Computer game controller thumb cover and protector

Abstract

For computer game controller thumb protection, a sheath of resilient, breathable fabric is tailored to conform closely to the distal and proximal thumb phalanx profiles. Stitched to the sheath is a single, continuous strip of thin, elastomer permeated fabric as a taction pad. Taction pad stitching follows the pad edge perimeter. The taction pad covers the pad area of the distal phalanx with a dog-leg extension over the first interproximal joint and proximal phalanx. A hook and loop swatch at a loose distal end of the dog-leg secures the end of the extension to a corresponding swatch of hook and loop material secured to the sheath.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to special activity protective garments. More specifically, the invention is a thumb protective covering for manipulating computer game controls.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Some video game controllers are hand-held devices having levers and/or buttons as data input controllers. These levers and buttons are manually manipulated by physical touch and pressure. Expectantly, prolonged periods of continuous controller use may inflict painful injuries on the hands of the user. As with other physically stressful manual activities, users have resorted to gloves, sheaths or other protective garments for either protection from injury or performance enhancement. In the case of electronic game controllers, however, it is usually only the thumb that is subjected to stress. The devices disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 6,009,557 to J.D. Witts, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0205100 to D. Jensen and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0313738 to A.C. Young are representative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a resilient, breathable fabric substrate that is shaped and sewn to envelope the distal and proximal phalanges of the thumb of a game controller operator. Secured to the substrate, preferably by perimeter stitching, is a continuous strip of elastomer permeated taction pad material that covers the pad and sides of the distal phalanx. From the distal phalanx pad, the padding material extends along and over the top of the proximal phalanx to be anchored by a hook and loop fastener

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and further features of the invention will be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters designate like or similar elements throughout.

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a computer game controller held by the left hand of a user equipped with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the invention taction pad.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a user left thumb superimposed over a flat-laid taction pad.

FIG. 4 is an inside profile of a left thumb with the invention,

FIG. 5 is an outside profile of a left thumb with the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the present invention is given with respect to a user's left-hand thumb. Utility of the invention is symmetrical, however. Consequently, the geometric relationships of the invention described herein for the left-hand thumb may be applied as mirror images for the right-hand thumb.

FIG. 1 illustrates the invention use environment showing a computer game controller 30 having “joy stick” controls 32 and button switches 34 for signal data input. A controller handlebar 36 is gripped by a user's left hand 10 for convenient access to the joy stick 32 and the button switches 34 (left side switches covered) by the users left thumb 12 . . . The left thumb 12 of the user is covered by a resilient fabric sheath 20. Overlaid on the sheath 20 is a taction pad 22.

The resilient fabric sheath 20 is tailored to an envelope fit over the user's thumb 12. It completely encloses the thumb 14 from the tip of the distal phalanx 13, over the proximal phalanx 14 to a convenient position proximate of the second joint 16.

The sheath material is preferably a resilient, breathable fabric such as the proprietary material “Aqua Metal” produced by Phiten of Kyoto, Japan. Such material is light and comfortably cool. The tailoring conforms the sheath closely to the thumb shape

The taction pad 22 is preferably a continuous strip of elastomer permeated resilient fabric. In a preferred embodiment, the sthin, approximately 0.020 to 0.025 in. thickness taction pad 22 is attached to the sheath by stitching, for example, along the perimeter edge from point D to F inclusive of points A, B and C.

The planar pattern of the taction pad 22 illustrated by FIG. 2 resembles a “dog-leg” with a roughly triangular base 24 within points A, B and C. From the base 24 side A-C, a “leg” portion 26 of the taction pad arcs to a distal tip E. A small swatch of hook and loop fastener material 28 is attached to an end tab 27 by stitching, for example.

Referring to FIGS. 4. 5 and 6, it will be seen that the triangular portion 24 of the taction pad 22 is secured to the sheath 20 over the distal pad portion of the digital phalanx 13 with the point B secured to the sheath at the phalanx extremity under the thumb nail 18. Point A of the triangle 24 is secured to the out-side of the left thumb between the first thumb joint 14 and the nail 18. Point C of the triangle 24 is secured to the in-side of the left thumb between the first thumb joint 14 and the nail 18.

As best illustrated by FIG. 4, the arced leg 26 of the taction pad 22 extends from the triangle side A-C past the first thumb joint 14, along the inside of the proximal phalanx 14 and over the top of the proximal phalanx 14 with an elbow 25 sweep. A line across the leg 26 between the anchor points D and F demarks the ends of perimeter edge stitching that secures the leg 26 to the fabric sheath 20. An end tab 27 extension of the leg 26 from the line between anchor points D and F supports a pad of hook and loop material 28. A complementary pad of hook and loop is secured to sheath 20 on the under-side of the thumb between the first and second joints, 14 and 16, respectively.

Donning the present thumb cover simply involves insertion of the thumb fully into the sheath 20 enclosure and drawing the tab 28 across the top of the thumb to firmly gather the sheath material 20 against the thumb section between the first and second joint. Achieving a comfortable degree of tension, the tab 27 is pressed against the thumb under-side to mesh the hook and loop swatch 28 with a counterpart secured to the sheath 20 material.

Although the invention disclosed herein has been described in terms of specified and presently preferred embodiments which are set forth in detail, it should be understood that this is by illustration only and that the invention is not necessarily limited thereto. Alternative embodiments and operating techniques will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the present disclosure. Accordingly, modifications of the invention are contemplated which may be made without departing from the spirit of the claimed invention.

Claims

1. A protective thumb cover comprising:

a sheath of flexible, breathable fabric tailored to closely enclose the distal and proximal thumb phalanges; and,

an integral taction pad secured to said sheath covering a pad area of said distal phalanx, said taction pad including a narrow extension from the phalanx pad covering that extends over a first interproximal joint to continue over a top of said proximal phalanx of said thumb, a free distal end of said extension selectively attached to said sheath

2. The protective thumb cover described by claim 1 wherein a first swatch of hook and loop material is secured to said free distal end of said extension

3. The protective thumb cover described by claim 2 wherein a second swatch of hook and loop material is secured to said sheath opposite from said first swatch.

4. The protective thumb cover described by claim 1 wherein said integral taction pad is secured to said sheath by stitching about an edge perimeter of said taction pad.

5. The protective thumb cover described by claim 1 wherein said taction pad is secured to said sheath by stitching along an edge of said taction pad about a perimeter of said distal phalanx pad.

6. The protective thumb cover described by claim 1 wherein said flexible, breathable fabric is Phiten.