Apple wins another Smartglasses patent for an advanced Securement Arm System to assist active users keep their glasses firmly in place
Today the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office officially granted Apple a patent that relates to a future smartglasses securement arm system to assist users keep their glasses on their head when working out, jogging, playing sports and more.
In Apple's granted patent background they note that optical devices can be used in a variety of different settings and during a variety of different activities. These can range from lying down still in bed to mountain biking or hiking outdoors. Thus, even for a single user, the securement arms of a head-mountable device that are comfortable and sufficient for securing the device during one activity may not be as well suited for another activity.
Furthermore, head-mountable optical devices can include a number of electronic components configured to operate together to produce an altered or virtual reality experience to the user. Users often desire lightweight, compact devices that are comfortable, portable, long lasting, and easily handled. Thus, the physical configuration of these electronic components, including batteries, speakers, processors, and so forth, affects the quality of the user's experience.
Accordingly, what is needed in the art are head-mountable devices and systems providing users having a wide variety of anatomical features and who participate in a wide variety of activities with comfortable and reliable components.
Securement Arm For Smartglasses
Apple's granted patent describes a smartglasses viewing frame and a securement arm extending from the viewing frame. The securement arm can include a proximal portion connected to the viewing frame, the proximal portion including a first electronic component and a distal portion attached to the proximal portion by a spring element. The distal portion can include a second electronic component.
The spring element can include an elastic element over molded onto a plastic deformation element. An electrical connector can extend through the spring element and electrically connect the first electronic component and the second electronic component.
In one example, the plastic deformation element can include through holes. In some examples, the plastic deformation element can include an elongated panel having flexible a tab extending from the panel. The flexible tab can interlock with the elastic element.
In other examples, the plastic deformation element can include a metallic material and the elastic element comprises a silicon material. In some examples, the distal portion can include a first shell coupled to a second shell to define a prismatic volume and the second electronic component is disposed within the prismatic volume.
In some examples, a securement arm for an optical device can include a first portion having a first electronic component, the first portion connected to a viewing frame of the optical device. The securement arm can also include a second portion having a second electronic component coupled to the first portion by a spring element. In this example, the spring element can include a plastic deformation element and an elastic element. The securement arm can also include an electrical connector extending through the spring element and electrically connecting the first electronic component and the second electronic component.
In at least one example in Apple's granted patent, the plastic deformation element can include an angle adjustment range between about −30° and about +30°. The elastic element can include an angle adjustment range between about 0° and about 10°. In some examples, the elastic element can include an elongated sheet metal panel. The plastic deformation element can include a bespoke mechanism.
In this example, the bespoke mechanism can include a crown gear engagement feature. The crown gear engagement feature comprises a push button that disengages the crown gear to adjust an angle of the spring element when pressed and engages the crown gear when released. In one example, the plastic deformation element can include a friction hinge.
In some examples, the plastic deformation element can include a first material and the elastic element can include a second material. The second material can be at least partially embedded within the first material. In this example, the first material can include a stainless steel and the second material comprises nitinol. In an example, the plastic deformation element can include a pliable material having a first tempered region and the elastic element can include the pliable material having a second tempered region. In this example, the second tempered region can include a different yield strength than the first tempered region.
In another example, a securement arm for an optical device includes a proximal portion connected to a viewing frame of the optical device and a distal portion attached to the first portion by a spring element.
In some examples, the proximal portion includes a first electronic component and the distal portion includes a second electronic component. The spring element can include a plastic deformation element and an elastic element. An electrical connector can extend through the spring element and electrically connect the first electronic component and the second electronic component. In this example, the securement arm further includes a first interposer at least partially disposed within the first portion of the securement arm. At least a portion of the spring element is connected to the first interposer and at least one of an adhesive, a barb, or a snap feature is disposed between an outer surface of the first interposer and an inner surface of the first portion of the securement arm. In some examples, the distal portion of the securement arm can include a second interposer at least partially disposed within the distal portion and a portion of the spring element can be connected to the second interposer.
In some examples, the first interposer can be connected to the spring element by at least one of a laser weld, a fastener, an ultrasonic weld, or a rivet. The electrical connector can include a planar flex or a cable. In some examples, the first electronic component can include a battery and the second electronic component can include a speaker.
To review the full details of this invention, check out granted patent 12189133.
Apple's Inventors
- Alison Shutzberg: Product Design Engineer
- Chris Patton: Product Design Engineer
- Ibuki Kamei: Product Design Engineer