Abstract:
A command button for a game pad, in the form of a joystick, including a first element, called base element, provided to be fixed in/on the pad and to interact with a detector element of the pad, and a second element, called actuator element, provided to be removably or detachably fixed on the base element.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a command button for a game pad. It also relates to a game pad equipped with such a command button. 
         [0002]    The field of the invention is the field of input devices for controlling a games console or a computer, such as a game pad. 
         [0003]    The majority of electronic/computer games are controlled by command input devices, such as a game pad, intended to transmit the actions of a player to the games console or the computer running the game. To this end, the game pad comprises several detector/sensor elements actuated by command buttons. Most pads comprise buttons allowing directional commands to be entered, such as directional keypads or joysticks. 
         [0004]    Command buttons, and in particular joysticks, constitute the delicate parts of a game pad and are generally the parts of a pad which are broken or damaged first. 
         [0005]    Furthermore, certain joysticks comprise on their upper part a covering produced in a material having specific features for grip and comfort intended to make the interaction between the command button and the fingers of a player more pleasant. As the pad is used, the covering deteriorates, to the detriment of the player&#39;s comfort. 
         [0006]    The current solutions for repairing a broken or damaged button, or one on which the covering has deteriorated, consist of replacing the button. To this end, it is necessary to dismantle the frame of the game pad, as it is not possible to detach a command button from its sensor element without having previously removed the frame from the pad. Such an operation is time-consuming, requires special tools, and remains a complex operation which in unskilled hands presents the risk of deterioration of the game pad. 
         [0007]    In addition, when only a part of the command button is damaged, for example the covering of the upper part of the button, the current solutions provide for the replacement of the entire button. This is costly and generates unnecessary waste. 
         [0008]    Finally, these drawbacks are also present when a user wishes to personalize his game pad by choosing command buttons according to his preferences. 
         [0009]    One purpose of the present invention is to overcome the aforesaid drawbacks. 
         [0010]    Another purpose of the invention is to propose a command button the maintenance of which is less costly and less time-consuming. 
         [0011]    Another purpose of the invention is to propose a command button that can be simply, quickly and accessibly personalized by anyone. 
         [0012]    Finally, another purpose of the invention is to propose a command button the maintenance of which does not present any risk of deterioration for the game pad. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0013]    The invention proposes to achieve at least one of the aforementioned purposes via a command button for a game pad, and more generally for a command input device for an electronic/computerized game, characterized in that it is formed by precisely two elements:
       a first element, called base element, provided to be fixed in/on said pad and to interact with a detector element of said pad, and   a second element, called actuator element, provided to be detachably or removably fixed on said base element.       
 
         [0016]    Thus, the invention provides for producing a command button in precisely two elements: a base element arranged in the pad, and in particular partially under the frame of the pad and remaining fixed to the pad and an actuator element detachably/removably fixed to the base element, without the need to dismantle the frame of the pad. 
         [0017]    Consequently, the command button according to the invention allows more cost-effective maintenance, as it makes it possible to change only the damaged/deteriorated element of the button without the need to replace the entire button. 
         [0018]    Furthermore, the part of a button which becomes damaged the most is the upper part of the button which is in contact with the user&#39;s finger. The invention makes it possible to change this upper part, constituted by the actuator element, without the need to dismantle the base element, and consequently without the need to dismantle the frame of the pad. Thus, the button according to the invention allows maintenance to be more simply, quickly and accessibly performed by anyone and presents a reduced risk of deterioration for the pad. 
         [0019]    Finally, the command button according to the invention allows a user to personalize it simply, quickly and without risk for the pad and to choose an actuator element according to his technical and/or purely aesthetic preferences. 
         [0020]    According to a particularly preferred version of the invention, the actuator element is detachably fixed to the base element, thus avoiding the use of a tool for fixing or removing the actuator element. 
         [0021]    Advantageously, the base element and/or the actuator element can comprise at least one shape, called fixing shape, produced on/around/in said element and provided for fixing the actuator element to the base element without a fixing element that is independent of said base and actuator elements. 
         [0022]    Thus, the command button avoids manipulating a fixing element in addition to the base element and the actuator element. It is consequently easier and quicker to fix or remove the actuator element. Furthermore, the cost of the command button is reduced. 
         [0023]    According to a particular embodiment, each of the base and actuator elements can comprise a fixing shape produced on said element and provided for fixing the actuator element to the base element. 
         [0024]    For example, the actuator element can comprise a male fixing shape provided to engage with a female fixing shape provided on the base element. 
         [0025]    Preferentially, the actuator element can be provided to be fixed to the base element by translation along an axis perpendicular to said base element, and more particularly an axis perpendicular to the plane in which the base element can be moved in order to enter a command. 
         [0026]    In this version, the command button makes it possible to fix or remove the actuator element while avoiding applying force on the base element in the direction(s) in which the base element can be positioned in order to enter a command. Thus, deterioration to the base element is avoided when the actuator element is fixed or removed. 
         [0027]    Furthermore, in this version, it is possible to replace the actuator element while the user is playing, without entering involuntary or unwanted commands. 
         [0028]    Advantageously, at least one of the actuator or base elements can comprise a means provided to prevent the rotation of the actuator element with respect to the base element about a mutual axis of assembly of said elements. 
         [0029]    Such an element makes it possible to avoid the actuator element moving with respect to the base element when the command button is manipulated by the user. 
         [0030]    Alternatively, the actuator element is provided to be fixed on the base element by rotation about an axis perpendicular to said base element. This alternative makes it possible to adjust the overall height of the command button. However, in this alternative there is a risk of deterioration of the command button by applying rotational force to the base element. 
         [0031]    Advantageously, at least one of the actuator or base elements comprises a means, called locking means, provided for locking the actuator element on the base element when said elements are assembled together. Such a locking element makes it possible to avoid the actuator element inadvertently becoming detached from the base element when the command button is operated by the user. 
         [0032]    Such a locking element can be produced in a single piece with the base element and/or the actuator element. 
         [0033]    The locking element can be utilized or actuated by applying an additional force, for example exerted in the direction of assembly. In this case, disassembly of the actuator element from the base element will also require an additional force in the same direction and in the opposite direction. 
         [0034]    The locking element can be produced by a projecting shape, provided on one of the actuator or base elements, coming to lodge in a recess produced on the other one of the actuator or base elements, following application of a force greater than that exerted when the elements are assembled. 
         [0035]    The button according to the invention can be presented for example in the form of an element that can be positioned in at least two directions, such as a directional keypad or a joystick, in order to produce a directional command. 
         [0036]    According to a preferred embodiment of the command button that is in no way limitative:
       the base element can comprise a substantially C-shaped recess;   the actuator element can comprise a C-shaped male part having dimensions that are complementary to those of said recess, provided to engage with said recess in order to carry out the fixing of said actuator element to said base element and to prevent the rotation of said actuator element with respect to said base element about the axis of assembly.
 
Furthermore, the actuator element can comprise a recess, produced in the base of the male part and provided to receive a projecting shape, produced at the end of the central part of the C-shaped recess in order to carry out the locking of the actuator element to the base element. To this end, the recess produced in the base of the male part has a cross section with dimensions less than the cross section of the projecting shape so that the projecting shape is tightly lodged in said recess.
       
 
         [0039]    According to another aspect of the invention, a game pad is proposed comprising at least one command button according to the invention. 
         [0040]    Advantageously, the game pad can comprise a directional button, of the directional keypad or joystick type, according to the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0041]    Other advantages and features will become apparent on examination of the detailed description of embodiments that are no way limitative and of the attached drawings in which: 
           [0042]      FIGS. 1 and 2  are diagrammatic representations of a first embodiment of a command button according to the invention; and 
           [0043]      FIGS. 3 and 4  are diagrammatic representations of two preferred embodiments of a command button according to the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0044]    It is well understood that the embodiments that will be described hereinafter are in no way limitative. Variants of the invention can in particular be envisaged comprising only a selection of the features described below in isolation from the other described features, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention with respect to the state of the prior art. This selection comprises at least one preferably functional feature without structural details, or with only a part of the structural details if this part is the one uniquely sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention with respect to the state of the prior art. 
         [0045]    In particular, all the described variants and embodiments may be combined if there is no objection to this combination from a technical point of view. 
         [0046]    In the figures and in the remainder of the description, the elements common to several figures retain the same references. 
         [0047]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic representation of a first example of a button according to the invention in which the two elements forming the button are not fixed. 
         [0048]      FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic representation of the button of  FIG. 1  in which the two elements forming the button are removably fixed together. 
         [0049]    The button  100  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  comprises a base element  102  and an actuator element  104 . 
         [0050]    The base element  102  is provided to be fixed in a game pad, and in particular partially under the frame of the game pad, so that it cannot be dismantled from the pad without dismantling the frame of the pad. It comprises a lower part  106  provided to be fixed to a sensor element which engages in a recess  108  produced in its lower part  106  and an upper part  110  provided to fix the actuator element  104  detachably therein. 
         [0051]    The actuator element  104  comprises a lower part  112  provided to fix it detachably to the base element  102 , and an upper part  114 , provided to come into contact with one of the user&#39;s fingers, allowing a user to move the button  100  in order to enter directional commands. 
         [0052]    The base element  102  comprises in its upper part  108  an internal thread  116  provided to engage with an external thread  118  provided on the lower part  112  of the actuator element in order to fix the actuator element  104  detachably to the base element  102 . Thus the actuator element  104  is fixed to the base element  102  by rotation, allowing the external thread  118  to engage with the internal thread  116 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic representation of a preferred embodiment in the case where the button is a joystick allowing directional commands to be entered. 
         [0054]    The button  300  shown in  FIG. 3  comprises a base element  302  and an actuator element  304 . 
         [0055]    The base element  302  is provided to be fixed in a game pad, and in particular partially under the frame of the game pad, so that it cannot be dismantled from the pad without dismantling the frame of the pad. It comprises a lower part  306  provided to be fixed to a sensor element which engages in a recess (not shown) produced in its lower part  306  and an upper part  310  provided to fix the actuator element  304  detachably therein. 
         [0056]    The actuator element  304  comprises a lower part  312  provided to fix it detachably to the base element  302 , and an upper part  314 , provided to come into contact with one of the user&#39;s fingers, allowing a user to move the button  300  in order to enter directional commands. 
         [0057]    The base element  302  comprises in its upper part  310  a C-shaped recess  316  forming a female fixing shape and provided to receive a C-shaped male fixing shape  318  formed on the lower part  312  of the actuator element  304 . The actuator element  304  is assembled with the base element  302  by sliding the male fixing shape  318  into the recess  316  substantially in a straight-line direction symbolized by the arrow  320 . 
         [0058]    Furthermore, the upper part  310  of the base element  302  comprises, between the arms of the C-shaped recess, material constituting a stop  322 , that is positioned in the space  324  located between the arms of the C-shaped male form  318  formed on the lower part  312  of the actuator element  304  so as to prevent the rotation of the actuator element  304  with respect to the base element  302  about the direction  320 . 
         [0059]    Moreover, the actuator element  304  comprises a recess  326  provided at the base of the male fixing shape  318  and provided to receive the top  328  of the central part of the C-shaped recess. This top  328  has a diameter substantially greater than the diameter of the recess  326  so that it is inserted into the recess  326  by applying a force greater than necessary for the assembly of the actuator  304  and base  302  elements. Thus, the recess  326  and the top  328  form a means of locking the actuator element  304  to the base element  302 , avoiding inadvertent disassembly of these elements. 
         [0060]      FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic representation of the preferred embodiment described with reference to  FIG. 3  in the case where the button is a directional keypad. 
         [0061]    The button  400  shown in  FIG. 4  comprises all the elements of the button in  FIG. 3  with the exception that it comprises a base element  402  which is a directional keypad and the actuator element  304  is fixed to the base element  402  substantially on a central area of the directional keypad  402 . 
         [0062]    Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples that have just been described.