GB2362562A

GB2362562A - Decorative cover for a games console

Info

Publication number: GB2362562A
Application number: GB0012616A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Morris
Original assignee: GAMECRAFT Ltd
Current assignee: GAMECRAFT Ltd
Priority date: 2000-05-25
Filing date: 2000-05-25
Publication date: 2001-11-28
Also published as: GB0012616D0

Abstract

The cover 10 comprises a shell having a top, adapted to overlie the console 12, and depending side, front and rear portions 18,20,22,24 which releasably fit with the console. The cover has openings 26,30,38,40 giving access to the game controls, access ports for game cartridges and external wiring. The outer surfaces are decorated and include 3D characters which may be adapted to operate a control button. The inner surface of the shell bears spaced ribs (46) which maintain proper contact with the console and assist ventilation.

Description

2362562 COVERS FOR GAME CONSOLES This invention relates to covers for

games consoles in particular removeable covers having decorative features and other characteristics relating to the subject matter of the game or games usually played on such consoles.

A variety of games consoles are available for playing different formats of computer games. Such consoles are known by, for example, such trade marks as "NINTENDO", "PLAYSTATION" and "DREAMCAST" and are used in conjunction vAth a screen (visual display unit). Different games are provided on cartridges or pre -recorded discs which are inserted, according to format, in the appropriate console. It is known for users to individually decorate these to reflect a particular and more importantly a popular computer game. Currently such decoration is provided by applying self-adhesive stickers to the surfaces of the console. Whilst individual effects can be obtained such stickers are invariably difficult to remove and cannot usually be re-used.

Furthermore when stickers are removed deposits of adhesive adhere to the surface of the console which attract dirt and make it difficult to apply further stickers as taste and fashion change. It YAII be readily seen that the cooling vents on such consoles can easily become blocked or covered through application of stickers causing the consoles to overheat and malfunction. Likewise, where stickers are applied rather too liberally control buttons, connecting ports and other moving parts can be affected to the detriment of the effectiveness of the console.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a means of decorating a games console without reducing the operation thereof.

According to a first aspect of the present invention a cover for a games console comprises: a shell having a top portion adapted to 'overlie the upper surface of the console; at least two opposing side portions depending from the top portion one from, or adjacent, each of a pair of opposite edges of the top portion so that the console is releasably held in the cover by virtue of an interference fit between at least a portionof the inner surface of the shell and the outer surface of the console; means being provided on the cover to facilitate operation of control buttons, as well as access to connecting ports and to allow insertion and removal of games cartridges or discs whilst the cover is in place; and said cover being provided with a decorative finish on the outside surface thereof.

A front portion may be provided on the shell depending from the front edge of the top portion and extending between the side portions. Similarly there may also be provided on the shell a rear portion.

Preferably said front and rear portions are provided with openings corresponding to front and rear connection ports on the console to allow the connection of cables to be effected.

Additional openings in the top portion may also be provided to allow operation of control buttons and the like.

Alternatively means may be provided on the top surface whereby a user can operate a particular control button by touching an element of the decoration applied to the shell. Typically this may be in the form of a character from the game depicted on the shell. In one embodiment this feature is used to operate the reset button.

An opening is also provided in the shell to allow insertion and removal of games cartridges or discs. The arrangement of such an opening depends upon the format of console and may be an elongate slot to correspond with the cartridge port of, say, a "NINTENDO" console, or a circular opening to allow a lid in the console to be raised to facilitate the insertion or removal of a disc in the disc drive of, say, a "PLAYSTATION" console. Where a circular opening is used a lid therefor is also provided to cover the opening so as not to reduce the area of shell available for decoration and to afford further protection to the console. The lid may be lifted manually or may be spring loaded and operated by means of a releasable catch.

Preferably the decorative finish extends over all or substantially all of the outer surface of the shell and is created so as to give a three dimensional effect. Preferably 3 the surface decoration is very full and contains a number of solid three dimensional figures as well as a general relief pattern of characters and titles.

The cover may be made of any suitable resilient and mouldable material, such as resin or preferably injection-moulded plastics.

In one preferred embodiment the shell generally has a uniform thickness throughout with the inner surface thereof following the contours of the outer surface. A plurality of ribs or locating vanes are preferably provided on the inner surface of the shell, which ribs or vanes are of a depth to ensure accurate contact with appropriate areas of the outer surface of the console irrespective of the variations in profile or crosssection of the shell. The ribs/vanes also have a further advantage in that the shell can be spaced away from the outer surface of the console particularly at or around cooling vents provided in the casing wall of the console. It will be appreciated that electronic components of this type are prone to overheat if covered which can seriously impair operation.

In addition, or in the alternative, further openings may be provided in the shell to correspond with Vents in the console but at the loss of available decorative area.

In some embodiments the shell may be provided with a base portion and either or both the front and rear portions may be omitted to allow the cover to be put on the console. Alternatively the base portion may be removeably attached to the shell.

In those embodiments without a base portion it will be appreciated that there may be provided a gap between the lower edges of the side, front or rear portions and the plane in which the base of the console lies to further assist in ventilatinglcooling the console.

As can be seen by the skilled reader the invention provides a robust removeable cover for a games console which allows continued use of the console and affords added protection to the console whilst giving the user a highly desirable decorative finish in line with the users' taste and discretion.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective from the front and above of a cover in accordance with one aspect of the invention, said cover being located on a games console; Figure 2 is a plan of the cover of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross-section through the cover only on the line 111-111 of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a perspective from the rear and above showing the cover of Figure 1 in cross-section on a games console; Figure 5 corresponds to Figure 1 but shows a cover having a lid located on an alternative games console; and Figure 6 corresponds to Figure 5 but shows the lid of the cover open.

In Figures 1-4 a cover 10 for a games console 12 has a top portion 14 overlying the top surface 16 (see Figures 3 & 4) of the console 12, two opposing side portions 18, 20 and front and rear portions 22, 24. An opening 26 is provided in the top portion 14 6" to enable operation of a corresponding control button, in this embodiment. the ON/OFF switch 28 can be operated. A further slotted opening 30 is provided in the top portion 14 to allow insertion/removal of a games cartridge 32.

All outer surfaces of the cover 10 are provided with some degree of surface decoration including three-dimensional characters 34. In this embodiment one threedimensional character 36 is adapted to operate a control button, the reset button in this embodiment, (not shown) on the console.

Openings 38, 40 in the front and rear portions 22, 24 are also provided to allow the connection of cables (not shown) to ports 42, 44 on the console 12.

As can be seen clearly in Figure 3 the cover 10 is generally of uniform thickness and correct contact is maintained between the cover 10 and the console 12 by means of spaced vanes or ribs 46. This ensures that cooling vents 48 (seen clearly in Figure 4) are not totally blocked by the cover. A gap 50 is maintained between the lower edge of 52 of the cover and the plane 54 in which the base 56 of the console 12 lies to further assist in ventilating the console.

Referring now to Figures 5 and 6 an alternative embodiment of console 58 in accordance with the invention is shown for use with a console having a circular lidded opening 60 comprising generally the same overall features of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4 but in place of the slotted opening a hinged lid 62 is provided to allow access to the lidded opening 60.

16

Claims

A cover for a "es console comprising.

a shell having a top portion adapted to overlie the upper surface of the console, at least two opposing sidc portions depending from the top portion one from, or adjacent, tacli of a pair of opposite edges of the top portion so Thw the console is reltiy held in the cover by Vinue of an interference fir berween ai least a portion of the inner surface of the shcn and the ouzer surface of the console, means being provided on the cover to facilitate operation of control buttons, as well as acces; to connecting ports and to allow insertion and removal of games cartridges or discs whilst the cover is in place. and sQ aid cover being provided with a decorative. finish on zhc outside.!=,facc thereof 2. A shell. for a games console as in Clam 1 wherein a ftora portion is provided on the "i dependizig from the front edge of the top porfion and extending between the side portions 3. A shed for a Sunes console as M either Claim 1 or 2 wherein a rear portion is provided on the shell depending from the front edge of the cop portion and extending berseen the side portions.

4 A shell for a ga=:s console as in Claims 2 and 3 wherein the Com or rear portions are provided with openings corresponding to front and rear connection ports an the console.

5, A shell for a garnes console as in any preceding claim wherein Ofienilngs are provided in the top portion to allow operation of control buncins and the like.

6. A shell for a games console as in any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein Meaw is Pcc)-vidcd on the top surface whereby a user can, operate a particular control button by touching an element of ihe decoration applied to the shell A shell for a garnes console as in Claim 6 wherein the element of the decoration is in the form cif a character from a game depicted on the shell.

8. A shell for a games c=sole as in any preceding Claim where:in an opcning is provided in the. zap portion to allow the Lierdon and removal of games cartridaes or discs.

9. A shell for a gamt-:s console as in Claim 8 wherein the opzning is an elongale slat.

A shcII for a gam,2 console as in Claim % whemin the Dpedng is a circuLir opening to allow a lid to be raised to facilitate the insertion and removal of games cartridges or discs.

I,- A shell, for a games console as in Claim 10 wherein the Lid is lifted manually.

12. A sha for a gams console as in Claim 10 wherein the lid is spring S loaded and operated by means of a releasable catch, 13. A shell for a ".s console as in any preceding Claim wherein the decorative. finish extends over all or substamially all the outer surface. of the shell.

14. A shell for a garnes console as in any preceding Claim wlierein the decorative finish is created to give a three dimensional cffcci, A shell for a gamas console as in any preceding Claim wherein the decorative finish comainsa number of three dimensional figures.

16 A shell for a gam::s console as in any preceding Claim wherein the cover is made from rcsin.

17 A shell for a gamcs console as in any one of Claims 1 to 15 wherein the cover is made ftorn plutics 18. A shefl for a Satnes console as in any preceding Claim wherein the shcIl has a urdbrm thickniess.

19. A shell, for a gam.es console as in any preceding Claim wherein the shell is provided with a plurality of ribs or locating vanes on the in= suffice thereof of a depth to ensure accurate contact with appropriate areas of the console 20. A shr-11 for a Saffhes console as in any precesding Claim wherein Yhe shell is provided with openings therein to co-operate with vents in the console 9 21 A shell for a games console as in any preceding Claim wheTain the shell is provided with a base poniOni 22 A SW for a games console as in Claim 21 wherein the base portion is removably attached to the shell.

23. A shefl for a games console as hercinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.