Multi-function controller mount

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11619343-B2
Application number	US-202117177344-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 17, 2021
Priority date	Jun 23, 2020
Publication date	Apr 4, 2023
Grant date	Apr 4, 2023

Abstract

A multi-function controller mount is configured or adapted for use with a game controller and an electronic device. The mount includes a controller receiver for removably attaching to the game controller. The mount also includes an arm having a first end pivotably attached to the controller receiver at a first pivot axis. The mount also includes a device tray that is pivotably attached to a second end of the arm at a second pivot axis. The device tray is configured for holding the smartphone at an adjustable height and viewing angle. The height and the viewing angle are adjustable through movement or the arm at the first pivot axis and movement of the device tray at the second pivot axis. The mount also includes a lock feature attached to the arm for selectively preventing movement of the arm relative to the controller receiver.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A game controller adapter for use with a game controller and a display device, the game controller adapter comprising:
a controller receiver configured to be removably attached to the game controller, wherein controls of the game controller remain accessible and usable when the game controller is removably attached to the controller receiver;
an arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the arm is pivotably attached to the controller receiver with a first pivot mechanism at a first pivot axis, wherein the first pivot mechanism includes:
one or more conical hubs attached to one of the arm and the controller receiver; and
one or more hub receivers attached to the other of the arm and the controller receiver, wherein each of the one or more hub receivers is configured to receive a respective one of the one or more conical hubs, and wherein the one or more conical hubs are configured to rotate relative to the one or more hub receivers about the first pivot axis;

a device tray pivotably attached to the second end of the arm at a second pivot axis, wherein the device tray is configured for receiving and holding the display device at an adjustable height and an adjustable viewing angle relative to the controller receiver, wherein the height and the viewing angle are adjustable through movement of the arm at the first pivot axis and movement of the device tray at the second pivot axis, and wherein the device tray includes two or more movable device arms configured for removably retaining the display device on the device tray; and
a locking mechanism attached to the arm, the locking mechanism having a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to prevent movement of the arm relative to the controller receiver at the first pivot axis when the locking mechanism is in the locked position, and wherein the locking mechanism is configured to permit movement of the arm relative to the controller receiver at the first pivot axis when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked position.

2. The game controller adapter of claim 1 wherein the arm and the device tray are removable from the controller receiver such that the arm and the device tray are jointly usable as an adjustable stand for the display device separate from the controller receiver when the arm and the device tray are placed on a substantially horizontal surface.

3. The game controller adapter of claim 1 wherein the display device is one of a smartphone and a tablet computer.

4. The game controller adapter of claim 1 wherein the controller receiver includes an adjustable feature configured for receiving the game controller and also configured for alternately receiving a second game controller having a different size than the game controller.

5. The game controller adapter of claim 1 wherein each of the one or more conical hubs includes a plurality of splines which mate with the one or more hub receivers, respectively, to hold the arm at one of a plurality of defined angles relative to the controller receiver.

6. The game controller adapter of claim 5 wherein the one or more conical hubs is two conical hubs and the one or more hub receivers is two hub receivers, wherein each of the two conical hubs is attached to a respective flexible arm extension extending from the arm.

7. The game controller adapter of claim 6 wherein the flexible arm extensions are configured to flex toward each other when external force is applied to disengage each conical hub from the respective hub receiver.

8. The game controller adapter of claim 7 wherein the locking mechanism prevents the flexible arm extensions from flexing toward each other when the locking mechanism is in the locked position thereby maintaining each conical hub engaged with the respective hub receiver when the locking mechanism is in the locked position.

9. A multi-function controller mount for use with a game controller and a smartphone, the multi-function controller mount comprising:
a controller receiver adapted to be removably attached to the game controller, wherein controls of the game controller remain accessible and usable when the controller receiver is removably attached to the game controller;
an arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the arm is pivotably attached to the controller receiver at a first pivot axis which includes one or more conical hubs attached to one of the arm and the controller receiver, wherein one or more hub receivers are attached to the other of the arm and the controller receiver, wherein each of the one or more hub receivers is adapted to receive a respective one of the one or more conical hubs, and wherein the one or more conical hubs are adapted to rotate relative to the one or more hub receivers about the first pivot axis;
a device mount pivotably attached to the second end of the arm at a second pivot axis, wherein the device mount is adapted for holding the smartphone at an adjustable position relative to the controller receiver, wherein the adjustable position is adjustable through movement of the arm at the first pivot axis and movement of the device mount at the second pivot axis; and
a lock lever attached to the arm, the lock lever having a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the lock lever is adapted to prevent movement of the arm relative to the controller receiver at the first pivot axis when the lock lever is in the locked position, and wherein the lock lever is adapted to permit movement of the arm relative to the controller receiver at the first pivot axis when the lock lever is in the unlocked position.

10. The multi-function controller mount of claim 9 wherein the device mount includes two or more movable device arms adapted for removably retaining the smartphone on a surface of the device mount.

11. The multi-function controller mount of claim 9 wherein the device mount includes a magnet adapted for removably magnetically retaining the smartphone on the device mount.

12. The multi-function controller mount of claim 9 wherein the device mount includes a magnet adapted for removably magnetically retaining a protective case for the smartphone on the device mount.

13. The multi-function controller mount of claim 9 wherein the second pivot axis comprises a friction hinge.

14. The multi-function controller mount of claim 9 wherein each of the one or more conical hubs includes a plurality of splines which mate with the one or more hub receivers, respectively, to hold the arm at a selected one of a plurality of defined angles relative to the controller receiver.

15. The multi-function controller mount of claim 14 wherein the one or more conical hubs is two conical hubs and the one or more hub receivers is two hub receivers, wherein each conical hub is attached to a flexible arm extension extending from the arm.

16. The multi-function controller mount of claim 15 wherein the flexible arm extensions are adapted to flex toward each other when external force is applied to the flexible arm extensions to disengage each conical hub from the respective hub receiver, and wherein the lock lever is adapted to prevent the flexible arm extensions from flexing toward each other when the lock lever is in the locked position thereby maintaining each conical hub engaged with the respective hub receiver when the lock lever is in the locked position.

17. The multi-function controller mount of claim 9 wherein the arm and the device mount are removable from the controller receiver such that the arm and the device mount are also

Assignees

• Otter Products Llc

Inventors

• Eichinger Todd
• Smith W Travis
• Barfoot Grady E
• Guerdrum Jonathan H
• Havens Adam J

Classifications

• A63F13/92 Primary

  Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing · CPC title

• A63F13/98

  Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers · CPC title

• F16M11/10

  around a horizontal axis {(F16M11/12 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• F16M11/38 Primary

  by folding {, e.g. pivoting or scissors tong mechanisms} · CPC title

• F16M13/00

  Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles (heads thereof F16M11/02 {; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20} ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 {; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22}); Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles {(supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025)} · CPC title