Patent Publication Number: US-2022226722-A1

Title: Trigger stop for game controller

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a non-provisional of U.S. provisional Utility Patent Application No. 63/138,442, filed Jan. 16, 2021, and entitled, “Trigger Stop for Game Controller,” which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to the classification of video games, and to one or more sub-classifications input arrangements for video game devices and construction details thereof. Specifically, this invention is a trigger stop that is mountable to trigger-style video game controllers. 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     Simple video games have evolved into sophisticated virtual reality gaming experiences. This evolution has greatly impacted the importance of the controllers used to play them. These are generally remote, wireless controllers that include an array of joysticks, push buttons and triggers. Many games have become globally popular, in particular many games that require a player to rapidly and repeatedly pull back and release trigger style controls. In competitive situations, players with the faster rate of firing, aka Trigger Releases, will have a significant advantage over their opponents. Typically, a trigger can be pulled back, against the counter-force of an internal spring, into the game controller from an extended position that is several millimeters (e.g. 10 mm) out from a fully depressed position where it is forced to stop. The amount of movement from the dormant, fully extended position to the fully depressed position is the total Trigger Travel that is inherent in the controller&#39;s design. Trigger Travel can be divided into two important parts. The Pre-Travel, which is the distance from the dormant position to the point at which the trigger makes contact with an internal sensor. This point is also called the Trigger Release because it is the point at which a signal is sent to the controller&#39;s circuit board; that signal indicates that a desired action has been taken by the player and should therefore be simulated in the virtual, video game being played. The second part of the Trigger Travel occurs after the Release and is the distance from the Release point to the fully depressed position. This is described as “Over Travel” because it is in excess of what is required to have the desired effect of pulling the trigger. After the full Trigger Travel is complete, or when a player otherwise senses that the action has been Released, the player can release the trigger and it will spring back into its extended, dormant state once again. 
     The problem is that there is a significant delay caused by Over Travel and the subsequent reverse travel from fully depressed to fully extended. The time it takes for the trigger to be fully depressed beyond its Release point and the time it takes for the internal spring to push it back to its fully extended position is much longer than necessary and therefore will slow a players ability to repeatedly activate the action caused by the trigger&#39;s release. This problem creates a need for a device that can stop the trigger at a desired point, typically just beyond the Pre-Travel and just after the Trigger Release has occurred. If a device or “Trigger Stop”, that prevents Over-Travel, can be installed onto an existing controller, such a device would give the player the ability to quickly reset and re-release the trigger in rapid succession. 
     An additional problem or challenge is the way in which modern game controllers are designed. They are generally devoid of hard edges or attachment points. While this makes them extremely ergonomic, it also prevents attachments or devices from being mounted securely and simultaneously supporting, counteracting and dissipating forces that are exerted upon them by the trigger movements. 
     Finally, when and if a Trigger Stop is attached to the game controller, it can then become an impediment when a player wishes to switch from playing a game that requires a trigger stop to a game that does not. Thus, a device designed to be a Trigger Stop which can help a player in one game can become a handicap in another, and therefore must be removed from the controller, which of course is an inconvenience. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This summary is intended to disclose the present invention, a trigger stop for a video game controller. The embodiments and descriptions are used to illustrate the invention and its utility and are not intended to limit the invention or its use. The following presents a simplified summary of the primary embodiment of the invention to provide a basic understanding of the invention. Additional concepts that can be added or varied with the primary embodiment are also disclosed. The present invention is novel with respect to the prior art, and can be distinguished from the prior art. 
     The trigger stop for a video game controller is device that can be mounted onto the back of a video game controller and is stable enough to hold a mechanism in place that controls structures called stoppers. It is comprised of an integrally molded base, at least one stopper, at least one fixed rod, and central rod bracket. The stoppers can be positioned, in a deployed state, directly below the triggers of the video game controller, such that lower surface of the trigger, called the trigger lip, will come in direct contact with the a contoured upper surface of the upper portion of the stopper. 
     A typical video game controller has at least one handle with which a user grabs it, at least one joystick, at least one set of buttons, and at least one trigger. Many of the most popular video game controllers have two handles, two joy sticks, two sets of buttons, and two triggers. 
     The triggers are typically rear-mounted. The trigger has a prominence called a trigger lip. The triggers can be pulled into a fully depressed position, at which point further trigger travel is stopped by an internal structure. In the fully depressed position, the trigger lip is just above the upper lip of the game controller housing. The distance between the trigger in its default position and in its fully depressed position is referred to full trigger travel. The trigger will travel some distance (“pre-travel”) before it activates an internal sensor within the video game controller. The position of the trigger when it activates the internal sensor is referred to as the release point. This is when the trigger fires. The release point has to be determined, or pre-defined, prior to attaching the present invention to the video game controller. This can be done by depressing the trigger until it fires, and then drawing a line on the trigger at the housing lip. The housing lip is where the housing meets the trigger. The pre-travel is significantly shorter than the full trigger travel. The present invention is a trigger stop for a video game controller in which a stopper stops the trigger just past the release point, preventing the user from fully depressing the trigger. 
     The stopper has a lower portion and an upper portion. Typically, the lower portion is fixed, as it is part of an integrally molded base. However, this is not a limitation of the present invention. The upper portion of the stopper is designed to have line-to-line fit with the trigger lip of the trigger when it reaches the release point. Any further depression of the trigger results in an interference fit between the trigger and the upper portion of the stopper. 
     The invention one stopper per trigger. Since most video game controllers have two triggers, the illustrated embodiments will teach a trigger stop for a video game with two stoppers. For ease of terminology, one trigger will be the left trigger and one trigger will be the right trigger. One stopper will be the left stopper and it will stop the left trigger. One stopper will be the right stopper and it will stop the right trigger. 
     The upper portion of the stopper is movable on fixed rods. A central rod bracket supports the fixed rods. The upper portion has an angular support arm and a carriage body. The angular support arm meets with and locks to the top surface of the lower portion. The upper portion of the stopper is shorter than the trigger and sits under the trigger lip when the trigger is in its default position. It is designed so that the trigger can reach the release point prior to the trigger lip encountering the upper portion of the stopper. When a player attempts to fully depress the trigger, the upper portion comes into direct contact with the trigger lip and stops further trigger travel. The upper portion is purposefully contoure to the shape of the trigger in the area where the trigger will encounter the stopper. 
     The carriage body fits into a track in the base. The rods insert into the carriage body at openings in the carriage body and pass through the carriage body. Thus, the upper portion is able to slide back and forth on the fixed rod. 
     One or more pieces of pressure sensitive adhesive (“PSA”) can be affixed to the inner surface of the integrally molded base in order to attach the present invention to the video game controller. 
     The arrangement of components is critical. The stoppers have to be arranged so that they cause a line-to-line fit between the upper portion and the trigger lip at the trigger release point. This prevents the player from fully depressing the trigger to their fully depressed position. The time saved from limiting the trigger travel to stop at the release point, versus the full trigger travel is critical during virtually every game involving the triggers. The force from the trigger striking the trigger stop is transmitted into the upper portion which, in turn, transmits it to the lower portion and the integrally molded base. The present invention allows the upper portion and lower portion to exhibit a small amount of flexing, in order to ensure that the trigger is actuated before it is released. 
     The trigger stop for a video game controller allows the user to position the stopper directly in the path of, and opposite to the direction of travel, for each trigger, respectively. By allowing the upper portion to move on the fixed rods, the user can move the trigger stops out of the way if desired. When they are fully retracted, the stoppers are positioned in a neutral area, in the middle of the rear of the video game controller. With the stoppers positioned in this area, the present invention does not interfere with the video game controllers functions, including those used for gripping and activating the various controls. 
     When a user wants the trigger stops engaged, the user may simply place the tip their index finger on the carriage body of each trigger stop and pull the carriage bod along the fixed rods until the upper portion is properly positioned. By contouring the upper portion to mate with the segmented top surface of the lower portion, the upper portion can be easily locked into position for game play. Alternately, set screws can be inserted into holes in the carriage body in order to lock the upper portion in place. The carriage body can be textured to facilitate its movement during game play. 
     The invention can be tailored for any video game controller by measuring the dimensions of the video game controller. The positions of all key structures are identified. Care must be taken not to allow the trigger stops for video game controllers to interfere with the triggers, buttons, and joysticks of the video game controller in an unintended fashion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is illustrated with  13  drawings on 14 sheets. 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of an exemplar of a prior art video game controller. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an exemplar of a prior art video game controller. 
         FIG. 3  is an isolation side view of an exemplar of a prior art video game controller showing the triggers. 
         FIG. 4  is a close-up isolation side view of showing a first embodiment of a trigger stop for a video game controller attached to a video game controller. 
         FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of a first embodiment of the trigger stop for a video game controller attached to a video game controller. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective isolation view of the first embodiment of the trigger stop for a video game controller attached to a video game controller. 
         FIG. 7  is a rear view of the first embodiment of the trigger stop for a video game controller. 
         FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a trigger stop for a video game controller. 
         FIG. 8B  is an exploded view of a second embodiment of a trigger stop for a video game controller. 
         FIG. 9A  is a rear view of a second embodiment of a trigger stop for a video game controller, illustrating the removal of a protective cover from a pressure sensitive adhesive. 
         FIG. 9B  is a rear view of a second embodiment of the trigger stop for a video game controller with the pressure sensitive adhesive exposed. 
         FIG. 10A  is a side view showing the second embodiment of the trigger stop for a video game controller being attached to an exemplar of a video game controller. 
         FIG. 10B  is a side view showing the second embodiment of the trigger stop for a video game attached to a video game controller. 
         FIG. 11A  is a rear perspective view of the second embodiment of the trigger stop for a video game attached to a video game controller, showing the present invention&#39;s deployment into operation. 
         FIG. 11B  is a rear view of the second embodiment of the trigger stop for a video game attached to a video game controller, showing the present invention&#39;s deployment into operation. 
         FIG. 11C  is a rear perspective view of the second embodiment of the trigger stop for a video game attached to a video game controller, showing the present invention&#39;s deployed. 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded view of a third embodiment of a trigger stop for a video game controller. 
         FIG. 13A  is a rear perspective view of the third embodiment of the trigger stop for a video game attached to a video game controller, showing the present invention&#39;s deployment into operation. 
         FIG. 13B  is a rear view of the third embodiment of the trigger stop for a video game attached to a video game controller, showing the present invention&#39;s deployment into operation. 
         FIG. 13C  is a rear perspective view of the third embodiment of the trigger stop for a video game attached to a video game controller, showing the present invention&#39;s deployed. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The following descriptions are not meant to limit the invention, but rather to add to the summary of invention, and illustrate the present invention, by offering and illustrating various embodiments of the present invention, a trigger stop for a video game controller. In the illustrated embodiments, the trigger stop for a video game controller is shown in various embodiments with various video game controllers. While embodiments of the invention are illustrated and described, the embodiments herein do not represent all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the descriptions, illustrations, and embodiments are intended to teach and inform one skilled in the art without limiting the scope of the invention. 
     Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The article “a” is intended to include one or more items, and where only one item is intended the term “one” or similar language is used. Additionally, to assist in the description of the present invention, words such as top, bottom, side, upper, lower, front, rear, inner, outer, right and left are used to describe the accompanying figures. The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. These words are meant to convey the relative topology and layout of the invention presented in the illustrations, but it is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. 
       FIGS. 1-3  show a prior art video game controller  1  exemplar. This exemplar  1  can represent many different video game controllers  1  for many different video gaming systems. The video game controller  1  has at least one handle  66  with which a user grabs the video game controller  1 , at least one joystick  2 , at least one set of buttons  3 , and at least one trigger  4 ,  44 . In this prior art exemplar, the video game controller  1  has two handles  66  with which a user grabs the video game controller  1 , two joysticks  2 , two sets of buttons  3 , and two triggers  4 ,  44 . The triggers  4 ,  44  are typically located in the rear of the video game controller  1 . The trigger  44  has a trigger lip  44   a , which is a prominence  44   a  on the trigger  44 . The triggers  4 ,  44  can be pulled into a fully depressed position at  5 , at which point further trigger  4  travel is stopped by an internal structure. This fully depressed position  5  is just above the upper lip  6  of the game controller housing  67 . The distance between the trigger  4  in its default position  4  and in its fully depressed position  5  is referred to full trigger travel  68 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the video game controller  1  is shown with a first main embodiment of the trigger stop for a video game controller  100 . The trigger  44  will travel some distance (“pre-travel”)  64  before it activates an internal sensor within the video game controller  1 . The position of the trigger  44  when it activates the internal sensor is referred to as the release point  7 . The pre-travel  64  is significantly shorter than the full trigger travel  68 . The trigger  44  will also rebound more quickly to the default position  44  when stopped at the release point  7 . A stopper  8   a  has a lower portion  13  and an upper portion  14 . The upper portion  14  of the stopper  8   a  is designed to have line-to-line fit with the trigger lip  44   a  of the trigger  44  when it reaches the release point  7 . Any further depression of the trigger  44  results in an interference fit between the trigger  44  and the upper portion  14  of the stopper  8   a.    
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , also, positional nomenclature must first be discussed. Viewing the video game controller  1  from the rear, there is a left trigger  44  and a right trigger  4 . The present invention  100  has an integrally molded base  9 . The invention  100  includes two stoppers,  8   a  and  8   b . One stopper  8   a  stops the left trigger  44  and one stopper  8   b  stops the right trigger  4 . The stopper  8   a  is comprised of a lower portion  13  and an upper portion  14 . The upper portion  14  is movable on fixed rods  21 . A central rod bracket  23  supports the fixed rods  21 . There are two fixed rods  21  arranged parallel with one another, so that one is relatively above the other. In one alternative embodiment, the lower portion  13  is fixed; in another alternative embodiment, the lower portion  13  is also movable along the fixed rods  21 . The lower portion  13  has a side surface  13   b  and a segmented top surface  13   a , comprised of discernible surfaces  12 ,  39 ,  22 . 
     The upper portion  14  has an angular support arm  15  and a carriage body  16 . The angular support arm  15  meets with and locks to the top surface  13   a  of the lower portion  13 . The upper portion  14  of the stopper  8   a  is shorter than the trigger  44  and sits under the trigger lip  44   a  when the trigger  44  is in its default position. It is designed so that the trigger  44  can reach the release point  7  prior to the trigger lip  44   a  encountering the upper portion  14  of the stopper  8   a . When a player fully depresses the trigger  44 , the upper portion  14  comes into direct contact with the trigger lip  44   a . The upper portion  14  is purposefully contoured  28  to the shape of the trigger  44  in the area where the trigger  44  will encounter the stopper  8   a.    
       FIG. 6 , a close-up of the right stopper  8   a  shows some additional detail of the first main embodiment of the invention  100 .  FIG. 6  also shows some minor alternative embodiments of the first main embodiment of the invention  100 . The carriage body  16  fits into a track  20  in the base  9 . The rods  21  insert into the carriage body  16  at openings  18 . The rods  21  pass through  17  the carriage body  16 , so that the carriage body  16  is free to slide on the rods  21 . Two openings  29  in the carriage body  16  can accept set screws to hold the stopper  8   a  in place during game play. 
     The topography of the upper portion  14 ′ and the angular support arm  15 ′ can be adjusted in order to fit the particular contours of the video game controller  1 . In this minor alternative embodiment, the angular support arm  15  rises out of the top surface  19  of the carriage body  16 . In this way, the upper portion  14  can conform to the geometry of the trigger  44  of the video game controller  1 . The lower portion  13  and the upper portion  14 ′ meet  11  with a snug, angled fit that holds them together. 
       FIG. 7  shows the inner surface  25  of the present invention  100 . Two threaded fasteners  24  pass through the inner surface  25  and attach to the central rod bracket  23  to hold the fixed rods  21  in place. One or more pieces of pressure sensitive adhesive (“PSA”)  26  can be affixed to the inner surface  25  in order to attach the present invention  100  to the video game controller  1 . A gap  27  is left at the top  27  of the inner surface  25 , so that the PSA  26  does not interfere with any part of the triggers  4 ,  44 . The rear surface  10  of the upper portion  14  is visible in this view. 
     The arrangement of components is critical. The stoppers  8   a ,  8   b  have to be arranged so that they cause a line-to-line fit between the upper portion  14  and the trigger lip  44   a  at the trigger release point  7 . This prevents the player from fully depressing the trigger  4 ,  44  to their fully depressed position  5 . The time saved from limiting the trigger travel  64  to stop at the release point  7 , versus the full trigger travel  68  is critical during virtually every game involving the triggers  4 ,  44 . The force from the trigger  4 ,  44  striking the trigger stop  8   a ,  8   b  is transmitted into the upper portion  14 . The present invention  100  uses the upper portion  14  and lower portion  13  to provide a small amount of flexing, in order to ensure that the trigger  4 ,  44  is actuated before it is released. 
     The trigger stop for a video game controller  100  allows the user to position the stopper  8   a ,  8   b  directly in the path of, and opposite to the direction of travel, for each trigger  44 ,  4 , respectively. By allowing the upper portion  14  to move on the fixed rods  21 , the user can move the trigger stops  8   a ,  8   b  out of the way if desired. When they are fully retracted, the stoppers  8   a ,  8   b  are positioned in a neutral area, in the middle of the rear of the video game controller  1 . With the stoppers  8   a ,  8   b  positioned in this area, the present invention  100  does not interfere with the video game controllers  1  functions, including those used for gripping and activating the various controls  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  44 . When a user wants the trigger stops engaged  8   a ,  8   b , the user may simply place the tip their index finger on the carriage body  16  of each trigger stop  8   a ,  8   b  and pull the carriage body  16  along the fixed rods  21  until the upper portion  14 ,  14 ′ is properly positioned. By contouring the upper portion  14 ,  14 ′ to mate with the segmented top surface  13   a  of the lower portion, the upper portion  14 ,  14 ′ can be easily locked into position for game play. Alternately, set screws can be inserted into holes  29  in the carriage body  16  in order to lock the upper portion  14 ′ in place. The carriage body  16  can be textured to facilitate its movement during game play. 
     The invention  100  can be tailored for any video game controller  1  by measuring the dimensions of the video game controller  1 . The positions of all key structures are identified. Care must be taken not to allow the trigger stops for video game controllers  100  to interfere with the triggers  4 ,  44 , buttons  3  and joysticks  2  of the video game controller  1  in an unintended fashion. 
       FIGS. 8-11  show a second main embodiment of the trigger stop for a video game controller  200 . Referring to  8 A and  8 B, there is an integrally molded base  201  that has an outer surface  202  comprised of a contoured surface  202  with a left edge  203 , a right edge  204 , a top edge  219 , and a bottom edge  215 . The integrally molded base  201  also has a left lower portion  205  and a right lower portion  206 . The integrally molded base  201  has a lower surface  209 . 
     A central rod bracket  214  with filleted edges  207 ,  208  is attached to the lower surface  209  of integrally molded base  201  with a threaded fastener  290 . A left fixed rod  221  extends from the left lower portion  205  to the central rod bracket  214 . A right fixed rod  220  extends from the right lower portion  206  to the central rod bracket  214 . The left fixed rod  221  and the right fixed rod  220  are in-line with one another. 
     A left upper portion  250  has an angular support arm  251  and a carriage body  256 ; a right upper portion  260  has an angular support arm  261  and a carriage body  266 . The angular support arm  251 ,  261  of the upper portion  250 ,  260  rises out of  255 ,  265  the carriage body  256 ,  266 . Referring now also to  FIGS. 10A and 10B , the upper portion  250 ,  260  has a contoured upper surface  252 ,  262  that conforms with the trigger lip  44   a ,  4   a . The upper portion  250 ,  260  has a contoured inner surface  253 ,  263  that conforms with the trigger body  44   b ,  4   b . When deployed, the outer edge  254  of the left upper portion  250  is flush with the left lower portion  205  and the outer edge  264  of the right upper portion  260  is flush with the right lower portion  206 . The left fixed rod  221  passes through a hole  259  in the carriage body  256  of the left upper portion  250 . A blind set screw  292  provides friction on the left fixed rod  221 , to prevent the left upper portion  250  from sliding to freely. Likewise, the right fixed rod  220  passes through a hole  269  in the carriage body  266  of the right upper portion  260 . A blind set screw  291  provides friction on the right fixed rod  220 , to prevent the right upper portion  260  from sliding to freely. 
     On the front-side of the carriage body  256  of the left upper portion  250  is a textured finger hold  258 , to making sliding the left upper portion  250  easy. Gentle pressure is applied to the textured finger hold  258  in order to create sufficient surface friction so that the upper portion  250  can be moved. Likewise, on the front-side of the carriage body  266  of the right upper portion  260  is a textured finger hold  268 , to making sliding the left upper portion  260  easy. The left trigger stop is comprised of the left upper portion  250  and the left lower portion  205 . The right trigger stop is comprised of the right upper portion  260  and the right lower portion  206 . 
     Referring now also to  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the integrally molded base  201  has an inner surface  218 . The inner surface has PSA  271 ,  273  in order to affix the present invention  200  to a video game controller  1 . The PSA  271 ,  273  is initially covered with peelable covers  272 ,  274 . As shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , once the peelable covers  272 ,  274  are peeled off of the PSA  271 ,  273 , the trigger stop for a video game controller  200  is pressed onto the video game controller. The trigger stop for a video game controller  200  is positioned  299  so that the contoured upper surface  252 ,  262  that meets with the trigger lip  44   a ,  4   a  at the release point  64  and the contoured inner surfaces  253 ,  263  abut the trigger body  44   b ,  4   b.    
       FIG. 11A  shows the present invention  200  after being aligned to a video game controller  1 . The left upper portion  250  and the right upper portion  260  abut the central rod bracket  214 . By applying pressure at the textured finger hold  258 , the left upper portion  250  can be moved left (C) along the fixed rod  221 . Likewise, by applying pressure at the textured finder hold  268 , the right upper portion  260  can be moved right (D) along the fixed rod  220 . 
     In  FIG. 11B , with the upper portions  250 ,  260  positioned above their respective lower portions  205 ,  206 , force (A and B) is applied to the present invention  200  to affix it to the video game controller  1  with the PSA  271 ,  273 . 
       FIG. 11C  shows a properly aligned and affixed trigger stop for a video game controller  200 . The upper portions  250 ,  260  are positioned above their respective lower portions  205 ,  206 . The contoured upper surfaces  252 ,  262  will meet their respective triggers  44 ,  4  at the trigger lip  44   a ,  4   a  when the trigger  44 ,  4  is depressed to the release point  64 . 
       FIG. 12  shows a third main embodiment show a second main embodiment of the trigger stop for a video game controller  300 . There is an integrally molded base  301  that has an outer surface  302  comprised of a contoured surface  302  with window  313 , a left edge  303 , a right edge  304 , a top edge  319 , and a bottom edge  315 . The integrally molded base  301  also has a left lower portion  333  and a right lower portion  332 . The integrally molded base  301  has a left lower surface  396  and a right lower surface  368 . 
     A central rod bracket  314  is attached between the left lower surface  396  and a right lower surface  368  of the base  301  with a threaded fastener  390 . A left fixed rod  321  extends from the left lower portion  333  to the central rod bracket  314 . A right fixed rod  320  extends from the right lower portion  332  to the central rod bracket  314 . The left fixed rod  321  and the right fixed rod  320  are at an angle to one another. 
     A left upper portion  350  has an angular support arm  351  with an outer edge  354 , and a carriage body  356 ; a right upper portion  360  has an angular support arm  361  with an outer edge  364 , and a carriage body  366 . The angular support arms  351 ,  361  of the upper portion  350 ,  360  rises out of the carriage body  356 ,  366 . The upper portion  350 ,  360  has a contoured upper surface  359 ,  379  that conforms with the trigger lip  44   a ,  4   a.    
     The left fixed rod  321  passes through a hole  339  in the carriage body  356  of the left upper portion  350 . A blind set screw  392  provides friction on the left fixed rod  321 , to prevent the left upper portion  350  from sliding to freely. Likewise, the right fixed rod  320  passes through a hole  349  in the carriage body  366  of the right upper portion  660 . A blind set screw  391  provides friction on the right fixed rod  320 , to prevent the right upper portion  360  from sliding to freely. The left upper portion  350  has a textured finger hold  358  on the carriage body  356 . The right upper portion  360  has a textured finger hold  378  on the carriage body  366 . 
       FIG. 13A  shows the present invention  300  after being aligned to a video game controller  1 . The left upper portion  350  and the right upper portion  360  abut the central rod bracket  314 . In  FIG. 13B , with the left upper portion  350  is moved left (E) using the textured finger hold  358 . The right upper portion  360  is moved right (F) using the textured finger hold  368 .  FIG. 13C  shows a properly aligned and affixed trigger stop for a video game controller  300 . The upper portions  350 ,  360  are positioned above their respective lower portions  333 ,  332 . The integrally molded base  301  has a lower surface  322  in proximity to the fixed rods  321 ,  320 .