Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE: AN ACCESSORY FOR A VIDEO GAME SYSTEM
Field of the invention
The present invention relates to the field of accessories for video game
systems, and more
particularly to hand accessories for improving a wearer's grip of hand-held
input devices
commonly used with video game systems.
Background
In recent years, video game systems such as XboxTM, GameCubeTM, and
PlayStationTM have
become increasingly popular. Thousands, if not millions, of people all over
the world use these
systems to play video games of all types. The video games, which are stored on
computer readable
media such as CDs or cartridges, range from fighting games, to car racing
games to adventure /
I 5 quest type games.
Video game systems generally include a central processing unit for reading the
video games and
displaying the video game graphics on a television or computer screen. These
video game systems
also include different types of user input devices for enabling a user to
enter signals for playing the
games. Such user input devices include hand controllers, joysticks and
steering wheels, among
others. These user input devices communicate with the central processing unit
via wires, cables,
radio frequency, and/or infrared.
The common thread between each of the user input devices described above is
that they require
the user to hold them and manipulate their buttons, levers, or other input
devices continuously
throughout the duration of the game. People who enjoy playing video games
often end up playing
these games for hours on end, which can result in their hands and/or fingers
getting sweaty and
tired. As such, a deficiency with existing user input devices is that when a
player's hands and
fingers get sweaty and tired, the player has a reduced ability to grip the
user input device and
manipulate the appropriate buttons, levers or other input devices.
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In light of the above, it can be seen that there exists a need in the industry
for an accessory that will
improve a user's ability to grip and/or accurately manipulate the hand-held
user input devices used
to play video games.
Summary
In accordance with a broad aspect, the present invention provides a cap
suitable for being worn
over at least one of a wearer's finger and thumb when playing video games. The
cap comprises a
body portion having an inner surface suitable for facing the wearer's skin
when in use and an outer
surface comprising a front side and a rear side. The front side is suitable
for covering a front
portion of a wearer's finger, and the rear side is suitable for covering a
back portion of a wearer's
finger. The cap further comprises a gripping portion located on the front side
of the outer surface.
The gripping portion is limited to being positioned on the front side of the
outer surface and is
suitable for contacting a user-input device of a video game system.
In accordance with yet another broad aspect, the invention provides a band
suitable for being worn
around a wearer's hand when playing video games. The band comprises a body
portion having an
inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface is suitable for facing
the wearer's skin when
in use, and the outer surface comprises a front side and a rear side. The
front side being suitable
for covering a wearer's palm and the rear side being suitable for covering the
back of the wearer's
hand. The band further comprising a gripping portion located on the front side
of the outer surface.
The gripping portion being limited to the front side of the outer surface and
being suitable for
contracting a user-input device of a video game.
In accordance with yet another broad aspect, the invention provides an article
suitable for being
worn on at least a portion of a wearer's hand when playing video games. The
article comprises a
body portion having an inner surface suitable for facing the wearer's skin
when in use, and an outer
surface. The article further comprises a gripping portion and a decal located
on the outer surface
of the body portion. The gripping surface is suitable for contacting a user-
input device of a video
game system when in use, and at least one decal is associated with a feature
of a video game.
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In accordance with yet another broad aspect, the invention provides a consumer
package
comprising a computer readable storage medium including a program element
suitable for
execution by a computing apparatus for implementing a video game, and an
article suitable for
being worn around at least a portion of a wearer's hand when playing the video
game. The article
includes a body portion having an inner surface and an outer surface. The
inner surface is suitable
for facing the wearer's skin when in use. The article further comprises a
gripping portion located
on the outer surface that is suitable for contacting a user-input device of a
video game system.
These and other aspects and features of the present invention will now become
apparent to those
of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following description of
specific embodiments of the
invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Brief description of the drawings
A detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention is provided
herein below, by
way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of a thumb cap in accordance with a
non-limiting example
of implementation of the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a rear perspective view of the thumb cap of Figure I .
Figure 3 shows a side elevation view of the thumb cap of Figure I;
Figure 4 shows a rear perspective view of the thumb cap of Figure 1 worn on a
user's thumb;
Figure 5 shows a front perspective view of the thumb cap of Figure 1 worn on a
user's thumb;
Figure 6 shows a front perspective view of a thumb cap in accordance with a
second non-limiting
example of implementation of the present invention;
Figure 7 shows a side elevation view of the thumb cap of Figure 6;
Figure 8 illustrates the thumb cap of Figure I in use;
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Figure 9 shows a front perspective view of a hand band in accordance with a
non-limiting example
of implementation of the present invention;
Figure 10 shows a front elevation view of the hand band of Figure 9 worn by a
user;
Figure 11 shows a right side view of the hand band of Figure 9 worn by a user;
Figure 12 shows a rear elevation view of the hand band of Figure 9 worn by a
user;
Figure 13 shows a left side view of the hand band of Figure 9 worn by a user;
and
Figure 14 shows a front elevation view of a hand band in accordance with a
second non-limiting
example of implementation of the present invention.
In the drawings, the embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of
examples. It is to be
expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for the
purpose of illustration and
are an aid for understanding. They are not intended to be a definition of the
limits of the invention.
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Detailed Description
The present invention relates to articles that are suitable for being worn on
at Least a portion of a
wearer's hand in order to improve the wearer's ability to grip and manipulate
hand-held user input
5 devices for video games.
A Fin e~~-r Cap 12
Shown in Figures 1 and 2 is an article 10 in accordance with a first non-
limiting example of
implementation of the present invention. As shown, the article 10 is in the
form of a cap 12 for
I 0 being worn over a wearer's thumb. Although the cap 12 will be described
herein as being suitable
for covering a wearer's thumb, it should be appreciated that a cap 12 that is
suitable for being worn
over a wearer's finger is also included within the scope of the present
invention.
The cap 12 includes a body portion 14 and a gripping portion 16. The body
portion I4 has an inner
surface 18 and an outer surface 20, wherein the inner surface 18 is suitable
for facing, and being
in contact with, the wearer's skin when the cap 12 is being worn. The gripping
portion 16 is
positioned on the outer surface 20 of the cap.
The body portion 14 of the cap 12 further comprises a front side 22 and a rear
side 24. The front
side 22 is suitable for covering the front portion of the wearer's thumb or
finger, and the rear side
24 is suitable for covering the back portion of the wearer's thumb or finger.
As such, the rear side
24 of the cap 12 covers the wearer's fingernail. As shown in Figure 1, the
gripping portion 16 of
the cap 12 is positioned on the front side 22 of the cap 12 such that when the
cap 12 is worn by a
user, the gripping portion 16 is positioned over the part of the wearer's
finger that contacts the
buttons, levers or other user activation element of a user input device. In
accordance with a non-
limiting example of implementation, the gripping portion 16 is limited to
being positioned on the
front side 22 of the cap 12.
In accordance with a non-limiting example of implementation, the body portion
14 of the cap 12
is made of a resilient material such as rubber, silicone, neoprene, plastic or
a blend of these
materials. These materials have a relatively high coefficient of friction, and
thus enable the cap 12
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to stay in place on the wearer's thumb or finger when worn. It should be
appreciated that the body
portion 14 of the cap 12 can be made of other materials known in the art
without departing from
the spirit of the invention. For example, the body portion 14 of the cap 12
can be made of a fabric
material such as spandex, Lycra or a cotton/spandex, cotton/lycra blend. When
the body portion 14
is made of a fabric material, it is desirable that the material has elastic
properties such that it fits
snugly over a wearer's thumb or finger and stays in place. In the case where
the body portion 14
is formed of a fabric material, the shape of the body portion 14 can be formed
by sewing the fabric
into the appropriate form. Alternatively, the shape of the body portion 14 can
be formed by
adhesive, or heat sealing the material together.
In accordance with a non-limiting implementation, the gripping portion 16 is
also made of rubber,
silicone, neoprene, plastic or a combination of these materials. It should be
appreciated, however,
that the gripping portion can be made of any other material known in the art
that provides a good
gripping surface.
The gripping portion 16 can be made of the same material as the body portion
14 of the cap 12 or
alternatively the gripping portion 16 can be made of a different material than
the body portion 14
of the cap 12. In the case where the gripping portion 16 and the body portion
14 are made of the
same material, the cap 12 can be molded as a single integral piece. For
example, both the body
portion 14 and the gripping portion 16 can be molded out of rubber. Methods of
molding articles
such as the cap 12 are known in the art, and as such will not be described in
more detail herein.
Alternatively, in the case where the gripping portion 16 is made of a
different material, the
gripping portion 16 can be applied to the body portion 14 by being printed or
stamped onto the
outer surface 20 of the cap 12. The material of the gripping portion 16 and
the material of the body
portion 14 can be different when it is desirable that the body portion 14 of
the cap 12 and the
gripping portion 16 have different coefficients of friction. For example, it
may be desirable for the
gripping portion 16 to have a higher coefficient of friction than the body
portion 14. In the case
where the body portion 14 is made of a fabric material, the gripping portion
16 is preferably made
of a non-fabric material that is printed onto the body portion 14 of the cap
12.
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As best shown in Figure 3, the gripping portion 16 includes a plurality of
projections 26 that
extend from the outer surface 20 of the cap 12. It should be appreciated that
in the case where the
gripping portion 16 is printed onto the cap 12, the projections 26 may not
extend very far from the
outer surface 20 of the cap 12.
In the non-limiting embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, the cap 12 includes a
plurality of
ventilation apertures 28. As mentioned in the background of the invention,
after a prolonged period
of playing video games, a player's hands and fingers can become sweaty. As
such, it is desirable
that the cap 12 includes ventilation apertures 28 that provide air to the
wearer's fingers, and reduce
any discomfort caused by sweating. These ventilation apertures 28 are
particularly useful in the
case where the body portion 14 of the cap 12 is made of a non-breathable
material, such as rubber.
In the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, only the rear side 24 of the cap
12 includes
ventilation apertures 28. However, it should be appreciated that the
ventilation apertures 28 can
be located anywhere on the cap 12 without departing from the spirit of the
invention. For example,
the ventilation apertures 28 can be included on the front side 22 of the cap
12, on the sides of the
cap 12, or uniformly over the entire surface of the cap 12 in order to provide
a maximum amount
of ventilation. In addition, it should be appreciated that the ventilation
apertures 28 can be of any
shape and size without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For
example, the
ventilation apertures 28 could be star-shaped, triangular-shaped or heart-
shaped, among other
shapes. It should also be appreciated that the cap 12 may not include any
ventilation apertures 28
at all.
In the non-limiting embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, the rear side 24 of
the cap 12 includes
two decorative stripes 30. It should be understood that it is within the scope
of the present
invention for the cap 12 to include any type of decorative markings or decals.
For example, the cap
12 may include decorative markings or decals in the form of patterns, shapes,
text, sport team
logos, images of popular characters from the video games or any other type of
decorative marking
imaginable. In accordance with a non-limiting embodiment, the cap 12 may
include one or more
decals that are associated with a feature of a video game. For example, the
decal may be in the
form of a video game logo or a video game character.
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In addition, it should be appreciated that both the body portion 14 and the
gripping portion 16 can
be of any color possible, or alternatively may be translucent. The color of
the body portion 14 and
the color of the gripping portion 16 may be the same, or alternatively they
may be different.
Although not shown in the Figures, the cap 12 may also include other
decorative items or decals
such as wings or fins that extend from the rear surface 24 of the cap 12.
These components
therefore add additional decoration to the cap 12 while avoiding interfering
with the gripping
portion 16 on the front side 22 of the cap 12. It is also possible for the
outer surface 20 of the cap
12 to include different textured surface finishes. For example, the outer
surface 20 of the cap 12
may be molded such that its surface finish is in the form of fish scales,
wings, feathers or waves,
for example. These fish scales, wings or feathers can be made to Iook like a
plane or a bird,
protruding from the sides or top like a fin.
Shown in Figures 4 and 5 is the cap 12 being worn by a user. As shown, the cap
12 is of a length
(L)that is sufficient to cover at least up to the first knuckle of the thumb.
In the non-limiting embodiment shown in Figures 1 and S, the gripping portion
16 of the cap 12
is in the shape of a fingerprint. More specifically, the projections 26 of the
gripping portion 16 are
shaped and arranged so as to form an image of a fingerprint. It should be
appreciated that the
gripping portion I 6 of the cap 12 can be of any shape and size, and can be
arranged in any pattern
or image, without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the
gripping portion 16
may simply include a single circular projection 26 made of a material that has
a relatively high
coefficient of friction. Such a projection can be printed onto the outer
surface 20 of the cap.
Shown in Figures 6 and 7 is a cap 34 in accordance with an alternative example
of implementation
of the present invention. The cap 34 includes a body portion 35 and a gripping
portion 36. The
projections 38 of the gripping portion 36 are in the form of circular bumps
that are arranged in a
grid like pattern. These projections 38 can be made of the same material as
the body portion 35,
such that the gripping portion 36 is simply a portion of the body portion 35
that is of a different
texture.
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Therefore, it should be appreciated that so long as the gripping portion of
the cap provides a
surface that is suitable for enhancing a wearer's grip of a hand held user
input device, the
projections can be of any shape, size, pattern or image, without departing
from the spirit of the
invention.
Shown in Figure 8 is the cap 12 positioned over a user input device 42 that is
suitable for use in
playing video games. Although not visible, the gripping portion 16 of the cap
12 is positioned such
that it contacts the buttons 40 of the user-input device 42 for enhancing the
user's ability to grip
and manipulate the buttons 40.
A Hand Band 52
Shown in Figure 9 is an article 50 in accordance with a second non-limiting
example of
implementation of the present invention. The article 50 is in the form of a
band 52 for being worn
around a wearer's hand, and specifically, around a wearer's palm.
The band 52 includes a body portion 54 and a gripping portion 56. The body
portion 54 has an
inner surface 58 and an outer surface 60. When the band 52 is worn, the inner
surface 58 faces, and
is in contact with, the wearer's skin.
The body portion 54 of the band 52 can be made of a variety of different
materials without
departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, in accordance with a
non-limiting example
of implementation, the body portion 54 is made of a fabric material such as
spandex, Lycra, cotton,
wool or a blend of these materials. In the case where the body portion 54 is
formed of a fabric
material, the shape of the body portion 54 can be formed by sewing the fabric
into the appropriate
form. Alternatively, the shape of the body portion 54 can be formed by using
adhesive, or heat
sealing the material together.
It should be appreciated that the band 52 can also be made of other materials,
both synthetic and
non-synthetic, as well. It is desirable that the material from which the band
52 is made has some
elastic properties such that it can easily be put on and removed from a
wearer's hand. In
CA 02510124 2005-06-17
accordance with a further non-limiting example of implementation, the band 52
can be made of
a material such as rubber, silicone, neoprene or plastic. In the case where
the band 52 is formed
of a non-fabric material, the shape of the body portion 54 can be formed via
molding.
5 The band 52 comprises a thumb aperture 57. As shown in Figures 10 through
13, the thumb
aperture 57 is adapted for receiving a wearer's thumb. When worn, the thumb
aperture 57 causes
the band 52 to remain in place, and be properly positioned across the central
region of the wearer's
palm. In a non-limiting embodiment, the thumb aperture 57 includes stitching
around the
circumference of the aperture 57. In an alternative embodiment not shown in
the Figures, the band
10 52 can be made without a thumb aperture. In such an embodiment, the band 52
could simply
stretch over the area between the thumb and the index finger.
Shown in Figures 10 through 13 is the band 52 being worn by a user. As shown,
the band 52
includes a front side 62, a rear side 64, a thumb side 66 and a pinky side 68.
The front side 62
covers at least a portion of the wearer's palm, and the rear side 64 covers at
least a portion of the
back of the wearer's hand. The thumb aperture 57 is located on the thumb side
66.
In the non-limiting embodiment shown in Figure 12, the thumb side 66 of the
band 52 further
includes decorative stripes 71. It should be understood that it is within the
scope of the present
invention for the band 52 to include any kind of decorative markings or
decals. For example, the
band 52 can include decorative markings in the form of patterns, shapes, text,
sport team logos or
images of popular characters from video games, among others. In addition, it
should be appreciated
that the decorative markings or decals can be positioned at any location on
the body portion 54 of
the band 52. In accordance with a non-limiting embodiment, the band 52 may
include one or more
decals that are associated with a feature of a video game. For example, the
decal may be in the
form of a video game logo or a video game character.
In the non-limiting embodiment shown in Figure 10, the gripping portion 56
includes five gripping
regions 59a, 59b, 59c, 59d and 59e that are positioned in the corners and
center of the front side
62 of the band 52. The band 52 is suitable for being worn when a wearer is
using a user input
device such as a joystick or a steering wheel, wherein the user's hand is
wrapped around the user-
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input device. In such cases, the gripping regions 59a, 59b, 59c, 59d and 59e
contact the user-input
device and therefore improve the wearer's grip.
As best shown in Figures 10 and 13, each of the gripping regions 59a, 59b,
59c, 59d and 59e of
the gripping portion 56 includes a plurality of projections 70 that extend
from the outer surface 60
of the front side 62. In accordance with a non-limiting example of
implementation, the projections
70 are made of rubber, silicone, neoprene, plastic, silkscreen, or a
combination of these materials.
It should be appreciated, however, that any other material known in the art
that would provide a
good gripping surface is also included within the scope of the present
invention.
The projections 70 can be formed integrally with the band 52, or
alternatively, the projections 70
can be printed onto the material of the band 52. It should be appreciated that
in the case where the
gripping portion 56 is printed onto the band 52, the projections 70 will not
extend very far from
the outer surface 62 of the band 52. In addition, in the case where the
projections 70 are printed
onto the outer surface 60 of the band 52, the projections 70 are made of a
different material than
the body portion 54 of the band 52. As such, the material of the gripping
portion 56 will have a
different coefficient of friction than the material of the band 52. When in
the band 52 is made of
a fabric material, the gripping portion 56 is preferably made of a non-fabric
material that is printed
onto the body portion 54 of the band 52.
Although not shown in the Figures, in the case where the band 52 is made of a
non-breathable
material, such as rubber or plastic, the band 52 can include one or more
ventilation apertures in
order to prevent the wearer's hand from becoming sweaty. The ventilation
apertures can be
positioned at any location along the body portion 54 of the band 52, and can
be of any shape or
size.
In addition, it should be appreciated that both the body portion 54 and the
gripping portion 56 of
the band 52 can be of any color possible, or can be translucent. The color of
the body portion 54
and the color of the gripping portion 56 may be the same, or alternatively
they may be different.
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In the non-limiting embodiment shown in Figures 10 and 13, the projections 70
are in the shape
of parallel lines. It should be appreciated that the gripping portion 56 can
include projections 70
of any shape and size, and arranged in any manner, without departing from the
spirit of the
invention. For example, the text "Get A Grip" in the center of the band 52
also forms part of the
gripping portion 56. In addition, the gripping portion may not be divided into
five separate regions
59a, 59b, 59c,59d and 59e but instead may be only one continuous portion. For
example, the
gripping portion 56 may include parallel lines that span across the entire
length of the front side
62 of the band 52.
Shown in Figure 14 is a band 72 in accordance with an alternative example of
implementation that
includes a body portion 73 and a gripping portion 74 that includes two
gripping regions 76a and
76b. Each of the gripping regions 76a and 76b includes projections 78 in the
form of bumps that
are arranged in lines across the entire length of the front side 80 of the
band 72.
As mentioned above, so long as the projections of the gripping portion provide
a surface that is
suitable for enhancing a wearer's grip of a hand held user input device when
the user's hand is
wrapped around the user-input device, the projections can be of any shape and
size, and arranged
in any pattern or image, without departing from the spirit of the present
invention.
Preferably, the cap 12 and/or the band 52 described above are sold separately.
The cap 12 and/or
band 52 can be packaged individually, and sold in department stores, or
electronic stores in
proximity to the location where video games, or video game systems are sold.
In this manner, when
a consumer goes to a store to buy a video game, they will see the individually
packaged cap 12 or
the individually packaged band 52.
In an alternative embodiment, the cap 12 and/or the band 52 can be packaged
together with a
computer readable storage medium, such as a CD or a video cartridge that
stores the video game.
As such, the video game can be sold together with one or both of the cap 12
and the band 52. In
the case where a cap 12 or a band 52 is sold together with a video game, the
cap 12 or band 52 may
be decorated with decals associated with that video game.
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The above description of the embodiments should not be interpreted in a
limiting manner since
other variations, modifications and refinements are possible within the spirit
and scope of the
present invention. The scope of the invention is defined in the appended
claims and their
equivalents.
