Hand held video game case with universal power pack

• US 6,347,796 B1
• Filed: 02/25/2000
• Issued: 02/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Arista Enterprises, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Arista Enterprises, Inc.
• Inventors: Neiser, Gabe, Grossman, Eric, Alan, Leifer
• Primary Examiner(s): HARRISON, JESSICA
• Application Number:
  US09/513,542
• Time in Patent Office: 725 Days
• Field of Search: 463/46, 463/1, 273/148.B, 206/315.1, 206/579, 206/320, 206/701, 206/778
• US Class Current: 273/148.00B
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/90 Constructional details or arrangements of video game devices not provided for in groups A63F13/20 or A63F13/25, e.g. housing, wiring, connections or cabinets
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• 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 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device

Abstract

A case and universal power pack for a hand held video game device includes a power pack with integrated plug engaging the external power supply jack on the hand held game device, and thereby provides power to the game device. A cover flap may be selectively adjusted by the user to provide optimum playing conditions and includes a glare reducing surface to further aid in providing the optimum playing environment. The case includes grip strips on opposing sides thereof, and includes access points for accessing the various external controls and jacks of the game device. The power pack is accessible from inside the case when the game device is removed therefrom.

Claims

1. A case for a hand held video game device comprising:

a game device receiving compartment having a front, a back, a top, a bottom, two opposing sides and at least one cutout in said front being adapted to allow access to control mechanisms on the game device and to enable viewing of a display screen of the game device during play;

a cover connected at one end to the top of the receiving compartment and adapted to selectively cover the display screen and control buttons of the game device when the game device is mounted in the game device receiving compartment; and

adjustment means for selectively adjusting and retaining the position of the cover with respect to the display screen of the game device.

2. The case in accordance with claim 1, further comprising grip strips mounted on each of said opposing sides of said game receiving portion.

3. The case in accordance with claim 1, wherein said cover further comprises glare reducing means adapted to reduce glare on the display screen of the game device.

4. The case in accordance with claim 1, further comprising an internal flap hingedly connected at one end to the top of the receiving portion and having an opening therein corresponding in size to a size of the display screen, said internal flap being positioned over the display screen without obstructing the control buttons of the game device and having illumination means disposed within said opening for illuminating the display screen to aid in viewing of the display screen in low light surrounding conditions.

5. The case in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a power pack integrated within said case and an electrical connection from said power pack to the game device.

6. The case in accordance with claim 5, wherein said electrical connection comprises a plug electrically connected to said power pack and disposed within said case so as to engage a correspondingly positioned external power jack on the game device when the game device is operably disposed within the game receiving compartment of the case.

7. The case in accordance with claim 3, wherein said glare reducing means comprises a surface texture on an underside of the cover facing the game device.

8. The case in accordance with claim 1, wherein said adjustment means comprises:

a strap releasably connected to an outer surface of said cover and extending across an outer surface of said top of the game receiving compartment; and

fastening means disposed on said strap and said cover.

9. The case in accordance with claim 8, wherein said fastening means comprises a hook and loop fastener and wherein one of said hooks and loops is disposed on said strap and the other of said hooks and loops is disposed on said cover.

10. The case in accordance with claim 5, wherein said battery pack comprises a rechargeable battery.

11. A case for hand held video game devices comprising:

a game device receiving compartment having a front, a back, a top, a bottom, two opposing sides and at least one cutout in said front being adapted to allow access to control buttons on the game device and to enable viewing of a display screen of the game device during play;

a cover connected at one end to the top of the receiving portion and adapted to cover the display screen and control buttons of the game device when in a closed position; and

power supply means integrated into the case for providing power to the game device and having connection means integrated into the receiving compartment for connecting said power supply means to the game device when the game device is disposed in the receiving compartment.

12. The case in accordance with claim 11, further comprising adjustment means for selectively adjusting and retaining the position of the cover with respect to the display screen of the game device.

13. The case in accordance with claim 12, wherein said power supply means comprises a battery compartment integrated into the game receiving compartment and having an access panel accessible from the game receiving compartment when the game device is not disposed therein.

14. The case in accordance with claim 11, wherein said connection means comprises a plug electrically connected to said power supply means and disposed within said case so as to engage a correspondingly positioned external power jack on the game device when the game device is operably disposed within the receiving compartment of the case.

15. The case in accordance with claim 11, wherein said power supply means further comprises an external jack for receiving an external power source.

16. The case in accordance with claim 15, wherein said external power source provides power to the game device via said external jack and said power supply means.

17. The case in accordance with claim 15, wherein said external power source enables recharging of the power supply means through said external jack.

18. The case in accordance with claim 11, wherein said power supply means comprises at least one rechargeable battery.

19. The case in accordance with claim 11, wherein said power supply means comprises a rechargeable battery pack.