Abstract:
A video game controller joystick strap device is provided which fits on the joystick, preferably by an expandable buttonhole. This device is provided with a fastener permitting the strap to fixed around a user&#39;s thumb or finger. In its preferred embodiment, the fastener is a hook and loop device.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of prior pending commonly owned patent application number 09/545,903 filed on Apr. 9, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,485, and priority for all common material is hereby claimed thereto. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to strap devices. More specifically, this invention relates to strap devices that are adapted to facilitate the control of a joystick device as used in conjunction with a video game system. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     A variety of devices for controlling video games have been proposed. Some of these devices are wearable to enhance the user&#39;s control of the video game. However, these previous devices are not adapted specifically to work with standard video game joysticks by providing a cushioned strap which can receive the head of the joystick and which can be fixed to a user&#39;s thumb or finger, as this is this present invention of applicant. 
     For general background the reader is directed to the following U.S. patent documents, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety for the material contained therein: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,494,755, 4,518,164, 4,648,603, 4,909,514, 5,207,791, 5,225,831, 5,488,362, 5,706,026, 5,737,505, 5,764,164, 5,796,354. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     It is desirable to provide a strap restraining device that can be attached to the joystick of a standard video game controller joystick and that, when in use, wrapped around a user&#39;s thumb or finger and fixed in place to facilitate the control of a video game joystick while avoiding injuries, such as blisters, to the user&#39;s thumb, fingers or hand. 
     Therefore, it is the general object of this invention to provide a strap device for use with video game joysticks to facilitate the use of the joystick. 
     A further object of this invention is to provide a strap device for use with video game joysticks that has a hook and loop fastener providing the means for fastening the device around a user&#39;s thumb or finger. 
     A still further object of this invention is to provide a strap device for use with video game joysticks that has an expandable joystick receiving opening. 
     Another object of one embodiment of this invention is to provide a strap device for use with video game joysticks that provides cushioning to reduce the risk of user injury. 
     A further object of a second embodiment of this invention is to provide a strap device for use with video game joysticks that does not require additional cushioning to reduce user injury. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide a strap device for use with video game joysticks that is adaptable to work with most standard video game joysticks. 
     Additional objects, advantages and other novel features of this invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following detailed description, drawings, and claims, or may be learned with the practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of this invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Still other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description wherein there is shown and described the preferred embodiment of this invention, simply by way of illustration of one of the modes best suited to carry out this invention. As it will be realized, this invention is capable of other different embodiments, and its several details, specific dimensions and materials, are capable of modification in various aspects without departing from the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. 
     To achieve the foregoing and other objectives, and in accordance with the purposes of the present invention, the preferred embodiment of this invention has a fabric strap with hook and loop fasteners, having an expandable joystick receiving opening on top of which is a neoprene rubber cushion. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is the preferred embodiment of this invention in use, being worn by a user. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the top of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 3 is the perspective view of the bottom of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a detail perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention with the major components of the invention shown relative to the proximate locations for assembly. 
     FIG. 5 is a detailed section view of the strap of this invention with the joystick inserted in the joystick cavity of the invention. 
     FIG. 6 is the preferred embodiment of a second embodiment of this invention in use, being worn by a user. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the top of the a second preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 8 is the perspective view of the bottom of the second preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 9 is a detail perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of the invention with the major components of the invention shown relative to the proximate locations for assembly. 
     FIG. 10 is a detailed section view of the strap of the second preferred embodiment of this invention with the joystick inserted in the joystick cavity of the invention. 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1 shows the preferred embodiment  100  of this invention being worn by a user  101  in its preferred use. This view shows the strap  100  on the left hand thumb  102 , alternatively, this invention works equally well on the user&#39;s right hand. A typical video game controller  103  is shown having an integral joystick  104 . The top portion of the joystick  104  is shown inserted in the strap  100 , whereby the joystick  104  can be moved and controlled by the user through movement of the user&#39;s thumb  102 . In its present preferred embodiment, this invention  100  is 3 ½ inches long and ¾ inch wide, although alternative dimension are envisioned as equivalents within the scope of this invention. 
     FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the top  200  of the preferred embodiment of the invention  100 . A hook and loop portion  201  is provided on the first end  204   a  of the strap portion  205  to act as a fastening means. Other alternative fastening means, including but not limited to buttons, snaps, clips and the like, can be substituted without departing from the concept of this invention. A first cushioning region  202   a  is provided on the second end  204   b  of the strap portion  205 . A second cushioning region  202   b  is provided generally in the center  204   c . In the preferred embodiment of the invention the cushioning regions  202   a ,  202   b  is composed of exposed rubber neoprene, although alternative materials, having cushioning properties, can be substituted without departing from the concept of this invention. The second cushioning region  202   b  is preferably fixed by adhesive to the strap portion  205 . Alternatively, the second cushioning region  202   b  may be fixed to the strap portion  205  by stitching, stapling or similar methods. The two cushioning regions  202   a,b  are provided to cushion the user&#39;s thumb  102  from mechanical pressure during use. 
     FIG. 3 shows the perspective view of the bottom  300  of the preferred embodiment of the invention  100 . This view shows the second fastening hook and loop portion  301  mounted on the strap portion  205 , preferably by stitching or adhesive. A first end  302  of the bottom  300  has exposed the preferred material of the strap  205 , which preferably is a fabric material. Alternative materials including synthetics, metallic links, and other flexible materials can be substituted without departing from the concept of this invention. This view also shows the flexible joystick receiving opening  304 , which in this case is formed similar to a buttonhole, although alternative openings can be substituted without departing from the concept of this invention. Reinforcement stitching  303  is provided fixing the second cushioning portion  202   b  to the strap portion  205 , thereby providing a cavity for holding the joystick  104  within the invention  100 . 
     FIG. 4 shows a detail perspective view of the top  200  of preferred embodiment of the invention  100  with the major components of the invention shown relative to the proximate locations for assembly. The strap portion  205  with the hook and loop portions  201 ,  301  shown proximately to the strap portion  205 . The flexible joystick receiving opening  304  is shown below the center cushioning portion  202   b , which is shown with tapered edges  402   a,b  as used in the preferred embodiment  100 . The preferred material  401  of the strap portion  205  is a fully exposed neoprene rubber layer fixed, by stitching or its equivalent, to a fabric layer. 
     FIG. 5 shows a detailed section view of this invention  100  with the joystick  104  inserted through the flexible joystick opening  304  into the joystick cavity  502 . The top of the joystick  104  is shown within the cavity  502  formed by the second cushioning portion  202   b  and the strap portion  205  with access to the cavity  502  provided by the flexible joystick opening  304 . 
     FIG. 6 shows the second preferred embodiment  600  of this invention being worn by a user  601  in its preferred use. This view shows the strap  600  on the left hand thumb  602 , alternatively, this invention works equally well on the user&#39;s right hand. A typical video game controller  603  is shown having an integral joystick  604 . The top portion of the joystick  604  is shown inserted in the strap  600 , whereby the joystick  604  can be moved and controlled by the user through movement of the user&#39;s thumb  602 . In its present preferred embodiment, this invention  600  is 3 ½ inches long and ¾ inch wide, although alternative dimension are envisioned as equivalents within the scope of this invention. 
     FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the top  700  of the second preferred embodiment of the invention  600 . A hook and loop portion  701  is provided on the first end  704   a  of the strap portion  705  to act as a fastening means. Other alternative fastening means, including but not limited to buttons, snaps, clips and the like, can be substituted without departing from the concept of this invention. A first joystick cover portion  702   a  is provided on the second end  704   b  of the strap portion  705 . A second joystick cover portion  702   b  is provided generally in the center  704   c . In the preferred embodiment of the invention the joystick cover portions  702   a ,  702   b  are composed of exposed rubber neoprene, nylon, and/or fabric although alternative materials, having somewhat flexible properties, can be substituted without departing from the concept of this invention. The second joystick cover portion  702   b  is preferably fixed by adhesive to the strap portion  705 . Alternatively, the second joystick cover region  702   b  may be fixed to the strap portion  705  by stitching, stapling or similar methods. The two joystick cover portions  702   a,b  are provided to contain the joystick within the invention. 
     FIG. 8 shows the perspective view of the bottom  800  of the preferred embodiment of the invention  600 . This view shows the second fastening hook and loop portion  801  mounted on the strap portion  705 , preferably by stitching or adhesive. A first end  802  of the bottom  800  has exposed the preferred material of the strap  705 , which preferably is a fabric material. Alternative materials including synthetics, metallic links, and other flexible materials can be substituted without departing from the concept of this invention. This view also shows the flexible joystick receiving opening  804 , which in this case is formed similar to a buttonhole, although alternative openings can be substituted without departing from the concept of this invention. Reinforcement stitching  803  is provided fixing the second joystick cover portion  702   b  to the strap portion  705 , thereby providing a cavity for holding the joystick  604  within the invention  600 . 
     FIG. 9 shows a detail perspective view of the top  700  of preferred embodiment of the invention  600  with the major components of the invention shown relative to the proximate locations for assembly. The strap portion  705  with the hook and loop portions  701 ,  801  shown proximately to the strap portion  705 . The flexible joystick receiving opening  804  is shown below the second joystick cover portion  702   b , which is shown with tapered edges  902   a,b  as used in the preferred embodiment  600 . The preferred material  901  of the strap portion  705  is a fully exposed neoprene rubber layer fixed, by stitching or its equivalent, to a fabric layer. 
     FIG. 10 shows a detailed section view of this invention  600  with the joystick  604  inserted through the flexible joystick opening  804  into the joystick cavity  1002 . The top of the joystick  604  is shown within the cavity  1002  formed by the second joystick cover portion  702   b  and the strap portion  705  with access to the cavity  1002  provided by the flexible joystick opening  804 . 
     The foregoing description is of a preferred embodiment of the invention and has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description of the best mode of the invention currently known to the inventor. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form, shape, dimensions, materials disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible and foreseeable in light of the above teachings. This embodiment of the invention was chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are intended to be within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when they are interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.