U.S. Pat. No. 6,899,222

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1–3illustrate a packaging system10that has a front or first section12and a back or rear section14. The front portion12and the rear portion14are coupled or connected together and are adapted to have a game console controller16positioned therebetween.

Controller16is preferably formed of plastic and has a front or first side18and a back or second side20. The controller is divided into three portions, a main portion22, a first handle24and a second handle26, each handle24and26being connected to main portion22. Main portion22has a top side28and a bottom side30and also has a directional control stick or “joystick”32and a directional control pad34positioned thereon each adjacent the bottom side30. Directional control stick32and directional control pad34are conventional control devices known in the art; however, the directional control devices can also be any other control devices, such as a roller ball and any other suitable control device.

As shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, first handle24is unitary with main portion22, and has a curved portion36that extends beyond the bottom side30of the main portion22. Curved portion36is adapted to fit or be gripped by an adult hand, and has a rubber grip or portion38for comfort and/or improved feel. The handle24is sized and configured to allow an adult hand to comfortably hold the controller with the palm resting on the rubber grip38and at least one finger wrapped around curved portion36. Handle24preferably has six control buttons39a–fthereon for performing various functions on specific video games, and a trigger63on the underside thereof; however, handle24does not necessarily need to have six buttons and a trigger. Handle24can have any number of buttons desired or any other controls, such as a directional stick or pad, or no control devices. The size and configuration of the handle24allows the user to comfortably grip the handle while using the thumb to manipulate buttons39a–fand using the index finger to manipulate trigger63.

Second handle26is substantially similar to first handle24; however, handle24preferably has a directional control stick40and two control buttons42and44thereon. Directional control stick40is a conventional control device known in the art. Handle26also has a trigger64on the underside thereof.

As with handle24, handle26is sized and configured to allow an adult hand to comfortably hold the controller with the palm resting on the rubber grip46, the thumb manipulating joystick32and the index finger manipulating the trigger64. Furthermore, handle26does not necessarily need to have a directional control stick and two control buttons thereon, and can have any number of buttons desired or any other additional controls, such as another directional stick or a directional control pad, or no control devices at all.

Packaging system10is preferably a blister pack formed in the conventional manner using transparent plastic and has two sections or portions, first portion12and second portion14, as disclosed above. However, the packaging system can be formed of any suitable material and does not necessarily need to be transparent. As shown inFIG. 1, first portion12covers substantially all of main portion22and second handle26, and leaves substantially all of the first handle24exposed.

As shown inFIGS. 1–4, first section12is preferably a molded substantially C-shaped piece of transparent plastic. However, it is noted that section12can be any shape or material desired. As shown specifically inFIG. 1, first section12preferably has a top portion or leg41, a middle or main portion43and a bottom portion or leg45that form the substantially C-shape. Top portion41and bottom portion45preferably extend beyond middle portion43. However, as noted above, the first section12does not necessarily need to be in a C-shaped configuration, as described, and can be any suitable configuration.

The middle section43of first section12has a molded protrusion or area47that is molded to follow the contours of first surface18of controller16, including specific molded protrusions or areas that cover the directional sticks and pads. For example, as shown specifically inFIG. 4, molded area48covers directional control stick32, and molded area50covers directional control pad34. Furthermore, as shown inFIG. 1, molded area52covers directional control stick40. Each of these molded areas protect the precise, sensitive control devices from use during display, while at the same time allows the packaging system to fully display the game controller.

There are additional areas adjacent the main compartment47, such as area54and area56in section41and section45, respectively, that can be used for any reason desired, such as storage for accessories, an electrical cord or graphics for a display, as will be discussed in more detail below. Furthermore, first section12preferably has a substantially L-shaped cut out area58that can be used to hang the packaging system and controller on a display hook (not shown).

Section14is preferably a molded substantially C-shaped piece of transparent plastic, and substantially matches the overall shape and size of section12. For example, section12also has a top portion51, a middle portion53and bottom portion55that form the substantially C-shape. However, it is noted that section14can be any shaped or material desired, as long as section14can be coupled to section12. Middle portion53of section12has a molded area or protrusion60that conforms to the shape of the game controller second surface20, and a molded area or protrusion62that protects and substantially covers trigger64. The remaining portions of section14are substantially flat. Section14has a substantially L-shaped cut out area66that matches L-shaped cut out area58, and allows the packaging system and controller to be displayed on a display hook (not shown).

During packaging, section12is coupled to section14, enclosing at least a portion of controller16therein. Section12is coupled to section14using any conventional method, such as heat sealing, glue, or any other mechanical or chemical means desired, or any other suitable means desired. When sections12and14are coupled together, the form a main portion80, an upper leg82and a lower leg84of the overall C-shape configuration. Generally, as shown inFIG. 4, three cavities are formed, one in the upper leg, one in the lower leg, and one in the main or first portion. The first cavity68is formed between the protrusion54and the upper leg82. Cavity68is generally sized and configured to receive display graphics or advertisement or any other suitable material.

Second cavity69is formed between protrusion56in section12and bottom portion55of section14in lower leg82. Cavity69is preferably used to hold the controller cord and suitable graphics; however, as with cavity68, cavity69can have any desired use.

Third cavity70is sized and configured to receive portions or a majority of controller16, and is formed by protrusion47in the first section12and protrusion60in second section14in main portion80. As described above, both protrusions47and60substantially conform to a respective surface of the controller. As shown inFIG. 4, cavity70has an opening formed therein. Opening70allows at least first handle24to extend therethrough; however, a portion of the main portion22can also extend therethrough, if desired. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 4, opening72is defined by the edge74of the first section and the edge76of the second section.

Since majority of the controller12, including sensitive portions such the direction control sticks and buttons, is protected and covered by the packaging system, the controller will be protected from damage and/or harm during shipping, packing and/or handling by the vender and the consumer. Furthermore, since substantially the entire first handle24is exposed or uncovered by the packaging system, a consumer may hold and test the control for comfort and possible playability. For example, as shown inFIG. 2, a consumer can test the handle for specific size and comfort of the curved portion36or of the grip portion38, and the playability and use of the buttons39a–fand finger trigger63.

Additionally, since the first section of the packaging system has portions41and45that extend beyond the middle section43, and the second section has portions51and55that extend beyond the middle section53, the exposed first handle is protected from damage. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 3, sections41and45and section51and55extend beyond handle24, and therefore, if the controller and packaging system is dropped or thrown, the controller will not land on the handle, but rather the bulk of any impact will likely be taken by these sections of the packaging system.

While a specific embodiment has been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.