Patent Publication Number: US-8535166-B1

Title: Stylized support and accessory holder for a video game console

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention pertains to support stands and accessory holders and, more particularly, to a stylized support for a video game console shaped like a spider, cricket, snake, etc. 
     Video game consoles are ubiquitous, many households owning more than one. Such video game consoles are often placed directly on the floor of a room where they are subject to dust and similar contamination. When sucked into an interior region of the game console, dust seriously affects the life and reliability of the console. Also, such placement may seriously affect the flow of cooling air through the console causing elevated operating temperatures. 
     Modern, highly sophisticated video game systems rely on numerous different remote devices for their operation. Each type of video game may require a unique hand-held controller. These controllers often communicate with the game console wirelessly. Consequently, each controller generally contains one or more batteries. Such controllers may be equipped with rechargeable batteries and should periodically be plugged into a source of AC power to effect battery recharge. With a multiplicity of remote units, the tangle of wires, cables, power strips, etc. required to keep controllers charged often creates an unsightly mess as well as possible electrical hazards. 
     Further, sophisticated electronic or video gaming systems usually attract or require accessories, operating manuals, etc. that are advantageously kept near the game console. 
     2. Discussion of the Related Art 
     Several attempts to solve one or more of the aforementioned problems may be found in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,394,055 for CABINET FOR VIDEO GAME CONSOLES, CARTRIDGES, ACCESSORIES, AND INSTRUCTION BOOKLETS, issued Jul. 19, 1983 to Richard D. Smith describes a storage case having storage compartments specifically sized and configured to receive and retain a game console as well as typical accessories and components used therewith. 
     U.S. Design Pat. No. D273,165 for ELECTRONIC GAME STAND, issued Mar. 27, 1984 to Steven Sternberg discloses a stand for a video game console and several accessories. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,630,823 for VIDEO GAME CONTROL BOX HOLDER issued Dec. 23, 1986 to Timothy L. Grant shows an adjustable appendage for supporting a game controller. 
     U.S. Design Pat. No. D457,193 for VIDEO GAME CONSOLE STAND, issued May 14, 2002 to Marc Brulotte et al. discloses a stylized support stand for a video game console. 
     U.S. Design Pat. No. D556,836 for ELECTRONIC GAME MACHINE SUPPORTED ON A BASE STAND, issued Dec. 4, 2007 to Kenichiro Ashida et al. shows another support base for an electronic game console. 
     U.S. Design Pat. No. D568,317 for BASE FOR A TOY, issued May 6, 2008 to Kate Lewis teaches a stylized, curvilinear support base for an object such as an electronic game console. 
     None of the patents and published patent applications, taken singly or in any combination, are seen to teach or suggest the novel stylized support and accessory holder for a video game console of the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention there is provided a stylized support and accessory holder for an electronic (e.g., video) game console, typically having an overall shape of an insect or other domestic or extraterrestrial animal. The support base raises an electronic game console above the floor to minimize intake of dust and other debris often circulating near the floor of a room. In addition, the base may include one or more fans to improve air circulation within the game console. Recharge stations are provided for controllers. An internal circuit breaker is used to protect multiple accessory outlets on the body of the support base. The support base is designed to be decorative and whimsical, but practical. The design overcomes all of the aforementioned problems often associated with electronic game consoles. In effect, the support base of the invention provides more than physical support to the gaming console supported thereby. Rather, the support base forms a “life support system.” The base supplies electrical power and cooling air and recharging power for controllers or accessories, as well as electrical power for accessories. All supplied power is protected by a built-in circuit breaker. Physical storage for controllers or other accessories is also provided. 
     It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a stylized support and accessory holder for a video game console that supports an electronic game console above the floor away from dust and debris. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a stylized support and accessory holder for a video game console that provides fan-driven cooling air. 
     It is an additional object of the invention to provide a stylized support and accessory holder for a video game console that provides storage for controllers or other accessories. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a stylized support and accessory holder for a video game console that provides recharge power for controllers and/or accessories. 
     It is a still further object of the invention to provide a stylized support and accessory holder for a video game console that provides circuit breaker protected line power to accessories via a plurality of built-in electrical outlets. 
     It is yet another object of the invention to provide a stylized support and accessory holder for a video game console that is constructed to resemble an insect such as a spider or cricket or another insect or animal. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a front, elevational, pictorial, schematic view of a first embodiment of the stylized support base in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a left, elevational, pictorial, schematic view of the support base of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a rear, elevational, pictorial, schematic view of the support base of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a top, plan, pictorial, schematic view of the support base of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom, plan, pictorial, schematic view of the support base of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a simplified electrical block diagram of the support base of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7   a  is a side, elevational schematic view of a first alternate embodiment of the support base of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 7   b  is a front, elevational, schematic view of a second alternate embodiment of the support base of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention provides a stylized support stand and accessory holder for an electronic (e.g., video) game console, typically having an overall shape of an insect or other animal. The support base raises a gaming console above the floor to minimize intake of dust and other debris while providing one or more fans to improve air circulation within the game console. Recharge stations are provided for controllers. An internal circuit breaker is used to protect multiple accessory outlets on the body of the support base. The support base is designed to be decorative and whimsical, but practical. The base supplies electrical power and cooling air, and recharging power for controllers or accessories, as well as electrical power for accessories. All supplied power is protected by a built-in circuit breaker. Physical storage for controllers or other accessories is also provided. 
     Referring first to  FIGS. 1-5 , there are shown front, left side, and rear elevational, and top and bottom plan, pictorial schematic views, respectively, of a first embodiment of a stylized support stand in accordance with the present invention, generally at reference number  100 . 
     Stylized support stand  100  has a central base  102  adapted to receive and support a bottom surface, not shown, of an electronic game console  150 . Electronic game console  150  forms no part of the present invention and is included merely to better illustrate the intended use and environment of stylized support stand  100 . As used herein, the term electronic game or gaming console is intended to represent any similar piece of electrical equipment that may be advantageously supported on stylized support stand  100 . 
     Base  102  is supported on and elevated above a horizontal support surface such as a floor by six support legs  104   a , . . . ,  104   f , legs  104   a , . . . ,  104   c  being disposed on a left side of base  102 , and legs  104   d , . . . ,  104   f  being disposed on a right side of base  102 . In the embodiment chosen for purposes of disclosure, support legs  104   a , . . . ,  104   f  are articulated and stylized to resemble the legs of a spider. Webs  108  are attached between legs  104   a , . . . ,  104   c  and between legs  104   d , . . . ,  104   f  on respective right and left sides of stylized support base  100 . Of course in other embodiments, more or fewer legs may be used, eight being realistic for arachnids, for example, six being realistic for insects. 
     Two additional leg-like structures  106   a ,  106   b  project from a front edge of base  102  and act as controller chargers or may, optionally, perform other holding or storage functions. In the embodiment chosen for purposes of disclosure, controllers  110   a ,  110   b  are shown at the distal ends of leg-like structures  106   a ,  106   b , respectively. Controllers  110   a ,  110   b  form no part of the present invention and are illustrated merely to better show the function and/or intended operating environment of stylized support base  100 . 
     A head-like structure  112  is also attached to a front edge of base  102 . Eyes  114  are disposed on the right and left side of head-like structure  112 . Eyes  114  are typically implemented using LEDs  116  and serve merely decorative purposes. However, in alternate embodiments, LEDs  116  could be used to indicate a predetermined condition or status. 
     Fangs  118   a ,  118   b  at the proximal end of head-like structure  112  are switches. In the embodiment chosen for purposes of disclosure, switches  118   a ,  118   b  serve as power and fan switches, respectively. It will be recognized, however, that the assignment of power and fan switching may be reversed. In still other embodiments, other functions may be assigned to switches  118   a ,  118   b . Also, fewer or more switches may readily be implemented. Consequently, the invention is not considered limited to a particular function assigned to one or both of switches  118   a ,  118   b  or to the number switches implemented. 
     A web-like structure  120 , best seen in  FIG. 2 , forms a side wall to steady and secure electronic game console  150 . 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 6 , there is shown a simplified electric block diagram of stylized support base  100 , generally at reference number  140 . 
     A circuit board  126  is utilized to interconnect all electrical components and sub-systems of stylized support base  100 . Fang switches  118   a ,  118   b , LEDs  116  forming eyes  114 , controller chargers for controllers  110   a ,  110   b , and fans  112   a ,  112   b  are all operatively connected to circuit board  126 . Likewise, outlets  124   a , . . . ,  124   d  are connected to circuit board  126 , typically on a pluggable adapter  128  adapted for removable attachment to base  102  of stylized support base  100 . 
     While a spider has been chosen as an overall shape for stylized support base  100 , it will be recognized that many other possibilities exist. For example,  FIG. 7   a  depicts a cricket-like shape while  FIG. 7   b  depicts a snake-like configuration. Further, the design and functional elements of stylized support base  100  may be extended to a multitude of other shapes. A few examples include: a piece of furniture, a vehicle, a plant, an appliance, a historic structure, a cultural or religious icon, etc. Consequently, the invention is not considered limited to any particular overall appearance. Rather, the invention is intended to encompass any overall appearance. 
     It will further be recognized that additional features may be added to stylized support base  100 . 
     Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention. 
     Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.