U.S. Pat. No. 12,172,090

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This application relates in general to an article of manufacture for providing a gaming device, and more specifically, to an article of manufacture providing game controller removable handles according to the present invention.

Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the claimed invention.

In describing embodiments of the present invention, the following terminology will be used. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience.

However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

It further will be understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and “including” specify the presence of stated features, steps or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps or components. It also should be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions and acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality and acts involved.

The terms “individual” and “user” refer to an entity, e.g., a human, using an article of manufacture providing game controller removable handles according to the present invention. The term user herein refers to one or more users.

The term “invention” or “present invention” refers to the invention being applied for via the patent application with the title “Game Controller Handles.” Invention may be used interchangeably with handles.

In general, the present disclosure relates to an article of manufacture providing game controller removable handles according to the present invention. To better understand the present invention,FIG.1illustrates an example embodiment of an article of manufacture providing game controller removable handles according to the present invention. An improved game controller100consists of an ordinary gaming controller110with a pair of removable handles101a-battached to the sides of the controller110. The removable handles101a-bare configured to easily slide onto and off of the side protrusions of existing gaming controllers110.

The removable handles101a-bmay be constructed from many materials such as rubber, plastic, synthetics, and similar materials to provide a firm and comfortable grip to the sides of the gaming controller110. The removable handles101a-bmay be made of a hard material that is covered with a softer layer to provide a softer feel to a user's hands. The removable handles101a-balso may be made of a semi-flexible material that provides a comfortable feel and texture while remaining rigid enough to maintain its shape while in use.

The removable handles101a-bmay be made using a typical molding process that permits the chosen material to be formed into a desired shape while having the desired feel and texture. The removable handles101a-bmay be made using other manufacturing techniques such as digital printing. The removable handles101a-bmay be made of different colors and appearances that may include markings, logos, and the like.

FIG.2illustrates another view of the example embodiment of an article of manufacture providing game controller removable handles according to the present invention. The removable handles101a-bcomprise a pair of similar devices that are shaped as mirror images of each other allowing them to be coupled to game controller handles111a-b. The inner surface201a-bof each of the removable handles101a-bis configured to match the shape of the game controller handles111a-b. The inner surface201a-bof the removable handles101a-bcomprises a wider end205a-band a narrower end206a-bin which the narrower end206a-bis placed along an outer end of each gaming controller handle111a-bwith the wider end205a-bengaging the outer end of the gaming controller handle111a-b.

The inner surface201a-bof the removable handles101a-bhave an outer rim207a-bthat is slightly smaller than the inner surface201a-bto allow the outer rim207a-bto wrap around and hold against the gaming controller handles101a-b. The removable handles101a-bmay be slid onto the gaming controller handles111a-buntil the handles are engaging the wider end205a-bof the inner surface201a-b. The user may remove the removable handles101a-bby pulling the outer rim207a-baway from the gaming controller handles111a-nand sliding the removable handles101a-boff of the gaming controller110.

FIG.3illustrates use of an article of manufacture providing game controller removable handles according to the present invention.FIG.4illustrates a rear view of an article of manufacture providing game controller removable handles according to the present invention. Each of the removable handles101a-bis shaped to provide a comfortable grip. An outer surface301of the removable handles110a-bprovides a curved surface around which a user's fingers may be positioned while the outer surface301engages a palm of a user's hand. Each of the removable handles101a-bmay comprise a set of raised ridges202a-dpositioned to run from an outer curved edge305toward the center of the outer surface301.

Between the set of raised ridges202a-da corresponding set of finger grooves302a-cmay be included to provide a concave surface between the set of raised ridges202a-dthat may be sized with a diameter matching a user's fingers. A user may place the outer3fingers around the removable handles101a-band within the set of finger grooves302a-cwhile allowing an index finger to be positioned over a top edge of the removable handles101a-band the thumb to be freely positioned along the front surface of the gaming controller110. The user's fingers may reach around the curved edge305of the removable handles101a-bto engage control inputs401of the gaming controller110as shown inFIG.4.

FIG.5illustrates a front view of an article of manufacture providing game controller removable handles according to the present invention. The removable handles101a-bare attached to the gaming controller110covering the gaming controller handles111a-b. The removable handles101a-bmay extend outward and downward from the gaming controller110to provide a handle surface that may fit comfortably within the user's hand, against a palm and within the grip of the fingers.

FIG.6illustrates outside and inside views of an article of manufacture providing game controller removable handles according to the present invention. The pair of removable handles101a-bis shown with one of the removable handles101ashowing its outer surface301a, and a second removable handle101bshowing its inner surface201b, its wider end205b, its narrower end206, and its outer rim207b. The curved outer edge305is shown moving inward and outward around the set of raised ridges202a-dand the set of finger grooves302a-c. A character or a word601may be added to the inside of each of the handles101a-bto mark whether a particular handles is to be applied to a left or a right side of the game controller to position the handles101a-bin a useful orientation.

In a preferred embodiment, the removable handles101a-bmay be made of a flexible material such as silicone. The flexible material may be made of any colored material as desired. Additional items may be imbedded within the silicone material. For example, different colored stones, beads, and other ornamental items may be added to enhance the appearance of the pair of handles101a-b. The pair of handles101a-bmay also include images, raised markings, and related material in order to add names, character images, and logos from popular video games that may wish to use these handles101a-bas part of a marketing campaign. The outside surface of the pair of handles101a-bmay possess a smooth surface or may possess a raised texture to aid in gripping the handles as desired.

Even though particular combinations of features are recited in the present application, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of the invention. In fact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in this application. In other words, any of the features mentioned in this application may be included in this new invention in any combination or combinations to allow the functionality required for the desired operations.

No element, act, or instruction used in the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the invention unless explicitly described as such. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.