Granted Patent B2

US 12,145,053 · App. 18/195,152 · Granted Nov 19, 2024

Inventors: Maneet Singh Khaira (Vancouver, WA); Zachary Scott (Palo Alto, CA); Eric Sorensen (Portland, OR); Ozhan Maker (San Diego, CA); Jon Christopher Lake (Sunnyvale, CA)

Assignee: Backbone Labs, Inc.

A63F13/245A63F13/235A63F2300/1043

Abstract

Claims (25)

1. A device comprising:

a first handle;

a second handle;

a bridge in sliding engagement with each of the first and second handles, wherein each of the first and second handles is configured to translate in a retraction direction and also to translate in an extension direction;

a first spring mechanism attached to the first handle and configured to bias the first handle toward the retraction direction;

a second spring mechanism attached to the second handle and configured to bias the second handle toward the retraction direction;

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 within the bridge, the magnetic controller configured to magnetically retain a mobile device to the bridge.

2. The device of claim 1 , in which the magnetic connector includes a wireless data connector.

3. The device of claim 1 , in which the magnetic connector includes a wireless charger.

4. The device of claim 1 , in which the magnetic connector includes both a wireless data connector and a wireless charger.

5. A game controller for a mobile device, the game controller comprising:

a first handle;

a second handle;

a bridge coupling the first handle to the second handle;

a rack-and-pinion system coupled to the first and second handles and configured to cause the first and second handles to move together in a predefined manner between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein the rack-and-pinion system comprises a first linear rack located partly in the first handle and partly in the bridge and further comprises a second linear rack located partly in the second handle and partly in the bridge; and

a magnetic connector configured to magnetically retain a mobile device to the game controller in a same plane as the first handle and the second handle, the magnetic connector being between the first handle and the second handle.

6. The game controller of claim 5 , in which the magnetic connector includes a wireless data connector.

7. The game controller of claim 5 , in which the magnetic connector includes a wireless charger.

8. The game controller of claim 5 , in which the magnetic connector includes both a wireless data connector and a wireless charger.

9. The game controller of claim 5 , further configured for each of the first handle and the second handle to translate in a retraction direction toward the magnetic connector and also to translate in an extension direction away from the magnetic connector.

10. The game controller of claim 9 , in which the bridge is further configured such that the first handle and the second handle are substantially equidistant from the magnetic connector when the first handle and the second handle are translating in the extension direction.

11. The game controller of claim 9 , in which the bridge is further configured such that the first handle and the second handle are substantially equidistant from the magnetic connector when the first handle and the second handle are translating in the retraction direction.

Assignments (1)

Continuity (3)

Cited By (10)

US 12,263,400 US 12,285,676 US 12,324,983 US 12,427,403 US 12,438,949 US 12,551,785 US 12,558,612 US 12,661,595 US 12,678,689 US 12,684,040