WEIGHT-DISTRIBUTING HEADBAND FOR HEAD-WORN ASSEMBLY

• US 20160044981A1
• Filed: 08/12/2014
• Published: 02/18/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Paul Bosveld
• Inventors: Frank, Philip Andrew, Adams, Aditha May, Jentz, Henric, Tazbaz, Errol Mark, Denhez, Nicolas, Bosveld, Paul, Hosler, Travis Justin, Yoo, YeongKyu
• Granted Patent: US 10,034,508 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 1/22 adjustable in size ; Form-fitting or self adjusting head coverings; Devices for reducing hat size
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0176 characterised by mechanical features

Abstract

A head-worn assembly is disclosed including a head-worn device supported on a headband. The headband may include a first loop positioned around the head, and possibly a second loop affixed to the first loop and positioned over the head. Weight distribution and comfort of the head-worn assembly may be optimized by mounting the head-worn device at an approximate center (front to back) of the headband, and further balancing the weight of the head-worn device (front to back) over the mounting point. The weight distribution and comfort of the head-worn assembly may be further optimized by providing several user-customizable adjustments to the head-worn assembly.

Claims

1. A head-worn assembly, comprising:

a headband comprising a front portion adapted to be positioned at a front of a head, a rear portion adapted to be positioned at a rear of a head, the headband further including a first mounting position on a first side of the headband centrally between the front and rear portions, and a second mounting position on a second side of the headband, opposite the first side, centrally between the front and rear portions; and

a head-worn device affixed to the headband at the first and second mounting positions, components of the head-worn device distributed on at least one of the head-worn device and headband to position a center of gravity of the head-worn device generally over an axis through the first and second mounting positions.

2. The head-worn assembly of claim 1, the headband comprising a crown loop adapted to extend around the crown of a head.

3. The head-worn assembly of claim 2, the headband further comprising an overhead loop affixed to the crown loop and adapted to extend over a top of a head.

4. The head-worn assembly of claim 3, wherein the head-worn device is pivotally affixed to the crown loop at the first and second mounting positions.

5. The head-worn assembly of claim 4, wherein the head-worn device is also translationally affixed to the crown loop.

6. The head-worn assembly of claim 3, wherein the overhead loop affixes to the crown loop over the first and second mounting positions.

7. The head-worn assembly of claim 3, wherein the overhead loop is integrally formed with the crown loop.

8. The head-worn assembly of claim 3, wherein an angle between the overhead loop and the crown loop is adjustable.

9. The head-worn assembly of claim 1, the head-worn device providing at least one of a virtual reality environment and an augmented reality environment.

10. A head-worn assembly, comprising:

a headband comprising;

a crown loop with a front portion adapted to be positioned at a front of a head, a rear portion adapted to be positioned at a rear of a head, the crown loop further comprising a first mounting position on a first side of the crown loop centrally between the front and rear portions, and a second mounting position on a second side of the crown loop, opposite the first side, centrally between the front and rear portions, the crown loop further comprising crown loop adjustment mechanism to adjust a size of the crown loop,

an overhead loop affixed to the crown loop, the overhead loop comprising an overhead loop adjustment mechanism to adjust a size of the overhead loop,

wherein the crown loop adjustment mechanism and overhead loop adjustment mechanism enable the headband to be custom fit for different head sizes and user preferences; and

a head-worn device affixed to the headband at the first and second mounting positions.

11. The head-worn assembly of claim 10, the head-worn device further comprising components distributed on at least one of the head-worn device and headband to position a center of gravity of the head-worn device generally over an axis through the first and second mounting positions.

12. The head-worn assembly of claim 10, wherein the overhead loop is affixed with a non-variable angle to the crown loop.

13. The head-worn assembly of claim 10, wherein the overhead loop is affixed with a variable angle to the crown loop, the variable angle further enabling the headband to be custom fit for different head sizes and user preferences.

14. The head-worn assembly of claim 10, the crown loop comprising a pair of slides mounted for translation in a pair of slots in the first and second sides of the crown loop, the first and second mounting positions located on the pair of slides to allow linear adjustment of the head-worn device in a plane of the headband.

15. The head-worn assembly of claim 14, wherein the head-worn device is pivotally affixed to the slides at the first and second mounting positions.

16. The head-worn assembly of claim 10, wherein components of the head-worn device are distributed in the rear portion of the crown loop.

17. The head-worn assembly of claim 10, wherein components of the head-worn device are distributed in the overhead loop.

18. A head-worn assembly, comprising:

a headband comprising;

a crown loop with a front portion adapted to be positioned at a front of a head and a rear portion adapted to be positioned at a rear of a head, the crown loop further comprising crown loop adjustment mechanism to adjust a size of the crown loop,

an overhead loop affixed to the crown loop, the overhead loop comprising an overhead loop adjustment mechanism to adjust a size of the overhead loop,

wherein the crown loop adjustment mechanism and overhead loop adjustment mechanism enable the headband to be custom fit for different head sizes and user preferences; and

a head-worn device affixed to the headband at first and second mounting positions on first and second opposed sides of the crown loop between the front and rear portions of the crown loop, components of the head-worn device being distributed on at least one of the head-worn device and headband to position a center of gravity of the head-worn device generally over an axis through the first and second mounting positions.

19. The head-worn assembly of claim 18, wherein the axis through the first and second mounting positions is aligned with a center of gravity of a head, front to back.

20. The head-worn assembly of claim 18, wherein the axis through the first and second mounting positions is rearward of a center of gravity of a head, front to back.