Holder for game control unit

Abstract

A holder for a game control unit which may be conveniently mounted on a vertical wall, preferably on a vertical sidewall of a television or monitor, having a base with first and second opposed ends and first and second opposed sides, shoulders mounted on the ends and sides, extending upwardly from the base with opposed front and back sidewalls and opposed front and second sidewalls, these sidewalls defining a U-shaped slot for holding a game control unit.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to mounted, holding or receiving devices, and more specifically to a mounted holder for a game control unit.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Typically, video games are operated on a device with a screen or monitor for displaying the game such as a television or computer with an operating unit. The controls for the game are usually connected to the operating unit by electrical wire with a plug that is received into the appropriate receiving outlet on the operating unit. The connecting wire typically may be three to five feet in length. The operating unit is connected to a power source and the screen or monitor.

[0005] When not in use, the game control unit may be left near the television or monitor or operating unit with the wire connecting the control unit to operating unit in a random position where it may entangle any objects proximate to the control unit. This is not only unsightly, but may be a hazard if the control unit is left on a floor in front of a television where a passerby might become entangled in the wire connecting the control unit to the television. If the control unit is stored on the top of the television with the loose wire overhanging the television, its wire may cause the control unit to fall off the television with the slightest provocation or movement by an individual adjacent to it.

[0006] Employees of hotels who clean rooms must find places near a television set to store the game control unit and wire in an effort to provide a neat, organized appearance to the hotel room for guests.

[0007] The prior art has attempted to provide storage devices for control units. U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,683 describes a holder for a TV/VCR remote control unit which is rectangular in shape and has compartments for receiving the units. Spacer brackets may be used to support the holder. The spacer bracket may be attached to the vertical wall of a television set or other vertical surface. Placed in the bottom of the receiving compartments of the holder are springs or foam pads which are used to elevate the remote control unit above the holder to facilitate gripping the device.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,082,229 discloses a display holder that may retain remote control units, books, newspapers, etc. The holders made of transparent plastic and has clamps or a curved end on one side of the holder to hold books, newspapers, etc. Opposite the curved end is a strip of a hook and loop fastener to secure a remote control device with a similar hook and loop fastener attached to it.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,615 describes a holder for accessories for electronic equipment, including remote control units for television and VCRs. The unit may be made of clear plastic and can be connected to a vertical sidewall by various means. In addition, a hook and loop fastener may be attached to the unit to hold it a vertical surface or to the inside of the unit which may secure the remote control unit with a similar hook and loop fastener. This latter procedure provides for quick release of the remote control unit by the user.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,311 describes a wall mount for a remote control unit which may be placed on a existing wall switch for receiving a wireless remote control unit. The unit is vertically disposed on a wall and may contain switch members which control various functions such as a overhead sealing fan and light.

[0011] There is a need for a game control storage unit that can be mounted on a vertical wall or the side wall of a television or monitor with means for holding the connecting wire to provide a secure, immovable storage place for the game control unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention relates to a game control unit holder which may be conveniently mounted on a vertical wall, preferably on the vertical sidewall of a television or monitor or on a vertical wall of a cabinet or wall proximate to the television, monitor or game operating unit.

[0013] Upon mounting the holder, the game control unit, preferably a game control unit having large opposed ends with a narrow connecting portion with opposed ends larger than the connecting portion, the connecting portion may be positioned within a recessed U-shaped receiving portion of the holder.

[0014] In accordance with advantageous features of the present invention, there is further provided means for holding or storing the connecting wire on the game control holder. The means for holding the wire or cord may be in the form of a post or spooling structure protruding from one side of the holder. The post preferably has a horizontal bar on an end opposite the holder for securely storing the wire or cord onto the holder after it is wrapped.

[0015] The game control holder includes a base portion, a neck portion positioned on the base portion and an upper portion including a recessed U-shape receiving portion for placement of the game control unit.

[0016] It is an object of the present invention to provide a holder for a game control unit.

[0017] It is another object of the present invention to provide a storage unit for a game control unit and the attendant connecting wire running from the game control unit to the operating unit.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a holder for a game control unit that can be secured to any conveniently located structure, particularly, vertically to a sidewall of any conveniently located furniture, or television or computer both of which respectively have a screen or monitor for viewing a video game.

[0019] And yet, another object of the present invention is a separate post element or spooling structure for storing the wire or cord connecting the game control unit to the operating unit.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is to keep the control unit and its attendant connecting wire in a convenient and orderly manner for the user of the control unit.

[0021] Further objects and advantages will become apparent from the foregoing description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a game control unit resting in the holder of the present invention with the connecting wire wrapped around a post attached to the unit;

[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates an end view of the game control unit holder opposite the end of the unit with the post for wrapping the connecting wire;

[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the game control unit holder; and

[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom view of the game control unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Referring now specifically to the figures, FIG. 1 shows game control unit 10 mounted in holder 12 secured to surface 14. Surface 14 may be oriented vertically or horizontally, for example, on the sidewall or top of a television or monitor or cabinet. Game control unit 10 has two opposing ends, 16a and 16b that are connected by bridge 18, which is narrower than opposed ends 16a and 16b. The opposing ends of the game control unit are held by the user for operation. Bridge 18 is the proper size for securely fitting within the holder.

[0027] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the holder 12 includes a base 20, with first, second or front and back opposed sides 20a and 20b and opposed ends or third and fourth 20c and 20 d which can be mounted on a vertical or horizontal surface such as a wall, sidewall or the level top of a television or monitor, or cabinet.

[0028] Reference is made to a television set, but it should be understood that the holder 12 can be mounted on any surface, whether vertical or horizontal, a television set or computer monitor cabinet.

[0029] Base 20 of the holder 12 is broad to provide support for the game control unit. The base is wider than the upwardly sloping opposed sidewalls first 22a, second 22c and front 22b and back 22d. Shoulders 24a, 24b, 24c and 24d provide additional support for sidewalls 22a and 22c. The sidewalls extend upwardly to form a point but for U-shaped slot 26 inserted into the sidewalls for placement of the game control unit 10. The slot 26 comprises sidewalls 28a and 28b with floor 28c. The slot 26 securely holds game control unit 10 for storage. The game control unit can be easily inserted into the slot for a secure or press fit for storage and easily removed for use.

[0030] The upper portion 30a of sidewall 22b contains another opening or press fit for slot 32. Slot 32 has vertical sidewalls 31a and 31b with floor 31c. The sidewalls are relatively high from floor 31c to create a deep aperture for slot 32. The lower portion of sidewall 22b holds post 34, which extends laterally from the lower portion. The end of the post or spooling structure 34 opposed to sidewall 22b has a perpendicular attachment 36. The post 34 and attachment 36 are utilized for storage of connecting wire or cord 38, which connects the game control unit 10 to the game operating unit (not shown). The depth of slot 32, created by the high sidewalls 31a and 31b insure the security of the connecting wire or cord 38, once it is inserted and wrapped around post 34. Connecting wire or cord 38 may be attached to the post 34 in any fashion. For example, it may be folded longitudally in a plane parallel to the post and attached to the post by any means for attaching, for example, a wire that is wrapped around the bundle of folded wire or any device that can release the wire quickly. The wire does not have to be unplugged for wrapping, as is shown in FIG. 1, but may be wrapped around post 34 while still attached to the two devices.

[0031] The base 20 can be secured to a vertical or horizontal surface by conventional means, for example, hook and loop fastening means, adhesives, screws, etc, which can be attached to bottom 40.

[0032] Holder 12 can be made of conventional materials suitable for this purpose, for example, lightweight plastic, wood, metal or the like.

[0033] Once the game control unit 10 is placed into the U-shaped slot 26, connecting wire or cord 38 from the control unit 10 can be wrapped around post 34 and attachment 36. The game control unit 10 security fits within slot 32 and can be easily removed for use.

[0034] The present invention provides many advantages. It is lightweight and can be attached to nearly any vertical or horizontal surface. It can securely store the game control unit 10 and wire 38 away from areas where they could entangle other objects or be a threat to the safety of users and others. Once it is installed it becomes a permanent storage place for the game control unit 10, if desired, so users specifically know where to store the unit.

[0035] Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment, it is to be appreciated that various adaptations and modifications may be made and the invention is only to be limited by the following claims.

Claims

1. A holder for a game control unit comprising:

a base having first and second opposed ends and first and second opposed sides, shoulders mounted on said ends and sides extending upwardly from the base with opposed front and back sidewalls and opposed first and second sidewalls, said sidewalls defining a U-shaped slot for holding a game control unit.

2. The holder according to claim 1 wherein the U-shaped slot has first and second opposed sidewalls and third and fourth opposed sidewalls.

3. The holder according to claim 1 wherein said front slidewall has a vertical opening for receiving a connecting wire.

4. The holder according to claim 1 wherein said front side has a post extending therefrom for securely wrapping a connecting wire.

5. The holder according to claim 4 wherein said post has an opposed perpendicular end for securely holding a connecting wire.

6. The holder according to claim 1 wherein the base has means for attachment to a vertical or horizontal surface.