Support structure for head-mounted optical devices

Abstract

In one embodiment, a support structure comprises an elastic layer that is sized and configured to snuggly conform to a wearer's head and generally extend from the wearer's forehead to the base of the wearer's skull, and connection elements provided on the layer that are configured to secure mounting elements of a head-mounted optical device to be supported by the support structure.

1 . A support structure comprising:
 an elastic layer that is sized and configured to snuggly conform to a wearer's head and generally extend from the wearer's forehead to the base of the wearer's skull; and   connection elements provided on the layer that are configured to secure mounting elements of a head-mounted optical device to be supported by the support structure;   wherein the support structure distributes the weight of the optical device when worn by the wearer to reduce pressure applied to the head at localized points;   wherein the support structure further secures the optical device in position relative to the wearer's head to reduce shifting of the optical device.   
   
   
       2 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic layer is formed from an elastic fabric. 
   
   
       3 . The support structure of  claim 2 , wherein the elastic fabric comprises one of spandex, latex, or neoprene. 
   
   
       4 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic layer comprises multiple panels of material that are attached to each other along seams. 
   
   
       5 . The support structure of  claim 4 , wherein the panels comprise a central panel that aligns with the center of the wearer's head and opposed lateral panels that align with sides of the wearer's head. 
   
   
       6 . The support structure of  claim 5 , wherein the panels further comprise earflap panels that align with the wearer's ears. 
   
   
       7 . The support structure of  claim 4 , wherein the connection elements are provided along the seams of the elastic layer. 
   
   
       8 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the connection elements comprise elastic openings formed in the layer, the openings configured to receive mounting pads of the optical device. 
   
   
       9 . The support structure of  claim 8 , wherein the elastic openings comprise lateral openings that align with the sides of the wearer's head, posterior openings that align with the back of the wearer's head, and anterior openings that align with the wearer's forehead. 
   
   
       10 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic layer is an outer shell and wherein the support structure further comprises an elastic inner lining that is attached to the outer shell along a lower edge of the support structure, wherein the outer shell and the inner lining together form an interior space that is adapted to receive mounting pads of the optical device. 
   
   
       11 . The support structure of  claim 10 , wherein the inner lining comprises multiple panels that are attached to each other along seams. 
   
   
       12 . The support structure of  claim 1 , further comprising securement straps that are attached to the elastic layer and configured to secure a frame of the optical device. 
   
   
       13 . The support structure of  claim 12 , wherein the securement straps include a central securement strap that aligns with the wearer's forehead and lateral securement straps that align with the wearer's ears. 
   
   
       14 . The support structure of  claim 12 , wherein the securement straps are permanently attached to the elastic layer at a first end and releasably attached to the elastic layer at a second end such that the straps can be placed in a closed and open positions. 
   
   
       15 . The support structure of  claim 14 , wherein the securement straps releasably attach to the elastic layer with mechanical fasteners. 
   
   
       16 . A cap for supporting a head-mounted optical device, the cap comprising:
 an elastic outer shell that is sized and configured to snuggly conform to a wearer's head and generally extend from the wearer's forehead to the base of the wearer's skull, the outer shell comprising a plurality of elastic openings that are adapted to receive mounting pads of the optical device;   an elastic inner lining that is attached to the outer shell along a lower edge of the cap, the inner lining and the outer shell together defining an interior space; and   securement straps that are configured to wrap around a frame of the optical device;   wherein the cap distributes the weight of the optical device when worn by the wearer to reduce pressure applied to the head at localized points;   wherein the cap further secures the optical device in position relative to the wearer's head to reduce shifting of the optical device.   
   
   
       17 . The cap of  claim 16 , wherein the outer shell is formed from an elastic fabric comprising of spandex, latex, or neoprene. 
   
   
       18 . The cap of  claim 16 , wherein the outer shell comprises multiple panels of material that are attached to each other along seams and wherein the elastic openings are provided along the seams. 
   
   
       19 . The cap of  claim 18 , wherein the panels comprise a central panel that aligns with the center of the wearer's head, opposed lateral panels that align with sides of the wearer's head, and earflap panels that align with the wearer's ears. 
   
   
       20 . The cap of  claim 16 , wherein the elastic openings comprise lateral openings that align with the sides of the wearer's head, posterior openings that align with the back of the wearer's head, and anterior openings that align with the wearer's forehead. 
   
   
       21 . The cap of  claim 16 , wherein the securement straps include a central securement strap that aligns with the wearer's forehead and lateral securement straps that align with the wearer's ears, the straps being permanently attached to the outer shell at a first end and releasably attached to the outer shell at a second end such that the straps can be placed in a closed and open positions. 
   
   
       22 . The cap of  claim 21 , wherein the securement straps releasably attach to the elastic shell with mechanical fasteners. 
   
   
       23 . A method of supporting a head-mounted optical device on a wearer's head, the method comprising:
 a wearer donning an elastic support structure that is sized and configured to snuggly conform to a wearer's head and generally extend from the wearer's forehead to the base of the wearer's skull; and   supporting a frame of the optical device by receiving mounting pads of the frame within elastic openings provided in the support structure;   wherein the support structure distributes the weight of the optical device to reduce pressure applied to the head at localized points;   wherein the support structure further secures the optical device in position relative to the wearer's head to reduce shifting of the optical device.