Support for head-mountable device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12393038-B2
Application number	US-202418409696-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 10, 2024
Priority date	Sep 1, 2020
Publication date	Aug 19, 2025
Grant date	Aug 19, 2025

Abstract

Systems of the present disclosure can provide a head-mountable device that distributes forces along the user's head. A head-mountable device can include head securement element with a support element to engage the head of the user. The support element can be coupled to the frame or light seal module of the head-mountable device. The support element can be attachable or deployable from the head-mountable device. A head-mountable device can also distribute forces with a support portion extending from a band.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A head-mountable device comprising:
a frame;
a display element supported by the frame;
a light seal module coupled to the frame and configured to conform to a face;
a head securement element configured to extend along opposing sides of a head to support the frame on the head, the head securement element comprising:
arms extending from opposing sides of the frame; and
a strap extending from ends of the arms; and

a support portion configured to extend toward a top portion of the head, the support portion being coupled to opposing sides of the head securement element at respective distances away from the frame and the light seal module.

2. The head-mountable device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a camera supported by the frame;
a speaker supported by the frame;
a microphone supported by the frame; and
a sensor supported by the frame.

3. The head-mountable device of claim 1 , wherein:
each of the arms comprises a substantially rigid structure; and
the strap is stretchable.

4. The head-mountable device of claim 1 , wherein the support portion is coupled to each of the arms.

5. The head-mountable device of claim 1 , wherein the support portion is coupled to opposing sides of the strap.

6. The head-mountable device of claim 1 , wherein each of opposing ends of the support portion is coupled to a region between the strap and a corresponding one of the arms.

7. The head-mountable device of claim 1 , wherein the support portion comprises a rigid section for engaging the head.

8. The head-mountable device of claim 1 , wherein the support portion comprises a flexible section for accommodating the head.

9. A head-mountable device comprising:
a frame;
a display element supported by the frame;
a light seal module coupled to the frame and configured to conform to a face;
a head securement element configured to extend along opposing sides of a head to support the frame on the head, the head securement element comprising:
arms extending from opposing sides of the frame; and
a strap extending from ends of the arms; and

a support portion configured to extend toward a top portion of the head, the support portion extending from and being rotatable relative to the head securement element.

10. The head-mountable device of claim 9 , further comprising a hinge configured to allow the support portion to rotate relative to the strap.

11. The head-mountable device of claim 9 , wherein the support portion is configured to be rotated between:
a deployed position where the support portion extends over a top of the head; and
a stowed position where the support portion extends toward a back of the strap.

12. The head-mountable device of claim 9 , wherein each of opposing ends of the support portion is coupled to a region between the strap and a corresponding one of the arms.

13. The head-mountable device of claim 9 , wherein at least one side of the support portion is configured to be releasably attached to the strap to allow the support portion to be retracted from the strap.

14. The head-mountable device of claim 13 , wherein, upon retraction, the support portion is configured to be wound onto a spool.

15. The head-mountable device of claim 13 , wherein the support portion comprises two supplemental bands that attach over the head.

16. A head-mountable device comprising:
a frame;
a display element supported by the frame;
a light seal module coupled to the frame and configured to conform to a face;
a head securement element configured to extend along opposing sides of a head to support the frame on the head, the head securement element comprising:
arms extending from opposing sides of the frame; and
a strap extending from ends of the arms; and

a support portion coupled to opposing sides of the head securement element, the support portion comprising an adjustment element for adjusting a tightness of the support portion.

17. The head-mountable device of claim 16 , wherein the adjustment element is configured to be operated to alter a total length of the support portion.

18. The head-mountable device of claim 17 , wherein the adjustment element is configured to be operated manually.

19. The head-mountable device of claim 17 , further comprising a controller configured to operate the adjustment element to alter the total length of the support portion.

20. The head-mountable device of claim 16 , wherein:
each of opposing ends of the support portion is coupled to a region between the strap and a corresponding one of the arms; and
the support portion is rotatable relative to the head securement element.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Wang Paul X
• Leinweber Scott M
• Kollgaard Adam Y
• Arelekatti Venkata Narayana Murthy
• Annis Sally R

Classifications

• G02B2027/0156

  with optionally usable elements · CPC title

• G02B27/0176 Primary

  characterised by mechanical features · CPC title