Leg extensions for a lap-mounted computer game accessory

An accessory for a computer game can be placed on a table top or in a person's lap. The accessory has a pair of extensions which can be moved between retracted and exposed positions. In the retracted position, the extensions serve as legs which support the accessory on a table top. In their exposed position, the extensions extend from a bottom or side edge of the accessory and wrap partially around the player's lap, enhancing the stability of the accessory. The accessory can also include a contoured underside having concavities sized and spaced to fit against the lap of the game player.

The present invention is directed to a computer game accessory or other
 device that rests on a person's lap, and more particularly to leg
 extensions for stabilizing such a device.
 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 Computer games are often accessorized with input devices, such as a
 joystick, that a player can hold in his or her hand. As games are getting
 more advanced, however, different types of input devices are being
 created.
 BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic game
 accessory which is securely held on a player's lap.
 Another object of the present invention is to provide a pair of retractable
 leg extensions that help secure a lap-mounted device on a person's lap.
 It is yet another object of the present invention to provide retractable
 legs that help support a portable device on a table top or other smooth
 surface, and can also stabilize the device on a person's lap.
 These and other objects are achieved by providing an article of
 manufacture, comprising a housing to be placed on a person's lap; and at
 least a first leg extension operatively connected to said housing, said
 first leg extension being movable between first and second positions and
 contacting more of an outer side of the lap when in the second position
 than when the first position.
 These and other objects are also achieved by providing an accessory for an
 electronic game, comprising a portable housing to be placed on a person's
 lap; first and second leg extensions operatively connected to said
 housing, each leg extension being movable from a first position to an
 exposed position, the exposed position being such that said leg extensions
 extend generally downward from said housing and press against the sides of
 the person's lap, said first leg extension bracing against the left side
 of the person's left thigh and said second leg extension bracing against
 the right side of the person's right thigh.
 The present invention provides retractable extensions on the underside of a
 lap-mounted device. The extensions support the device against the outer
 side of a person's thighs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
 Although the following description of the preferred embodiments refers to
 an accessory for a computer game, it should be understood that the
 accessory can be any remote input and/or output apparatus connected
 through wired or wireless connection(s) to an electronic device, such as a
 computer game, or the accessory can be a self-contained electronic device
 or game. The computer games contemplated by the present invention include
 games played on personal computers, electronic games played on televisions
 or other monitors through dedicated game systems such as Nintendo64 or
 Sony PlayStation, as well as stand alone self-contained games.
 FIG. 1 shows a computer game accessory according to a preferred embodiment
 of the present invention. In this embodiment, the accessory is an input
 apparatus having, as input devices, a gear shifter 13 and a steering wheel
 12. The steering wheel is connected to a rotatable shaft 14. The accessory
 10 is used by the player of the computer game to input signals in order to
 play the computer game. A wired or wireless communication line 16
 transmits signals and/or power to and/or from the accessory 10 to a remote
 unit (not shown) which can be a personal computer, a dedicated game
 device, or any other remote terminal used to receive and/or transmit
 signals to/from the accessory 10. The communication line 16 is known in
 the art and need not be further elaborated herein, except to note that it
 is an optional feature and can be omitted if the accessory 10 is a
 self-contained game.
 The artisan will recognize that the present invention finds applicability
 to accessories having input devices other than a steering wheel 12 and
 gear shifter 13, such as joysticks. Output components such as sound
 generators and/or visual indicators (not shown) can also be used with or
 without the input components.
 The present invention allows the player to use the accessory comfortably
 from a sitting position. The accessory 10 is preferably light enough to
 rest comfortably on the player's lap, and has an outer body 18 made of
 plastic or other rigid material housing the accessory's internal
 electronic circuitry. The body 18 is preferably formed from at least two
 pieces which are attached during the accessory's latter stages of
 manufacture.
 The body 18 includes an underside surface 20 having a width spanning
 between left and right edges 22 and 24, as viewed from the player's
 perspective. The left and right edges 22, 24 are spaced so as to span a
 person's lap. For adults, the width may be on the order of 45 cm (18
 inches) or more in order to accommodate a lazy sitting position in which
 the knees are far apart, although the present invention is not limited to
 any particular width. For accessories designed specifically for children,
 the width is preferably smaller. In the preferred embodiment, the
 accessory 10 is on the order of 22 cm deep and 17.5 cm high, disregarding
 the steering wheel, but the invention is not limited to any particular
 dimension.
 The underside surface 20 preferably includes at least one concavity
 designed to fit over the lap of the player while he or she is sitting. Two
 concavities 26, 28 are shown in FIG. 1, wherein a ridge 30 is formed at
 the intersection of the two concavities 26, 28 and lies, in use, between
 the thighs of the player. It should be understood, however, that the
 present invention can also be adapted to a body 18 having a single
 concavity for the entire lap, or a flat underside surface with no
 concavity at all.
 FIG. 2 shows a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 1. The steering wheel
 12 (not shown) extends from front surface 40. It is preferable for the
 underside surface 20 to have generally horizontal regions 42, 44 adjacent
 the left and right edges 22, 24 at or beyond the side edges of the
 player's lap. On those horizontal regions 42, 44 are two optional suction
 cups 32, 34 that can be used to secure the accessory 10 to a table top or
 other smooth surface while the player plays the game, as an alternative to
 resting it on the player's lap. Rubber or felt pads on the horizontal
 regions 42, 44 can be substituted for (or supplement) the suction cups 32,
 34. By giving the two horizontal regions 42, 44 a length along the length
 of the body 18, they provide a stable surface for supporting the accessory
 10 on a table top. At the back end of the accessory 10, a third generally
 horizontal region 46 is also preferably formed (or attached) on the body
 18 so that the accessory 10 has three coplanar surfaces to support it when
 placed on a table top. A rubber or felt pad, or a suction cup (not shown)
 can also be used on the third horizontal region 46.
 FIG. 2 also shows a pair of extensions 41, 45 forming part of the present
 invention. The extensions 41, 45 are essentially mirror-images of one
 another. Although the extensions are shown at the horizontal regions 42,
 44 of body 18, the horizontal regions are not necessary in order to
 implement the present invention. The extensions can obviate the need for
 the horizontal regions to hold the accessory 10 stably on a flat surface,
 as explained below. One alternative is to have one or both of the
 extensions extend from a side surface of the body 18 rather than from the
 bottom.
 Each extension 41, 45 is preferably shaped as a curved parallelogram and
 can be moved manually between retracted and exposed positions, as shown in
 FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) respectively. Preferably, the path that each leg
 extension takes when being moved from one position to another is defined
 by the shape of the extension itself. One or more through-holes (not
 shown) can be provided in one or both extensions in order to reduce the
 amount of material used and/or to provide finger holes for moving the
 extensions. In a preferred embodiment, the retracted position of the
 extension 41 still exposes the bottom portion 41a of the extension below
 the bottom of the underside 20 and therefore will, to some extent, help
 stabilize the accessory on a person's lap. See FIG. 4(a). The exposed
 portion 41a, and a similar one for extension 43, can be used to support
 the accessory 10 on a table top or other smooth surface and therefore
 obviate the need for horizontal surfaces 42, 44. A rubber pad 51 or other
 friction material can be integrated into, or secured on, the bottom
 portions of extensions 41, 43 to prevent the accessory 10 from sliding on
 the table during use. In such an embodiment, the optional suction cups 32,
 34 are preferably excluded. In an alternative embodiment, the extensions
 41, 45 can be made to retract more fully so that they do not contact the
 table top.
 FIG. 4(b) shows the extension 41 in its exposed position. The extension is
 preferably formed of a rigid or semi-rigid material, such as metal or
 plastic, and has an arcuate shape designed to fit snugly against a
 person's thigh. As shown in FIG. 5, the extension is preferably shaped as
 a curved parallelogram, although it can be a rectangle or other
 appropriate shape. The curved profile preferably complements the arcuate
 cross section of the concavity or concavities 26, 28. Each extension also
 has a width dimension running along the length of the person's lap, as
 shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. As considered along the width dimension, the
 extensions 41, 45 are preferably straight.
 According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each
 extension retracts into a hollow portion of the body 18. Alternatively, it
 can be made to retract along the top or underside of the body and thus be
 continually exposed. On the top corner of the front and back side edges of
 each extension is a peg 53 which slides in a corresponding groove 53a
 shown in phantom in FIG. 4(a). The groove 53a is generally arcuate and is
 wide enough for peg 53 to slide freely between the end positions of the
 groove. Detents near the ends 53b, 53d of the groove 53a allow the peg 53
 to "click" into place at the end positions. Pegs 53 can be replaced by
 flexible detents or similar mechanisms which allow the extensions to be
 positioned at discrete locations along the groove 53a. Although the
 preferred embodiment contemplates only two positions for each extension,
 one at each of the respective ends of the groove 53a, the artisan will
 appreciate that additional intermediate positions can also be provided.
 As an alternative to the peg or detent embodiment, the present invention
 can also use a friction-fit between the groove and the side edge of the
 extension 41, 45 such that the extension can be moved to any desired
 position between the end points of the groove. An extension can also be
 locked into place using a threaded screw which passes through a portion of
 the body 18 and presses against the broad side of the extension.
 In addition to the pegs 53, the preferred embodiment also provides each
 extension with its own pair of grooves 57a which mate with corresponding
 pegs 57 on the body 18. The grooves 57a run along the front and back side
 edges of the extension, stopping just short of the pegs 53. The pegs 57
 are preferably located where the extensions exit the body 18. As with the
 pegs 53, the artisan will appreciate that detents or other mechanisms can
 be substituted for the pegs 57. The pegs 57 can also be made to "click"
 into proper positions in their grooves.
 For each extension, the spacing between the peg 57 and the end 53b of
 groove 53a is preferably a few centimeters as shown in FIG. 4(a) so that
 the extension can press with significant force against the outer side of
 the person's thigh.
 The extensions 41, 45 pass through respective holes in the body 18 near
 finger access depressions (or holes) 43, 47. In operation, the player uses
 the accesses 43, 47 (FIG. 2) to grip the bottom edges of the extensions
 41, 45 and manually move them from the retracted position to the exposed
 position. Because of the shape and direction of groove 53a, and the
 location of the peg 57 relative to the end position 53d of groove 53a, the
 exposed position places the extensions in a more vertical orientation as
 compared to the retracted position. The exposed position for extension 41
 is shown in FIG. 4(b), and demonstrates how the contour of the concavity
 or concavities 26, 28 is complemented by the arcuate shape of the
 extensions to wrap partially around the outside of the player's thighs.
 As seen in FIG. 2, the concavities 26, 28 have outer sides 36, 38 where
 they transition into the horizontal regions 42, 44 near edges 22, 24.
 These outer sides 36, 38 together with the shape of the ridge 30 (if
 present) define the shape of the concavities. The shapes of the
 concavities, which are preferably arcuate and symmetrical in cross section
 but need not be, not only provide a comfortable surface for resting the
 accessory against the player's lap, but together with the extensions 41,
 45 also can assist the player in playing the game. For example, when
 steering wheel 12 is used as the input component, a spring device (not
 shown) can be used to urge the wheel toward its neutral position. By
 turning the wheel to the left or right, the spring creates a torque that
 urges the body of the accessory 10 to rotate along with the wheel, but the
 player's thighs prevent such rotation. By forming the concavity(ies) and
 extensions 41, 45 such that they engage the outer sides of the player's
 thighs, especially in the lap area closer to the knee, the user can have
 better control over his or her steering of the game. Other input
 components, such as joysticks, may influence the use of different shapes
 for the concavity(ies) and extensions.
 In a preferred embodiment, the concavity is recessed about 4 cm (1.5
 inches) from the elevation of the horizontal regions 42, 44, the ridge 30
 (if present) is also recessed relative to the horizontal regions 42, 44,
 and makes each concavity about 20 cm (8 inches) in width, or a single
 concavity may be about 40 cm (16 inches) wide. The extensions 41, 45
 preferably extend about 10 cm (4 inches) or so from the bottom of the body
 18 when in the exposed position.
 In FIG. 2, the shape of the concavities is such that the outer sides 36, 38
 are spaced farther apart near the front surface 40 than at the back end of
 the accessory, making the central axes of the concavities converge as
 considered in a direction away from the player's torso. Likewise, the
 extensions 41, 45 also converge as considered in the same direction. In
 FIG. 2, the size of the ridge is generally constant between the front
 surface 40 and the back end of the accessory.
 FIGS. 3(a) to 3(g) show geometric cross sections exemplifying alternative
 shapes contemplated for the concavities of the present invention. If only
 one concavity is used (see FIG. 4(c), then the outside surfaces 36, 38 of
 the concavity are the critical surfaces to consider with regard to whether
 they converge, diverge, or remain parallel. For a single concavity, the
 surfaces 36, 38 can take on one or more of the shapes shown in FIGS. 3(a)
 to 3(g). Because it is preferable for the extensions 41, 45 to be parallel
 to the outside surfaces 36, 38, the extensions likewise can converge,
 diverge, or be parallel to one another.
 FIG. 3(a) shows an embodiment in which the concavity, or both of them, is
 continuous, meaning that it is designed to contact the player's thigh
 throughout the length of the concavity. The arcuate cross sectional shape
 of the concavity may be different at various locations along the length of
 the concavity, but contact with the thigh is expected.
 FIG. 3(b) shows an alternative in which the concavity, or both of them, has
 a front concave region 50 disposed near the front surface 34 and having an
 arcuate cross section, and a back concave region 54 disposed near the back
 end of the accessory 10 and having another arcuate cross section. Between
 the front and back regions 50, 54 is a further depressed region 52 at a
 different height relative to the front and back regions 50, 54 such that
 the depressed region 52 does not contact the thighs of the player. The
 arcuate cross sections of the front and back concave regions 50, 54 can be
 identical or different, and the depressed region 52 can be arcuate in
 cross section but need not be. Preferably, the embodiment of FIG. 3(b) has
 a smooth transition from the front concave region 50 to the depressed
 region 52 and back to the back concave region 54. This embodiment is
 especially useful when the extensions 41, 45 are designed to retract
 underneath the body 18 rather than inside it.
 FIG. 3(c) shows embodiments in which the concavities diverge or converge,
 depending on whether the front surface 34 of the accessory 10 is where the
 concavities are close together, as at reference 60 in the figure, or far
 apart as at reference 62. In either of these embodiments, the ridge 30
 between the concavities can have a constant size throughout the length of
 the concavities, or it can increase (or decrease) in width as the
 concavities diverge (converge).
 FIG. 3(d) shows an alternative in which the concavities are parallel to one
 another. The arcuate cross section of each concavity need not be identical
 throughout its length. Rather, the parallel shape is based on the
 directions of the main axes of the concavities as considered along their
 length.
 FIG. 3(e) shows embodiments in which the concavities themselves increase or
 decrease in cross sectional shape, depending on whether the front surface
 34 of the accessory 10 is where the arcuate cross section is smaller, as
 at reference 70 in the figure, or larger as at reference 72.
 FIG. 3(f) shows an embodiment in which the height of the ridge 30 increases
 or decreases along the length of the concavities, depending on whether the
 front surface 34 of the accessory 10 is where the ridge 30 is at an equal
 or higher elevation than the height of the outer sides 36, 38, as also
 shown in FIG. 1, or where the ridge 30 is at a lower elevation. In this
 embodiment elevation is relative, meaning that the outer sides 36, 38 may
 rise along their length as the ridge's elevation in the player's lap stays
 constant, or the outer sides may remain constant as the ridge 30 increases
 (decreases) in height.
 FIG. 3(g) shows an embodiment similar to that of FIG. 3(f), but where the
 outer sides 36, 38 increase or decrease in height along their lengths. In
 FIG. 3(g), the elevation of the ridge 30 remains generally equal to or
 higher in elevation than the outer sides 36, 38.
 The artisan will appreciate that the embodiments of FIGS. 3(a) through 3(g)
 can be mixed and matched as necessary.
 The invention having been thus described, it will be obvious that the same
 may be varied in many ways, not only in construction but also in
 application. For example, the extensions and/or the contoured underside of
 the accessory can be textured or covered with a friction material such as
 rubber in order to enhance the stability of the accessory against the
 player's lap. The contour and/or extensions can also be formed from a
 padded material such as foam or rubber. The size of the accessory can be
 reduced such that it fits over one thigh 101 rather than the entire lap
 (see FIG. 4(c)). The ridge 30 can be configured to contain two additional
 leg extensions so that there are a total of four extensions, two for each
 thigh. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the
 spirit and scope of the invention, but rather as modifications intended to
 be encompassed within the scope of the following claims.