drive system attached to one of the side beams of the platform.

Figure 3 is an exploded view of the drive system of the endless belt system in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a top view of the structural forming components of the endless belt and platform showing the drive motor at the center of the platform.

Figure 5 is an exploded view of the drive mechanism of the

endless belt system in Figure 4. Figures 6 and 7 are inside views of the endless belt system and

platform surface.

Figure 8 is the top view of the endless belt system and platform

surface.

Figure 9 shows a front view of a single pitch axis/endless belt ski

and snowboard simulator, and overhead safety system.

Figure 10 shows a profile view of a single pitch axis/endless belt

ski and snowboard simulator, and overhead safety system.

Figure 1 1 is a side view of the four axis simulator and endless

belt system.

Figure 12 is a front view of the four axis ski simulator and

endless belt system in a "rolled" position.

Figure 13 is a front view of the sheave assembly.

Figure 14 is a side view of the sheave assembly.

Figure 15 is a side view of the hydraulic cylinder connected to the

adjustable overhead safety harness system.

Figure 16 is a side view of the hydraulic cylinder connected to the

adjustable overhead safety harness system.

Figure 17 is an exploded view of the four axis ski simulator and

endless belt including an actuator and transducer detail for the roll axis. Figure 18 is a top view of the four axis ski simulator yaw and

sway system.

Figure 19 is an exploded view of the actuators and transducers for the sway axis of the four axis simulator. Figure 20 is an exploded side view of the four axis ski simulator and endless belt including an actuator and transducer detail for the pitch axis.

Figure 21 is an exploded view of the actuators and transducers for the yaw axis of the four axis simulator.

Figure 22 is a control system wiring diagram overview.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention is a downhill ski and snowboard simulator that has an upwardly facing platform for carrying a skier or snowboarder, the platform being movably supported by a support base. The platform includes an endless belt powered by a drive system to simulate forward movement. The platform is controlled by a control system that directs the platform to move in accordance with a simulated ski slope. The support base is capable of causing the platform to make roll, yaw, sway and pitch movements.

It is the general objective of the present invention to provide a ski and snowboard simulator that is most capable of accurately reproducing the forces that are encountered on a real downhill slope. Because of the control system, the present invention can simulate the likely ski slope conditions experienced by any level of skier or snowboarder. While several devices have used a moving endless belt to simulate downhill skiing, none of those devices have incorporated a ski platform that is capable of roll, yaw, sway and pitch movements. All four of these platform movements, in addition to the endless belt to simulate forward movement, are necessary to generate the specific natural gravitational forces that exist in a real downhill skiing environment. With the recent advent of extremely fast microprocessors, the present invention is also able to preferably synchronize the ski platform movements to a visual display depicting a model skier or snowboarder skiing down a slope. As a result, the trainee is able to experience the actual forces that the displayed model skier or snowboarder would have experienced. As the ski trainee improves his or her technique, the simulator can increase the difficulty of the simulated slope by coordinating an increase in the resulting forces imposed on the trainee. Therefore, the trainee can be progressively challenged to negotiate the substantially similar gravitational forces that any level of skier or snowboarder would experience on a real downhill slope.

When first learning to ski, a ski trainee often loses his or her balance and falls. The leg and body motion requisite for the execution of a turn are difficult achievements for a beginner. Repeated falling causes injuries and

discourages the ski trainee from continuing to learn the sport. The present

invention preferably includes a safety harness that will "catch" the ski trainee

when the trainee loses his or her balance and begins to fall. The safety system

also is able to immediately neutralize all platform movements when the trainee

begins to fall.

As generally shown in Figure 1 , the ski and snowboard simulator

according to the present invention has a platform 23, which serves to carry a

trainee 24 wearing either skis or a snowboard, wearing a harness 25, attached via

a "daisy chain" or adjustable safety strap 26 to a sheave assembly 27 with a

micro-switch, and viewing a display monitor 28, by which visual information

can be displayed to the trainee 24 while on the platform 23. The ski or

snowboard instructor 29 is shown inputting data into the electronic data control

apparatus 32.

As used herein, the terms yaw, pitch, roll, and sway have the

following meaning with regard to the platform 23:

roll: rotation about a longitudinal axis;

yaw: rotation about a vertical axis;

pitch: rotation about a transverse axis e.g. to a effect downward

inclination; and sway: a side-to-side motion.

In the present embodiment of the invention, the platform 23 is connected to a support base 30. The monitor 28 is supported by a housing 31. The instructor 29, stands on a support platform 33, and is protected from simulator movement via a loading dock 34. A video camera 35 mounted on a pedestal 36 provides a rear view recording of the trainee 24 for instructional purposes.

The platform 23 comprises a frame 37 as shown in Figure 2 formed by a pair of parallel, lateral beams 38a and 38b, which extend longitudinally of the platform 23 and a pair of transverse tubes 39a and 39b. Referring to Figure 2 and Figure 3, a pair of transversely extending rollers 40 and 41 are provided at opposite ends of platform 23, the roller 40 being provided with a sprocketed gear 42 which is mounted at one end of roller 40 and is connected via a timing belt 44 to a double gear arrangement 43. Double gear 43 is connected via timing belt 45 to sprocketed gear 46b which is mounted to motor 47b. Rollers 40 and 41 are grooved at one end as shown at

48 and 49.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the motor 47a is positioned in the middle of platform 23. Gear extension 47c attaches motor 47a to sprocketed gear 46a. This configuration is used for the multi-axis simulator to optimize the center of mass of the motor on platform 23.

An endless web or belt 50 extends around the rollers 40 and 41 and a pair of tensioning devices 51, shown in more detail in Figures 2 and 11, at opposite sides of the platform 23 are adjustable for displacing the roller 41 longitudinally of the platform 23 and, thereby, tensioning and tracking the web or belt 50. Also for tracking, V-belt 52, as shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8, vulcanized to the underside of web or belt 50 fits into roller grooves 48 and 49 and also fits into and slides through groove 59 in a ultrahigh molecular weight ("UHMW") platform surface 54. The vulcanized V-belt 52 and its path of travel through grooves 48, 49, and 53 maintains alignment of belt 50 and prevents it from rotating off either side of the platform. Platform surface 54 bolts to a support panel 55 which together mount to platform 23.

Together, the platform surface 54 and support panel 55 are mounted on the parallel lateral beams 38a-b and to tabs on the transverse rollers 39, which serves to prevent the upper run of the endless belt 50 from sagging under its own weight and the weight of the trainee 24. The support panel 55 may be made of a somewhat flexible material, such as plywood or sheet metal, and is preferably covered with a friction reducing pad or sheet 54, preferably made of plastic such as UHMW or polypropylene, to minimize friction between the belt 50 and the support panel 55 that could cause abrasion of the belt 50.

The motor 47, which may be electric or hydraulic, drives the sprocket 46, the double sprocket 43, and consequently the sprocket 42 thus driving roller 40. This causes belt 50 to travel uphill over the support panel 54 toward the rear end of platform 23, i.e. the right hand end as viewed in Figure 1. The tension devices 51 include a take-up block 56 and a screw 57. Roller 41 is connected to take up block 56 via bearing 58.

As shown in Figures 1, 2, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 the simulator is provided with a safety harness system 59. The safety harness system 59 consists of two vertical tubes 60a and 60b which slide into tube sleeves numeral 61a and 61b mounted to parallel lateral beams 38a and 38b. The structure of the harness frame preferably comprises two substantially horizontally disposed risers or uprights 60a and 60b that are fitted into openings 62a and 62b in tube sleeves 61a and 61b mounted to parallel lateral beams 38a and 38b. Each of the uprights is provided with at least one orifice 63a and 63b in the sidewall of openings 62a and 62b and for receiving a pin 64a and 64b that passes through opening 62a and 62b and uprights 60a and 60b to lock the uprights in place. Two lengthy crossbars numeral 65 (front) and 66 (rear) attach via elbows 69a and 70a and elbows 69b and 70b to parallel lateral tubes 67a, 68a, 67b and 68b which slide

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" s. - -- t . onto lateral tube 71a and 71b which slide through tubular sleeves 72a and 72b

which slide and bolt to uprights 60a and 60b. Diagonal tubes 74a and 75a and 74b and 75b slide onto diagonal tubes 76a, 77a, 76b and 77b which are attached via elbows to lateral tubes 67a and 68a and 67b and 68b. Tubes 76a and 77a and 76b and 77b are attached to vertical uprights 60a and 60b respectively, and are attached via tubular sleeves 78a and 78b.

In order to make the overhead harness safety system 59 fully adjustable, the overhead safety system 59 including, crossbars 65 and 66 and parallel lateral tubes 67a, 68a, 67b and 68b, can be moved up and down to match the particular height of the trainee 22. Referring to Figures 15 and 16, the overhead harness safety system 59 can be raised or lowered by a hand potentiometer which controls the hydraulic cylinders 138a and 138b attached to both uprights 60a and 60b. Hydraulic cylinders 138a and 138b are hydraulically balanced by means of a flow restrictor so that they raise and lower the overhead harness safety system 59 evenly from both sides. Hydraulic power for the hydraulic cylinders 138a and 138b is provided via hydraulic hoses attached to a hydraulic pump.

Referring to Figure 11 and Figure 12 cross bar 79 is connected to uprights 60a and 60b via elbows 80a and 80b. The sheave assembly 82 slides onto and rolls along cross bar 79 but is limited in its travel by collars 81a and 81b. The sheave assembly 82 consists of sheave 83 attached via pin 85 to vertical flatstock supports 86 and 87. Spring 84 attaches to flatstock 86 and horizontal flatbar number 88. Micro-switch 89 attaches to flatstock 86. Carabiner 90 attaches to flatbar 88 and rocket swivel 91 attaches to carabiner 90. Daisy chain 92 attaches to rocker swivel 91. When trainee 24, as in Figure 1 , loses balance and falls, the previously described safety sheave assembly 82 is such that the weight of the trainee 24 is applied to flatbar 88 to overcome the tension on the spring 84, thus causing the switch on 89 to extend and thus break the contact mechanism that, in the case of the pitch/endless belt simulator of Figures 9 and 10, cuts off power to both the motor 47 and the hydraulic circuit 93. In the case of the yaw, pitch, roll, sway, movements, the break in the contact mechanism causes all axis to return their neutral position and causes the endless belt 50 to stop.

Referring to Figure 1 , the hinged loading dock 34 rotates about a hinge 94 which allows loading and unloading of the trainee 24. The contact mechanism in micro-switch 95 is broken when loading dock 34 is deployed thus allowing the trainee 24 to load or unload. When loading dock 34 is in its vertical position, electrical contact is re-established thus allowing axis and endless belt movement of the simulator. Referring to Figure 1 , the platform 23 is mounted on a support

base 30, and which may be accommodated within a bellows which serves to conceal and protect the support mechanism and hydraulic and electronic components contained therein. Referring to Figures 17 and 18, the support base 30, comprises four beams 96a-d which extend beneath the platform 23 and are connected together nearest the platform 23 at the corners of a square made up of four beams number 97a-d. The beams 96a-d extend downward and attach to steel plates numbers 98a-d in four corners. The steel plates attach to four bearings in four corners numbered 99a-d.

Referring to Figures 18 and 19, the four bearings numbered 99a-d slide along two separate rods lOOa-b to generate sway motion. The two rods lOOa-b are held by flanged collars lOla-d in four corners and flanged collars 102a-b at the center of the rods. Between the two rods lOOa-b, at the longitudinal center of the sway axis, a doubled rodded, balanced hydraulic cylinder 103, or ram, or actuator, drives the platform 23 and support base 30 side to side in a sway motion. The rods 109a-b for the hydraulic cylinder are attached by collars 106a-b. The actuator or ram 83, is provided with fittings 104a-b and a transducer number 105 for feedback to the data control system (not shown). The transducer

rod 108 is attached via collar 107. The support base 30, also referred to herein as the motion base assembly, on which the platform 23 is mounted, comprises seven hydraulic rams

as follows: two rams for pitch; two rams for yaw; two rams for roll; and one ram for sway.

As discussed above, the sway axis of Figure 19, consists of one integrally balanced hydraulic ram 103 with two rods 109a-b. Referring to Figure 17, two hydraulic rams 1 lOa-b control the roll axis via their connection to ear attachment 115 connected to two way universal joint 119 which is connected to bearing 1 14. The universal joint 1 19 is seen attached to bearings 120 and 121 for the pitch axis. Transducer 112 provides position feedback of the roll axis to the data control system. Roll transducer rod 113 attaches via pin 117 to pivot bar 116. Pivot bar 111 stabilizes pivot bar 116 about the roll axis.

Referring to Figures 20 and 17, two hydraulic rams 118a-b control the pitch axis via their connection to ear attachment 123 connected to two way universal joint 119 which is connected to bearings 120 and 121 as seen in Figure 17 as well as bearing 122 seen in Figure 20. Transducer 124 provides position feedback of the roll axis to the data control system. Pitch transducer rod 125 attaches via pin 126 to flatbar 127. Pivot bar 128 stabilizes pivot rod 129

about the pitch axis.

Referring to Figure 21, two hydraulic rams 130a-b control the yaw axis via their connection to ear attachment 131 -b connected to bearing 132. Transducer 133 provides position feedback to the data control system. Yaw transducer rod 134 attaches via pin to pivot bar 135 which is connected to bearing 132.

As illustrated in Figure 17, the controls and hardware for the support base 30 comprises four servo cards: servo card for the pitch axis, servo card for the roll axis, servo card for the yaw axis, and servo card for the sway axis. These servo cards direct the fluid flow rate of twenty-four hydraulic valves 136a-d. Each servo valve 136a-d receiving data has two hydraulic ports 137a-b which connect to a hydraulic ram. Each hydraulic ram has a pressure hose and a return hose connected between it and the servo valves 136a-d. Each servo valve 136a-d is connected via an electric cable to a separate servo card. Parallel to each hydraulic ram is a feedback sensor, or transducer, connected to a metal rod which measures hydraulic ram position. There are four feedback sensors in parallel with four hydraulic rams. Each feedback sensor is connected via an electrical cable to a separate servo card. A 5th servo card directs data to the motor 47 and controls the speed of the endless belt 50.

The power supply, supplies power to servo cards 1-5, and an electric cable is provided from an electric harness (not shown) to the servo cards 1-5 and the motor 47. Computer 137, as shown in Figure 22, includes custom software to program and synchronize the support base 30 and platform 23 to the video playback system 138. Computer 137 is also provided with a keyboard. The support base 30 and endless belt platform 23 can also be programmed independently of the visual playback system. The control system also includes a power bus control 139 which includes an off/on and reset switch, bus enabled button, and emergency stop button. The emergency stop button sends a shutoff message to each of the 5 servo cards and neutralizes axis movement and slows belt speed to a stop, but does not shut-off the hydraulic system. The hardware system also includes a digital to analog converter and a digital data processor. Digital information from the computer 137 which includes a time code address is processed and sent to the digital to analog converter in Operating Control Console (OCC) 140 where it is then sent to the servo cards 1 -4 and onto the motor 47 to control the endless belt 50 and to the servo valves 136a-d to control the hydraulic rams.

^»^ *^w^ ---^-&«₁l«-^*«ⁱ* Λ-^_M^ _' ^r^ s s''- Electrical cable connects the digital data processor to the digital analog converter, both in the OCC 140. Electrical cable carries digital data from

the computer 137 to the digital processor in the OCC at 140. Electrical cable connects the animation console 141 with the computer 137. Electrical cable carries time code data from a video cassette recorder ("VCR"), laser disk player, digital video disc ("DVD") 138 to the computer 137.

Animation console 141 has a variety of functions to program motion base movement and revolving belt speed with or without video synchronization. Digital information from the animation console 141 is processed by the computer 137 and sent downstream to the digital processor 140, the digital to analog converter and then to the servo cards. Once a skiing or snowboarding sequence is programmed, the information can be downloaded from the computer 137 to the servo cards thus enabling the attendant or ski instructor to immediately call up the program and bypass the computer.

The skiing and snowboarding simulator of the present invention also preferably includes a feedback system for providing feedback signals corresponding to the at least one movement of the platform 21 and to the belt speed variation, wherein the control system includes the ability to compare the feedback signals with a control program for adjusting the platform movements and belt speed variations in accordance with the control program.

Accordingly, it should be understood the scope of the present invention is in its mechanical ability to specifically relate to and facilitate the learning of the sports of skiing and snowboarding.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A ski and snowboard simulator comprising:

a movable platform supporting a ski or snowboard trainee; a support base supporting the platform; an endless belt of material extending at least partially over the platform and defining an upwardly facing ski support area; a drive system powering the belt rotation and the pitch, roll, yaw and sway of the platform; and, a control system for controlling the operation of the drive system so as to effect a predetermined sequence of belt rotation and the pitch, roll, yaw and sway of the platform.

2. A ski and snowboard simulator of claim 1 , wherein at least two movements of the simulator comprise pitch and belt rotation.

3. A ski and snowboard simulator of claim 1, wherein the control system includes a programmable data processor enabling the predetermined sequence of belt rotation movements of the

platform.

. A ski and snowboard simulator of claim 1, further comprising a video display monitor for presenting to the trainee a predetermined sequence of visual events synchronized to the predetermined sequence of belt rotation and movements of the platform.

5. A ski and snowboard simulator of claim 1, wherein the control system includes a programmable data processor for controlling the predetermined sequence of belt rotation and movements of the platform and for programming the predetermined sequence of belt rotation and movements of the support in accordance with the predetermined sequence of visual events displayed on the display monitor.

6. A ski and snowboarding simulator of claim 1, wherein the drive system for effecting the at least one movement of the platform comprises at least one hydraulic actuator.

7. A ski and snowboarding simulator of claim 1 , further comprising

a feedback system for receiving feedback signals corresponding

to the at least one movement of the platform and to the belt speed

and for comparing the feedback signals with a control program

for adjusting the platform movements and belt speed in

accordance with the control program.

8. A ski and snowboard simulator of claim 1 , wherein the support

base supports the platform for pivotation about at least the pitch

axis.

9. A ski and snowboard simulator of claim 1 which includes

grooved rollers and a vulcanized V-belt system for automatic

tracking of the endless web or belt.

10. A ski and snowboard simulator of claim 1, and further

comprising a fully adjustable overhead harness safety system

with a micro-switch system for immediate shut-off.

1 1. A ski and snowboard simulator of claim 10 wherein the

adjustable overhead harness safety system includes hydraulic

cylinders for moving the adjustable overhead harness safety

system up and down.

12. A ski and snowboard simulator comprising:

a movable platform supporting a ski or snowboard trainee;

a support base supporting the platform;

an endless belt of material extending at least partially over

the platform and defining an upwardly facing ski support

area; a drive system powering the belt rotation and the pitch, roll,

yaw and sway of the platform;

a control system for controlling the operation of the drive

system so as to effect a predetermined sequence of

belt rotation and the pitch, roll, yaw and sway of the

platform; and,

a video display monitor for presenting to the trainee a

predetermined sequence of belt rotation and movements

of the platform.

13. A ski and snowboard simulator of claim 12, wherein at least two movements of the simulator comprise pitch and belt rotation.

14. A ski and snowboard simulator of claim 12, wherein the control system includes a programmable data processor enabling the predetermined sequence of belt rotation movements of the platform.

15. A ski and snowboard simulator of claim 12, wherein the control system includes a programmable data processor for controlling the predetermined sequence of belt rotation and movements of the platform and for programming the predetermined sequence of belt rotation and movements of the support in accordance with the predetermined sequence of visual events displayed on the display monitor.

16. A ski and snowboard simulator of claim 12, wherein the drive system for effecting the at least one movement of the platform comprises at least one hydraulic actuator.

17. A ski and snowboard simulator of claim 12, further comprising a

feedback system for receiving feedback signals corresponding to

the at least one movement of the platform and to the belt speed

and for comparing the feedback signals with a control program

for adjusting platform movements and belt speed in accordance

with the control program.

18. A ski and snowboard simulator of claim 12, wherein the support

base supports the platform for pivotation about at least the pitch

axis.

19. A ski and snowboard simulator of claim 12, which includes

grooved rollers and a vulcanized V-belt system for automatic

tracking of the endless web or belt.

20. A ski and snowboard simulator of claim 12, and further

comprising a fully adjustable overhead harness safety system

with a micro-switch system for immediate shut-off.

21. A ski and snowboard simulator of claim 20, wherein the

adjustable overhead harness system includes hydraulic cylinders for moving the adjustable overhead harness safety system up and

down.

22. A ski and snowboard simulator comprising:

a movable platform supporting a ski or snowboard trainee;

a support base supporting the platform;

an endless belt of material extending at least partially over

the platform and defining an upwardly facing ski support

area;

a drive system powering the belt rotation and the pitch, roll,

yaw and sway of the platform;

a control system for controlling the operation of the drive

system so as to effect a predetermined sequence of

belt rotation and the pitch, roll, yaw and sway of the

platform; and,

a fully adjustable overhead harness safey system with a micro-

switch system for immediate shut-off.

23. A ski and snowboard simulator of claim 22, wherein at least two

movements of the simulator comprise pitch and belt rotation.

24. A ski and snowboard simulator of claim 22, wherein the control

system includes a programmable data processor enabling the predetermined sequence of belt rotation movements of the platform.

25. A ski and snowboard simulator of claim 22, and further comprising a video display monitor for presenting to the trainee a predetermined sequence of visual events synchronized to the predetermined sequence of belt rotation and movements of the platform.

26. A ski and snowboard simulator of claim 22, wherein the control system includes a programmable data processor for controlling the predetermined sequence of belt rotation and movements of the platform and for programming the predetermined sequence of belt rotation and movements of the support in accordance with the predetermined sequence of visual events displayed on the display monitor.

27. A ski and snowboard simulator of claim 22, wherein the drive system for effecting the at least one movement of the platform comprises at least one hydraulic actuator.

28. A ski and snowboard simulator of claim 22, further comprising a feedback system for receiving feedback signals corresponding to the at least one movement of the platform and to the belt speed and for comparing the feedback signals with a control program for adjusting platform movements and belt speed in accordance with the control program.

29. A ski and snowboard simulator of claim 22, wherein the support base supports the platform for pivotation about at least the pitch axis.

30. A ski and snowboard simulator of claim 22, which includes grooved rollers and a vulcanized V-belt system for automatic tracking of the endless web or belt.

1. A ski and snowboard simulator of claim 22, wherein the adjustable overhead harness system includes hydraulic cylinders for moving the adjustable overhead harness safety system up and

down.

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