IP Library Granted Patent US 12,276,804
Granted Patent B2
US 12,276,804 · App. 18/347,266 · Granted Apr 15, 2025

Conformable facial interface

Inventor: Nicholas R Trincia (San Francisco, CA)
Assignee: APPLE INC.
G02B27/0176
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,276,804
App. No.
18/347,266
Granted
Apr 15, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A wearable electronic device including a display, a frame attachable to the display, a facial interface movably attached to the frame, and a linkage assembly movably connecting the facial interface to the frame. The linkage assembly can include a first arm pivotably attached to the frame, the first arm comprising a first end and a second end, a second arm pivotably attached to the first end and attached to the facial interface, and a third arm pivotably attached to the second end and attached to the facial interface.

Claims (45)

1. A wearable device comprising:

a display;

a frame at least partially housing to the display;

a facial interface to span along a forehead region, an eye region, and a cheek region, the facial interface movably attached to the frame; and

a linkage assembly movably connecting the facial interface to the frame, the linkage assembly comprising:

a first arm pivotably attached to the frame, the first arm comprising a first end and a second end;

a second arm pivotably attached to the first end and attached to the facial interface; and

a third arm pivotably attached to the second end and attached to the facial interface.

2. The wearable device of claim 1 , wherein:

the wearable device is a head-mountable device;

each of the second arm and the third arm comprises a first connector and a second connector attachable to the facial interface; and

the linkage assembly evenly distributes a force applied to the facial interface.

3. The wearable device of claim 1 , wherein the second arm and the third arm are slidably attached to the facial interface.

4. The wearable device of claim 1 , further comprising a ball joint connecting the facial interface and the linkage assembly.

5. The wearable device of claim 4 , wherein the ball joint has about 30 degrees of motion.

6. The wearable device of claim 1 , wherein the facial interface comprises an elongated socket.

7. The wearable device of claim 1 , wherein:

the second arm is pivotably attached to the facial interface at a first location and at a second location; and

the third arm is pivotably attached to the facial interface at a third location and at a fourth location.

8. The wearable device of claim 1 , wherein the facial interface comprises a dynamic arc-length.

9. A head-mountable device comprising:

a display unit;

a facial interface conformable to at least a forehead region and a zygoma region; and

a movement mechanism connecting the facial interface to the display unit, the movement mechanism comprising:

a pivot rotatably attached to the display unit;

a first end moveably attached at a first location of the facial interface; and

a second end moveably attached at a second location of the facial interface.

10. The head-mountable device of claim 9 , wherein the second location moves in response to a force being applied at the first location.

11. The head-mountable device of claim 9 , wherein the movement mechanism comprises:

a central arm including the pivot;

a first side arm pivotably connected to a first portion of the central arm on a first side of the pivot; and

a second side arm pivotably connected to a second portion of the central arm on a second side of the pivot.

12. The head-mountable device of claim 9 , wherein the facial interface contacts a maxilla region of a user during use.

13. The head-mountable device of claim 9 , wherein the movement mechanism distributes forces evenly through the movement mechanism.

14. The head-mountable device of claim 9 , further comprising a post disposed on the head-mountable device to restrict a motion of the movement mechanism.

15. The head-mountable device of claim 9 , further comprising a spring connecting the movement mechanism to the display unit.

16. The head-mountable device of claim 9 , wherein the facial interface comprises a relief cutout.

17. A facial interface for a head-mountable device, comprising:

a frame;

a conformable member that, when donned, assumes a shape of a facial region; and

a linkage connecting the frame and the conformable member, the linkage attached to the frame at a hinge joint, and attached to the conformable member at a pivot point.

18. The facial interface of claim 17 , wherein the linkage deforms the conformable member at a first location in response to the conformable member being deformed at a second location.

19. The facial interface of claim 17 , wherein the hinge joint is centered along a longitudinal axis of the linkage.

20. The facial interface of claim 17 , wherein the pivot point is adjustable.

21. The facial interface of claim 17 , wherein the frame is rigid and the conformable member is deformable.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 5, 2023
From: TRINCIA, NICHOLAS R.
To: APPLE INC.
Reel/Frame 064156/0052 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63371722 · Aug 17, 2022
Related Publication 20240061254A1 · Feb 22, 2024
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