Headset for presenting video and audio signals to a wearer

• US 5,682,172 A
• Filed: 12/30/1994
• Issued: 10/28/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vuzix Corporation
• Original Assignee: Forte Technologies, Inc. (Vuzix Corporation)
• Inventors: Travers, Paul J., Taylor, Robert E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bayerl, Raymond J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vail, Seth D.
• Application Number:
  US08/366,967
• Time in Patent Office: 1,033 Days
• Field of Search: 2/2, 2/15, 2/11, 2/414, 2/415, 2/421, 2/424, 2/425, 345/8, 348/42, 348/51, 348/53, 348/61, 348/115, 348/164, 359/13, 359/466, 359/471, 359/477, 359/481, 359/630, 359/631, D14/124, D14/205, 381/25, 381/183, 381/187, 381/188, 381/189, 351/123, 351/158, 379/430, 352/57, 128/661.01, 128/916, 434/43, 434/44, 600/109, 600/111
• US Class Current: 345/8
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0159 with mechanical means other than scaning means for positioning the whole image
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0176 characterised by mechanical features

Abstract

A headset for operably disposing speakers and a visual display on the head of a wearer. The headset includes a beam extending over the vertex of the head for contacting the brow at one end and cooperating with a nape strap on the posterior end for adjusting the fit. Rigid arms extend from the posterior end adjacent the head to terminate in the vicinity of the ears. The arms include compressible compensators to substantially accommodate any size head therein. A visor is pivotally connected to the support beam adjacent the brow piece. The attachment of the visor to the support beam permits the visor to be disposed in a donning position away from the face or an operable position adjacent the face, without requiring a weight bearing surface on the face.

Claims

1. A headset for engaging a head of a wearer, comprising:

(a) a rigid support beam curved to fit the head between an anterior end having a brow piece for contacting a brow of the head and a posterior end

(b) a first speaker;

(c) a rigid left arm extending from the posterior end to extend anteriorly and along a left side of the head to locate the first speaker adjacent a left ear of the wearer;

(d) a second speaker;

(e) a rigid right arm extending from the posterior end to extend anteriorly and along a right side of the head to locate the second speaker adjacent a right ear of the wearer; and

(f) a visual display attached to the support beam such that in an operable position the visual display is suspended from the support beam to preclude weight bearing contact between the visual display and the wearer.

2. The headset of claim 1, wherein the visual display is movable between an operable position adjacent the eyes and a donning position spaced apart from the eyes.

3. The headset of claim 1, further comprising:

(a) a left mount on the left arm and a right mount on the right arm; and

(b) a nap strap extending between the spaced mounts to locate a portion of the occiput intermediate the nape strap and the posterior end and to selectively vary the distance between the brow piece and the nap strap in a non-circumferential contact with the head.

4. The headset of claim 1, wherein the left arm, the right arm and the support beam are sized to engage a portion of the head between the arms such that upon a given slue rate of the head a directly proportional slue rate is imparted to the headset.

5. The headset of claim 1, further comprising:

(a) an inflatable bladder connected to one of the right arm, the left arm and the beam to couple the headset to the head.

6. A headset for locating an eyepiece adjacent to a wearer'"'"'s eyes, comprising:

(a) a head beam extending along the head from a brow piece to a posterior end, the brow piece sized to contact the brow and the posterior end sized to prevent the headset from bearing on the neck; and

(b) a pair of rigid arms extending anteriorly from the posterior end to contact the sides of the head and locate a headset center of gravity along a line extending between the arms.

7. A headset for engaging a head of a wearer, comprising:

(a) a support beam curved to fit the head between a brow of the head and a posterior portion of the head, the support beam including a brow piece for contacting the brow;

(b) a rigid arm connected to the support beam adjacent the posterior portion of the head to extend toward an anterior portion of the head; and

(c) a visor attached to the support beam and disposable in an operable position;

the support beam and visor selected so that upon orientation of the visor in the operable position, the visor is suspended from the support beam to preclude weight bearing contact between the visor and the head.

8. The headset of claim 7, wherein the support beam, brow piece and arm are sized to couple the headset to the head to accurately translate a slue rate of the head to the headset.

9. The headset of claim 7, wherein the visor includes a visual display and is movable between a donning position and the operable position.

10. The headset of claim 7, wherein the support beam is sized to extend along the vertex of the head.

11. A headset for engaging a head of a wearer, comprising:

(a) a curved support beam for contacting the head between a brow piece for contacting the brow and a posterior end the posterior end including a pair of spaced apart mounts; and

(b) a nape strap extending between the mounts for contacting the wearer below the occipital protuberance and selectively varying the distance between the brow piece and the nape strap.

12. A headset for releasably engaging a head, comprising:

(a) visual display for providing a field of vision; and

(b) a brow piece contacting a brow of the head to operably suspend the visual display and preclude weight beating contact between the visual display and the head.

13. The headset of claim 12, further comprising

(a) a support beam connected to the brow piece for contacting the head.

14. The headset of claim 13, further comprising:

(a) a visor connected to the support beam and positioned to be suspended from the support beam in a non weight bearing contact with the head.

15. The headset of claim 13, further comprising:

(a) spaced apart mounts on the support beam; and

(b) a nape strap extending between the spaced apart mounts.

16. The headset of claim 13, further comprising:

(a) sound reproducing means carried by the support beam.