Game controller

• US 6,743,100 B1
• Filed: 10/03/2001
• Issued: 06/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gabe Neiser
• Original Assignee: Gabe Neiser
• Inventors: Neiser, Gabe
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Neill, Michael
• Application Number:
  US09/969,915
• Time in Patent Office: 972 Days
• Field of Search: 463/36, 463/37, 463/38, 463/39, 273/148.B, 345/161
• US Class Current: 463/37
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details

Abstract

A game controller having user pivotal grips for adjusting the size, and thereby the ergonomics of the game controller to accommodate the size of a specific user'"'"'s hands. The grips are connected to the body of the game controller at a pivot point, and an indexing or positioning system retains the position of the grips once adjusted to the specific user'"'"'s hands.

Claims

1. A game controller comprising:

a body having a plurality of gaming controls;

at least one hand grip pivotally connected to said body and having at least two operable positions with respect to the gaming controls to allow for user-specific ergonomic adjustment; and

a positioning system for retaining said at least one hand grip in different positions with respect to said body.

2. The game controller according to claim 1, wherein said at least one pivotal hand grip comprises an outer shell portion pivotally connected to said body.

3. The game controller according to claim 1, wherein said positioning system comprises a detent on said hand grip and a plurality of indents on said body and being aligned to receive said detent in one of a said at least two positions when said hand grip is pivotally moved about said pivotal connection.

4. The game controller according to claim 1, wherein said positioning system comprises a resilient friction fit between said hand grip and said body, said resilient friction fit being sufficient to allow movement of said at least one hand grip and retain said hand grip in a desired position.

5. The game controller according to claim 1, further comprising an indexing system for indicating the position of said at least one hand grip with respect to said body.

6. The game controller according to claim 5, wherein said indexing system comprises a plurality of hand grip indicator lines on said hand grip and at least one body indicator line on said body, wherein said at least one body indicator line is aligned with at least one of said plurality of hand grip indicator lines when said at least one hand grip is positioned in a desired operable position by the user.

7. A game controller comprising:

a body having a plurality of gaming controls;

at least one hand grip pivotally connected to said body and having at least two operable positions with respect to the gaming controls for accommodating more than one hand size during use of the game controller;

an indexing system for indicating the position of said at least one hand grip with respect to said body; and

a positioning system for retaining said at least one hand grip in different positions with respect to said body.

8. The game controller according to claim 7, wherein said at least one pivotal hand grip comprises an outer shell portion pivotally connected to said body.

9. The game controller according to claim 7, wherein said positioning system comprises a detent on said hand grip and a plurality of indents on said body and being aligned to receive said detent in one of a said at least two positions when said hand grip is pivotally moved about said pivotal connection.

10. The game controller according to claim 7, wherein said positioning system comprises a resilient friction fit between said hand grip and said body, said resilient friction fit being sufficient to allow movement of said at least one hand grip and retain said hand grip in a desired position.

11. The game controller according to claim 7, wherein said indexing system comprises a plurality of hand grip indicator lines on said hand grip and at least one body indicator line on said body, wherein said at least one body indicator line is aligned with at least one of said plurality of hand grip indicator lines when said at least one hand grip is positioned in a desired operable position by the user.

12. A game controller comprising:

a body having a plurality of gaming controls;

at least one hand grip pivotally connected to said body and having at least two different operable positions with respect to the gaming controls for accommodating more than one hand size during use of the game controller; and

a positioning system for retaining said at least one hand grip in different positions with respect to said body.

13. The game controller according to claim 12, wherein said at least one pivotal hand grip comprises an outer shell portion pivotally connected to said body.

14. The game controller according to claim 12, wherein said positioning system comprises a detent on said hand grip and a plurality of indents on said body and being aligned to receive said detent in one of a said at least two positions when said hand grip is pivotally moved about said pivotal connection.

15. The game controller according to claim 12, wherein said positioning system comprises a resilient friction fit between said hand grip and said body, said resilient friction fit being sufficient to allow movement of said at least one hand grip and retain said hand grip in a desired position.

16. The game controller according to claim 12, further comprising an indexing system for indicating the position of said at least one hand grip with respect to said body.

17. The game controller according to claim 16, wherein said indexing system comprises a plurality of hand grip indicator lines on said hand grip and at least one body indicator line on said body, wherein said at least one body indicator line is aligned with at least one of said plurality of hand grip indicator lines when said at least one hand grip is positioned in a desired operable position by the user.