Game controller packaging with limited consumer access

Abstract

The present invention relates to packaging for a game console controller, wherein the game console controller has at least one button and at least one directional control device. The packaging includes a first section, and a second section coupled to the first section. Whereby the game console controller is positioned between at least a portion of the first section and the second section, so that the at least one button is accessible and the at least one directional control device is covered by at least one of the first and second sections.

1 . A packaging apparatus comprising: 
 a game controller comprising: 
 at least one button; and  
 at least one directional control device; and  
   a barrier device comprising: 
 a first section; and  
 a second section coupled to said first section;  
   wherein the game controller is positioned between at least a portion of said first section and said second section, so that the at least one button is exposed and the at least one directional control device is covered by at least one of the first and second sections.    
   
   
       2 . The packaging apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 said first and second sections are formed from plastic.    
   
   
       3 . The packaging apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein 
 said first and second sections are substantially transparent.    
   
   
       4 . The packaging apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 the game controller has a first handle and a second handle; and    said second section is coupled to said first section in such a manner that said first and second sections cover the entire second handle, while exposing at least a portion of the first handle.    
   
   
       5 . The packaging apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein 
 said second section is coupled to said first section in such a manner that a majority of the first handle is exposed.    
   
   
       6 . The packaging apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein 
 said first and second sections cover substantially all of a remainder of the controller.    
   
   
       7 . The packaging apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein 
 said second section is coupled to said first section in such a manner that said first and second sections expose at least four buttons on the game controller.    
   
   
       8 - 9 . (canceled)  
   
   
       10 . The packaging apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 said second section is coupled to said first section in such a manner that an opening is created therebetween, said opening adapted to allow a portion of the game controller to extend therethrough.    
   
   
       11 . A packaging apparatus comprising: 
 a game controller comprising: 
 a first handle having a first control device; and  
 a main portion having a second control device; and  
   a barrier device comprising: 
 a first section adapted to cover substantially all of the main portion, including the second control device, and expose substantially all of the first handle, including the first control device; and  
 a second section adapted to be coupled to said first section, said first and second sections enclosing at least a portion of the controller.  
   
   
   
       12 . The packaging apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein 
 said first and second sections are formed from plastic.    
   
   
       13 . The packaging apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein 
 said first and second sections are substantially transparent.    
   
   
       14 . The packaging apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein 
 the controller includes a second handle; and    said second section is coupled to said first section in such a manner that said first and second sections cover the entire second handle.    
   
   
       15 . The packaging apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein 
 the first control device is a button.    
   
   
       16 . The packaging apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein 
 the second control device is a directional control device; and    the controller is positioned between at least a portion of said first section and said second section, so that said directional control device is covered by said first section.    
   
   
       17 . A packaging apparatus comprising: 
 a game controller comprising: 
 a main portion:  
 a first handle having at least one control button thereon; and  
 a second handle having at least one directional control device thereon; and  
   a barrier device comprising: 
 a front portion; and  
 a back portion coupled to said front portion, such that said front and back portions enclose the second handle and a portion of the main portion, and such that said at least one directional control device is covered; and  
 an opening between the front and the back portions, said opening adapted to allow a first portion of the first handle to extend therethrough and thereby exposing the at least one control button.  
   
   
   
       18 . The packaging apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein 
 said front and back portion are formed from transparent plastic.    
   
   
       19 . A packaging system comprising: 
 a game controller, comprising: 
 a main portion;  
 a first handle having at least one control button thereon; and  
 a second handle, at least one of the second handle and the main portion having at least one directional control device thereon; and  
   a barrier device comprising: 
 a first portion having a cavity therein, said cavity adapted to receive the second handle and at least a portion of the main portion, including the at least one directional control device, wherein the at least one directional control device is covered when the at least one directional control device is received within said cavity; and  
 an opening in said cavity, said opening adapted to allow the first handle to extend therethrough and expose at least the at least one control button.  
   
   
   
       20 . A packaging system according to  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 a first leg coupled to said first portion; and    a second leg coupled to said first portion.    
   
   
       21 . A packaging system according to  claim 20 , wherein 
 said first leg, said second leg and said first portion form a substantially C-shape.    
   
   
       22 - 23 . (canceled)  
   
   
       24 . A game controller packaging apparatus comprising: 
 a game controller, wherein said game controller comprises: 
 a first control device; and  
 a directional control device; and  
   a covering device, wherein said covering device covers said directional control device, and wherein said covering device does not cover said first control device.    
   
   
       25 . The game controller packaging apparatus of  claim 24  wherein said covering device comprises: 
 a piece of substantially transparent material.    
   
   
       26 . The game controller packaging apparatus of  claim 24  wherein said covering device comprises: 
 a piece of plastic material.    
   
   
       27 . The game controller packaging apparatus of  claim 24  wherein said game controller further comprises: 
 a main portion; and    a handle coupled to said main portion.    
   
   
       28 . The game controller packaging apparatus of  claim 27  wherein said handle protrudes from said main portion.  
   
   
       29 . The game controller packaging apparatus of  claim 28  wherein said covering device does not cover said handle.  
   
   
       30 . The game controller packaging apparatus of  claim 29  wherein said covering device covers comprises: 
 a main covering portion, wherein said main covering portion covers said main portion;    a first protrusion; and    a second protrusion, wherein said first protrusion and said second protrusion protrude farther than said handle.    
   
   
       31 . The game controller packaging apparatus of  claim 24  wherein said first control device is a button.  
   
   
       32 . The game controller packaging apparatus of  claim 24  wherein said directional control device is a joystick.  
   
   
       33 . A method of packaging a game controller comprising the steps of: 
 covering a first portion of said game controller with a covering device wherein said first portion comprises: 
 a directional control device; and  
   leaving uncovered a second portion of said game controller wherein said second portion comprises: 
 a first control device.  
   
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 33  wherein said covering device comprises: 
 a piece of substantially transparent material.    
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 33  wherein said covering device comprises: 
 a piece of plastic material.    
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 33 , 
 wherein said first portion further comprises: 
 a main portion of said game controller, and  
   wherein said second portion further comprises: 
 a handle of said game controller.  
   
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 36  wherein said handle protrudes from said main portion.  
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 37  wherein said covering device comprises: 
 a main covering portion, wherein said main covering portion covers said main portion;    a first protrusion; and    a second protrusion, wherein said first protrusion and said second protrusion protrude farther than said handle.    
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 33  wherein said first control device is a button.  
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 33  wherein said directional control device is a joystick.