Patent Publication Number: US-11642599-B2

Title: Video game controller adapter for holding a display of a portable video game system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[S] 
     This application is a Continuation of U.S. Patent Application entitled “VIDEO GAME CONTROLLER ADAPTER FOR HOLDING A DISPLAY OF A PORTABLE VIDEO GAME SYSTEM,” Ser. No. 16/682,144, filed Nov. 13, 2019, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application entitled “VIDEO GAME CONTROLLER ADAPTER FOR HOLDING A DISPLAY OF A PORTABLE VIDEO GAME SYSTEM,” Ser. No. 62/781,330, filed Dec. 18, 2018, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated entirely herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Technical Field 
     This invention relates generally to an adapter for a video game controller and more particularly to an adapter for a video game controller for holding a display of a portable game system. 
     State of the Art 
     Portable video game systems are becoming more and more popular. One such system is the Nintendo Switch. Some experts estimate it may sell 100 million units. It has a 6.2″ screen and comes with a dock to connect to a TV in addition to portable mode. There are two types of controllers sold by Nintendo for the Switch console—a Joy-Con controller and a Pro Controller. The console comes with two Joy-Cons which are small controllers that slide into the sides of the screen and allow the user to take the game on-the-go. The Pro Controller can be purchased separately, and is much more ergonomic, mimicking the style of other gaming controllers (e.g., PlayStation or Xbox). Many users buy Pro Controllers to make playing on a TV more comfortable. Once a user experiences play on the Pro Controller, going back to the Joy-Con&#39;s small buttons and non-ergonomic design is not appealing. In addition, there does not exist a good way to use the Pro Controller with the small screen on-the-go. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for an adapter that can be used with a Pro Controller while holding the display of the portable video game system. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An embodiment includes an adapter for use with a controller and a display of a portable video game system, the adapter comprising: a controller attachment device configured to couple to the controller; a display attachment device configured to couple to the display of the portable video game system; and a support member rotatably coupled between the controller attachment device and the display attachment device, wherein the support member rotates with respect to the controller attachment device and the display attachment device to orient the display of the portable video game system in a user defined position. 
     Another embodiment includes an adapter for coupling to a controller and a display of a portable video game system, the adapter comprising: a controller attachment device configured to couple to a controller; a display attachment device coupled to the display of the portable video game system; and a support member coupled between the controller attachment device and the display attachment device, wherein the support member is rotatably coupled to the controller attachment device and rotatably coupled to the display attachment device, wherein the support member rotates with respect to the controller attachment device and the display attachment device rotates with respect to the support member to orient the display of the portable video game system in a user defined position and to position a center of mass of the display of the portable video game system over a center of mass of the controller attachment device to reduce torque on the controller attachment device and the user&#39;s hands and wrists. 
     Another embodiment includes a method of using an adapter for coupling a controller and a display of a portable video game system, the method comprising: coupling a controller to a controller attachment device of the adapter; coupling a display of a portable video game system to a display attachment device of the adapter; positioning the display to align a center of mass of the display over the controller; and reducing torque on the hands and wrist of the user in response to aligning the center of mass of the display over the controller. 
     Further still, another embodiment includes a method of coupling a controller and a display of a portable video game system, the method comprising: coupling a controller to a display; and flexibly positioning the display over the controller. 
     The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the particular embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to similar items throughout the Figures, and: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a video game controller adapter, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  2    is a front view of a video game controller adapter, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  3    is a rear view of a video game controller adapter, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  4 A  is a side view of a video game controller adapter in a first position, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  4 B  is a side view of a video game controller adapter in a second rotated position, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of a video game controller adapter coupled to a display and a controller, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  6    is a rear perspective view of a video game controller adapter coupled to a display and a controller, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  7    is a side section view of a video game controller adapter coupled to a display and a controller, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  8    is a side view of a video game controller adapter coupled to a display and a controller, according to an embodiment; and 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of a video game controller adapter coupled to a display, according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate to a video game controller adapter for holding a display of a portable video game system. 
     Depicted in  FIGS.  1 - 4 B  is an adapter  10  that can be coupled to a controller  60  and hold a display of a portable video game system, as shown in  FIGS.  5 - 8   . The adapter  10  includes three components, a controller attachment device  20 , a support member  40 , and a display attachment device  30 , that are joined by hinges  46  and  48 . The controller may include the electronics necessary to operate the game system and control the action on the video game system the controller is associated with it. 
     The controller attachment device  20  may include a base portion  22 , a clip portion  24  and a rear portion  26  with an aperture  28  extending through the rear portion. The rear portion  26  and the clip portion  24  are located on opposite ends of the base portion  22  and extend in a same direction away from the base portion  22 . The clip portion  24  and the rear portion  26  operate to secure the controller within the controller attachment device  20  by a friction fit. The aperture  28  provides access to the charging port  62  of the controller  60  (as shown in  FIG.  6   ). 
     The display attachment device  30  may include a base member  32  that extends along the length of a back of display  50  (as shown in  FIG.  6   ). The display attachment device  30  may further include two side mount members  34 , each side mount member  34  having a protrusion, wherein the protrusions have a size and shape to engage a groove of the display. The display attachment device  30  may further include a catch  38 , wherein the catch operates to assist in retaining the display coupled to the display attachment device  30 . 
     The device  10  may include a support member  40  coupled between the controller attachment device  20  and the display attachment device  30 . The support member  40  includes an aperture  42  to provide access for a charging cable for the display  50  to extend through (as shown in  FIG.  6   ). The support member  40  is rotatably coupled to the controller attachment device  20  with hinge  46  and rotatably coupled to the display attachment device  30  with hinge  48 . Hinge  46  allows the support member  40  to rotate with respect to the controller attachment device  20 . Hinge  48  allows the display attachment device  30  to rotate with respect to the support member  40 . The hinges  46  and  48  are utilized to orient the display  50  of the portable video game system in a user defined position, as shown in  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B . Further, the hinges  46  and  48  operate to orient the controller  60  in a user defined angle with respect to the display  50  of the portable video game system to place the controller in a comfortable position for the user. 
     Referring further to the drawings,  FIGS.  5 - 8    depict the adapter  10  in use with a display  50  and a controller  60 . The controller  60  may be coupled to the controller attachment device  20 , wherein the controller  60  is secured by the clip portion  24  and the rear portion  26  in a friction fit or a snap-in fit. The display  50  is coupled between the side mount members  34 . In the embodiment shown, a channel  52  of the display  50  is slidingly engaged with the protrusions  36  of the display attachment device  30 . 
     With the controller  60  and the display  50  coupled to the adapter, the display  50  may be rotated to position a center of mass of the display of the portable video game system over a center of mass of the controller to reduce torque on the wrists and hands of the user while holding the controller and playing the video game system (See  FIG.  8   ). This provides for a more comfortable gaming experience. 
     Additionally, the drawing figures depict a display that is also the portable video game system. For example, the portable video game system is a Nintendo Switch, wherein the display  50  is also the portable video game system. In these embodiments, the controller is a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. Accordingly, the display attachment device  30  includes a base member  32  rotatably coupled to the support member  40  and two side mount members  34  are coupled on opposing ends of the base member  32  and extending perpendicular to base member  32 , wherein the two side mounts  34  operate to retain the Nintendo Switch within the display attachment device  30 . Further, each side mount  34  of the display attachment device  30  further comprises a protrusion  36 , wherein the protrusions  36  have a size and shape to engage a groove  52  of the Nintendo Switch  50 , wherein the protrusions  36  slide within the grooves  52  on opposing ends of the Nintendo Switch  50  to secure the Nintendo Switch  50  within the display attachment device  30 . 
     In an additional embodiment, shown in  FIG.  9   , the base portion  22  of the controller attachment device  20  may be flat and designed to balance on a level surface to allow for a tabletop mode of playing the video game system. This is especially useful for multiplayer gaming. In tabletop mode, the adapter allows plenty of space beneath the charging port to allow the user to plug in their device during game play. The display may be rotated into a position to resist tipping of the adapter. 
     Further still, the support member  40  rotates with respect to the controller attachment device  20  and the display attachment device  30  to orient the display  50  of the portable video game system in a folded position with a controller attachment device  20  located adjacent the display  50 . Additionally, the controller attachment device  20  and the controller  60  are an integrated unitary member. In other words, the controller with all of the electronics for controlling the game system and the adapter that couples to the display of the game system (which may also be the entire game system) is a single unit or may be considered an integrated unitary member. 
     Another embodiment includes a method 70 of use of the adapter. The method 70 may include coupling a controller to a controller attachment device of the adapter (Step 71); coupling a display to a display attachment device of the adapter (Step 72); positioning the display to align the center of mass of the display over the controller (Step 73); and reducing torque on the hands and wrist of the user in response to aligning the center of mass of the display over the controller (Step 74). 
     Another embodiment includes a method of coupling a controller and a display of a portable video game system. The method includes coupling a controller to a display; and flexibly positioning the display over the controller. The method may also comprise positioning the display to align the center of mass of the display over the controller, and reducing torque on the hands and wrist of the user in response to aligning the center of mass of the display over the controller. 
     Accordingly, the components defining any video game controller adapter for holding a display of a portable video game system may be formed of any of many different types of materials or combinations thereof that can readily be formed into shaped objects provided that the components selected are consistent with the intended operation of a video game controller adapter for holding a display of a portable video game system. For example, the components may be formed of: rubbers (synthetic and/or natural) and/or other like materials; glasses (such as fiberglass) carbon-fiber, aramid-fiber, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; polymers such as thermoplastics (such as ABS, Fluoropolymers, Polyacetal, Polyamide; Polycarbonate, Polyethylene, Polysulfone, and/or the like), thermosets (such as Epoxy, Phenolic Resin, Polyimide, Polyurethane, Silicone, and/or the like), any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; composites and/or other like materials; metals, such as zinc, magnesium, titanium, copper, iron, steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, tool steel, stainless steel, aluminum, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; alloys, such as aluminum alloy, titanium alloy, magnesium alloy, copper alloy, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; any other suitable material; and/or any combination thereof. 
     Furthermore, the components defining any video game controller adapter for holding a display of a portable video game system may be purchased pre-manufactured or manufactured separately and then assembled together. However, any or all of the components may be manufactured simultaneously and integrally joined with one another. Manufacturing of these components separately or simultaneously may involve 3D printing, extrusion, pultrusion, vacuum forming, injection molding, blow molding, resin transfer molding, casting, forging, cold rolling, milling, drilling, reaming, turning, grinding, stamping, cutting, bending, welding, soldering, hardening, riveting, punching, plating, and/or the like. If any of the components are manufactured separately, they may then be coupled with one another in any manner, such as with adhesive, a weld, a fastener (e.g. a bolt, a nut, a screw, a nail, a rivet, a pin, and/or the like), wiring, any combination thereof, and/or the like for example, depending on, among other considerations, the particular material forming the components. Other possible steps might include sand blasting, polishing, powder coating, zinc plating, anodizing, hard anodizing, and/or painting the components for example. 
     The embodiments and examples set forth herein were presented in order to best explain the present invention and its practical application and to thereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purposes of illustration and example only. The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teachings above without departing from the spirit and scope of the forthcoming claims.