VIDEO DISPLAY UNIT FOR VIDEO GAME CONSOLE
A portable video display unit is adapted for use with variously configured electronic video-processing devices, such as video game consoles. The video display unit includes a base member adapted for removably attaching the video display unit to the electronic video processing device. The base member includes a locking device to securely affix the video display to the game console and permit portability while attached. The locking device includes interchangeable brackets to accommodate varied dimensions/configurations of a specific console. The locking device also provides a surface mirroring a portion of the console to which it attaches the console to permit attachment of add on accessories to the display that would otherwise attached to the console itself.
This application is a continuation in part application of U.S. Ser. No. 10/237,054 filed on Sep. 9, 2002, Ser. No. 10/600,566 filed on Jun. 23, 2003 and Ser. No. 29/271,593 filed on Jan. 23, 2007 and are each hereby incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to consumer electronics, and more particularly to a detachable, compact screen apparatus for a video game console and mechanism for connecting to the gaming console having various configurations.
2. Description of the Prior Art
various electronic video-processing devices, and particularly dedicated video game consoles, etc., are becoming more and more popular. Usually, they include a box-shaped casing provided with a plurality of female plugs for interconnecting to two or more respective control units, a TV monitor and a power adapter. Typically, larger sophisticated electronic video-processing devices are sold separately, without a dedicated display screen, and are adapted to work with conventional TV monitors. Therefore, when children without a TV in their rooms are playing video games or using the video player, they are tying up family TV monitors, precluding other household members from watching regular TV shows. Furthermore, many dedicated platforms are configurable providing for attachment accessories such as hard drives and wireless connectivity interfaces. These attachment accessories often change the configuration/dimensions of the dedicated console making the attachment of a display screen difficult or impractical.
Thus, there is a need for a compact, portable video screen unit adapted to be used with the electronic video-processing devices, in particular with dedicated video game consoles, such as Microsoft™ X-BOX 360 and provide ability to change various physical connection configurations to accommodate different dimensions due to changes in a particular platform due to accessory attachments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a novel, portable video display unit for various electronic video-processing devices, especially for the dedicated video game console.
In accordance with the present invention, the portable video screen unit is specifically adapted to be used with the X-Box. 360 console manufactured by Microsoft Corp. and comprises a base member adapted to be removably attached to the X-Box 360, a video display member pivotally mounted on the base member for rotation between a stowed position and a deployed position and configurable connection systems to accommodate changes in dimensions due to variances in a specific console or presence of various accessories attached to such a specific console.
The base member includes a screen support member integrally formed with and upwardly extending from a top surface of the base panel adjacent to a rear edge thereof. The screen support member has a front control panel provided with a power switch, a volume control, a screen brightness control, a screen color control, and an earphone plug socket.
A rear panel/side of the base member/screen support member includes audio and video inputs (S-video input socket, components input sockets, composite audio/video input sockets, stereo audio output and socket for connected to a DC/AC adapter providing low voltage DC current.
The base panel of the base member further includes a locking attachment device provided for removably engaging and positively securing the video display unit to the video game console. Three removable brackets are provided to engage opposite sides of the console. Two brackets are selectively interchangeable to accommodate different widths and/or various configurations of the console, such as the presence or omission of an attached removable hard drive unit. Two pivotal legs are also provided to support a rearmost portion of the game screen. The legs are dimensioned to engage a planar surface on which the dedicated console is disposed to produce additional and independent vertical support to the game screen.
The mounting flange extends downwardly from the bottom surface of the base panel substantially perpendicularly thereto and is formed along the side edge thereof. The mounting flange of the present invention includes at least one mounting rib formed substantially complementary to grooves provided on a front side face of the casing of the video game console. Preferably, the mounting rib is formed of two front tab members adapted to appropriately position the base panel of the video display unit relative to the front face of the casing of the X-Box 360 video game console. The front tab members are formed at the opposite ends of the front edge of the base panel and extend inwardly to engage a grooved recess formed in the front of the video console.
The screen device further provides a releasable connector to positively engage and secure to the rear of the console. Two tabs extend from the base member of the screen to engage recesses in the console.
Therefore, the video screen unit in accordance with the present invention represents a novel arrangement that is compact and portable and adapted to be conveniently used with the electronic video-processing devices, in particular with the X-Box 360 video game consoles manufactured by Microsoft Corp.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSOther objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification when viewed in light of the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with the reference to accompanying drawings.
Referring to
The display panel 5 is pivotally mounted to a base member 7. the display panel may pivot within a range of motion from viewable position as shown in
Each of the brackets 71,72 are provided with a locating pin 74 which projects inwardly top engage a corresponding recess formed in the side of the base member 7. The locating pins 74 and recesses formed in the base member assist in properly positioning/orienting the brackets as well as establishing a more firm connection to the base member. At least one of the brackets 72 is also provided with at least one projection 76 (three shown in
Referring to
The display unit includes additional connection points to the console to provide an even supper rigid connection between the base member and gaming console.
While the foregoing invention has been shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those possessing skill in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example it is preferred to form the adjustment collars 11a, 11b and locking collars out of steel. However, other materials of sufficient strength may be employed.
Claims
1. A portable computer gaming display unit comprising:
- a base member adapted for removably attaching said video display unit to a variably configured computer gaming console,
- a video display member pivotally connected to said base member and being provided with a display screen, said video display member pivotally mounted to said base member for pivoting between a stowed position wherein said video display member is substantially parallel to said base gaming console when connected thereto and a deployed position which is viewable by a user of said gaming console;
- a plurality of interchangeable connecting brackets each independently and selectively removably secured to said base member, said connecting brackets provided to facilitate connection between said base member and said gaming console when secured to said base member, wherein by selectively choosing one of said plurality of interchangeable brackets, said base member is configured to connect and accommodate a gaming console of a first dimensional configuration and whereby replacing said one of said plurality of interchangeable brackets with a second bracket, said base member thereby is configured to connect and accommodate said gaming console of a different dimensional configuration.
2. The portable computer gaming display unit according to claims 1, wherein said base member comprises a plurality of legs pivotally connected to said base member for pivoting between a stored position within a cavity formed in said base member and an extended position such that when said base member is connected to a rear side surface of said gaming console resting on a support surface, said legs extend to rest flush against said support surface thereby providing support to said display unit independent of said gaming console.
3. The portable computer gaming display unit according to claim 1, wherein a pair of said plurality of interchangeable connecting brackets are each secured to opposite side surfaces of said base member opposing one another, wherein when said base member is connected to said gaming console, said gaming console is disposed between and retained within said pair of brackets.
4. The portable computer gaming display unit according to claim 3 wherein each of said brackets are secured to said based member by at least one screw extending through a bore in said bracket whereby said brackets being capable of lateral movement relative to said base member when said screws loosely engage said base member and being clamped tightly against said base member when said screws are securely tightened to said base member.
5. The portable computer gaming display unit according to claim 4 wherein at least one of said brackets includes at least one projection provided to engage a recess formed in a side surface of said gaming console and thereby properly position said base member relative to said console when connected thereto.
6. The portable computer gaming display unit according to claim 5 wherein each of said brackets includes a locating pin for engaging a recess formed in said base member to properly orient said bracket in a predetermined position relative to said base member when secured thereto.
7. The portable computer gaming display unit according to claim 3, wherein said bases member further includes a pair of locking tabs disposed between said pair of interchangeable connecting brackets and extending from a substantially vertically surface of said base member provided to correspondingly engage a pair of first recesses formed on a rear side surface of said console.
8. According to claim 7 wherein said base member has a pair of second recesses mirroring said first pair of first recesses of said console thereby facilitating connection to another accessory device when said base member is connected to said console that would otherwise connect directly to said gaming console.
9. The portable computer gaming display unit according to claim 7 wherein each of said locking tabs have an outwardly facing detent, wherein when said locking tabs are inserted within said first pair of recesses, said tabs deforming inwardly toward one another such that said detents pass through said first pair of recess and upon further insertion of said locking tabs within said first pair of recesses said locking tabs at least partially spring back towards its resting position such that said detents engage an inner surface of said console with a snap fit fashion to positively engage said console.
10. The portable computer gaming display unit according to claim 9 wherein said base member further includes releasing mechanism to urge at leas one of said locking tabs inwardly thereby allowing said locking tabs to be easily withdrawn from said pair of first recesses.
11. The portable computer gaming display unit according to claims 9, wherein said base member comprises a plurality of legs pivotally connected to said base member for pivoting between a stored position within a recess formed in said base member and an extended position such that when said base member is connected to a rear side surface of said gaming console resting on a support surface, said legs extend to rest flush against said support surface thereby providing support to said display unit independent of said gaming console.
12. The portable computer gaming display unit according to claim 1, wherein said bases member further includes a pair of locking tabs extending from a substantially vertically surface of said base member provided to correspondingly engage a pair of recesses formed on a rear side surface of said console.
13. According to claim 12 wherein said base member has a pair of second recesses mirroring said first pair of first recesses of said console thereby facilitating connection to another accessory device when said base member is connected to said console that would otherwise connect directly to said gaming console.
14. The portable computer gaming display unit according to claim 13, wherein each of said locking tabs have an inwardly facing detent, wherein when said locking tabs are inserted within said first pair of recesses, said tabs deforming inwardly toward one another such that said detents pass through said first pair of recess and upon further insertion of said locking tabs within said first pair of recesses said locking tabs at least partially spring back towards its resting position such that said detents engage an inner surface of said console with a snap fit fashion to positively engage said console.
15. The portable computer gaming display unit according to claim 14, wherein said base member further includes releasing mechanism to urge at leas one of said locking tabs inwardly thereby allowing said locking tabs to be easily withdrawn from said pair of first recesses.
16. The portable computer gaming display unit according to claim 12, wherein said base member comprises a plurality of legs pivotally connected to said base member for pivoting between a stored position within a cavity formed in said base member and an extended position such that when said base member is connected to a rear side surface of said gaming console resting on a support surface, said legs extend to rest flush against said support surface thereby providing support to said display unit independent of said gaming console.
17. The portable computer gaming display unit according to claims 15, wherein said base member comprises a plurality of legs pivotally connected to said base member for pivoting between a stored position within a cavity formed in said base member and an extended position such that when said base member is connected to a rear side surface of said gaming console resting on a support surface, said legs extend to rest flush against said support surface thereby providing support to said display unit independent of said gaming console.
Type: Application
Filed: May 24, 2007
Publication Date: Nov 29, 2007
Inventors: Saied Hussaini (Miami Gardens, FL), Marc Iacovelli (Miami Gardens, FL)
Application Number: 11/753,118
International Classification: A63F 11/00 (20060101);