U.S. Pat. No. 6,652,316

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4 , there is shown a portable game device 10 that is representative of a new generation in portable game devices. This game device 10 is manufactured by Nintendo and is commonly known as the GAME BOY ADVANCE . The portable game device 10 includes a video display screen 12 , a display screen border 14 and a housing 16 . A power indicator 18 lights up when the power to the game device is on, and control D-pad 20 and control buttons 22 a , 22 b , 24 a and 24 b enable user control of a video game being played.

The top edge of game device 10 shows the disposition of the game cartridge slot 30 on the rear of the device and communication port 32 . A pair of indents 28 a and 28 b are disposed on the top edge. On the rear of device 10 , there are screw holes 34 a and 34 b through which screws (not shown) secure the game device together during assembly. The battery compartment 37 is disposed on the rear of the game device and includes a battery compartment cover 36 enclosing the same. As is known in the art, battery compartment 37 includes openings 38 a and 38 b and 39 for receiving corresponding parts of the battery compartment cover 36 to secure the same to the game device.

FIG. 5 shows the accessory connector 50 according to a first embodiment of the invention. Accessory connector 50 includes an upper portion 52 a adapted to engage over the top edge of the game device 10 and secure over the transitional front top edge 17 of housing 16 and onto the video display border 14 (to be discussed later with reference to FIG. 8 b ). An intermediary portion 52 b connects the upper portion 52 a to the lower portion formed by a pair of extensions 53 a and 53 b . Extensions 53 a and 53 b of the lower portion are provided to grip the underside of the game device while the upper portion 52 a engages the top of the game device. Extensions 53 a and 53 b include corresponding detents 54 a and 54 b that are shaped and positioned to engage the screw holes 34 a and 34 b in the back of the game device. In addition, another pair of detents 58 a and 58 b are positioned on the inside of connector 50 so as to engage the corresponding indents 28 a and 28 b in the top edge of the game device.

Referring to FIGS. 5 , 7 , 8 a and 8 b , when connector 50 is attached to the game device 10 , the detents 54 a and 54 b engage screw holes 34 a and 34 b while extensions 53 a and 53 b of the lower portion do not interfere with the access to the game cartridge slot 30 . As shown in FIG. 8 b , the display border 14 is slightly recessed from the front top edge 17 of housing 16 . The upper portion 52 a of the connector includes an underside 80 that passes over front top edge 17 and at the point of transition between front top edge 17 and display border 14 (i.e., where the display boarder is recessed), a downward protrusion 82 snaps over the ledge formed between front top edge 17 and display border 14 . This snap over feature operates in conjunction with the detents 54 a , 54 b , 58 a and 58 b to secure connector 50 onto the top edge of the game device. The detents 54 a , 54 b , 58 a and 58 b also operate to laterally secure the connector 50 to the game device and prevent sliding of the same along the top edge of the game device.

By way of example, the accessory can be a light assembly 70 connected to the connection part 59 of the connector 50 in order to illuminate the video display screen 12 in low light conditions. The opening 56 in the connector 50 provides clear access to the communication port 32 , and thereby enables the connection of a plug 74 to the communication port 32 of the game device for the purpose of powering the connected accessory. The plug 74 is connected to the light assembly 70 by a flexible wire 72 .

Referring to FIGS. 6 , 9 and 10 , there is shown the accessory connector 60 according to a second embodiment of the invention. Connector 60 includes the same extensions 53 a and 53 b and corresponding detents 54 a and 54 b , respectively, for connection to the underside of the game device. The upper portion of connector 60 includes a securing clip 63 that is pivotally mounted onto connector 60 via a hinge 66 . Once connector 60 is mounted on the top edge of the game device, clip 63 passes over the game device and engages the bottom edge of the same (FIGS. 9 and 10 ). Thus, it is clear that clip 63 is bent such that is securely engages the game device on the bottom edge thereof opposite the connector 60 disposed on the top edge.

Referring to FIGS. 11 , 13 and 14 , there is shown the connector 100 a according to the third embodiment of the invention. Connector 100 a has a frame 102 having an opening 104 sized to expose the entire video display 12 of the game device. A pair of detents 110 a and 110 b are positioned on the inside surface of the connector and are aligned so as to engage the respective indents 28 a and 28 b on the top edge of the game device. A plug 112 is also disposed on the inside surface of the connector and aligned to engage the link port 32 . Plug 112 can be used to provide power to the accessory device attached to the connector 110 a . The front or lower edge portion 106 extends downward from frame 102 and includes a lip 108 . Lip 108 engages under the front bottom edge of the game device and helps to secure the connector 100 a to the game device. FIGS. 13 and 14 show the connector 100 a when attached to the game device and having a light assembly 70 attached thereto. In this embodiment, the light assembly 70 is electrically connected to plug 112 via wire 72 . Plug 112 includes a pass through plug 113 that provides secondary access to the game link port 32 when plug 112 is disposed in the link port 32 .

FIGS. 12 , 14 and 17 show the connector 100 b according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. The only difference is that connector 100 b has two legs 116 a and 116 b that provide a more flexible connection with the game device than that of the one piece structure of connector 100 a . Connector 100 b engages the game device in substantially the same manner as that of connector 100 a , and may or may not include a lip 108 to engage the front bottom edge of the game device.

FIGS. 15 , 16 and 18 show revised connectors 120 a and 120 b according to fifth and sixth embodiments of the invention. The difference here is that a window 118 replaces the internal side plug 112 (FIGS. 11 and 12 ). Through the implementation of windows 118 , the light assembly 70 can be electrically connected to the link port 32 using a plug 74 and corresponding wire 72 .

FIGS. 19 , 20 and 21 show the accessory connector 200 according to a seventh embodiment of the invention. Connector 200 includes an upper portion 202 , a lower portion 204 and a game cartridge opening 206 interposed between upper and lower portions 202 and 204 , respectively. The lower portion 204 includes a battery compartment cover 212 integrated therein and including a battery compartment clip 214 and battery compartment detents 216 a and 216 b . The clip 214 and detents 216 a and 216 b engage the respective clip receiving opening 39 and detent holes 38 a and 38 b in the game device to aid in the securing of the connector 200 to the game device. In one embodiment, connector 200 can include a battery pack 218 having a connection plug 220 .

The upper portion 202 includes a link port window 210 and detents 208 a and 208 b for engaging the corresponding indents 28 a and 28 b on the game device. As shown in FIG. 20 , when connector 200 is attached to the game device, access to the game cartridge slot 30 is still available, and the accessory (e.g., light assembly 70 ) can be electrically connected to the game device through link port 32 or to the onboard battery pack 218 via plug 220 . Those of ordinary skill will recognize that the configuration of plug 74 can be changed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

FIGS. 21 and 22 shows the accessory connector 300 according to an eighth embodiment of the invention. Connector 300 includes an upper portion 302 , a main portion 312 connected to the upper portion 302 and a game cartridge slot engaging portion 304 connected to the main portion 312 . The upper portion 302 may include detents 308 a and 308 b that operate as explained previously to engage the indents 28 a and 28 b on the top edge of the game device. In addition, upper portion 302 can be adapted to engage the top edge of the game device as previously described with reference to the embodiment of FIG. 8 b.

An opening 314 in main portion 312 receives the game cartridge that would otherwise be disposed in slot 30 and is now occupied with slot engaging portion 304 . The slot engaging portion 304 includes a connector 306 that matingly engages the game cartridge slot and allows the accessory connector to obtain power for the connected accessory device through the game cartridge slot. A wire 72 can thereby electrically connect the connected accessory (e.g., light assembly 70 ) to the game device through the main housing and game cartridge slot 30 . AS window 310 in the upper portion 302 allows for access to the link port 32 while the accessory connected is disposed in its operable position on the game device.

While there have shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the methods described and devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.