Mounting mechanism and head-mounted image display apparatus

• US 7,956,822 B2
• Filed: 07/11/2006
• Issued: 06/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Nakabayashi, Takaaki, Saito, Yoshihiro, Okuma, Toshiyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe; Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): Edwards; Carolyn R
• Application Number:
  US11/456,705
• Publication Number:
  US 20070013611A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,792 Days
• Field of Search: 345 7- 9
• US Class Current: 345/8
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/01 Head-up displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0149 characterised by mechanical features G02B27/0176 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/002 Mounting on the human body

Abstract

This specification discloses a mounting mechanism for a display portion onto the head in which the movement range of a wearer is not restricted and it becomes possible to make the display portion follow the head. This mounting mechanism has a head mounting portion for mounting the display portion on the head, a weight supporting portion mounted on any other body portion than the head for supporting part of the weight of the head mounting portion, and a connecting member for connecting the head mounting portion and the weight supporting portion together so that the head mounting portion may be movable following the movement of the head.

Claims

1. A mounting mechanism, comprising:

a head mounting portion for mounting a display portion on head of a user;

a first weight supporting portion mounted on shoulder of the user, the first weight supporting portion supporting a part of weight of the head mounting portion;

a second weight supporting portion on head of the user, the second weight supporting portion supporting a part of weight of the head mounting portion other than the weight being supported by the first weight supporting portion; and

a connecting member suspending the head mounting portion from above, and connecting to the first weight supporting portion so that the head mounting portion may be movable following movement of the head.

2. A mounting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said connecting member is a member having elasticity.

3. A mounting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said connecting member has a plurality of arm members and an actuator for driving the arm members.

4. A mounting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said head mounting portion and said first weight supporting portion is connected to said connecting member through a universal joint.

5. A mounting mechanism according to claim 4, wherein center of gravity of said head mounting portion and position of said universal joint are configured to coincide with each other on a vertical line.