Controller grip for a video game machine

• US 6,120,025 A
• Filed: 04/14/1998
• Issued: 09/19/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Richard James-Patrick Iv Hughes
• Original Assignee: Richard James-Patrick Iv Hughes
• Inventors: Hughes, Richard James-Patrick IV
• Primary Examiner(s): Chiu, Raleigh W.
• Application Number:
  US09/059,831
• Time in Patent Office: 889 Days
• Field of Search: 273/148 B, 463/36, 463/37, 463/38, 463/46, 463/47, 150/154, 150/165, D14/250, 379/451, 206/316.2, 206/315.1, 206/320, 224/908, 224/929
• US Class Current: 273/148.00B
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/22 Setup operations, e.g. calibration, key configuration or button assignment
• 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: A63F 2300/1018 Calibration; Key and button assignment
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details

Abstract

A grip for a controller of a video game machine or video computer system that reduces slipping of the controller, increases the user'"'"'s comfort and keeps the user'"'"'s finger tips in proper position during use of the controller. The controller grip of the present invention provides a way to inexpensively, quickly and easily give a controller a different size, shape and/or ornamental design. The controller grip of the present invention has a covering material securable to the controller. The covering material is sized and configured to cover the controller in manner that the user has access to the controller'"'"'s action control buttons and the selection control buttons.

Claims

1. A controller grip for a video game controller, said video game controller having a left handle section, a right handle section, and a center handle section, said controller grip comprising a covering material having a first portion for covering said left handle section, a second portion for covering said right handle section, a third portion for covering said center handle section, a strap portion having a front end and a back end, the front end of said strap portion being attached to said third portion, a left wrap around portion connecting said first portion to the back end of said strap portion and a right wrap portion connecting said second portion to the back end of said strap portion.

2. The controller grip of claim 1 wherein the back end of said strap portion is shaped to form a loop engageable with said video game controller.

3. The controller grip of claim 1 wherein said covering material has a resilient cushion surface.

4. The controller grip of claim 1, said covering material further comprising contour grooves for conforming to a user'"'"'s fingers.

5. The controller grip of claim 1 further comprising finger straps affixed to said covering material.

6. The controller grip of claim 1 wherein said covering material is selected from the group consisting of leather, rubber, neoprene, vinyl and cloth.

9. The controller grip of claim 1 wherein said covering material comprises an elastic material elastically securable to said controller.

10. The controller grip of claim 1 wherein said covering material has a resilient cushion surface.

11. The controller grip of claim 1 wherein said covering material is secured to the controller by hook and loop fastening strips.

12. The controller grip of claim 1, said covering material further comprising bumps to facilitate gripping said controller grip.

13. The controller grip of claim 1 wherein said covering material is selected from the group consisting of leather, rubber, neoprene, vinyl and cloth.

14. The controller grip of claim 1 wherein said covering material has finger grooves for conforming to a user'"'"'s fingers.

7. A controller grip for a video game controller of the type having a left section, a right section and a central section connecting the left section and the right section and action control buttons, said controller grip comprising a covering material shaped to conform to said left section, said right section and said central section and shaped to form cut out portions for said action control buttons, and finger straps affixed to said covering material wherein said covering material is securable to the video game controller.

8. A controller grip for a video game controller having action control buttons and selection control buttons, said controller grip comprising:

a covering material securable to the controller, said covering material being sized and configured to cover said controller such that the action control buttons and selection control buttons remain exposed for use when said controller grip is secured to said controller,

and finger straps affixed to said covering material.

15. A controller grip for a video game controller of the type having a left section, a right section and a central section connecting the left section and the right section and action control buttons, said controller grip comprising a covering material shaped to conform to said left section, said right section and said central section and shaped to form cut out portions for said action control buttons and finger straps affixed to said covering material wherein said covering material is securable to the video game controller.

16. The controller grip of claim 15 wherein said covering material is made of an elastic material that is smaller than said video game controller when the covering material is in its relaxed state.

17. The controller grip of claim 15 wherein said covering material has a resilient cushion surface.

18. The controller grip of claim 15 wherein said covering material is selected from the group consisting of leather, rubber, neoprene, vinyl and cloth.

19. The controller grip of claim 15 wherein said covering material has finger grooves for conforming to a user'"'"'s fingers.