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US-12622493-B2 - Head-mountable device band with a latch movable by a tab

US12622493B2US 12622493 B2US12622493 B2US 12622493B2US-12622493-B2

Abstract

A band includes a latch body that is movable by pulling a tab. The latch body extends through an opening of the band and secures with a pin located on a head-mountable device. The band can detach from the head-mountable device by pulling the tab, which actuates the latch body and removes the latch body from the pin. A spring (or springs) can bias the latch body toward the opening, causing the latch body to enter the pin. An applied force to the tab can overcome the biasing force provided by the spring(s), and move the latch body away from, and out of, the pin.

Inventors

  • Yiwei Tao
  • Wei-Ling Chang
  • Zebinah P. Masse
  • Aiden D. Mossop
  • Benjamin A. Shaffer
  • Lauren D. Gerardi
  • Nicolas Lylyk
  • Paul J. Thompson
  • Richard P. Howarth
  • Robert V. Tang
  • Toria F. Yan

Assignees

  • APPLE INC.

Dates

Publication Date
20260512
Application Date
20230810

Claims (20)

  1. 1 . A band for a head-mountable device, the band comprising: a strap that defines a first opening and a second opening; a latch body movable with respect to the first opening; a spring coupled with the latch body; and a tab extending from the second opening, wherein: a first latch position comprises the latch body positioned in the first opening based on the spring, and a second latch position comprises the latch body pulled away from the first opening by the tab.
  2. 2 . The band of claim 1 , further comprising a bar, wherein the tab wraps around the bar.
  3. 3 . The band of claim 2 , wherein the bar extends through the latch body.
  4. 4 . The band of claim 2 , further comprising a second bar, wherein: the bar defines a first bar, the tab wraps around the first bar and is secured with the strap at the second bar.
  5. 5 . The band of claim 1 , wherein the spring biases the latch body toward the first opening.
  6. 6 . The band of claim 1 , further comprising a second spring, wherein: the spring is first spring, and the tab is positioned between the first spring and the second spring.
  7. 7 . The band of claim 1 , wherein the first opening comprises a tapered opening.
  8. 8 . The band of claim 1 , wherein the second latch position comprises the tab applying a force that overcomes a biasing force of the spring.
  9. 9 . A band for a head-mountable device, the band comprising: a strap that defines an opening; a latch body located in the opening; a bar extending through the latch body; a tab that wraps around the bar, wherein displacement of the tab by a first distance causes actuation of the latch body by a second distance that is different from the first distance, wherein: the opening comprises a first surface opening and a second surface opening larger than the first surface opening, and the opening defines a tapered surface based on the first surface opening and the second surface opening; and a ring located between the first surface opening and the latch body.
  10. 10 . The band of claim 9 , wherein the second distance is less than the first distance.
  11. 11 . The band of claim 9 , further comprising a spring that biases the latch body toward the opening, wherein the displacement of the tab causes the actuation of the latch body away from the opening.
  12. 12 . The band of claim 9 , further comprising a second bar, wherein: the bar defines a first bar, the displacement by the tab causes the first bar to move relative to the second bar.
  13. 13 . The band of claim 12 , wherein the displacement by the tab causes the first bar to move toward the second bar.
  14. 14 . The band of claim 9 , wherein the tab is partially within the strap and partially outside of the strap.
  15. 15 . A head-mountable device, comprising: a frame that carries a display; a pin extending from the frame, the pin comprising a cavity; and a band coupled with the frame, the band comprising: a strap that defines an opening; a latch body configured to enter the cavity; a pulley; a tab that wraps around the pulley, wherein in response to an applied force to the tab, the pulley facilitates movement of the latch body out of the cavity; and a ring that extends into the opening and engages the pin.
  16. 16 . The head-mountable device of claim 15 , wherein: the band comprises a spring that provides a biasing force to the latch body, and in response to the applied force overcoming the biasing force, the latch body moves out of the cavity.
  17. 17 . The head-mountable device of claim 15 , wherein the opening comprises a lozenge shape.
  18. 18 . The head-mountable device of claim 15 , wherein the tab is configured to be pulled to actuate the latch body.
  19. 19 . The band of claim 1 , wherein the tab comprises woven strands.
  20. 20 . The band of claim 1 , wherein the tab is configured to be pulled to actuate the latch body.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/405,327, entitled “HEAD-MOUNTABLE DEVICE BAND WITH A LATCH MOVABLE BY A TAB,” filed Sep. 9, 2022, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. FIELD This application is directed to electronic devices, and more particularly, to bands used with head-mountable devices. The bands may include a latch that is actuated by a tab. BACKGROUND Devices, such as head-mountable devices, can secure with a band used to hold the device on a user's head. Some bands may be permanently secured to a head-mountable device. The size of the band can be subsequently adjusted using integrated features. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Certain features of the subject technology are set forth in the appended claims. However, for purpose of explanation, several embodiments of the subject technology are set forth in the following figures. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate examples of a system with a head-mounted device, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a band with connection features used to connect a head-mounted device to a strap or an intermediate device, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view of a band, showing additional connection features, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a band, showing a latch body extending into an opening, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a band, showing a pin engaged with a latch body, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a band, showing a latch body actuated by a tab, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of an additional example of a band, showing a pin connected to a head-mountable device without a ring between the pin and the head-mountable device, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of various configurations of the subject technology and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the subject technology may be practiced. The appended drawings are incorporated herein and constitute a part of the detailed description. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the subject technology. However, it will be clear and apparent to those skilled in the art that the subject technology is not limited to the specific details set forth herein and may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the subject technology. A head-mountable device (HMD), such as a head-mounted display, headset, visor, smartglasses, head-up display, etc., can perform a range of functions that is determined by the components (e.g., sensors, circuitry, and other hardware) included with the HMD as manufactured. For example, an HMD with virtual reality capabilities can replace a natural, real-life environment with virtual content. In another example, an HMD with augmented, or mixed, reality capabilities allow users to view certain computer-generated images superimposed onto a natural, real-life environment. In order to fit and maintain an HMD on a user's head, a band can attach to the HMD. The subject technology is directed to modifications to a band that facilitate securing/coupling the band with the HMD as well as removal of the band from the HMD. Bands described herein may include an opening that receives a pin, or connector, from the HMD. In order to retain the pin in the opening and secure the band with the HMD, the band includes a latch body. The latch body can remain secured in the pin based upon one or more springs biasing the latch body within the pin. The band further includes a tab, or pull tab, designed to actuate the latch body out of the pin. For example, a user can grasp the tab and pull the tab. When the applied force by the user overcomes the biasing force provided by the spring(s), the latch body is removed from the pin, and the band can be separated from the HMD. To facilitate movability of the latch body, the tab can be secured with a bar (or bars). At least one of the bars may act as a pulley such that when pulling the tab, the pulley assists in actuating the latch body. Further, using the pulley, the displacement of the tab and the latch body may differ. For example, the tab may travel 2 millimeters (mm) while the latch body travels 1 mm and is nonetheless removed from the pin of the HMD. The disparate displacement between the latch body and the tab may enhance