U.S. patent application number 12/845697 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-02 for adjustment device for a head-worn viewing system and method of use thereof.
Invention is credited to Matthew Yates.
Application Number | 20110127305 12/845697 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44068083 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110127305 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yates; Matthew |
June 2, 2011 |
ADJUSTMENT DEVICE FOR A HEAD-WORN VIEWING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE
THEREOF
Abstract
A device to adjust a position of a head-worn vision system such
as a visual display apparatus in multiple directions. The device
includes an adjustment assembly with a brake member and a mounting
support moveably attached to the adjustment assembly in a fixed
position by the brake member. The device allows simultaneous
adjustment of a head worn vision system by release the brake
member.
Inventors: |
Yates; Matthew; (Arlington,
VA) |
Family ID: |
44068083 |
Appl. No.: |
12/845697 |
Filed: |
July 28, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61265320 |
Nov 30, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
224/181 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 7/002 20130101;
G02B 27/0176 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/181 |
International
Class: |
A42B 1/24 20060101
A42B001/24 |
Claims
1. A device to adjust a position of head-worn vision system, the
device comprising: an adjustment assembly that includes a brake
member; and a mounting support attached to the adjustment assembly
by the brake member; wherein the adjustment assembly is
simultaneously adjustable in multiple directions relative to the
mounting support by disengagement of the brake member.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the adjustment assembly comprises
a release member to disengage the brake member and a display
support attachable to a visual display device of the head-worn
vision system.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein the adjustment assembly further
comprises: a support shaft coupling the release member, display
support, and the brake member; and a first spring mechanism secured
by the support shaft to provide elasticity between the release
member, the display support, and the brake member.
4. The device of claim 2, further comprising: a second spring
mechanism to moveably attach the mounting support to the adjustment
assembly.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the mounting support includes a
mounting interface to secure the device to a head mount strap or to
a helmet.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the adjustment assembly is
adjustable from a first locked position by actuating the release
member to separate the brake member from the mounting support, by
moving the adjustment assembly, and by releasing the release member
to secure the adjustment assembly in a second locked position
relative to the mounting support.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein the adjustment assembly is
simultaneously adjustable along multiple axes that include a
vertical axis, a horizontal axis, and a tilt axis relative to the
mounting support.
8. A head-worn viewing system, comprising: a visual display
apparatus; an adjustment assembly attached to the visual display
apparatus, the adjustment assembly having a brake member; and a
mounting support moveably attached to the adjustment assembly,
wherein the adjustment assembly is operable to move the visual
display apparatus in multiple directions relative to the mounting
support by disengagement of the brake member.
9. The device of claim 8, wherein the adjustment assembly
comprises: a release member to disengage the brake member.
10. The head-worn viewing system of claim 9, wherein the adjustment
assembly is adjustable from a locked position relative to the
mounting support by actuating the release member to disengage the
brake member from the mounting support and by deactivating the
release member to secure the adjustment assembly via the brake
member in a second locked position relative to the mounting
support.
11. The head-worn viewing system of claim 8, wherein: the mounting
support comprises a brake pad in frictional contact with the brake
member; and the adjustment assembly is simultaneously adjustable in
multiple directions relative to the mounting support by
disengagement of the brake pad from the brake member.
12. The head-worn viewing system of claim 8, wherein the adjustment
assembly comprises: a release member to disengage the brake member;
a display support attached to the visual display apparatus; a
support shaft that connects the release member, the display support
and the brake member; and a first spring mechanism secured by the
support shaft between the release member and the brake member.
13. The head-worn viewing system of claim 12, further comprising: a
second spring mechanism to elastically attach the mounting support
to the display support.
14. The head-worn viewing system of claim 8, wherein the visual
display apparatus is selected from the group consisting essentially
of: a virtual reality display, virtual reality goggles, night
vision goggles, heat vision goggles, infrared goggles, binoculars,
a camera, and a monocular device.
15. The head-worn viewing system of claim 8, further comprising: a
head strap attached to the mounting support.
16. The head-worn viewing system of claim 8, wherein the mounting
support includes a mounting portion to attached the device to a
head strap or helmet.
17. A method of adjusting a position of a head-worn visual display
apparatus relative to a mounting support, the method comprising:
releasing the visual display apparatus from a first locked
position; and moving the visual display apparatus along more than
one axis relative to the mounting support to a second position.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein releasing comprises:
disengaging a brake that locks the mounting support to the visual
display apparatus.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: engaging the brake
to lock the mounting support to the visual display apparatus at the
second position.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein disengaging the brake comprises
applying a compressive force to a first spring mechanism.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This utility patent application claims priority to U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/265,320 filed on Nov.
30, 2009, which is incorporated by reference herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to an adjustment device for
use in a head-worn viewing system to adjust a visual display
apparatus in multiple directions.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Head-worn viewing systems and head displays include virtual
reality displays, infrared goggles, binoculars, cameras and
monocular devices. They need to be adjustable so that a user can
change the placement of a visual display based on the user's head
shape/size. However, head-worn viewing systems may be limited in
the way they can be adjusted or may have complex adjustment
features. Variations in the users head shape and size, as well as
difference in eye locations, necessitates various adjustments of a
visual display. Typical head-worn viewing systems are adjustable in
only one direction at a time. For example, current head-worn
viewing systems may have ways of adjusting the placement of the
visual display by having a knob for moving the visual display
horizontally, a separate knob for moving the visual display
vertically, and still another separate knob for tilting the visual
display. Adjusting such a head-worn viewing system can be
cumbersome, may waste precious time and may not provide precise
adjustment to a particular user's needs. For example, if the
head-worn viewing system includes night vision goggles being used
for a military operation, any time wasted adjusting several knobs
and buttons to get the placement of the night vision goggles to be
in the right position could jeopardize the operation. Therefore,
adjusting current head-worn viewing systems is a time consuming
process that requires several adjustments to be made independently
of one another.
SUMMARY
[0004] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an adjustment
device for use in a head-worn viewing system to adjust a visual
display apparatus in multiple directions. Additional features and
utilities of the present disclosure will be set forth in part in
the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from
the description.
[0005] In one general aspect, a device to adjust a position of
head-worn vision system includes an adjustment assembly with a
brake member and a mounting support attached to the adjustment
assembly by the brake member. The adjustment assembly is
simultaneously adjustable in multiple directions relative to the
mounting support by disengagement of the brake member.
[0006] Embodiments may include one or more of the following
features. For example, the adjustment assembly includes a release
member to disengage the brake member and a display support
attachable to a visual display device of the head-worn vision
system. The adjustment assembly may have a support shaft coupling
the release member, display support, and the brake member, and a
first spring mechanism secured by the support shaft to provide
elasticity between the release member, the display support, and the
brake member. A second spring mechanism may also moveably attach
the mounting support to the adjustment assembly.
[0007] The mounting support may have a mounting interface to secure
the device to a head mount strap or to a helmet.
[0008] As another feature, the adjustment assembly is adjustable
from a first locked position by actuating the release member to
separate the brake member from the mounting support, by moving the
adjustment assembly, and by releasing the release member to secure
the adjustment assembly in a second locked position relative to the
mounting support. For example, the adjustment assembly may be
simultaneously adjustable along multiple axes that include a
vertical axis, a horizontal axis, and a tilt axis relative to the
mounting support.
[0009] In another general aspect, a head-worn viewing system
includes a visual display apparatus, an adjustment assembly
attached to the visual display apparatus, the adjustment assembly
having a brake member and a mounting support moveably attached to
the adjustment assembly. The adjustment assembly is operable to
move the visual display apparatus in multiple directions relative
to the mounting support by disengagement of the brake member.
[0010] Embodiments may include one or more of the above or
following features. For example, a release member may be used to
disengage the brake member. The adjustment assembly may be
adjustable from a locked position relative to the mounting support
by actuating the release member to disengage the brake member from
the mounting support and by deactivating the release member to
secure the adjustment assembly via the brake member in a second
locked position relative to the mounting support.
[0011] The mounting support may have a brake pad in frictional
contact with the brake member that allows the adjustment assembly
to be simultaneously adjustable in multiple directions relative to
the mounting support by disengagement of the brake pad from the
brake member.
[0012] The adjustment assembly may have a release member to
disengage the brake member, a display support attached to the
visual display apparatus and a support shaft that connects the
release member, the display support and the brake member. A first
spring mechanism may secure the support shaft between the release
member and the brake member. A second spring mechanism may be used
to elastically attach the mounting support to the display
support.
[0013] The visual display apparatus may be a virtual reality
display, virtual reality goggles, night vision goggles, heat vision
goggles, infrared goggles, binoculars, a camera, or a monocular
device.
[0014] As another feature, a head strap may be attached to the
mounting support. The mounting support may also include a mounting
portion to attach the device to a head strap or helmet.
[0015] In still another general aspect, a method of adjusting a
position of a head-worn visual display apparatus relative to a
mounting support includes releasing the visual display apparatus
from a first locked position and moving the visual display
apparatus along more than one axis relative to the mounting support
to a second position.
[0016] Embodiments may include one or more of the above or
following features. For example, releasing the visual display
apparatus may include disengaging a brake that locks the mounting
support to the visual display apparatus. Another feature may
include engaging the brake to lock the mounting support to the
visual display apparatus at the second position. Disengaging the
brake may include applying a compressive force to a first spring
mechanism.
[0017] According to another aspect, an adjustment device to adjust
a position of a visual display apparatus in multiple directions
includes a display support secured to the visual display apparatus,
a brake member, a release member attached to the display support
and the brake member, and a mounting support attached to the
display support and secured by the brake member, wherein the
mounting support is simultaneously adjustable in multiple
directions relative to the display support and the visual display
apparatus by actuating the release member to disengage the brake
member from the mounting support.
[0018] According to a further aspect, a head-worn viewing system
includes a visual display apparatus, a fixed member to support the
visual display apparatus, and an adjustment mechanism attached to
the visual display apparatus and the fixed member, wherein the
adjustment member includes a release member to adjust the visual
display apparatus in multiple directions relative to the adjustment
mechanism.
[0019] According to another aspect, a method of simultaneously
adjusting a positioning of a visual display apparatus secured to a
display support in multiple directions includes actuating a release
member attached to the display support to release a mounting
support from a first position, moving the mounting support in
multiple directions to a second position relative to the display
support and the visual display apparatus, and releasing the release
member to secure the mounting support in the second position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The drawings are meant for illustration of one or more
embodiments and do not limit the scope on the invention. The
description and drawings use reference numerals to identify the
elements that are described in which:
[0021] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate exploded views of an adjustment
device for a head-worn viewing system according to an exemplary
embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates a top down view of an adjustment device
for a head-worn viewing system according to an exemplary
embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of an adjustment device for
a head-worn viewing system according to an exemplary
embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of an adjustment device for a
head-worn viewing system according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 5 illustrates a rear view of an adjustment device for a
head-worn viewing system according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 6 is a top down sectional illustration of an adjustment
device for a head-worn viewing system according to an exemplary
embodiment.
[0027] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate views of the adjustment device
for a head-worn viewing system according to exemplary
embodiments.
[0028] FIG. 8A illustrates an adjustment device for a head-worn
viewing system of a head-worn viewing system in a secured position
according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0029] FIG. 8B illustrates an adjustment device of a head-worn
viewing system in a released position according to an exemplary
embodiment.
[0030] FIG. 9 illustrates a head-worn viewing system according to
an exemplary embodiment.
[0031] FIGS. 10-12 illustrate ranges of motion of a visual display
apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0032] FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating a method of
simultaneously adjusting a positioning of a visual display
apparatus in multiple directions according to an exemplary
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] The following detailed description provides example
embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings,
wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements in the
description and the drawings. Repetitive description of like
elements of various exemplary embodiments may be omitted for
clarity.
[0034] In one embodiment, an adjustment device 100 of a head-worn
viewing system 90 adjusts a visual display apparatus 92 in multiple
directions. The visual display apparatus 92 may be simultaneously
adjusted in multiple directions thereby requiring only a single
adjustment to customize the positioning of the visual display
apparatus 92 according to a user's individual requirements. The
adjustment device is intuitive and easy to operate, and does not
shift or move once an adjustment has been completed. The visual
display apparatus 92 may include, but is not limited to, a virtual
reality display, virtual reality goggles, night vision goggles,
heat vision goggles, infrared goggles, binoculars, a camera, a
monocular device (such as a scope), and the like. The visual
display apparatus 92 may include an optical element through which a
user may look.
[0035] According to one embodiment, a device to adjust a position
of a head-worn vision system (adjustment device or device) 100 is
provided to adjust a position of a visual display apparatus 92 in
multiple directions. FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate exploded views of
the adjustment device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. The
adjustment device 100 includes a display support or base member 10,
a brake member 20, a release member 30, and a mounting support 40.
The display support/base member 10, brake member 20 and release
member may be grouped into one sub-assembly referred to as an
adjustment assembly.
[0036] The display support 10 may be secured to the visual display
apparatus 92. The release member 30 may be attached to the display
support 10 and the brake member 20. The mounting support 40 may be
attached to the display support 10 and secured by the brake member
20. The display support 10 may be secured to a fixing plate 50, and
the fixing plate 50 may be attached to the visual display
apparatus. Alternatively, the display support 10 may refer to the
display support 10 and the fixing plate 50 attached to one another.
The release member 30 may be a lever which a user may actuate by
hand. In other embodiments, the release member electrically or
magnetically engages and disengages the brake member 20.
[0037] According to another embodiment, the display support 10 may
include a display support pin accommodation 12, a first display
support screw accommodation 14, a display support shaft
accommodation 16, and a second display support screw accommodation
18. The brake member 20 may include a brake pad holder 22, a brake
pad 24, a brake shaft accommodation 26, a brake screw accommodation
28, a brake spring accommodation 29, and a brake pad shaft
accommodation 84.
[0038] The release member 30 may include a release pin
accommodation 32 and a release screw accommodation 34. The mounting
support 40 may include a pivot shaft accommodation 42, a first
pivot screw accommodation 44, a second pivot screw accommodation
46, and a pivot brake pad 48. The pivot brake pad 48 may include a
pivot brake pad screw accommodation 80. The adjustment device 100
may include a screw 82. The screw 82 secure the pivot brake pad 48
to the mounting support 40. The display support 10 may be secured
to the visual display apparatus 92 by feeding a fixing screw 52
through the second display support screw accommodation 18.
[0039] According to another embodiment, the adjustment device 100
may include a first spring mechanism 60 and a second spring
mechanism 70. The first spring mechanism 60 may include a spring 62
and a washer 64. The first spring mechanism 60 may also include a
screw 86. The second spring mechanism 70 may include a spring
spacer 72, a neutral buoyancy spring 74, a securing means 75, and a
screw 76. The second spring mechanism 70 may elastically attach the
mounting support 40 to the display support 10 or the fixing plate
50. The adjustment device 100 may include a support shaft 88. The
support shaft 88 may be fed through the pivot shaft accommodation
42, the brake pad shaft accommodation 84, the brake shaft
accommodation 26, and the display support shaft accommodation 16.
The adjustment device 100 may include a nut 66 and retaining e-ring
68. The nut 66 and the retaining e-ring 68 may secure the support
shaft 88 to the brake member 20 and the display support 10. The
adjustment device 100 may include a pivot pin 78. The pivot pin 78
may be fed through the display support pin accommodation 12 and the
release pin accommodation 32. The adjustment device 100 may include
a screw 82 to secure the pivot brake pad 48 to the mounting support
40. The adjustment device 100 may include a screw 86. The screw 86
may be fed through the release screw accommodation 34, the first
display support screw accommodation 14, the compression spring 62,
the washer 64, and into the brake spring accommodation 29.
[0040] FIG. 2 illustrates a top down view of an adjustment device
100 according to an exemplary embodiment. According to another
embodiment, the adjustment device may include more than one display
support 10, more than one brake member 20, and more than one
release member 30. Each brake member 20 and each release member 30
may be attached to the display support 10 using at least one screw
86. In FIG. 2, two screws 86 are threaded through each release
member 30, each display support 10, each first spring mechanism 60,
and each brake member 20. In particular, each screw 86 is fed
through the release screw accommodation 34, the first display
support screw accommodation 14, the compression spring 62, and into
the brake screw accommodation 28. The support shaft 88 may be
included to align and support each display support 10, each brake
member 20, and the mounting support 40. The support shaft 88 may be
fed through the pivot shaft accommodation 42 of the mounting
support 40, each brake pad shaft accommodation 84, each brake shaft
accommodation 26, a retaining e-ring 68, each display support shaft
accommodation 16, and another retaining e-ring 68. The support
shaft 88 may have two ends, each of which are secured to a display
support 10 by a nut 66.
[0041] FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of an adjustment device 100
according to an exemplary embodiment. The pivot pin 78 may be used
to secure the display support 10 to the release member 30. The
pivot pin 78 may be inserted into the display support pin
accommodation 12 of the display support 10 and the release pin
accommodation 32 of the release member. The pivot pin 78 may permit
the release member 30 to rotate around the circumference of the
release pin 78 when the release member 30 is actuated in order to
release the brake member 20 from the mounting support 40. As
illustrated in FIG. 3, the second spring mechanism 70 may include a
spring spacer 72, a neutral buoyancy spring 74, a securing means
75, and a screw 76. The screw 76 may be fed through the mounting
support 40. The neutral buoyancy spring 74 may be secured to the
screw 76. A spring spacer 72 may be disposed on each side of the
portion of the neutral buoyancy spring 74 that is secured to the
screw 76 to keep the neutral buoyancy spring 74 centered in the
mounting support 40. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the brake member 20
may include a brake pad holder 22 secured to the display support 10
via screw 86, and a brake pad 24 attached to the brake pad holder
22 to secure the mounting support 40 in a locked position. The
mounting support 40 may include a pivot brake pad 48 disposed on
the outer side(s) of the mounting support 40 so that when the
release member 30 is disengaged, the brake pad 24 and the pivot
brake pad 48 are pressed together by the first spring mechanism 60
so that the mounting support 40 is secured and locked place. The
mounting support 40 may include a pivot mounting accommodation 56
disposed on the read side of the mounting support 40 so that the
mounting support 40 may be mounted to a head-worn viewing apparatus
90.
[0042] According to another embodiment, the brake pad 24 and the
pivot brake pad 48 may be made of suitable materials to generate a
frictional force greater than that required to prevent the visual
display apparatus 92 to move when the mounting support 40 is
secured by the brake member 20. The brake pad 24 may be comprised
of urethane rubber. The pivot brake pad 48 may be comprised of a
fiber material, such as that used on brake pads in the automotive
industry.
[0043] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of an adjustment device 100
according to an exemplary embodiment. The mounting support 40 may
include a pivot brake pad 48. The pivot brake pad 48 may have at
least one second pivot screw accommodation 46. The pivot brake pad
48 may be secured to the mounting support 40 my feeding a screw 76
into each second pivot screw accommodation 46. The release member
30, the display support 10, the first spring mechanism 60, and the
brake member 20 may be secured to one another by feeding screw 86
through release screw accommodation 34. Additionally, the second
spring mechanism 70 may include more than one securing means 75.
The securing means 75 may be configured as a loop which can be
affixed to a fixing arm 54 of the fixing plate 50. A first securing
means 75 may attach to a front of the fixing plate 50, and a second
securing means 75 may attach to a back of the fixing plate 50.
[0044] FIG. 5 illustrates a rear view of an adjustment device 100
according to an exemplary embodiment. The mounting support 40 may
include more than one pivot mounting accommodation 56. In an
exemplary embodiment, the mounting support 40 may include four
pivot mounting accommodations 56. The adjustment device 100 may
include a mounting portion including a mounting support 40, a
mounting bracket 58, and pivot mounting accommodations 56. The
mounting bracket 58 may be secured to the pivot mounting
accommodations 56 of the mounting support 40 using mounting screws
57.
[0045] FIG. 6 is a top down sectional illustration of an adjustment
device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. According to
another embodiment, the adjustment device 100 may include a first
spring mechanism 60 secured between the display support 10 and the
brake member 20. The first spring mechanism 60 may generate
elasticity between the display support 10 and the brake member 20.
The first spring mechanism 60 may be secured between the display
support 10 and the brake member 20 using the screw 86. The screw 86
may be fed through the first display support screw accommodation 14
of the display support 10, the first spring mechanism 60, and into
the brake screw accommodation 28 of the brake member. By fixing the
screw 86 to the brake screw accommodation 28, the first spring
mechanism 60 may be secured to a brake spring accommodation 29 of
the brake member 20. The first spring mechanism 60 may include a
compression spring 62 and a washer 64. The washer 64 may be
disposed between the compression spring 62 and the brake spring
accommodation 29.
[0046] The mounting support 40 may be in a first locked position by
the brake member 20 when the release member 30 is not actuated,
i.e., disengaged or released. When the release member 30 is
actuated, the release member 30 disengages the brake member 20 from
the mounting support 40. When the release member 30 is actuated,
the first spring mechanism 60 is compressed between the display
support 10 and the brake member 20 and the mounting support 40 is
released from a locked position. When the brake member 20 is
disengaged from the mounting support 40, the mounting support 40
can be moved in multiple directions relative to the display support
10 and the visual display apparatus 92 from the first locked
position to an adjusting position. In other words, when the brake
member 20 is disengaged from the mounting support 40, the visual
display apparatus 92 may be moved in multiple directions relative
to the mounting support 40 from the first locked position to an
adjusted position. The movement of the adjustment device 100 may be
described as the mounting support 40 moving relative to the
adjustment assembly (major components including the display support
10, brake member 20 and release member 30) and the visual display
apparatus 92, or as the visual display apparatus 92 and the
adjustment assembly moving relative to the mounting support. The
movement of the adjustment device 100 is the same whether described
from the perspective of the mounting support 40 or the visual
display apparatus 92.
[0047] When the release member 30 is released, the brake member 20
re-engages the mounting support and secures the mounting support 40
in the adjusted position, or alternatively, a second locked
position. When the release member 30 is released, the compression
of the first spring mechanism 60 is released which pushes the brake
member 20 to lock the mounting support 40 in place. A user may
actuate the release member 30 using their hand(s). The release
member 30 may require a force of about 5 to 10 lbs to fully
compress the first spring mechanism 60 and to disengage the brake
member 20 from the mounting support 40. The release member 30 may
reduce a spring load in order for the adjustment device 100 to be
easy to use while maintaining a high clamping force to eliminate
relative movement of the visual display apparatus 92 and the
head-worn viewing system 90.
[0048] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the support shaft 88 may be fed
through the pivot shaft accommodation 42 of the mounting support
40, each brake pad shaft accommodation 84, each brake shaft
accommodation 26, a retaining e-ring 68, each display support shaft
accommodation 16, and another retaining e-ring 68. The support
shaft 88 may have two ends, each of which are secured to a display
support 10 by a nut 66. The support shaft 88 may prevent the
mounting support 40 from being completely released from the
adjustment device 100 by preventing the mounting support 40 from
being moved out of alignment with the one or more brake members 20.
By securing the mounting support 40 in alignment with the brake
member(s) 20, the support shaft 88 ensures that the adjustment
device 100 does not fail. The adjustment device 100 may include
more than one second spring mechanism 70. Each second spring
mechanism 70 may be secured in the mounting support 40 by a screw
76 fed through a first pivot screw accommodation 44. The neutral
buoyancy spring 74 may include a ring portion that loops around the
screw 76 to fix the second spring mechanism 70 inside the mounting
support 40.
[0049] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate views of the adjustment device
100 according to exemplary embodiments. As illustrated in FIG. 7A,
the adjustment device 100 may be attached to a fixing plate 50. The
display support 10 of the adjustment device 100 may include a
second display support screw accommodation 18. A fixing screw 52
may be inserted through the second display support screw
accommodation 18 to fix the display support 10 to the fixing plate
50. The fixing plate 50 may be fixed to the visual display
apparatus 92. A mounting bracket 58 may be secured to the mounting
support 40 by inserting mounting screws 57 into the pivot mounting
accommodations 56. The mounting bracket 58 may then be attached to
a head strap (or helmet) 96. The mounting bracket 58 may slide into
a mounting bracket accommodation 98 of the head strap (or helmet)
96.
[0050] According to another embodiment, the multiple directions
along which the mounting support 40 may be moved or adjusted
include a horizontal axis H, a vertical axis V, and a tilt axis T.
The adjustment device 100 may be adjusted along these multiple axes
in order to align the visual display apparatus 92 with an optical
axis. The optical axis is an axis that is collinear with a user's
line of sight. By aligning the visual display 92 with the optical
axis, a user can see can maximize their field of vision through the
visual display apparatus 92. A movement along the horizontal axis H
may increase or decrease a distance between the visual display
apparatus 92 and a user's eyes. In other words, an adjustment along
the horizontal axis H may change the horizontal distance of an
optical element of the visual display apparatus 92 to a user's
pupil. A movement along the vertical axis V may raise or lower the
visual display apparatus 92 in relation to the user's eyes. In
other words, an adjustment along the vertical axis V may change the
height of the optical axis relative to the mounting support 40 and
the head-worn viewing system 90. A movement along the tilt axis T
may correspond to the rotation around an axis parallel a line that
goes from one ear of the user to another. In other words, an
adjustment along the tilt axis T may change the relative angle of
the optical axis relative to the head-worn viewing system. The
multiple directions of movement of the mounting support 40 allow a
user to simultaneously adjust the visual display apparatus 92 in
several directions to quickly determine the most comfortable fit
based on the user's individual needs.
[0051] According to another embodiment, mounting support 40 may be
adjusted, relative to the display support 10 and the visual display
apparatus 92, along the horizontal axis H, the vertical axis V, and
the tilt axis T simultaneously. The mounting support 40 may be
moved the horizontal axis H, the vertical axis V, and the tilt axis
T by actuating the release member 30, and moving the mounting
support 40. The second spring mechanism 70 enables the movement of
the mounting support 40 along the horizontal axis H, the vertical
axis V, and the tilt axis T by elastically securing the mounting
support 40 to the fixing plate 50. The adjustment device 100 may be
affixed to a head-worn viewing system 90 and a visual display
apparatus 92. When the adjustment device 100 is fixed to a
head-worn viewing system 90, the visual display apparatus 92 is
adjustable along the horizontal axis H, the vertical axis V and the
tilt axis T relative to the mounting support 40. In this example,
when the release member 30 is actuated, the release member 30, the
display support 10, the brake member 20, the fixing plate 50, and
the visual display apparatus 92 are adjustable in multiple
directions relative to the mounting support 40.
[0052] FIG. 8A illustrates an adjustment device 100 of a head-worn
viewing system 90 in a secured position according to an exemplary
embodiment. The fixing plate 50 may be attached to the adjustment
device 100 and the visual display apparatus 92. The second spring
mechanism 70 of the adjustment device 100 may be secured to the
fixing plate 50 by attaching the securing means 75 of the second
spring mechanism to the fixing arm 54 of the fixing plate. As
illustrated in FIG. 8A, when the release member 30 is released, the
brake member 20 is in a secured or locked position with the
mounting support 40. FIG. 8A may be illustrative of a first locked
position of the mounting support 40 or of a second locked position
of the mounting support 40 after an adjustment has been made.
[0053] FIG. 8B illustrates an adjustment device 100 of a head-worn
viewing system 90 in a released position according to an exemplary
embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 8B, when the release member 30
is actuated, the brake member 20 is disengaged from the mounting
support 40. When the brake member 20 is disengaged, the mounting
support 40 allows the movement of the rest of the adjustment device
100, the fixing plate 50, and the visual display apparatus 92 along
the horizontal axis H, the vertical axis V, and the tilt axis T.
The ability to simultaneously adjust the positioning of the visual
display apparatus 92 along the three axes allows a user to simply
customize the positioning of the visual display apparatus 92 in one
fluid motion.
[0054] FIG. 9 illustrates a head-worn viewing system 90 according
to an exemplary embodiment. The head-worn viewing system may
include a head strap (or helmet) 96, a fixed member 94, an
adjustment device 100, and a visual display apparatus 92. The
visual display apparatus 92 may be fixed to the adjustment device
100 by means of a fixing plate 50. The mounting support 40 of the
adjustment device 100 may be attached to the fixed member 94 by
means of a mounting bracket 58 and a mounting bracket accommodation
98. The fixed member 94 may be attached to a head strap 96 or a
helmet 96. The fixed member 94 may be a boom that supports the
visual display apparatus 92 and prevents the adjustment device 100
and the visual display apparatus 92 from moving away from a user's
line of sight.
[0055] FIGS. 10-12 illustrate ranges of motion of a visual display
apparatus 92 according to an exemplary embodiment. As illustrated
in FIG. 10, the visual display apparatus 92 may be rotated around
the tilt axis T. In FIG. 10A, the visual display apparatus 92 is
moved around the tilt axis T at -5 degrees, or 5 degrees towards a
user's head/face. In FIG. 10B, the visual display apparatus 92 is
moved around the tilt axis T at 0 degrees. In FIG. 10C, the visual
display apparatus 92 is moved around the tilt axis T at +5 degrees.
In FIG. 10D, the visual display apparatus 92 is moved around the
tilt axis T at +30 degrees. In FIG. 10E, the visual display
apparatus 92 is moved around the tilt axis T at +75 degrees. When
the visual display apparatus 92 is adjusted around the tilt axis T
at +75 degrees, the visual display apparatus 92 is removed from the
user's line of sight by being flipped up so that the user can view
their actual surroundings without the aid or assistance of the
visual display apparatus 92.
[0056] As illustrated in FIG. 11, the visual display apparatus 92
may be adjusted along the horizontal axis H. The visual display
apparatus 92 may be adjusted along the horizontal axis H to
increase or decrease a distance between the visual display
apparatus 92 and a user's eyes. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the
visual display apparatus 92 may be adjusted along the horizontal
axis H by approximately +/-10 millimeters towards or away from a
user's eyes.
[0057] As illustrated in FIG. 12, the visual display apparatus 92
may be adjusted along the vertical axis V. The visual display
apparatus 92 may be adjusted along the vertical axis V to raise or
lower the visual display apparatus 92 in relation to the user's
eyes. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the visual display apparatus 92
may be adjusted along the vertical axis V by approximately +/-10
millimeters up or down to level the visual display apparatus 92
with the user's eyes.
[0058] FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating a method of
simultaneously adjusting a positioning of a visual display
apparatus 92 in multiple directions according to an exemplary
embodiment. In operation S100, the release member 30 is actuated to
release the mounting support 40 from the first locked position.
When the release member 30 is actuated, the brake member 20 is
released from the mounting support 40 by applying a compressive
force to the first spring mechanism 60. In operation S110, the
mounting support 40 is moved in multiple directions relative to the
display support 10 and the visual display apparatus 92 to an
adjusted position. When the position of the mounting support 40 is
adjusted, the mounting support 40 may be moved along a horizontal
axis H, a vertical axis V, and a tilt axis T relative to the visual
display apparatus 92 via a second spring mechanism 70 secured to
the mounting support 40. In operation S120, the release member is
released to secure the mounting support 40 in the adjusted
position, or alternatively, the second locked position. When the
release member 30 is released, the brake member 20 is moved from a
retracted position to a secured position at which the mounting
support 40 is secured in place by the brake member 20. The brake
member 20 is moved from the retracted position to the secured
position by the expansion of the compressed first spring
mechanism.
[0059] Unless defined otherwise, all technical terms used herein
have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary
skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Any methods and
materials similar or equivalent to those described herein also can
be used in the practice or testing of the present disclosure
[0060] It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended
claims, the singular forms "a", "and", and "the" include plural
references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0061] While the present disclosure has been described with
reference to particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will
understand that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of the
invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adopt a
particular situation, material, composition of matter, process,
process step or steps, to the objective spirit and scope of the
present disclosure. All such modifications are intended to be
within the scope of the claims appended hereto.
[0062] For example, the release member in the figures described
above is mechanically actually with one or more spring mechanisms.
However, the release may be hydraulic, magnetic or
electromechanical. Alternatively, the brake may employ may employ
various types of frictional or locking surfaces such as a fabric
fastening device or lockable fiber.
[0063] In addition, the device described above describes the
adjustment of the visual display along horizontal, vertical and
tilt axes relative to the mounting support. Other degrees of types
of adjustments may be accomplished with the release member. For
example, in a further embodiment the mounting support includes two
plates that can move apart or together to account for differences
in intraocular pupil distance from one user to another.
* * * * *