# US 2023/0056908 A1 · Input device, game controller, and information processing apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2023/0056908 A1 - Document ID: US20230056908A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/938,687 - Filed: 2022-10-07 - Published: 2023-02-23 - Earliest claimed: 2019-10-17 - Assignees: Nintendo Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Nintendo Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Takanori OKAMURA; Yuki TANIGUCHI; Hiroki IKUTA; Keisuke SEKO; Masaya TAKEI - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230056908A1 ## CPC - A63F 13/24: Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles - A63F 13/92: Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing - A63F 2300/1043: being characterized by constructional details - A63F: CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract An example of a controller includes a housing including an opening, and an operation member, a part of which is exposed through the opening. The operation member includes a key top exposed through the opening and operated by a user, a shaft portion extending downward from the key top, and a protruding portion protruding from the shaft portion. Further, in the housing, a pedestal with which the protruding portion of the operation member comes into contact when the operation member is tilted is provided. The tilt of the operation member is limited by the protruding portion coming into contact with the pedestal. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An input device comprising: a housing including an opening; an operation member; and a contact portion positioned within the housing, the operation member including: a shaft having a first clearance from a periphery of the opening and passing through the opening; and a protruding portion protruding from the shaft, wherein the shaft is configured to be tilted, and the protruding portion is configured such that as the shaft is tilted in a tilt direction and the first clearance decreases, a first part of the protruding portion in the tilt direction contacts the contact portion to limit tilt in the tilt direction, and a second part of the protruding portion that is opposite the tilt direction does not contact the contact portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The input device according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion is configured such that when the first part contacts the contact portion, the first clearance between the shaft in the tilt direction and the periphery of the opening remains. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The input device according to claim 2, wherein the operation member is configured to be tilted about a tilt point in the housing, and a longitudinal axis of the shaft passes through the tilt point. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The input device according to claim 1, wherein the contact portion is a part of an inner surface of the housing or a part of a pedestal positioned within the housing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The input device according to claim 4, wherein the contact portion is a part of the pedestal, and when the first part contacts the part of the pedestal to limit tilt in the tilt direction, the second part does not contact the pedestal and does not contact the housing. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The input device according to claim 5, wherein the contact portion has a ring shape. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The input device according to claim 6, further comprising, on an inner circumferential side of the contact portion, an inner wall extending in an outward direction of the housing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The input device according to claim 7, wherein the protruding portion is configured such that as the shaft is tilted, there is a second clearance between the inner wall and the protruding portion. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The input device according to claim 8, wherein the protruding portion is configured such that when the first part contacts the contact portion, the first clearance between the shaft in the tilt direction and the periphery of the opening remains. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The input device according to claim 9, wherein the operation member is configured to be tilted about a tilt point in the housing, and a longitudinal axis of the shaft passes through the tilt point. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The input device according to claim 8, wherein the operation member is configured to be tilted about a tilt point in the housing, and a longitudinal axis of the shaft passes through the tilt point. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The input device according to claim 7, wherein the protruding portion is configured such that when the protruding portion contacts the contact portion, a distance between the protruding portion and the inner wall in the tilt direction is greater than a distance between the shaft and the periphery of the opening. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The input device according to claim 12, wherein the protruding portion is configured such that when the first part contacts the contact portion, the first clearance between the shaft in the tilt direction and the periphery of the opening remains. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The input device according to claim 13, wherein the operation member is configured to be tilted about a tilt point in the housing, and a longitudinal axis of the shaft passes through the tilt point. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The input device according to claim 12, wherein the operation member is configured to be tilted about a tilt point in the housing, and a longitudinal axis of the shaft passes through the tilt point. ### Claim 16 A game controller comprising: a housing including an opening; an operation member; and a contact portion positioned within the housing, the operation member including: a shaft having a clearance from a periphery of the opening and passing through the opening; and a protruding portion protruding from the shaft, wherein the shaft is configured to be tilted, and the protruding portion is configured such that as the shaft is tilted in a tilt direction and the clearance decreases, a first part of the protruding portion in the tilt direction contacts the contact portion to limit tilt in the tilt direction, and a second part of the protruding portion that is opposite the tilt direction does not come into contact with the contact portion. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The game controller according to claim 16, wherein the housing is shaped to be held by one hand or both hands of a user, and the operation member is located at a position so as to be operable by a thumb of the user when the housing is held. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The game controller according to claim 17, wherein the protruding portion is configured such that when the first part contacts the contact portion, the clearance between the shaft in the tilt direction and the periphery of the opening remains. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The game controller according to claim 18, wherein the operation member configured to be is tilted about a tilt point in the housing, and a longitudinal axis of the shaft passes through the tilt point.