U.S. Pat. No. 8,794,698

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The inventor provides a portable and collapsible gaming chair that incorporates one or more game controller devices adapted to work with one or more video game systems. The present invention is described in enabling detail using the following examples which may represent more than one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring now toFIG. 1of the accompanying drawings, a portable game controller folding chair10is illustrated in perspective view. Folding chair10is, in this embodiment, a collapsible chair comprising a rigid but collapsible frame that supports a fabric seat and back rest12, fabric armrests14(right and left), and fabric footrest16.

Chair10includes, in one embodiment, an adjustment system for adjusting footrest proximity relative to the chair body. The adjustment system includes frame members31connected to footrest16and adjustment straps37connected to the frame members31. Adjustment straps37each include a strap adjustment mechanism38(one per strap) that are manually configurable by a user to adjust the proximity of footrest16closer or further away from the chair body in order to accommodate different users. In this embodiment chair10is a fabric folding chair that can be collapsed and stowed inside a fabric enclosure. The use of fabric, however, for portions of the folding chair is not a limitation in the invention. Other materials may be used as well.

A hand controller carrier base20is provided and is adapted to be attached to chair using supporting frame extensions24. Frame extensions24may be attached to frame portions22of the collapsible chair frame that support armrests14. Hand controller base20supports a modular hand controller interface26that may be mounted to the carrier using a variety of optional techniques including but not limited to riveting, snapping, nut and bolt, clamping, screws, hook and loop connector, plug-in, or other known methods.

Hand controller base20and hand controller interface26may be fabricated of a lightweight and durable plastic, metal or another durable material. Molding and other known fabrication techniques may be used in production of controller base20and controller interface26. Hand controller interface26has one or more video game hand controllers25coupled thereto in operable fashion. In one embodiment hand controller interface26supports a variety of different hand controller devices that might be used to play a video game including but not limited to a steering wheel, a joy stick, an acceleration controller, a braking controller, shift lever, handle bars, functional buttons, functional switches, and like devices used in video game play or simulation systems. In one embodiment hand controller base20and attached interface26are adjustable as a unit to enable ergonomic tilt according to user height while seated within the folding chair.

A foot controller carrier base30is provided and is adapted to be attached to chair10using supporting frame extensions32. Frame extensions32may be attached to frame portions31of the collapsible chair frame that support footrest16. Foot controller base30supports a modular foot controller interface33that may be mounted to the carrier using a variety of optional techniques including but not limited to riveting, snapping, nut and bolt, clamping, screws, hook and loop connector, plug-in, or other known methods.

Foot controller base30and foot controller interface33may be fabricated of a lightweight and durable plastic, metal or another durable material. Molding and other known fabrication techniques may be used in production of controller base30and controller interface33.

In one embodiment foot controller interface33supports a variety of different foot-operated controller devices that might be used in conjunction with hand controllers to play a video game including but not limited to a gas pedal, an acceleration controller, a braking controller, functional buttons, functional switches, and like foot-operated devices used in video game play. It is noted herein that in one embodiment foot controller base30and foot controller interface33are not absolutely required in order to practice the present invention. Foot controller devices, if any are required, may be modularly added to hand controller interface26without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Referring now toFIG. 2, hand controller interface26and hand controller base20are illustrated in elevation view with interface26presented in a position of elevation above base20. Hand controller interface26includes all of the electronic circuitry, ports, and wiring connections required to enable interface26to host one or more video game controllers. In some embodiments wireless components and infrared components may also be included in the electronics of the interface. Contact surface29may include any type of connective feature described previously for attaching the interface to the base component.

In one embodiment hand controller base20is pivotally mounted to frame extensions24. Also in one embodiment hand controller base20is attached to frame extensions24via a sleeve27aand a resting surface channel or indentation27b. In such an embodiment a user may pivot the assembled unit (base20, interface26) up and out of the way to accommodate exiting and reentering the chair.

Referring now toFIG. 3, hand controller base20is viewed from above further illustrating connection to chair frame elements. Base20includes contact surface28, which may include any connective features previously described above for enabling attachment of the hand controller interface. In this example, hand controller base20is pivotally mounted at connection point27a, which may be a sleeve. Base20rests over extension24on the opposite end. Extensions24may be attached to frame elements22using clasps, clamps, sleeves, ties, nuts and bolts, or other secure methods. Fabric armrests14are visible in this overhead view.

Referring now toFIG. 4, foot controller base30and modular foot controller interface33are illustrated in elevation view with interface33presented in a position of elevation above base30. In this embodiment foot controller interface33includes one or more foot-operated controller devices35, which are in the form of one or more pedals, and may be referred to hereinafter as controller pedals35. Contact surface34may include any connective features previously described above for enabling attachment of the foot controller interface33to foot controller base30.

Foot control carrier30attaches to frame extensions32, which in turn may be attached to frame portions31of the collapsible chair frame that supports footrest16. Foot control base30includes a contact surface34, which may include any of the connective features described above for attaching foot controller interface33to foot controller base30. In one embodiment foot controller base30may be attached to frame extensions32as described above for hand controller base20by using a sleeve36at one end of the base element whereby foot controller base30has a channeled surface that may rest upon the opposing frame extension32.

Referring now toFIG. 5, foot controller base30and attached foot controller interface33are illustrated in overhead view mounted to frame extensions32via bores or sleeves36. In this example pedals35are fully in view. Foot controller base30and foot controller interface33include all of the electronic circuitry, ports, and wiring connections required to enable interface33to host one or more video game controllers, in this case foot pedals35.

Set-up of the collapsible video gaming chair of the present invention entails removing it and any detached components from a case or tote bag and then opening the folded chair into the gaming position. The hand controller interface and base may then be connected together if not already connected. The base and controller may then be assembled to the chair frame. The foot controller interface and base may then be connected together if not already connected. The foot base and controller may then be assembled to the chair. A user may then pivot the hand controller assembly up and out of the way about the connecting sleeve or other pivotal attachment to sit in the chair and then may return the assembly to its level position for play. The footrest adjustment straps can be physically adjusted if need be to bring the foot controller assembly into comfortable reach for operation. Alternatively, in one embodiment the system comes with a generic wiring harness for use with the hand and foot control interfaces that require wiring between them and or to a video game system.

In one embodiment the footrest portion is excluded in its entirety to adapt to gaming platforms that do not require controls that would normally be controlled with the user's feet or those that may be incorporated into the hand controller interface. One with skill in the art of device integration will appreciate that the video game controller chair of the present invention may be created or assembled using a controller kit that includes the hand and foot controller carriers and interface units and all of the accompanying attachment hardware, wiring, and stock controller devices without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In another embodiment the video gaming chair of the present invention may be manufactured with the controller hardware and components wholly or partly assembled whereby a user finishes the assembly by attaching the controller interfaces and the desired controller devices before game play. The video game controller interfaces may support wired and wireless communications capability and may be set up to be compatible with any type of video game systems that require the use of hand and or foot operated controller devices, including, but not limited to Wii gaming systems, PlayStation™ gaming systems, and X-Box 360™ gaming systems.

In a preferred embodiment the video game folding chair of the present invention may be efficiently disassembled, collapsed, and stowed when not in use. When the system is collapsed, the components thereof including the hand and foot controller interfaces and carrier bases may be inserted into a case or tote bag for storage or travel.

The hand controller interface and the foot controller interface along with their corresponding carriers may also be collapsible or may otherwise be geometrically reduced in footprint to allow for efficient transport in the same or a separate case or tote bag.

It will be apparent to one with skill in the art that the collapsible video gaming chair system of the invention may be provided using some or all of the mentioned features and components without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It will also be apparent to the skilled artisan that the embodiments described above are specific examples of a single broader invention which may have greater scope than any of the singular descriptions taught. There may be many alterations made in the descriptions without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.