Abstract:
Embodiments of the present disclosure include a grip attachment that changes the shape of a handheld controller, allowing individual users to comfortably hold the controller while they interact with the controlled system. For example, some embodiments include a video game controller grip attachment having features that conform to fit securely with the video game controller, allow the user to hold the video game controller, and/or enable a user to grip a handheld controller in different configurations. In other embodiments, the grip for interfacing with one hand (e.g., the right hand) may be different than the grip for interfacing with the other hand (e.g., the left hand). In some embodiments, the grip has a palm swell element including a controller interface surface configured to at least partially accommodate a back surface of a handheld controller, and/or an outer surface extending an overall depth of the palm area of the handheld controller.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/274,001, filed on Dec. 31, 2015, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to grip attachments for handheld controllers. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Handheld controllers generally encompass a range of different devices such as video game controllers, TV remote controllers, smart-phones, tablets and other control devices held by a user. For example, video game controllers allow a user to interact with a video game system. Handheld video game controllers allow a user to hold the video game controller in the user&#39;s hand and move the controller as desired by the user. In some instances, the controller may remotely interface with the video game system, while in others the handheld controller and game system may be integrated. Typical handheld controllers comprise a housing which contains the controls and other components for interacting with a video game system. However, handheld controllers generally only come in a single shape and size and therefore often do not conform to the size of a user&#39;s hands and often do not help facilitate a user gripping the controller in different arrangements. Thus, standard “one-size-fits-all” handheld controllers can in some instances lead to user discomfort or unease. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Among other things, embodiments of the present disclosure include a grip attachment that changes the shape of a handheld controller, allowing individual users to comfortably hold the controller while they interact with the controlled system, such as a video game system. For example, some embodiments include a video game controller grip attachment having features that conform to fit securely with the video game controller, features that comfortably allow the user to hold the video game controller (e.g., the grip attachment increasing the size of the palm swell for users with larger hands), and/or structures that enable a user to grip a handheld controller in different configurations. In other embodiments, the grip for interfacing with one hand (e.g., the right hand) may be different than the grip for interfacing with the other hand (e.g., the left hand). In some embodiments, the grip has a palm swell element including a controller interface surface. The controller interface surface is configured to at least partially accommodate a back surface of a handheld controller. The palm swell element may also have an outer surface which extends from the handheld controller interface surface in a direction opposite from a front surface of the handheld controller. 
         [0005]    According to one embodiment, the grip has an attachment element coupled to the palm swell element. The attachment element has a top attachment member and a bottom attachment member. The top attachment member is configured to a least partially accommodate a top surface of the handheld controller and culminate around the juncture between the front surface and the top surface of the handheld controller. The bottom attachment member is configured to at least partially accommodate a bottom surface of the handheld controller and culminate around the juncture between the front surface and the bottom surface of the handheld controller. 
         [0006]    According to another embodiment, the attachment element is configured to detachably secure the grip to the handheld controller through frictional and/or clamping forces between the attachment member and the front, top, and bottom sides of the handheld controller. 
         [0007]    While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The accompanying figures illustrate one or more embodiments of the disclosed handheld controller grip attachment, and together with the detailed description serve to explain the aspects and implementations of the handheld controller grip attachment. Embodiments are described in conjunction with the appended figures. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  shows a first perspective view of the handheld controller grip attachment. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  shows a second perspective view of the handheld controller grip attachment. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  shows a third perspective view of the handheld controller grip attachment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  shows a side, cross-sectional view of the system comprising the handheld controller and the handheld controller grip attachment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  shows a first perspective view of the system comprising the handheld controller and the handheld controller grip attachment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  shows a second perspective view of the system comprising the handheld controller and the handheld controller grip attachment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  shows a third perspective view of the system comprising the handheld controller and the handheld controller grip attachment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  shows a fourth perspective view of the system comprising the handheld controller and the handheld controller grip attachment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of the system comprising the handheld controller, the handheld controller grip attachment, and the handheld controller grip attachment sleeves. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of the system comprising the handheld controller, the handheld controller grip attachment, the handheld controller grip sleeves, and an additional handheld controller grip attachment. 
           [0019]    While embodiments of the disclosure are amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The intention, however, is not to limit the scope of the disclosure to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the disclosure is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure and the appended claims. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. The following specification describes a handheld controller and a grip attachment for such controllers. 
         [0021]    The handheld controller grip attachment (“grip”)  101  may be made from a plastic composite, rubber composite, metal, another ceramic, or another composite, and/or other materials, or a combination of two or more such materials. The grip  101  wraps around and clamps upon the top and bottom of the handheld controller  201 . The material of the grip  101  possesses a density to promote dexterity so as to firmly, yet detachably, retain the grip  101  to the handheld controller  201 . The size of the grip  101  is designed to fill a user&#39;s hands, for example to fill a palm of a user&#39;s hand, so as to provide for a more comfortable user experience. 
         [0022]    The handheld controller  201  may be any type of controller that provides input to entertainment systems. For example, the controller  201  may be a Super Nintendo Entertainment System® game controller, a Microsoft Xbox® game controller, or other similar handheld controllers. In one embodiment, the handheld controller  201  has a front surface  203 , a back surface  205 , a top surface  207 , a bottom surface  209 , and may have two side surfaces. Some handheld controllers  201  include user inputs, which may be located on the front surface  203 , although a controller  201  in some embodiments includes user inputs on the top surface  207 . Other embodiments of controllers  201  may include user inputs upon other surfaces. Examples of user inputs include buttons, directional pads, analog sticks, joy sticks, and touch screens. The back surface  205  is located opposite the front surface  203 . The top surface  207  may contain user inputs such as shoulder triggers. Shoulder triggers are buttons which mimic triggers on real-life firearms. Other user inputs may be located on the top surface as well. The bottom surface  209  is located opposite the top surface  207 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 1-3  show multiple views of one embodiment of a handheld controller grip attachment  101 , which may also be referred to as grip  101 . The grip  101  includes two elements: a palm swell element  103 , which may also be referred to as palm swell  103 , and an attachment element  109  coupled to the palm swell element. The palm swell  103  and attachment element  109  are coupled to one another, according to some embodiments. As used herein, the term “coupled” is used in its broadest sense to refer to two or more items, elements, and/or features that are joined, attached, fastened, connected, formed integrally, formed unitarily, formed monolithically, and/or otherwise attached, directly or indirectly. In some embodiments, the palm swell  103  and attachment element  109  are one piece or coupled to each other by glue, epoxy, snap-fit, bolt, screw, string, or other fastening means. The palm swell  103  includes a handheld controller interface surface  105  and an outer surface  107 . In one embodiment, the handheld controller interface surface  105  accommodates the area  211  on the back surface  205  of the controller against which a user&#39;s hands are typically placed during use of the controller  201 . This area  211  may have elements which extend out to engage the user&#39;s palms with curved edges such as in a Microsoft XBox® game controller as depicted in  FIG. 1 . This area  211  may be substantially flat with more sharply defined edges such as in the Super Nintendo Entertainment System® game controller. This area  211  may have a variety of shapes and sizes to which the handheld controller interface surface  105  may be shaped to accommodate. The outer surface  107  extends away from the back surface in a direction opposite the front surface  203  of the handheld controller  201  to engage the user&#39;s palm. The palm swell  103  is formed with an ergonomic shape for improved user comfort and feel, especially for those users with larger than average hand sizes. 
         [0024]    The attachment element  109  includes a top attachment member  111  and a bottom attachment member  113 , according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The two attachment members  111 ,  113  are shaped to wrap around and clamp upon the top and bottom surfaces  207 ,  209  of the handheld controller  201 . The two attachment members  111 ,  113  do not wrap completely around the front surface  203  so as to engage each other, but instead have two respective points of culmination  119 ,  121 . The top attachment member  111  culminates on or around the juncture  210   a  between the top surface  207  and the front surface  203  of the handheld controller  201  when the attachment element  109  is releasably coupled with the controller  201 . The bottom attachment member  113  culminates on or around the juncture  210   b  between the bottom surface  207  and the front surface  203  of the handheld controller  201 . The attachment element  109  is shaped or configured to firmly, yet detachably, retain the grip  101  to the handheld controller  201 . 
         [0025]    In one embodiment, the top attachment member  111  may contain a finger rest  123 . The finger rest  123  is shaped to accommodate a user&#39;s index finger, middle finger, and/or or other fingers when the grip  101  is attached to the handheld controller  201 . In some embodiments, the finger rest  123  serves as a soft and ergonomic resting place for a user&#39;s finger or fingers. The finger rest  123  may additionally or alternatively provide a more advantageous angle for a user&#39;s fingers to engage the user inputs. When a user places the user&#39;s index finger or other fingers on the finger rest  123 , the rest of the user&#39;s hands are moved slightly up and away from the front surface  203  and toward the center of the handheld controller. A higher and more centralized position of a user&#39;s fingers over the user inputs allows for quicker and more precise utilization of the user inputs. The finger rest  123  may additionally or alternatively provide a base from which alternate user hand positions can be employed. For example, some users prefer a “claw” style of gripping the handheld controller  201 . In this “claw” style, the user&#39;s thumb and index finger rest upon or hover over the front surface  203  of the handheld controller  201  and the user&#39;s middle finger rests upon or hovers over the top surface  207  of the handheld controller  201 . The presence of the finger rest  123  according to some embodiments allows the user to rest the user&#39;s middle finger upon a relatively higher surface to provide greater leverage to the user&#39;s index finger and thumb. 
         [0026]      FIG. 4 . is a cross-sectional view of the top attachment member  111  when engaged with the handheld controller  201 . As illustrated and described above with respect to  FIGS. 1-3 , the top attachment member  111  is shaped or configured so as to wrap around the top surface  207  of the handheld controller  201 . The top attachment member  111  has a point of culmination  119  which contacts on or near the juncture  210   a  between the top surface  207  and the front surface  203  of the handheld controller  201 . In a similar manner, the bottom attachment member  113  is shaped or configured so as to wrap around the bottom surface  209  of the handheld controller  201 . The bottom attachment member  113  has a point of culmination  121  which contacts on or near the juncture  210   b  between the bottom surface  209  and the front surface  203  of the handheld controller  201 . The points of culmination  119 ,  121  may culminate slightly before or slightly after the juncture  210   a  or  210   b  depending upon the configuration of the handheld controller—for example, the point of culmination  119  in some embodiments extends further from the top attachment member  111  than shown in  FIG. 4  or beyond the juncture  210   b  as shown in  FIG. 4 , and in other embodiments the point of culmination  119  does not extend as far from the top attachment member  111  as shown in  FIG. 4 . Such a juncture  210   a  or  210   b  may be curved, slanted, at a sharp ninety degree angle or the like, or some other configuration. In some embodiments, such a juncture  210   a  or  210   b  may also have an integrated ridge or other embedded structure. 
         [0027]    The attachment element  109  is shaped to detachably secure the grip  101  to the handheld controller  201  by clamping forces between the top and bottom attachment members  111 ,  113  and the top and bottom surfaces  207 ,  209  of the handheld controller  201 . To attach the grip  101  to the handheld controller  201  a user presses the attachment element  109  against the back surface  205  of the handheld controller  201 . The top attachment member  111  and the bottom attachment member  113  will expand over the top and bottom surfaces  207 ,  209  of the handheld controller  201 . When the attachment members  111 ,  113  move past the top and bottom surfaces  207 ,  209  of the handheld controller  201 , the attachment members  111 ,  113  will contract back toward their original shape until the culmination points  119 ,  121  contact on or near their respective junctures  210   a  or  210   b  between the front surface  203  and top and bottom surfaces  207 ,  209 . The grip  101  is secured to the handheld controller  201  when the top and bottom attachment members  111 ,  113  are simultaneously engaged with their respective junctures  210   a  or  210   b.  In some embodiments, the attachment element  109  will make a snap or click sound when engaging with the junctures  210   a  or  210   b.  The grip  101  is also secured to the handheld controller  201  by frictional forces between top attachment member  111  and the top surface  207  and the bottom attachment member  113  and the bottom surface  209 . The grip  101  is also secured by normal forces between the points of culmination  119 ,  121  of the top and bottom attachment members  111 ,  113  and the front surface  203 . 
         [0028]    The grip  101  can also be attached to the handheld controller  201  with the benefit of a mechanical hinge or joint (not shown) included in either or both of the top and bottom attachment members  111 ,  113 . Such a mechanical hinge or joint has the properties similar to a door hinge or an elbow joint, according to one embodiment. The mechanical hinge or joint has an open configuration and a closed configuration. A user may detachably retain the grip  101  to the handheld controller  201  by pressing the attachment element  109  against back surface  205  of the handheld controller  201  with one or more mechanical hinges or joints in the open configuration. The user may then move the one or more mechanical hinges or joints into the closed configuration around the top and or bottom surfaces  207 ,  209  of the handheld controller  201 . The mechanical hinge or joint may have any one of a number of hinges or joints such as a spring hinge, barrel hinge, pivot hinge, case hinge, butterfly hinges, or the like. 
         [0029]      FIGS. 5-7 . show multiple views of the grip and handheld controller system  301 .  FIG. 5 . Shows a side view of the system  301 .  FIG. 6 . shows a front surface view of the system  301 .  FIG. 7 . shows a back surface view of the system.  FIG. 8 . shows an exploded view of the grip and handheld controller system  301 .  FIG. 9  shows the grip and handheld controller system  301  including grip sleeves  125 . The grip sleeves  125  attach to the outer surface  107  and the top attachment element  111  or finger rest  127 . The grip sleeves  125  increase ergonomic comfort and feel, increase grip, and/or decrease the negative effects of perspiration accumulation, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The grip sleeves  125  may be removably or irremovably coupled with or affixed to the grip  101  via epoxy, glue, or other attachment mechanisms. The grip sleeves  125  may be made of rubber, rubber composite, leather, or other material. The grip sleeves  125  may be customized to a user&#39;s preference based on surface texture, color, size, sleeve depth, and/or sleeve material, in some embodiments. The grip sleeves  125  may be made of a material which molds to a user&#39;s hands. The grip  101  or grip sleeves  125  may include aesthetic designs or branding such as a user&#39;s name or favorite sports team. 
         [0030]      FIG. 10  shows a second handheld controller and grip attachment system  401  including a grip  101 , handheld controller  201 , and additional handheld controller grip attachment  129 , which may also be referred to as additional grip  129 . The additional grip  129  is substantially similar to the grip  101 . The additional grip  129  mirrors the grip  101  so to attach to the other side of the handheld controller  129 . The additional grip  129  may contain a finger rest, grip sleeves, or other grip accessories specified for the grip  101 . The additional grip  129  may be the same size or a different size from the grip  101 . The grip  101  and additional grip  129  may be connected to each other. This connection may be integral to both the grip  101  and the additional grip  129  so that they are manufactured as one piece. This connection may be made of the same material as the grip  101  and additional grip  129  or of a different material. The connection may be electrical. The additional grip  129  may include any of, or any combination of, the structures, shapes, features, and/or characteristics described with respect to grip  101 , according to embodiments of the present disclosure. According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the shape and/or depth of the palm swell of grip  101  is different from the shape and/or depth of the palm swell of grip  129  on the same controller, permitting the user to customize the ergonomics and tactile experience with the controller as between the user&#39;s left palm and right palm. 
         [0031]    The grip  101  may be manufactured with an electronic connection to the handheld controller  201 . The grip  101  may also include a processor. The processor may include or be part of or form a computer or computer chip. The electronic connection and processor can be used to convert battery power from the handheld controller  201  to the grip  101 , to receive signals from the handhold controller  201  or accompanying game console, or to send signals from the grip  101  to the handheld controller  201  or accompanying game console. The grip  101  may also contain its own battery. The grip battery may be rechargeable. 
         [0032]    The power converted from the handheld controller  201  or game console to the grip  101  through the electronic connection or from the grip&#39;s  101  own battery may be used to power electronics, such as lights or rumble packs or other haptic feedback or user interface devices, within the grip  101 . The grip  101  may be made of translucent material so that LED imbedded within the grip  101  can shine though. The grip battery may be used as a back-up power source for the handheld controller  201 . 
         [0033]    The processor may be used in conjunction with a game console. Certain actions within a game may trigger certain lights or rumble packs within the grip. For example, if an enemy in a game is located on the right side of a user, then a rumble pack on the right grip will activate. The processor may also have the capability to store memory. This may be memory specific to a certain game, memory for general information about the user such as a user avatar or a user&#39;s login data, or memory for some other type of data. A user may take such customized grips to different locations, such as a neighbor&#39;s house, and play video games with the user&#39;s own unique information at their disposal. 
         [0034]    The processor may be used in conjunction with wireless technology such as Bluetooth® or Wi-Fi®. This wireless technology could be used to communicate data, such as sound data, from the grip  101  to the handheld controller  201 , game console, television, headphones, or other device capable of wireless communication. 
         [0035]    The grip  101  may include additional user inputs. For example, there may be an additional button or buttons on the finger rest  125 . The processor may be used to reprogram the handheld controller  201  to a user&#39;s preference. A user may turn off certain user inputs on the handheld controller  201  and replace their functionality with a user input located on the grip  101 . This may be beneficial to users with unique gripping techniques. These additional user inputs may also be programmable for in-game functionality without the need to turn off user inputs located on the handheld controller  201 . 
         [0036]    Among other things, embodiments of the present disclosure include a system  301  comprising a grip  101  for a handheld controller  201 . The grip  101  comprises a palm swell element  103 . This palm swell element  103  additionally comprises a handheld controller interface surface  105  that is configured to at least partially accommodate a back surface  205  of the handheld controller  201 . The palm swell element  103  also comprises an outer surface  107  which extends from the handheld controller interface surface  105  in a direction opposite from a front surface  203  of the handheld controller  201 . The grip  101  also comprises an attachment element  109  coupled to the palm swell element  103 . The attachment element  109  has a top attachment member  111  and a bottom attachment member  113 . The top attachment member  111  is configured to at least partially accommodate a top surface  207  of the handheld controller  201  and to culminate  119  around the juncture  210   a  between the front surface  203  and the top surface  207  of the handheld controller  201 . The bottom attachment member  113  is configured to at least partially accommodate a bottom surface  209  of the handheld controller  201  and to culminate  121  around the juncture  210   b  between the front surface  203  and the bottom surface  209  of the handheld controller  201 . The attachment element  109  is also configured to detachably secure the grip  101  to the handheld controller  201  through frictional and clamping forces between the top and bottom attachment members  111 ,  113  and the front, top, and bottom sides  203 ,  207 ,  209  of the handheld controller  201 . 
         [0037]    The system  301  may further comprise a finger rest  123  located on the top attachment member  111 . The system  301  may further comprise a second grip  129  having a shape that is translationally symmetrical with the first grip  101 . The first and second grip  101 ,  129  may be coupled to one another. The system  301  may further comprise a moveable joint or hinge. The system  301  may further comprise a sleeve  125  shaped to fit over and interface with the outer surface  107 . The system  301  my further comprise a sleeve  125  shaped to fit over and interface with the top attachment member  111  or finger rest  123 . 
         [0038]    Another embodiment of system  301  comprises the grip  101  which is secured to the handheld controller  201  by means of pressing the grip  101  against the back surface  205 . The attachment element  109  will then expand around the top and bottom surfaces  207 ,  209  of the handheld controller  201 . The attachment element  109  will then retract to, or near to, the attachment element&#39;s  109  original shape when the top attachment member  111  and the bottom attachment member  113  culminate  119 ,  121  respectively around the junctures  210   a  or  210   b  between the front surface  203  and the top surface  207  and the front surface  203  and the bottom surface  209  of the handheld controller  201 . 
         [0039]    Another embodiment comprises a method for making a grip  101  for a handheld controller  201 . This method involves injection molding the grip  101  for a handheld controller  201  as described above. 
         [0040]    Another embodiment of system  301  comprises a handheld controller  201  which has a front  203  with at least one front control button, a top  205  with at least one top control button, a controller palm swell  211 , a top tapered area  210   a  where the front  203  transitions to the top  207 , and a bottom tapered area  210   b  where the front  203  transitions to the bottom  209 . The system  301  further comprises a grip  101  removably coupled with the handheld controller  201 . The grip  101  has a grip palm swell  103  and an attachment element  109 . The grip palm swell  103  is configured to cover at least a portion of the controller palm swell  211  and extends the overall depth of the controller palm swell  211  when the grip  101  is removably coupled with the handheld controller  201 . The attachment element  109  comprises a top attachment member  111  and a bottom attachment member  113 . The top attachment member  111  engages the top tapered area  210   a  and the bottom attachment member  113  engages the bottom tapered area  210   b  in a snap fit engagement when the grip  101  is removably coupled to the handheld controller  201 . 
         [0041]    In another embodiment, the top tapered area  210   a  is a ledge. In another embodiment, no portion of the attachment element  109  extends entirely across the front  203  from top  207  to bottom  209  or bottom  209  to top  207 . In another embodiment, the grip  101  further comprises a finger rest ledge  123  located at the top when the grip  101  is removably coupled with the handheld controller  201 . In another embodiment, the grip palm swell  103  includes an inside surface  105  with a shape that substantially conforms to at least a portion of the controller palm swell  211  shape when the grip  101  is removably coupled to the handheld controller  201 . In another embodiment, the attachment element  109  is C shaped. In another embodiment, the firmness of the snap fit engagement of the attachment element  109  with the handheld controller  201  is imparted by elasticity properties of the attachment element  109 . In another embodiment, the outer surface  107  of the grip palm swell  103  includes an overall curvature that generally follows the curvature of a user&#39;s palm when the palm is in a cupped or curled configuration. In another embodiment, the an outer surface  107  of the grip palm swell  103  includes a continuous curvature without acute edges or any sharp edges that might cause discomfort to the user&#39;s palm. 
         [0042]    Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this disclosure also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.