U.S. Pat. No. 7,762,553

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a video game controller cover formed in a particular pattern from leather, cloth, faux suede leather vinyl padded material in a two-lobed holster configuration with a singular or plurality of sewn-in elastic insets, and a central fold-over strap with an adjustable Velcro™ attachment.

FIG. 1is a right-side perspective view of a controller cover1according to the present invention (shown on an Xbox 360™ controller), andFIGS. 2 and 3are a front view and bottom view, respectively.

With collective reference toFIGS. 1-3, the controller cover1generally comprises a two-lobed holster including lobes2A &2B contoured to fit the common two-lobed handheld controller configuration of many game controllers (which include a left-hand lobe, right-hand lobe, and central portion, all having an array of face-mounted controls). The twin lobes2A &2B are deep enough at the outside to seat approximately half the extent of the controller. At the front, the cut of the twin lobes2A &2B arch inward and downward to form opposing apertures17A &17B that expose the controller's thumb controls. The arches merge to form a central strap4that extends upward between the twin lobes2A &2B, wrapping up across the central section of the controller and overtop, where it is affixed to the backside to secure the controller inside the twin lobes2A &2B. The controller cover1is defined by a substantially rectangular lower aperture19that provides access for cable-coupling, when necessary. The central strap4begins at a thin section16and flares outward above the thumb controls to an enlarged strap section14which is defined by a central circular aperture15for exposing the controller brand ID plate. It can herein be seen that the controller cover1occupies only the most handled section of the controller, namely the bottom half of the opposing lobes, but leaves all functional controls fully exposed.

As best seen inFIG. 3, the controller cover1is preferably configured with two fabric panels22,28sewn together peripherally at seams, including a front panel22and rear panel28. The two panels22-28are each themselves precut and preformed sections of padded vinyl faux leather, panel22including the protruding strap4. More specifically, each panel22,28comprises a three layer sandwich including a super absorbent padded middle layer sandwiched between an inner fabric liner and an outer porous vinyl textured faux leather fabric. The three layer sandwich of each panel22,28is adhered together and provided in large blanks, which are then precut into the two panels22,28and sewn together at the margins to yield the finished controller1.

As an alternative to the three-layer fabric, the controller cover fabric may be a two-layer fabric sandwich including an outer soft suede-like material, and an inner vinyl layer having a high coefficient of friction that is designed to stick to the controller plastic. When the inner layer has the property of adhering or sticking to the controller surface it increases the controller cover's skintight effect.

In either case, the Vinyl faux leather outer fabric gives the proper tactile feel, and the padding creates a desirable cushioned feel while also providing sweat absorbency.

FIG. 4is a top view of the controller cover1. As seen inFIGS. 3-4, the controller cover1is secured to the controller and is pulled taught by the adjustable center strap4which extends outward from the panel22and extends around and overtop the central section of the controller.

The strap4is contoured and defined by apertures to fit the face and back of the controller. The contours include a thin section16that runs between the thumb controllers and then flares out to a thicker fold-over flap14. The fold-over flap14is cut with a circular aperture15positioned at the upper front of the controller for exposing the controller brand ID plate, as well as a truncated oval aperture18positioned toward the back of the controller to pass the cable of wired-version controllers (strap4is attached first then the cable is plugged in).

The strap4is secured to the rear of the controller by opposing hook-and-loop (Velcro™) fastening pads32,33, one being sewn onto the backside of strap4and one to the backside of the panel28. The Velcro™ attachment allows the user to attach the controller cover1by pulling the strap4up and around back, pulling taught, and simply pushing the strap4against the controller. There are no clips or buckles. Moreover, the Velcro pads32,33are oversize to give a length-adjustable attachment as described below.

One of the most important features of the present controller cover1is its ability to adapt in size to different controllers, and in each case ensure a snug tailored fit. This is accomplished by an array of three elastic fabric insets in combination with the Velcro attachment pads32,33described above.

FIG. 5is a back view of the controller cover1illustrated the array of elastic fabric sections, including a first elastic inset42interrupting the strap4along its length, such as immediately in advance of the distal Velcro™ pad32as shown. The first elastic inset42is preferably a rectangular section of width equal to that of the strap4. During manufacturing, the strap4may be cut near the tip and the elastic inset42sewn between the cut portions. The elastic inset42may be any of a variety of suitable elastic fabrics including Rayon™ or Dacron™. As stated above the use of Velcro™ pads32,33provides a degree of adjustability inasmuch as the pads need not be coupled together in an exact corresponding manner, but rather can be laterally offset by a fair amount in either direction. The elastic inset42gives a degree of lengthwise stretch to the strap4. Thus, the user stretches the strap4around the controller and then attaches it, thereby maintaining the cover1in a taught form-fitting configuration despite prolonged use. Moreover, the controller cover1is much better apt to fit controllers of different sizes. In addition to the lengthwise stretch, a degree of lateral stretch is provided by elastic gussets44,46. In the illustrated embodiment each gusset44,46comprises a triangular stretch-fabric section sewn into triangular cutouts in the rear of panel28, on either side of strap4. One skilled in the art should understand that it is not necessary that the gussets44,46be triangular, though this shape has the most aesthetic value and minimizes the size of the gussets44,46while still providing the requisite degree of lateral stretch.

The combination of the elastic gussets44,46and adjustable fold-over strap4with elastic inset42afford a snug tailored fit for precision gaming with Xbox 360™, Nintendo Wii™ and PlayStation 3™ controllers, among others, either cable or wireless versions. Moreover, the three elastic sections42,44,46combine to provide a fair degree of adaptability to the wide variety of game controllers of varying dimensions.

FIG. 7is a right-side perspective view of a controller cover100according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention adapted for a Playstation 3™ controller, which is of slightly different dimensions and has a different control set.

As above, the controller cover100generally comprises a two-lobed holster including lobes102A &102B contoured to fit the Playstation 3™ two-lobed handheld controller configuration (which likewise includes a left-hand lobe, right-hand lobe, and central portion, with opposing thumb controls and opposing selection buttons). In this embodiment, the twin lobes102A &102B are deep enough to substantially seat the entire controller, leaving the face open. The open face is defined by opposing inverted figure-eight apertures117A &117B that expose the controller's thumb controls and opposing selection buttons. The figure-eight apertures117A &117B flank a central strap104that extends upward between the twin lobes102A &102B, wrapping up across the central section of the controller and overtop, where it is affixed to the backside to secure the controller inside the twin lobes102A &102B. The central strap104begins at a thin section116and flares outward above the thumb controls to an enlarged strap section114which is defined by a central circular aperture115for exposing the controller brand ID plate. It can herein be seen that the controller cover100occupies substantially the entire backside of the controller, but the opposing inverted figure-eight apertures117A &117B leave all functional controls fully exposed.

As described above with regard toFIG. 3, this embodiment may also be formed from two fabric panels including a front panel and rear panel sewn together at seams that run along the sides of the controller. The two panels may likewise be precut and preformed sections of vinyl faux leather (preferably the same two layer grip-fabric or three layer padded sandwich described above), thereby giving the proper tactile feel, and the padding creating a desirable cushioned feel while also providing sweat absorbency.

The controller cover100is secured to the controller and is pulled taught by the adjustable center strap104which extends outward from the front and extends around and overtop the central section of the controller.

The strap104is contoured and defined by apertures to fit the face and back of the controller. The contours include the thin section116that runs between the thumb controllers and then flares out to thicker fold-over flap114. The fold-over flap114is cut with a circular aperture115positioned at the upper front of the controller for exposing the controller brand ID plate, as well as an oval aperture118positioned at the top of the controller to pass the cable of wired-version controllers such as the Playstation 2™ controller (strap104is attached first then the cable is plugged in).

FIG. 8is a rear view of the controller cover100as inFIG. 7. The strap104is secured to the rear of the controller by opposing hook-and-loop (Velcro™) fastening pads132,133, one being sewn onto the backside of strap104and one to the backside of the controller cover. The Velcro™ attachment allows the user to attach the controller cover100by pulling the strap104up and around back, pulling taught, and simply pushing the strap104against the controller. There are no clips or buckles. Moreover, the Velcro pads132,133are oversize for the length-adjustable attachment described above.

In order to adapt in size to different controllers and in each case ensure a snug tailored fit, an elastic inset142is provided. The first elastic inset142is preferably a rectangular section of stretch-fabric of width equal to that of the strap104. The elastic inset142may be any of a variety of suitable elastic fabrics including Rayon™ or Dacron™. Inset142is sewn into the rear of the cover100as shown, above Velcro™ pads132,133. Again the stretch fabric inset142affords a snug tailored fit for precision gaming with the Playstation 3™ and Playstation 2™ controllers, among others.

Velcro™ pads132,133provide a degree of adjustability, while elastic inset142gives a degree of stretch to the cover100. Thus, the user stretches the strap104around the controller and then attaches it, thereby maintaining the cover100in a taught form-fitting configuration despite prolonged use. Moreover, the controller cover100is much better apt to fit controllers of different sizes.

Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiment and certain modifications of the concept underlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of the embodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with said underlying concept. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically set forth in the appended claims.