Head-mount image display apparatus

• US 5,812,224 A
• Filed: 10/18/1996
• Issued: 09/22/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Olympus Optical Corporation Limited (Olympus Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Olympus Optical Corporation Limited (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Maeda, Yoshihiro, Kobayashi, Hiroyoshi, Yamanaka, Kazuya, Atsumi, Motohiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Sikes, William L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TON, MINH TOAN T
• Application Number:
  US08/731,726
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 349/13, 349/15, 349/11, 345/8, 359/15
• US Class Current: 349/13
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0176 characterised by mechanical features

Abstract

It is the object of the invention to provide a compact and highly stable head-mount image display apparatus capable of always transmitting voice information of an optimal volume, irrespective of the positional relationship between the head and the ear of an observer, which is related to the shape and/or size of the head. To attain the object, speakers incorporated in the apparatus of the invention can be moved to desired positions in accordance with changes in the positional relationship between the head and the ears of observers. Further, the apparatus of the invention can be folded to reduce the area the apparatus occupies.

Claims

1. A head-mount image display apparatus comprising:

a display apparatus body having image display elements for displaying thereon predetermined images, and eyepiece optical systems for guiding the predetermined images displayed on image display elements, to eyeballs of an observer;

a support member for supporting the display apparatus body on a head of the observer;

rotating members attached to the support member and rotatable through an angle falling within a predetermined range; and

speakers provided in the rotating members, respectively, for transmitting predetermined voice information to the observer.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising elastic members urging the rotating members in predetermined directions, respectively, and convex portions provided at the rotating members, respectively, such that the apparatus can be placed substantially horizontal.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support member has axes rotatably supporting the rotating members, respectively, and the rotating members are slidable along the axes, respectively, and rotatable about the axes, respectively.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the rotating members has a first element and a second element rotatably attached to the first element, and a corresponding one of the speakers is supported by one of the first and second elements.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each of the elastic members has a spring member urging the rotating members toward the head of the observer.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the rotating members has a position adjusting means for adjusting the position of the speakers.

7. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the axes are coupled with fixing members detachable from the support member, respectively, and the fixing members also serve as reinforcing members for the support member.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotating members are formed of elastic members with a predetermined elasticity, respectively.