Stabilizer for manual video game controller

• US 4,530,504 A
• Filed: 05/19/1983
• Issued: 07/23/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BorgWarner Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Charles A. Long Jr
• Inventors: Long, Charles A. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pinkham, Richard C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Brown, Scott
• Application Number:
  US06/496,144
• Time in Patent Office: 796 Days
• Field of Search: 273/148 R, 273/148 B, 273/309, 273/DIG. 28, 248/DIG. 10, 248/346, 248/362, 248/359, 248/310
• US Class Current: 273/148.00B
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/91 Weighted base

Abstract

A manual video game controller having a joy stick or equivalent is stabilized by a surrounding structure which supports the same. The transverse dimensions of the stabilizer are substantially greater than the height thereof. Filler material is inserted into the stabilizer shell to add weight to the stabilizer. Flowable hardenable glue is also inserted to compensate for shrinkage of the fill material and plug the fill hole in the stabilizer shell.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising a manually operable video game controller including a body, an upstanding joy stick, a weighted stabilizer circumscribing the outer periphery of said controller body and non-rotatably supporting said controller body, the transverse dimensions of said stabilizer being substantially greater than the height of said stabilizer, the stabilizer comprising a shell member, filler material which is inserted into the shell member to add weight to the stabilizer and a base member for containing the filler material within the shell member, the base member including at least one fill hole extending therethrough, a flowable hardenable glue material being inserted into the fill hole after the insertion of the filler material to compensate for any shrinkage of the filler material, to secure the filler material to the base member and to plug the fill hole, a support member being affixed to the bottom of the base member by the glue material to cover at least the fill hole and to support the apparatus and prevent damage to a supporting surface, means on said stabilizer for releasably securing said stabilizer to the outer periphery of said controller body, and an electrical conductor having one end electrically coupled to said controller body.