Adjustment device for a head-worn viewing system and method of use thereof

Abstract

A device to adjust a position of a head-worn vision system such as a visual display apparatus in multiple directions. The device includes an adjustment assembly with a brake member and a mounting support moveably attached to the adjustment assembly in a fixed position by the brake member. The device allows simultaneous adjustment of a head worn vision system by release the brake member.

1 . A device to adjust a position of head-worn vision system, the device comprising:
 an adjustment assembly that includes a brake member; and   a mounting support attached to the adjustment assembly by the brake member;   wherein the adjustment assembly is simultaneously adjustable in multiple directions relative to the mounting support by disengagement of the brake member.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustment assembly comprises a release member to disengage the brake member and a display support attachable to a visual display device of the head-worn vision system. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the adjustment assembly further comprises:
 a support shaft coupling the release member, display support, and the brake member; and   a first spring mechanism secured by the support shaft to provide elasticity between the release member, the display support, and the brake member.   
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a second spring mechanism to moveably attach the mounting support to the adjustment assembly.   
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting support includes a mounting interface to secure the device to a head mount strap or to a helmet. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustment assembly is adjustable from a first locked position by actuating the release member to separate the brake member from the mounting support, by moving the adjustment assembly, and by releasing the release member to secure the adjustment assembly in a second locked position relative to the mounting support. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustment assembly is simultaneously adjustable along multiple axes that include a vertical axis, a horizontal axis, and a tilt axis relative to the mounting support. 
     
     
         8 . A head-worn viewing system, comprising:
 a visual display apparatus;   an adjustment assembly attached to the visual display apparatus, the adjustment assembly having a brake member; and   a mounting support moveably attached to the adjustment assembly, wherein the adjustment assembly is operable to move the visual display apparatus in multiple directions relative to the mounting support by disengagement of the brake member.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the adjustment assembly comprises:
 a release member to disengage the brake member.   
     
     
         10 . The head-worn viewing system of  claim 9 , wherein the adjustment assembly is adjustable from a locked position relative to the mounting support by actuating the release member to disengage the brake member from the mounting support and by deactivating the release member to secure the adjustment assembly via the brake member in a second locked position relative to the mounting support. 
     
     
         11 . The head-worn viewing system of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the mounting support comprises a brake pad in frictional contact with the brake member; and   the adjustment assembly is simultaneously adjustable in multiple directions relative to the mounting support by disengagement of the brake pad from the brake member.   
     
     
         12 . The head-worn viewing system of  claim 8 , wherein the adjustment assembly comprises:
 a release member to disengage the brake member;   a display support attached to the visual display apparatus;   a support shaft that connects the release member, the display support and the brake member; and   a first spring mechanism secured by the support shaft between the release member and the brake member.   
     
     
         13 . The head-worn viewing system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a second spring mechanism to elastically attach the mounting support to the display support.   
     
     
         14 . The head-worn viewing system of  claim 8 , wherein the visual display apparatus is selected from the group consisting essentially of:
 a virtual reality display, virtual reality goggles, night vision goggles, heat vision goggles, infrared goggles, binoculars, a camera, and a monocular device.   
     
     
         15 . The head-worn viewing system of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a head strap attached to the mounting support.   
     
     
         16 . The head-worn viewing system of  claim 8 , wherein the mounting support includes a mounting portion to attached the device to a head strap or helmet. 
     
     
         17 . A method of adjusting a position of a head-worn visual display apparatus relative to a mounting support, the method comprising:
 releasing the visual display apparatus from a first locked position; and   moving the visual display apparatus along more than one axis relative to the mounting support to a second position.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein releasing comprises:
 disengaging a brake that locks the mounting support to the visual display apparatus.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 engaging the brake to lock the mounting support to the visual display apparatus at the second position.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein disengaging the brake comprises applying a compressive force to a first spring mechanism.