IP Library Granted Patent US 12704731
Granted Patent B2
US 12704731 · App. 18/822,020 · Granted Aug 11, 2026

Wearable electronic device including counterbalance

Inventors: John S. Camp (Los Gatos, CA); Adam Y. Kollgaard (San Jose, CA)
Assignee: APPLE INC.
G02B27/0176G02B2027/0192
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12704731
App. No.
18/822,020
Granted
Aug 11, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Wearable electronic devices including counterbalances for adjusting balance points thereof and methods of using the same are disclosed. In an example, head-mountable electronic device includes a display unit, a securement band connected to the display unit, an overhead band including a first end secured to the securement band and a second end secured to the securement band, and a counterbalance connected to the securement band between the first end and the second end. A distance between the counterbalance and the first end can be adjustable.

Claims (65)

1 . A head-mountable electronic device, comprising:

a display unit;

a first securement band connected to the display unit;

a second securement band connected to the first securement band;

an overhead band including a first end secured to the first securement band and a second end secured to the first securement band;

a counterbalance connected to the second securement band between the first end and the second end; and

an adjustment mechanism,

wherein:

the counterbalance is adjustably connected to the first securement band via the adjustment mechanism; and

the adjustment mechanism is configured to modify a distance between the counterbalance and the first securement band.

2 . The head-mountable electronic device of claim 1 , wherein:

the counterbalance is a first counterbalance; and

the head-mountable electronic device further comprises a second counterbalance connected to the first securement band between the first counterbalance and the second end.

3 . The head-mountable electronic device of claim 2 , wherein

a second distance between the second counterbalance and the second end is adjustable.

4 . The head-mountable electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the counterbalance comprises an electronic component of the head-mountable electronic device.

5 . The head-mountable electronic device of claim 4 , wherein the electronic component comprises a battery electrically coupled to the display unit.

6 . The head-mountable electronic device of claim 1 , wherein:

the first securement band comprises:

a first portion including opposing ends coupled to the display unit; and

a second portion overlapping the first portion between the first end and the second end, the second portion adjustable relative to the first portion; and

the counterbalance is connected to one of:

the first portion between the first end and the second end, or

the second portion.

7 . The head-mountable electronic device of claim 6 , wherein:

a length of the first portion is adjustable; and

a length of the second portion is adjustable.

8 . The head-mountable electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the counterbalance is slidably connected to the first securement band.

9 . The head-mountable electronic device of claim 8 , wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a piston, wherein the counterbalance is adjustably connected to the first securement band via the piston.

10 . A wearable electronic device, comprising:

a display unit; and

a securement assembly, comprising:

a first band having a first end secured to the display unit and a second end secured to the display unit;

a second band connected to the first band at a first pivot between the first end and the second end and at a second pivot between the first pivot and the second end;

a first counterbalance adjustably secured to the first band between the first pivot and the second pivot;

a second counterbalance adjustably secured to the first band between the first pivot and the second pivot; and

an actuator configured to adjust a first distance between the first counterbalance and the first pivot;

wherein:

the display unit is disposed opposite at least one of the first pivot or the second pivot from at least one of the first counterbalance or the second counterbalance.

11 . The wearable electronic device of claim 10 , wherein:

the display unit comprises a display screen; and

the first counterbalance comprises a battery electrically coupled to the display screen.

12 . The wearable electronic device of claim 10 , wherein:

the actuator is further configured to adjust a second distance between the second counterbalance and the second pivot.

13 . The wearable electronic device of claim 12 , further comprising a controller electrically coupled to the actuator and configured to cause the actuator to adjust the first distance and the second distance based on a change in a length of the first band.

14 . The wearable electronic device of claim 10 , wherein the first counterbalance and the second counterbalance are manually adjustable.

15 . A head-mountable display device, comprising:

a display unit;

a counterbalance;

a securement band extending between the display unit and the counterbalance;

an overhead band coupled to the securement band to define a pivot between the display unit and the counterbalance; and

an adjustment mechanism disposed between the counterbalance and the pivot,

wherein:

a first moment arm is defined between the pivot and the display unit;

a second moment arm is defined between the pivot and the counterbalance; and

the adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust the second moment arm.

16 . The head-mountable display device of claim 15 , wherein:

the counterbalance is adjustably connected to the securement band; and

the counterbalance is adjustable to equalize the first moment arm and the second moment arm.

17 . The head-mountable display device of claim 16 , further comprising:

an actuator mechanically coupled to the counterbalance; and

a controller electrically coupled to the actuator and configured to cause the actuator to adjust a position of the counterbalance to equalize the first moment arm and the second moment arm.

18 . The head-mountable display device of claim 17 , wherein the adjustment of the position of the counterbalance is based on a change in a length of the securement band.

19 . The head-mountable display device of claim 15 , further comprising an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a length of the securement band.

20 . The head-mountable display device of claim 19 , wherein the second moment arm is adjustable independent from an adjustment of the length of the securement band.