U.S. patent number RE39,409 [Application Number 10/454,971] was granted by the patent office on 2006-11-28 for remote control with ventilation holes.
Invention is credited to Aaron B. Sternberg, Noah T. Ullman.
United States Patent |
RE39,409 |
Sternberg , et al. |
November 28, 2006 |
Remote control with ventilation holes
Abstract
A controller for manipulating icons on a video display is
provided to reduce or substantially eliminate perspiration on the
user's hands during extended use. The controller includes a housing
with finger operated buttons that control the video game. The
housing includes ventilation holes to allow air to circulate
through the controller and between the housing and the user's
hands. The housing encloses electronic components that are
contained in a protective package that can be removed from the
housing so that it can be easily and thoroughly cleaned. The
ventilation holes may be located over the entire housing or may be
located only at locations on the housing that are intended to be
grasped by the user.
Inventors: |
Sternberg; Aaron B. (Vancouver,
WA), Ullman; Noah T. (Redmond, WA) |
Family
ID: |
22203113 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/454,971 |
Filed: |
June 5, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
60087100 |
May 28, 1998 |
|
|
|
Reissue of: |
09322802 |
May 27, 1999 |
06241247 |
Jun 5, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
273/148B |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F
13/98 (20140902); H01H 9/0242 (20130101); G06F
3/039 (20130101); G06F 3/033 (20130101); A63F
13/06 (20130101); A63F 2300/1043 (20130101); H01H
2229/062 (20130101); H01H 2239/034 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63B
71/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;273/148B ;473/550
;463/46,47,36,37,38 ;D14/454 ;D21/333 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Chiu; Raleigh W.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Stoel Rives LLP
Parent Case Text
This application claims benefit of Provisional Application
60/087,100, filed May 28, 1998.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A hand-held remote control device for controlling images on a
video screen, comprising: a housing containing electronic
components for controlling the images on the video screen, the
housing having first and second sections that are separable to
provide access to the electronic components, .Iadd.at least one of
the first and second sections having ventilation holes to promote
air flow, and .Iaddend.the first and second sections .[.having.].
.Iadd.when assembled defining .Iaddend.an outer surface for
gripping and an inner surface adjacent the electronic components
.[.and ventilation holes to promote air flow,.]. .Iadd.;
.Iaddend.and a membrane material located on the inner surface of
the first and second sections between the inner surface of the
first and second sections and the electronic components to prevent
dirt and other build-up due to use from passing through the
ventilation holes to the electronic components.
2. The hand-held device of claim 1 wherein the membrane material
allows air to flow through the housing and ventilation holes.
3. The hand-held device of claim 1 wherein the membrane material is
removable for cleaning.
4. A hand-held remote control device for controlling images on a
video screen, comprising: a housing containing electronic
components and control elements for controlling the images on the
video screen, a detachable handle having ventilation holes to
permit air flow, and a device within the housing to promote air
flow through the handle.
5. The hand-held device of claim 4 wherein the device to promote
air flow through the handle is a fan located within the
housing.
.Iadd.6. A hand-held remote control device for controlling images
on a video screen, comprising: a housing containing electronic
components for controlling the images on the video screen, the
housing including first and second sections that are separable to
provide access to the electronic components, and the housing
including ventilation holes that are placed at locations intended
to be grasped by a user during operation of the device; and a
device positioned within the housing to produce air flow that, in
cooperation with the ventilation holes, enables air circulation
through the housing..Iaddend.
.Iadd.7. The hand-held device of claim 6 wherein the device to
produce air flow includes a fan..Iaddend.
.Iadd.8. The hand-held device of claim 6 wherein the electronic
components include action buttons..Iaddend.
.Iadd.9. The hand-held device of claim 8 wherein the electronic
components are included as part of a computer mouse..Iaddend.
.Iadd.10. The hand-held device of claim 9 wherein the device to
produce air flow includes a fan..Iaddend.
.Iadd.11. The hand-held device of claim 8 wherein the electronic
components control a video game..Iaddend.
.Iadd.12. The hand-held device of claim 11 wherein the device to
produce air flow includes a fan..Iaddend.
.Iadd.13. The hand-held device of claim 6 wherein the housing
comprises handle portions that include locations where the
ventilation holes are placed..Iaddend.
.Iadd.14. The hand-held device of claim 6 wherein the housing
comprises removable handle portions that include locations where
the ventilation holes are placed..Iaddend.
.Iadd.15. The hand-held device of claim 6 wherein the electronic
components are included as part of a computer mouse..Iaddend.
.Iadd.16. The hand-held device of claim 6 wherein the electronic
components control a video game..Iaddend.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention is directed to hand-held controllers such as
controllers used to manipulate icons on a video screen and, more
particularly to a controller that is ventilated to keep a user's
hand dry and prevent perspiration.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are many types of hand-held controllers for electronic video
games and portable electronic games. For example, one type of
remote control is one which includes a housing with finger controls
and is generally connected to a television or video screen by a
cable. The housing is typically rectangular or square and is held
so that the control buttons are within easy reach of the user's
fingers and/or thumbs. Some remote controls may include handles or
trigger grips. Most of the current controllers are usually made of
hard plastic and may have a smooth surface. Alternatively, they may
have a textured surface to enhance the gripping. Examples of such
controllers can be seen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,645,277, 5,046,739,
Des. Pat. No. 362,692, Des. Pat. No. 342,762, and Des. Pat. No.
335,150.
However, users often hold the controllers for extended periods of
time causing the hands to perspire. Perspiration may reduce the
user's grip and may cause the controller to slip. Additionally,
perspiration may simply create an uncomfortable feel for the user,
promotes dirt build-up and contributes to the overall uncleanliness
of the controller. Some controllers have attempted to overcome this
problem by providing an absorbent material to wrap around or cover
the controller. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,458 discloses such
a cover for an electronic game controller. The cover is attached to
the controller by a hook and loop fasteners. However, while this
cover may be effective for absorbing perspiration it does nothing
to prevent the hands from perspiring.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a controller that substantially
eliminates the above-described problems by reducing or preventing
perspiration build-up. The remote controller includes a housing
with finger operated buttons that transmit signals to a video
screen. This may be accomplished by wireless transmissions or
through a cable. The controller may also be in the form of a
computer mouse or a controller typically used with video games. The
controller may further be in the form of a joy stick. In order to
reduce perspiration build-up, the remote controller of the present
invention includes ventilation holes to allow air to circulate
through the housing. The ventilation holes may be located over the
entire surface of the housing so that no matter where the user
holds the housing the ventilation holes will be adjacent the users'
hands. The housing encloses electronic components that are
contained in a protective package that can be removed from the
housing so that it can be easily and thoroughly cleaned.
Alternatively, the ventilation holes may be located only at
locations on the housing that are intended to be grasped by the
user.
In another embodiment, the controller includes detachable handles
that the user grips during use. The detachable handles include
ventilation holes to allow air circulation as described above. The
controller is preferably interchangeable will various detachable
handles having ventilation holes that can be used for special
marketing or handles of various sizes that can be adapted to the
user's hand. For example, handles adapted for standard adult-sized
hands may be attached to the controller housing for use by adults
or teenagers. For smaller children, smaller handles adapted for
standard child-sized hands may be attached to the controller
housing. The detachable handle includes a portion that fits over or
covers a part of the controller housing, such as a bottom portion.
The detachable handle can be attached to the controller housing by
any number of ways, including a snap-on attachment, friction fit or
screws. This type of handle is especially adapted for controllers
that have control buttons on a side of the housing facing away from
the user. With this type of remote controller housing the user will
typically hold the handles and wrap his or her hand around the
remote controller housing to reach the control buttons. Thus, the
detachable handles prevent perspiration build-up by providing air
flow between the remote controller housing and the user's hand. In
order to ensure adequate air flow a fan may be provided within the
handle or cover portion. The fan may be connected to a power source
within the controller housing.
Another aspect of the invention is that a membrane material may be
located at an inner surface of the controller housing or the handle
and cover portion to protect the electronic component package from
dirt and other contaminants.
Additional objects and advantages of this invention will be
apparent from the following detailed description of preferred
embodiments thereof which proceeds with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the controller of the present
invention.
FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the controller
opened.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
invention.
FIG. 4 is a side view of the controller of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the controller of FIG.
3.
.Iadd.FIGS. 6 and 7 are respective top plan and side elevation
views of a controller in the form of a mouse..Iaddend.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A controller 10 for manipulating an icon on a video screen is shown
in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprising a housing 12 with control buttons 14.
The user manipulates the control buttons 14 which act through
electronic components 16 to send signals through a cable 18 to a
video screen (not shown). The controller may also be in the form of
a computer mouse. Furthermore, although the controller 10 is shown
with cable 18 the controller may be a wireless type of controller
or a joy stick. The user may hold the controller 10 in any
convenient manner so that the control buttons 14 are easily
accessible. The housing 12 includes ventilation holes 20 over the
entire surface to allow air to circulate through the housing 12 and
between the user's hands and the housing 12.
The housing 12 is preferably made of a durable plastic and is
separable into plural sections. The controller 10 as shown has a
top section 22 and a bottom section 24 that are separable. The top
and bottom sections 22 and 24 have tabs 26 that allow the top and
bottom sections 22 and 24 to snap together and easily unsnap to
separate. The top and bottom sections 22 and 24 have a notch 28 for
accommodating the cable 18. The top section 22 includes openings or
cutouts 30 for the control buttons 14 that extend above the surface
of the top section 22 when the top and bottom sections 22 and 24
are connected. If desired, the top and bottom sections 22 and 24
can be further held together by a clip 32. The controller 10 may be
separable in various ways and may be separable into more than two
sections.
Therefore, the ventilation holes 20 prevent the user's hands from
perspiring during extended use by promoting air flow between the
user's hands and the housing 12. Over time the controller 10 may
become dirt due to, for example, dirt or food residue. At this time
the housing 12 may be disassemble and the electronic components 16
removed so that the housing sections can be washed and thoroughly
cleaned. After cleaning, the electronic components 16 can be
replaced in the housing 12 which is then re-assembled so that the
controller 10 is ready for use.
The controller housing 12 is shown as being rectangular but it is
contemplated that it could be in a variety of shapes. Furthermore,
the ventilation holes 20 are shown as being located over the
entirety of the housing 12. However, the ventilation holes 20 could
be located only at areas intended to be held by the user. For
example, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the ventilation
holes 20 may be located only at the left and right sides of the
housing 12 since that is the most likely place the user will hold
the housing 12. Additionally, the electronic components 16 are
shown as being enclosed within a protective covering 34 such as
plastic. If desired, the electronic components 16 can be further
protected by a membrane material placed on the inside surfaces of
the housing 12. This material allows air flow and is removable so
that it can be cleaned.
FIGS. 3-5 show another embodiment of the invention in which the
controller is composed of a housing 36 and a detachable handle
section 38. The housing 36 includes control buttons 40 on the top
surface and may include similar buttons on a back side of the
housing 36. A cable 42 connects the housing 36 electronically to a
video screen (not shown) in a manner similar to that described
above. The handle section 38 has a cavity 44 within which the
housing 36 is placed. The housing 36 includes tabs 46 that
cooperate with tabs 48 of the handle section 38 to allow the
housing 36 to be connected to the handle section 38 through a snap
fit. The handle section 38 has ventilation holes 50 over its
surface to promote air flow between the user's hands and the handle
section 38 as described above to prevent perspiration build-up
during extended use. The housing 36 may include a fan 52 connected
to a power source within the housing 36 to promote air flow. If the
handle section 38 becomes dirty from use the housing 36 can be
unsnapped from the handle section 38 so that it can be cleaned.
It will be obvious to those having skill in the art that many
changes may be made to the details of the above-described
embodiment of this invention without departing from the underlying
principles thereof. .Iadd.For example, FIGS. 6 and 7 show a
controller 10 in the form of a mouse, in which component parts
corresponding to those of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 are
identified by identical reference numerals. .Iaddend.The scope of
the present invention should, therefore, be determined only by the
following claims.
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