Secure and/or lockable connecting arragement for video game system

Abstract

Compatible mechanical and/or electrical connections to video game system accessories provide unique shape, design and dimensions that discourage or prevent non-compatible devices from being connected, connector configurations that allow connection only in a proper orientation to ensure electrical compatibility and eliminate the possibility of short-circuits, quick release locking arrangement firmly mechanically holds mating connectors together despite extensive movement of the game player's arms and hands, staged electrical contacting sequence provides proper signal application sequence, and wrist strap to tether handheld remote controller to hand is attached to a locking connector that mates with a connector of the remote controller.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A female connector for a handheld video game remote control device for electrically connecting said handheld video game remote control device to an additional handheld video game control device having a male connector, said female connector comprising:
 an outer housing;   an opening disposed within said outer housing and shaped to receive a male-type insertion portion of a mating male connector of said additional handheld video game control device, wherein at least one projection is formed on an inner surface of the opening, the at least one projection being configured to be received in a corresponding recess of the male-type insertion portion of the mating male connector so that the male-type insertion portion can only be inserted into the opening in a single orientation;   a channeled projection within said opening, said channeled projection including:
 a plurality of channels on opposite sides of the projection, 
 a terminating end surface defining the end of said plurality of channels, and 
 a plurality of electrical contacts mounted in respective ones of the plurality of channels, the plurality of electrical contacts being disposed to make sliding electrical contact with corresponding electrical contacts in a recess of the male-type insertion portion of the mating male connector when the male-type insertion portion is inserted into the opening, wherein the plurality of electrical contacts include a first electrical contact being coupled in use to ground, a second electrical contact being coupled in use to a voltage source, a third electrical contract being coupled in use to a serial data line, and a fourth electrical contact being coupled in use to a serial clock line, and wherein said first, second, third and fourth electrical contacts are disposed with respect to said terminating end surface such that when said male-type insertion portion is inserted into said opening, the first and second electrical contacts make electrical contact with associated counterpart electrical contacts on the male-type insertion portion before the third and fourth electrical contacts make electrical contact with associated counterpart electrical contacts on the male-type insertion portion. 
   
     
     
         2 . The female connector of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of electrical contacts further include a fifth electrical contact that is coupled in use to an attach sense line, and wherein the fifth electrical contact is disposed with respect to said terminating end surface such that when said male-type insertion portion is inserted into said opening, the first and second electrical contacts make electrical contact with associated counterpart electrical contacts on the male-type insertion portion before the fifth electrical contact makes electrical contact with an associated counterpart electrical contact on the male-type insertion portion.