EXTERNAL CONTROL PAD

• US 20150205328A1
• Filed: 03/04/2014
• Published: 07/23/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gigabyte Technology Company Limited (Giga-Byte Technology Co.)
• Original Assignee: Gigabyte Technology Company Limited (Giga-Byte Technology Co.)
• Inventors: Lin, Yin Yu, Shih, Po-Jen, Chen, Shu-I
• Granted Patent: US 9,081,545 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/98 Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

An external control pad for incorporating a mobile device includes two handheld parts, a movable set, and two fastening mechanisms is provided. The movable set is disposed in between the two handheld parts, and each said fastening mechanism is disposed on the movable set. When placing the mobile device in between the two handheld parts, a user adjusts the distance between the two handheld parts by altering the movable set such that the two handheld parts move closer to or away from, the mobile device. The fastening mechanisms for securing the distance posed by the movable set allows the mobile device to be clamped and fixed in between the two handheld parts so that the mobile device is incorporated into the external control pad for users'"'"' convenience and ease of use.

Claims

1. An external control pad, suitable for incorporating a mobile device, comprising:

two handheld parts individually provided with at least one control button, wherein said mobile device is placed in between said handheld parts;

a movable set and two fastening mechanisms, wherein;

said movable set includes a first connecting lever, a second connecting lever, and at least one middle connecting lever, and one end of said first connecting lever is axially disposed on one handheld part and one end of said second connecting lever is axially disposed on the other handheld part, and two ends of said middle connecting lever are pivotally connected to the other end of said first connecting lever and the other end of said second connecting lever respectively, and when said first connecting lever and said second connecting lever individually rotate with respect to said handheld parts so as to enable said middle connecting lever to pivotally rotate, said handheld parts will move away from or close to, each other; and

said fastening mechanisms are individually disposed in said first connecting lever and said second connecting lever, and each said fastening mechanism includes an elastic element and a pressing component, where said elastic elements are individually disposed between one pressing component and said first connecting lever, and between the other pressing component and said second connecting lever, and one end of each said pressing component abuts against the corresponding elastic element and the other end of each said pressing component abuts against said middle connecting lever such that said middle connecting lever is pressingly fixed in between each said elastic element and each said pressing component, and when said first connecting lever and/or said second connecting lever displace along the direction of pressing so as to abut against said elastic elements, one end of each said pressing component will displace along the direction of pressing and the other end of each said pressing component will release said middle connecting lever.

2. The external control pad as of claim 1, wherein said first connecting lever and said second connecting lever are individually provided with an upper connecting lever and a lower connecting lever connecting to each other via an axle, and each said fastening mechanism is disposed, through said axle, between each said upper connecting lever and each said lower connecting lever.

3. The external control pad as of claim 2, wherein each said pressing component is provided with a spring piece disposed between each said lower connecting lever and each said pressing component such that each said pressing component will, in a normal setting, press against the direction of pressing, and wherein when each said upper connecting lever displaces along the direction of pressing so as to enable each said pressing component to displace along the same direction, each said spring piece produces a force of rebound in response to the pressure from each said pressing component and each said lower connecting lever such that each said pressing component rebounds against the direction of pressing.

4. The external control pad as of claim 1, wherein said external control pad further comprises two cushioning elements individually disposed on the lateral side of each said handheld part, where each said cushioning element is made of soft material and said mobile device is clamped and fixed in between said handheld parts through said cushioning elements.

5. The external control pad as of claim 1, wherein said external control pad further comprises a port located on any one of said handheld parts for electrically connecting to said mobile device.

6. The external control pad as of claim 1, wherein said external control pad further comprises a wireless module mounted on any one of said handheld parts for receiving control signals from said mobile device or sending control signals to said mobile device.

7. The external control pad as of claim 1, wherein there is provided a groove along the bottom edge of each said handheld part, and said movable set and each said fastening mechanism are collapsible into said groove.

8. The external control pad as of claim 1, wherein each said handheld part is provided with a joystick.

9. The external control pad as of claim 1, wherein said control button is a direction button or a function button.

10. The external control pad as of claim 1, wherein said elastic element is made of rubber or foam.