US 12,115,443 B2
Game controller with magnetic wireless connector
Maneet Singh Khaira, Vancouver, WA (US); Zachary Scott, Palo Alto, CA (US); Eric Sorensen, Portland, OR (US); Ozhan Maker, San Diego, CA (US); and Jon Christopher Lake, Sunnyvale, CA (US)
Assigned to Backbone Labs, Inc., Vancouver, WA (US)
Filed by Backbone Labs, Inc., Vancouver, WA (US)
Filed on Jul. 1, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/856,895.
Application 17/856,895 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/808,339, filed on Mar. 3, 2020, granted, now 11,389,721.
Prior Publication US 2022/0331688 A1, Oct. 20, 2022
Int. Cl. A63F 13/245 (2014.01); A63F 13/235 (2014.01)
CPC A63F 13/245 (2014.09) [A63F 13/235 (2014.09); A63F 2300/1043 (2013.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A game controller for a mobile device, the game controller comprising:
a first handle comprising a user-accessible, first hardware interface configured to accept touch inputs;
a second handle comprising a user-accessible, second hardware interface configured to accept touch inputs;
a bridge in sliding engagement with each of the first and second handles, the bridge having a span extending between the first and second handles, the span having a transverse mid line;
a first linear rack coupled to the first handle and in sliding engagement with the bridge;
a second linear rack coupled to the second handle and in sliding engagement with the bridge;
a pinion in contact with the first and second linear racks, the pinion configured to rotate relative to the bridge as the first and second linear racks are translated relative to the pinion; and
a magnetic connector positioned between the first and second handles and configured to magnetically retain a mobile device to the game controller;
wherein:
the first and second linear racks and the pinion are configured to couple together movement of the first and second handles toward the transverse midline of the span to physically retain the mobile device to the game controller;
each of the first and second handles is configured to translate in a retraction direction toward the transverse midline of the span to a retracted configuration and also to translate in an extension direction away from the transverse midline of the span to an extended configuration; and
the game controller further comprises:
a first spring mechanism attached to the first handle and configured to bias the first handle toward the retraction configuration; and
a second spring mechanism attached to the second handle and configured to bias the second handle toward the retraction configuration.