U.S. Pat. No. 9,583,955

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a game controller charging device according to an aspect of the invention. The device, generally referenced100, includes a main body portion110which includes a top game controller support surface112and a bottom console-engaging support structure114for engaging a surface of a game console (not shown inFIG. 1) and supporting the charging device100thereon. Bottom console-engaging support structure114, according to this aspect of the invention, may be a flat bottom surface of the main body portion110—the underside of the main body portion110shown inFIG. 1. A pair of game controller power connectors140A and140B are disposed in respective recesses150A and150B, formed in the top game controller support surface112. Game controller power connectors140A and140B may include mini-USB connectors142A and142B, which are in electrical communication with internal conducting elements to convey power and information from a gaming console in a manner that will be further described herein.

An extension arm120extends from the main body portion and may include a second console engaging support structure122for engaging a surface of a gaming console and supporting the charging device100thereon. A game console power connector130, which may be a male USB connector, extends from the extension arm120such that, when the charging device is installed on the game console, the power connector130A fits within a correspondingly-shaped connector, i.e., a female USB connector, on the game console, providing power, information and further structural support to the charging device100.

Referring additionally toFIG. 2, which is an exploded view showing the internal components of the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 1, main body110may generally comprise two sections, a top section113and bottom section115, which may be injection molded plastic elements secured together in a known manner, such as by adhesive or screw fasteners (not shown). Bottom section115includes a console-engaging support structure114, which may be a generally planar wall formed as part of the bottom section115, the underside of which engages the game console surface. Bottom section115may also include an extension arm bottom portion comprising the extension arm console engaging support structure122for engaging a second surface on the game console to support the charging device. Housed within the main body110(FIG. 1) may be a printed circuit board117having conductor paths (not shown) that communicate electronically with extension cables118A and118B, (i.e., forming a dongle connector) which in turn communicate with mini-USB connectors140A and140B, in a manner that will be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. Printed circuit board117is also in electronic communication, through a suitable cable or conductive path (not shown) with USB connectors130A and130B. USB connectors130A and130may be secured within a mounting plate132, which is fastened to the main body bottom section115.

FIG. 5is a perspective view showing the charging device of Figured1and2installed on a game console500. A top surface502of the game console500is engaged by the console-engaging support structure—the bottom surface114(FIGS. 1 and 2) of main body110. A second surface504of the game console500is engaged by the second console-engaging support structure—the bottom surface122(FIGS. 1 and 2) of extension arm120. A pair of game controllers,401A and401B are shown supported on the top surface of the charging device100in a charging position. As will be recognized, the charging device100forms a compact, integrated pairing with the game console500, without the obtrusive cables and wires of prior art devices. Moreover, the charging device100enables the game controllers to be conveniently and compactly mounted for charging in a position that is immediately proximate to the game console itself.

FIG. 3is a perspective view of a charging device300according to another aspect of the invention. This exemplary embodiment provides fastening devices for engaging the game console—console-engaging support structure—in the form of suction devices370A and370B on an underside of the charging device300. A main body310may comprise two cooperating assemblies: a lower fastening base assembly330and an upper cradle assembly340. An extension arm320extends from the main body310.

Referring additionally toFIG. 4, which is an exploded perspective view showing the internal components of the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 3, the two cooperating assemblies are referenced by brackets330and340. Base assembly330may include a lower suction device mounting plate332for securing suction devices370A and370B thereon. To avoid unnecessary duplicity herein, only the details of suction device370A (FIG. 3) will be described, with those of ordinary skill in the art understanding that suction device370B will have like structure. The structure of suction device370A may include actuating arm372A having cam surface374A for effecting a vacuum within suction cups376A. Suction device370A may further include a hole373A formed in a stem portion of suction cup376A and adapted to receive a bushing371A and retainer pin370A, which also extends through holes in the actuating arm372A. Suction device mounting plate332may include a retaining collar334A as well as a conical recess336A formed therein. When the suction devices are assembled, the suction cup stem extends into the collar334A and retainer pin373A is inserted first into the right side of actuator372A, then through hole in collar338A, then bushing371A which resides inside stem hole373A. Pin370further extends through the opposite side of collar338A and then through the hole in the left side of actuator372A, thereby retaining the suction cup376A within the mounting plate332and providing for pivoting movement of actuator372A. In operation, cam surface374A cooperates with an annular shoulder338A such that when actuating arm372A is pivoted (counterclockwise inFIG. 4), suction cup376A is pulled upward into conical recess336A, thereby creating a vacuum within suction cup376A, which engages a surface on the game console. Base assembly330also includes a top cover360, including respective recesses362A and362B formed therein for permitting a user to access the actuating arms372A and372B of suction devices. Top cover360and fastening device mounting plate332also include extension arm top portion322and extension arm bottom portion324, respectively, which form extension arm320(FIG. 3) when assembled.

FIG. 6illustrates a side view of the base assembly330and cradle assembly340assembled together and showing the position of fastening devices (suction cups376A and376B) for engaging a surface of a game console.

Referring again toFIG. 4, according to a further aspect of the invention, base assembly top cover360includes an interlocking structure in the form of a pair of retaining ridges364formed thereon for cooperating with complimentarily-shaped structure on the upper cradle assembly340such that the cradle assembly340may be installed on and removed from the base330with a sliding motion, as will be described further below. Upper cradle assembly340further includes a top cradle member380with cradle or docking recesses382A and382B formed therein for supporting respective game controllers. Upper cradle assembly340also includes a cradle assembly bottom plate390, the underside of which is provided with the cooperating structure for retaining ridges364. Conductive elements392A and392B are secured to the bottom plate390and include conductors394A and394B which protrude through corresponding recesses formed in the top cradle member380to engage and provide power and information connections to the game controllers supported in the docking recesses382A and382B.

FIG. 7illustrates an assembly operation for a charging device described above relative toFIGS. 3 and 4. Base assembly330is illustrated with suction device actuating arms372A and372B in a generally vertical position in which suction devices are in a disengaged position and the base assembly330is disengaged from a game console. Upper cradle assembly340is illustrated in a removed position from engagement of the interlocking ridge364of the base assembly330.

FIG. 8illustrates an installation operation for the exemplary embodiment described above with regard toFIGS. 3 and 4. In this illustration, the base assembly330has been secured to a top surface of game console800by actuation of the fastening devices370A and370B (only device370A is shown inFIG. 8). Upper cradle assembly340is shown in an intermediate position towards installation, having been slid in direction of arrow A, towards a fully installed position, with the interlocking ridge364(FIG. 4) of the base330retaining the upper cradle assembly thereon.FIG. 9illustrates the charging device exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 3 and 4in a fully installed position and supporting two game controllers in a charging position.

FIG. 10illustrates an alternative exemplary embodiment to that illustrated and described with regard toFIGS. 1 and 2, in which the mini-USB connectors140A and140B are integral with the main body112instead of being provided with extension cables (i.e., dongles)118A and118B (FIG. 2).

It should be understood that implementation of other variations and modifications of the invention in its various aspects may be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and that the invention is not limited by the specific embodiments described herein. It is therefore contemplated to cover, by the present invention any and all modifications, variations or equivalents that fall within the spirit and scope of the basic underlying principles disclosed and claimed herein.

As an example, although the invention is described with regard to charging game controllers, the invention also contemplates charging devices for directly charging batteries to be used in controllers or otherwise, rather than charging only controllers. Moreover, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the orientation of the controllers and/or battery packs to be charged by charging devices according to the invention may be different than the specifically disclosed exemplary embodiments. That is, charging devices according to the invention may support controllers or battery packs in vertical or horizontal orientation and in positions that are elevated or resting upon the charging device structure.

Further, the invention is not limited to devices in which the structure for conveying power from the game console or separate power supply to the game controllers or batteries being charged involves plugs, wires or contact couplings, but also contemplates inductive or wireless couplings to communicate energy to the controllers or batteries to be charged.