U.S. Pat. No. 7,156,026

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the drawings, the invention will now be described in more detail. An ergonomic video game controller stand is shown generally by reference letter A inFIG. 1, which is adapted for accommodating a player in a seated position, designated generally as B, to operate and interact with a video game. Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, controller stand A comprises a contoured frame, designated generally as10. The contoured frame has a base section, shown generally by reference number12, adapted for resting on a floor to provide a stable support for the stand. Carried by base section12is an upper section, shown generally by reference number14. Base section12includes a pair of curved upwardly extending legs16aand16bextending substantially over the base section. Upper section14includes a pair of downwardly extending legs18aand18badapted for interconnecting with upwardly extending legs16aand16bof base section12. A hand controller platform24is carried by upper section14adapted for receiving and securing a hand controller32, such as a steering wheel and the like, for a video game. Advantageously, a foot controller platform22is carried by base section12which is adapted for receiving and securing a foot controller34, such as gas and brake pedals, for a video game.

When upper section14is interconnected with base section12, frame10comprises a closed loop contoured frame constructed and arranged to position upper section14vertically above base section12and generally extending towards the front of base section12to define a game controller operating cockpit, designated generally as13, for accommodating a seated player to operate game controls. Preferably, frame10is made out of metal or plastic tubing, which in the closed loop arrangement eliminates any sharp corners and ends which might cause injury to the user. Advantageously, hand controller32and foot controller34are ergonomically positioned when mounted to hand controller platform24and the foot controller platform22, respectively, for operation by the player seated in cockpit13.

In a preferred embodiment illustrated by way of example inFIGS. 1 and 2, base section12includes a generally U-shaped base, designated generally as20, adapted for resting evenly on a floor. The U-shaped base has a pair of laterally spaced horizontally aligned base frame members26aand26bconnected by a lower transverse support28, generally disposed at a distal end of the base frame members which is curved to integrally connect with the base frame members. Base frame members26aand26beach carry one of curved upwardly extending legs16aand16b, respectively, generally at an opposite distal end of the base frame member to transverse support28so that the upwardly extending legs curve substantially back overtop of the base frame members and extend towards the front of the U-shaped base. Additionally, upper section14comprises a generally U-shaped top, which includes downwardly extending legs18aand18bfor interconnecting with base section12. The U-shaped top of upper section14is comprised of downwardly extending legs18aand18bconnected by upper transverse support30. Upper transverse support30provides a crossmember between downwardly extending legs18aand18b, which is curved to integrally connect with the downwardly extending legs.

Referring toFIGS. 2 and 4, an adjusting mechanism is provided for interconnecting downwardly extending legs18aand18bwith upwardly extending legs16aand16bto vary the height at which hand controller platform24carries hand controller32to accommodate different people using the stand. To provide the readily adjustable frame, downwardly extending legs18aand18bare received in upwardly extending legs16aand16bin a telescoping arrangement. Upwardly extending legs16aand16binclude a series of vertically spaced openings36adapted for receiving a pin38carried by downwardly extending legs18aand18b. As best shown inFIG. 3, pin38is biased by spring40to extend outwardly from downwardly extending legs18aand18bto engage openings36. By depressing the pins, upper section14may be quickly raised and lowered to better accommodate the person using the stand.

Referring toFIGS. 2 and 3, as noted above, base section12includes lower transverse support28forming a portion of U-shaped base20, and upper section14includes upper transverse support30forming a portion of said U-shaped top of the upper section. In the preferred embodiment, lower platform22is affixed to lower transverse support28, while upper platform24is affixed to upper transverse support30. As best shown inFIG. 3, foot controller platform22is affixed to the lower crossbar using bolt42. The same arrangement is also provided for affixing upper platform24to upper transverse support30. Preferably, at least two bolts which are laterally spaced along the transverse support are provided for affixing the platforms to the frame. However, it should be noted that various other attachment methods may also be used such as brackets, welding, straps, and the like, well known to those skilled in the art. The bolt shown affixing foot controller platform22is only for illustrative purposes of a preferred embodiment and intended as an example of one of many possible commonly known attachment methods.

Foot and hand controller platforms22and24are generally rectangular in shape and may be made of medal, plastic, wood, or other lightweight composite material capable of supporting the hand and foot controllers. Additionally, the edges of the platforms may be rounded or covered with a cushioning material, such as rubber, to prevent injury. Additionally, the top surface is preferably flat to provide a universal level surface for securing a variety of foot and hand controllers of various shapes and sizes. Alternatively, the platforms may be contoured as necessary or desirable to facilitate receiving and securing the controllers and to facilitate playing of the video game in general, or the platform may be adapted for use with a particular game and set of controls. Also, the platforms are preferably covered with a non-skid type material to prevent movement of the controllers during use.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, in a preferred embodiment, an accessory platform44is carried by upper section14generally adjacent hand controller platform24for mounting a secondary hand controller in an ergonomic position relative to hand controller32to allow the player to operate the secondary hand controller in combination with hand controller32and foot controller34when in a seated position within the cockpit. Accessory platform44is preferably of the same construction and arrangement as the hand and foot controller platforms. An upper frame arm46extends upwardly from downwardly extending leg18band carries accessory platform44. Accessory platform44is adapted for receiving and securing a secondary hand controller48, such as a gear shifter or joystick, in the same manner as described above for upper platform24and lower platform22. Preferably, accessory platform44is positioned in a common plane with hand controller platform24. Accessory platform44may also be attached using the bolting arrangement described above, or other commonly known attachment methods.

Advantageously, securing means are provided for maintaining the controllers in place on the platforms. Referring toFIGS. 2 and 3, the securing means of the preferred embodiment comprise at least one first controller securing member50carried by hand controller platform24for securing hand controller32to the hand controller platform, and at least one second controller securing member52carried by foot controller platform22for securing foot controller34to the foot controller platform to prevent dislodging of the hand and foot controllers from their platforms during use by the player. An additionally securing member may also be carried by accessory platform44for securing secondary hand controller48to the accessory platform. Preferably, the securing members comprise straps affixed to the bottom side of the platforms, as best shown inFIG. 3, with hook and loop connectors carried at distal ends of the straps for wrapping around the controllers and interconnecting to hold the controllers on the platforms. On accessory platform44, instead of straps, hook and loop connectors are placed on the bottom of secondary hand controller48and the upper surface of accessory platform44to secure the controller to the platform. The same technique may also be used to attach hand controller32and foot controller34to their respective platforms. While the securing means described above are preferred, it is to be understood that any other suitable conventional securing means may be provided for attachment of the controllers to the platforms, including permanent surface attachment using bolts, suction cups on the platform, controller casing which conform to the shape of the base of the controller, elastic bands, etc.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.