U.S. Pat. No. 7,338,374

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally refers to a control apparatus for a video game pad and specifically, to an adjustable tension analog stick for a game controller or video game pad100that enables a user such as a player to adjust the resistance of the tension analog stick to enhance the comfort and control of the stick.

Referring now to theFIGS. 1A to 14C, in one embodiment, the control apparatus or adjustable tension analog stick102includes a first housing104, a second housing106movably connected to the first housing, a positioning member108connected to or mounted to the second housing106to enable a player to change the positions of the control apparatus, a tension member such as spring110positioned adjacent to the positioning member to provide resistance or tension to the positioning member and an adjustment member112connected to the tension member to enable a player to adjust (i.e., increase or decrease) the tension of the tension member on the positioning member to modify the resistance of the positioning member.

In one embodiment, the lateral resistance of the control apparatus102is accomplished through the coupling of several parts, as shown in the figures, that enable a user or player to increase and/or decrease the tension or resistance of the analog stick without affecting the recovery of the stick. As described above, the uppermost part in the assembly is a positioning member or stick108which is nested inside a second housing or dome106. A clutch member such as a clutch disc114and a tension member such as a spring110are assembled between the stick and dome. The stick108and dome106are connected or otherwise held together via a support member or a C-ring116. The C-ring116fits into or assembles to a groove118on the shaft of the stick108. A flexible member or a rubber ring120is positioned or trapped between the dome and the signal transfer member124which is connected to or assembled to a circuit board such as a PC board or PCB (not shown).

The perimeter of the upper portion of the second housing or dome106contains serrations122that allow the user to grip and twist it in order to change the resistance of the analog stick. When the stick108and thereby the second housing or dome106is rotated, it moves toward or away from the first housing104via threads inside the shaft that interface with the stick. As the dome moves downward relative to the first housing, the rubber ring120is compressed between the stick and the first housing, resulting in increased resistive force to activate the stick. As the stick and second housing or dome move upward relative to the first housing, the pressure on the rubber ring120is diminished, reducing the force. Thus, the tightness of the stick determines the amount of resistance so the user can choose the desired feel, comfort and control of the stick and adjust the tightness or tension accordingly.

In one embodiment, the clutch member or clutch disc114acts as a detent to hold the dome at a selected position while the game is being used.

In one embodiment, the tension member is a spring110that provides tension or resistance to the stick. In one embodiment, the tension member or spring is nested with or positioned adjacent to the stick108and inside the second housing or dome106. In another embodiment, the tension member is connected to or otherwise attached to the stick. It should be appreciated that the tension member may be a spring, resilient foam or any other suitable tension device or resilient member.

In one embodiment, the C-ring116holds the stick and the dome together. It should be appreciated that the control apparatus may include one or more C-rings116. It should also be appreciated that the C-rings may be positioned and/or connected to any suitable portion of the stick that enables the C-ring to connect or otherwise hold the stick and the dome together. It should be further appreciated that any suitable connector or fastening member may be used to connect the stick and the dome.

In one embodiment, the flexible member is a rubber ring120. It should be appreciated that the flexible member may be a rubber ring, a flange or any other suitable flexible or resilient member. It should also be appreciated that one or more rubber rings may be employed by the control apparatus.

In one embodiment, the signal transfer member124is connected to a circuit board such as a P.C. board or PCB. The signal transfer member transfers the signals, such as electrical signals, generated by the movement of the stick to the circuit board to correspondingly control and/or manipulate the movement of an image, icon, character or the like associated with a game being operated by a video game device.

It should be appreciated that the components or parts of the control apparatus described above may be manufactured with metal, plastic or any other suitable material or combinations of materials.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.