Grip Band and Handle Assembly

Abstract

The present invention provides a grip band and a handle assembly. Two ends of the grip band are respectively used for connecting to a control handle. The grip band includes an elastic tether, a band body, and a locking mechanism. The elastic tether is coupled to the bottom of the control handle. The band body has opposite first and second ends. The first end is coupled to the top of the control handle. The locking mechanism is disposed at the second end and is coupled to the elastic tether. The band body is coupled to the bottom via the locking mechanism and the elastic tether. The locking mechanism includes a fixed component and a sliding component. When the relative positions of the fixed component and the sliding component are in a locked state, the fixed component and the sliding component clamp and fix the elastic tether. When the relative positions of the fixed component and the sliding component are in an unlocked state, the fixed component and the sliding component release the elastic tether. When no external force is applied to the elastic tether, the elastic force of the elastic tether drives the relative positions of the fixed component and the sliding component to remain in the locked state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a grip strap and handle assembly that is easy to put on and take off. Background Art

[0002] Virtual Reality (VR) technology is becoming increasingly popular, and a common input device thereof is a hand controller. To prevent the hand controller from falling off and being damaged, a hand strap connected to the hand controller is generally fixed to the user's hand. When putting on and taking off the hand strap, both hands usually need to help each other. However, during the complicated process of putting on and taking off, the hand controllers on the hands are likely to collide with each other and be damaged. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention provides a grip strap and handle assembly suitable for solving the problem that hand controllers are likely to collide with each other and be damaged.

[0004] Two ends of the grip strap of the present invention are respectively used for coupling to the top and bottom of a hand controller. The grip strap includes an elastic tether, a strap body, and a locking mechanism. The elastic tether is coupled to the bottom. The strap body has opposite first and second ends. The first end is coupled to the top of the hand controller. The locking mechanism is disposed at the second end and is coupled to the elastic tether. The strap body is coupled to the bottom via the locking mechanism and the elastic tether. The locking mechanism includes a fixed component and a sliding component. When the relative positions of the fixed component and the sliding component are in a locked state, the fixed component and the sliding component clamp and fix the elastic tether. When the relative positions of the fixed component and the sliding component are in an unlocked state, the fixed component and the sliding component release the elastic tether. When the elastic tether is not subjected to an external force, the elastic force of the elastic tether drives the relative positions of the fixed component and the sliding component to remain in the locked state.

[0005] The handle assembly of the present invention includes a hand controller and a grip strap. The hand controller has opposite top and bottom portions. Two ends of the grip strap are respectively connected to the hand controller. The grip strap includes an elastic tether, a strap body, and a locking mechanism. The elastic tether is coupled to the bottom. The strap body has opposite first and second ends. The first end is coupled to the top of the hand controller. The locking mechanism is disposed at the second end and is coupled to the elastic tether. The strap body is coupled to the bottom via the locking mechanism and the elastic tether. The locking mechanism includes a fixed component and a sliding component. When the relative positions of the fixed component and the sliding component are in a locked state, the fixed component and the sliding component clamp and fix the elastic tether. When the relative positions of the fixed component and the sliding component are in an unlocked state, the fixed component and the sliding component release the elastic tether. When the elastic tether is not subjected to an external force, the elastic force of the elastic tether drives the relative positions of the fixed component and the sliding component to remain in the locked state.

[0006] Based on the above, when using the grip band and the handle assembly of the present invention, the tightening action only requires one hand to tighten the elastic cord, and the unlocking action only requires one hand to operate the locking mechanism. Therefore, the control handles can be prevented from colliding with each other and being damaged. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a handle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0008] Figure 2 is an exploded schematic view of a grip band according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0009] Figure 3 is Figure 1 a schematic view of the connection between the grip band and the cord of the handle assembly in an unlocked state;

[0010] Figure 4 is Figure 3 a schematic view from another perspective;

[0011] Figure 5 is Figure 3 a schematic view after presenting some components in

[0012] Figure 6 a perspective view; Figure 1 is a schematic view of the connection between the grip band and the cord of the handle assembly in a locked state;

[0013] Figure 7 is Figure 6 a schematic view after presenting some components in

[0014] Figure 8 is Figure 3 an exploded schematic view of some components;

[0015] Figure 9 is Figure 4 an exploded schematic view of some components. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals will be used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

[0017] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a handle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to Figure 1, the handle assembly 50 of this embodiment includes a control handle 52 and a grip strap 100. The control handle 52 has an opposite top 52T and a bottom 52B. The control handle 52 is applied to, for example, a virtual reality system, an augmented reality system, a motion-sensing game, or a game console. The virtual reality system includes the control handle 52 and a host (not shown). The grip strap 100 is adapted to be worn on the user's hand, and the control handle 52 is connected to the host wirelessly to transmit signals to and from the host. When the control handle 52 is applied to the virtual reality system, the virtual reality system further includes a head-mounted display (not shown), which is adapted to be worn on the user's head and can also be connected to the host by wired or wireless means to transmit signals to and from the host. Alternatively, the control handle 52 can also directly transmit signals to and from the head-mounted display.

[0018] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the grip strap according to an embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , both ends of the grip strap 100 are respectively connected to the top 52T and the bottom 52B of the control handle 52. The grip strap 100 includes an elastic tether 54, a strap body 110, and a locking mechanism 130. The elastic tether 54 is coupled to the bottom 52B of the control handle 52. The strap body 110 has an opposite first end E12 and a second end E14. The first end E12 is coupled to the top 52T of the control handle 52. The locking mechanism 130 is disposed at the second end E14 and is coupled to the elastic tether 54. The strap body 110 is coupled to the bottom 52B of the control handle 52 via the locking mechanism 130 and the elastic tether 54.

[0019] Figure 3 is Figure 1 a schematic view of the connection between the grip strap and the elastic tether of the handle assembly in an unlocked state. Figure 4 is Figure 3 a schematic view of another perspective. Figure 5 is Figure 3 a schematic view after presenting some components in the Figures 3 to 5 in perspective. Please refer to Figure 6 , Figure 7 shown), when the relative positions of the fixed component 132 and the sliding component 134 are in a locked state (as shown in Figures 3 to 5 ), the fixed component 132 and the sliding component 134 clamp and fix the elastic tether 54. When the relative positions of the fixed component 132 and the sliding component 134 are in an unlocked state (as shown in ), the fixed component 132 and the sliding component 134 release the elastic tether 54. When no external force is applied to the elastic tether 54, the elastic force of the elastic tether 54 drives the relative positions of the fixed component 132 and the sliding component 134 to remain in the locked state.

[0020] Please continue to refer to Figures 3 to 5 , in this embodiment, the fixing component 132 has a wedge groove G10 and guide grooves G30 on both sides of the wedge groove G10. The sliding component 134 includes a slider 134A and a push button 134B connected to the slider 134A. The wedge groove G10 has opposite narrow sides NS and wide sides (not labeled). The elastic tether 54 is located between the slider 134A and the side wall W10 of the wedge groove G10. In the unlocked state as shown in Figures 3 to 5 , the slider 134A is away from the narrow side NS of the wedge groove G10. Therefore, the distance between the slider 134A and the side wall W10 of the wedge groove G10 allows the elastic tether 54 to move relative to the fixing component 132.

[0021] Figure 6 is Figure 1 a schematic diagram of the connection between the grip strap and the elastic tether of the handle assembly in the locked state. Figure 7 is Figure 6 a schematic diagram after presenting some components in Figure 6 in a perspective view. Please refer to Figure 7 , in this embodiment, in the locked state, the slider 134A is located at the narrow side NS of the wedge groove G10. Therefore, the distance between the slider 134A and the side wall W10 of the wedge groove G10 is small, such that the elastic tether 54 is tightly clamped and cannot move relative to the fixing component 132. The elastic tether 54 is located in the wedge groove G10 and the guide grooves G30, that is, the elastic tether 54 passes through the wedge groove G10 and the guide grooves G30. The slider 134A is disposed in the wedge groove G10. The elastic tether 54 is located in the wedge groove G10 and between the slider 134A and the fixing component 132.

[0022] For example, when the user wants to untie the grip strap 100 fixed to the right hand, he only needs to push the push button 134B with the left palm. More specifically, when the push button 134B is subjected to an external force and drives the slider 134A to move away from the narrow side NS of the wedge groove G10 along the direction of arrow A12, the relative position of the fixing component 132 and the sliding component 134 changes from Figure 7 the locked state of Figure 5 to the unlocked state of Figure 5 , and the elastic tether 54 slides from the guide groove G30 towards the wedge groove G10 and slides outwards from the wedge groove G10 and away from the locking mechanism 130, that is, the elastic tether 54 slides along the direction of arrow A16. In the unlocked state as shown in

[0023] When the user wants to fasten the grip band 100 on the right hand, he only needs to pull the force - applying end 54A of the elastic cord 54 with the left hand until the grip band 100 fixes the right palm. More specifically, pulling the force - applying end 54A of the elastic cord 54 causes the elastic cord 54 to be subjected to an external force and slide from the wedge - shaped groove G10 in the direction of arrow A14 into the locking mechanism 130 and be pulled out of the locking mechanism 130 along the direction of arrow A22 by the guide groove G30. At the same time, the elastic cord 54 drives the slider 134A to move away from the narrow side NS of the wedge - shaped groove G10 along the direction of arrow A12, and the relative position of the fixing component 132 and the sliding component 134 changes from Figure 7 the locked state to Figure 5 the unlocked state. Therefore, pulling the elastic cord 54 can adjust the tightness of the grip band 100.

[0024] When the external force is removed, due to the action of its elastic restoring force, the elastic cord 54 slides from the guide groove G30 into the locking mechanism 130 along the direction of arrow A18, and drives the slider 134A to move closer to the narrow side NS of the wedge - shaped groove G10 along the direction of arrow A20 from a position away from the narrow side NS of the wedge - shaped groove G10. The relative position of the fixing component 132 and the sliding component 134 changes from Figure 5 the unlocked state to Figure 7 the locked state. At this time, the slider 134A reaches the narrow side NS of the wedge - shaped groove G10. Therefore, the elastic cord 54 can be clamped by the slider 134A and the wedge - shaped groove G10, preventing the distance between the second end E14 of the belt body 110 and the bottom 52B of the control handle 52 from changing. In this way, the grip band 100 can be kept fastened on the user's palm, enabling the control handle 52 to be stably held by the user's palm. In other words, when the user finishes adjusting the tightness of the grip band 100, the user only needs to release the elastic cord 54, and the elastic cord 54 automatically changes the relative position of the fixing component 132 and the sliding component 134 from Figure 5 the unlocked state to Figure 7 the locked state.

[0025] Figure 8 is Figure 3 a disassembled schematic diagram of some components. Figure 9 is Figure 4 a disassembled schematic diagram of some components. Please refer to Figure 8 and Figure 9 In this embodiment, the side wall of the slider 134A has engaging teeth W12 for contacting the elastic cord 54 and clamping and fixing the elastic cord 54 with the fixing component 132. The engaging teeth W12 can further increase the friction force in the locked state, preventing the elastic cord 54 from moving relative to the fixing component 132.

[0026] In this embodiment, the fixing assembly 132 may include a first fixing member 132A and a second fixing member 132B. The first fixing member 132A has a strip-shaped through hole G20, wherein the slider 134A and the push button 134B are connected to each other via the strip-shaped through hole G20, and the slider 134A is adapted to move along the strip-shaped through hole G20. The second fixing member 132B and the first fixing member 132A enclose a wedge-shaped groove G10 and a guide groove G30.

[0027] Please refer to Figure 5 , in this embodiment, the elastic tether 54 is elastic, and the elastic tether 54 has a force application end 54A. After the user wears the handle assembly 50 on the palm, a force can be applied to the force application end 54A to move the elastic tether 54 in the direction of arrow A14. At this time, the elastic tether 54 drives the slider 134A to move away from the narrow side NS of the wedge-shaped groove G10 in the direction of arrow A12. Therefore, the elastic tether 54 can be pulled to shorten the distance between the second end E14 of the belt body 110 and the bottom 52B of the control handle 52, so that the belt body 110 approaches the user's dorsum of the hand.

[0028] Please refer to Figure 7 , when the user stops applying force to the force application end 54A, the elastic restoring force of the elastic tether 54 drives the slider 134A to move towards the narrow side NS of the wedge-shaped groove G10 in the direction of arrow A20. At this time, the elastic tether 54 is fixed. Therefore, the distance between the second end E14 of the belt body 110 and the bottom 52B of the control handle 52 is fixed, so that the control handle 52 can be stably held by the user's palm. In other words, the user's palm can pass through between the belt body 110 and the control handle 52 and tightly hold the grip belt 100. Therefore, when the user uses the control handle 52, even if the palm is opened, the control handle 52 is not easily dropped.

[0029] In this embodiment, the belt body 110 includes, for example, a first sub-belt body 112 and a second sub-belt body 114, wherein the second sub-belt body 114 is detachably assembled to the first sub-belt body 112. For example, the materials of the first sub-belt body 112 and the second sub-belt body 114 can be foam. Therefore, when the grip belt 100 is not tightened, the first sub-belt body 112 and the second sub-belt body 114 made of foam can generally maintain their shapes to provide an arc-shaped space for the user's palm to pass through between the grip belt 100 and the control handle 52. In addition, when the second sub-belt body 114 is removed, the user can also perform a water washing or disinfection procedure on the second sub-belt body 114. In this embodiment, the grip belt 100 can also be detachably connected to the top 52T of the control handle 52, so that the user can replace the grip belt 100 by himself. In other embodiments, the grip belt 100 can also be fixed to the top 52T of the control handle 52.

[0030] The belt body 110 of this embodiment may further include a metal member 116 disposed on the first sub-belt body 112. The first sub-belt body 112 is coupled to the top 52T of the control handle 52 via the metal member 116. The connection between the metal member 116 and the control handle 52 may be fixed, detachable, rotatable and / or slidable.

[0031] In this embodiment, the locking mechanism 130 may be assembled to the first sub-belt body 112. One side of the first sub-belt body 112 and the second sub-belt body 114 are commonly connected to the top 52T of the control handle 52, while the other side of the second sub-belt body 114 covers and assembles the locking mechanism 130 on the first sub-belt body 112. An arc-shaped space is formed between the belt body 110 and the control handle 52 for the user's palm to pass through.

[0032] In summary, in the handle assembly and its grip belt of this embodiment, the user only needs to pull the elastic tether to adjust the tightness of the grip belt. When the user releases the elastic tether, the locking mechanism will enter the locked state. Therefore, the handle assembly can be firmly held on the user's palm, and even if the palm is opened, the control handle is not easily dropped. When the user wants to remove the handle assembly, the user only needs to push the push button of the locking mechanism to loosen the grip belt and allow the user's palm to disengage from the handle assembly. Since the above operations are simple and can be performed with one hand, the probability of the control handles colliding with each other or dropping during the process can be greatly reduced, thereby avoiding damage.

[0033] Finally, it should be noted that: the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and are not intended to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that: they can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or perform equivalent replacements on some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A grip strap, the two ends of which are respectively used for coupling to the top and bottom of a control handle, characterized in that, The grip strap includes: An elastic tether, coupled to the bottom; A strap body, having opposite first and second ends, wherein the first end is coupled to the top of the control handle; and A locking mechanism, disposed at the second end and coupled to the elastic tether, wherein the strap body is coupled to the bottom via the locking mechanism and the elastic tether, and the locking mechanism includes: A fixing component; and A sliding component, wherein when the relative positions of the fixing component and the sliding component are in a locked state, the fixing component and the sliding component clamp and fix the elastic tether, and when the relative positions of the fixing component and the sliding component are in an unlocked state, the fixing component and the sliding component release the elastic tether. When the elastic tether is not subjected to an external force, the elastic force of the elastic tether drives the relative positions of the fixing component and the sliding component to remain in the locked state.

2. The grip strap according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fixing component has a wedge-shaped groove and guide grooves on both sides of the wedge-shaped groove. The elastic tether is located in the wedge-shaped groove and the guide grooves. The sliding component includes a slider and a push button connected to the slider. The slider is disposed in the wedge-shaped groove. The elastic tether is located in the wedge-shaped groove and between the slider and the fixing component. When the push button is driven by an external force to move the slider away from the narrow side of the wedge-shaped groove, the relative positions of the fixing component and the sliding component are switched from the locked state to the unlocked state, and the elastic tether enters the locking mechanism from the guide groove and exits the locking mechanism from the wedge-shaped groove.

3. The grip strap according to claim 2, wherein When the elastic tether is pulled into the locking mechanism from the wedge-shaped groove and out of the locking mechanism through the guide groove by an external force, the elastic tether drives the slider to move away from the narrow side of the wedge-shaped groove, and the relative positions of the fixing component and the sliding component are switched from the locked state to the unlocked state. When the external force is removed, the elastic tether enters the locking mechanism from the guide groove and drives the slider to move closer to the narrow side of the wedge-shaped groove, and the relative positions of the fixing component and the sliding component are switched from the unlocked state to the locked state.

4. The grip strap according to claim 2, wherein The slider has engaging teeth for clamping and fixing the elastic tether with the fixing component.

5. The grip strap according to claim 2, characterized in that, The fixing component includes: A first fixing member, having a strip-shaped through hole, wherein the slider and the push button are connected to each other via the strip-shaped through hole, and the slider is adapted to move along the strip-shaped through hole; and A second fixing member, enclosing the wedge-shaped groove and the guide grooves with the first fixing member.

6. The grip strap according to claim 1, wherein The strap body includes: A first sub-strap body; and A second sub-strap body, detachably assembled to the first sub-strap body, wherein the locking mechanism is assembled to the first sub-strap body.

7. The grip strap according to claim 6, characterized in that, The strap body further includes a metal member, disposed on the first sub-strap body, and the first sub-strap body is coupled to the top of the control handle via the metal member.

8. The grip strap according to claim 6, characterized in that, The main materials of the first sub-strap body and the second sub-strap body are foam.

9. A handle assembly, characterized in that, Including: A control handle, having opposite top and bottom; And A grip strap, the two ends of which are respectively used to connect to the control handle, and the grip strap includes: An elastic tether, coupled to the bottom; A strap body, having opposite first and second ends, wherein the first end is coupled to the top of the control handle; and A locking mechanism is disposed at the second end and coupled to the elastic tether. The belt body is coupled to the bottom via the locking mechanism and the elastic tether. The locking mechanism includes: A fixing component; and A sliding component. When the relative positions of the fixing component and the sliding component are in a locked state, the fixing component and the sliding component clamp and fix the elastic tether. When the relative positions of the fixing component and the sliding component are in an unlocked state, the fixing component and the sliding component release the elastic tether. When no external force acts on the elastic tether, the elastic force of the elastic tether drives the relative positions of the fixing component and the sliding component to remain in the locked state.

10. The handle assembly according to claim 9, wherein, The fixing component has a wedge-shaped groove and guide grooves on both sides of the wedge-shaped groove. The elastic tether is located in the wedge-shaped groove and the guide grooves. The sliding component includes a slider and a push button connected to the slider. The slider is disposed in the wedge-shaped groove. The elastic tether is located in the wedge-shaped groove and between the slider and the fixing component. When the push button is driven by an external force to move the slider away from the narrow side of the wedge-shaped groove, the relative positions of the fixing component and the sliding component are switched from the locked state to the unlocked state, and the elastic tether enters the locking mechanism from the guide groove and exits the locking mechanism from the wedge-shaped groove.

11. The handle assembly according to claim 10, wherein When the elastic tether is pulled into the locking mechanism by an external force and exits the locking mechanism from the guide groove, the elastic tether drives the slider to move away from the narrow side of the wedge-shaped groove, and the relative positions of the fixing component and the sliding component are switched from the locked state to the unlocked state. When the external force is removed, the elastic tether enters the locking mechanism from the guide groove and drives the slider to move closer to the narrow side of the wedge-shaped groove, and the relative positions of the fixing component and the sliding component are switched from the unlocked state to the locked state.

12. The handle assembly according to claim 10, wherein, The slider has engaging teeth for clamping and fixing the elastic tether with the fixing component.

13. The handle assembly according to claim 10, wherein, The fixing component includes: A first fixing member having a strip-shaped through hole. The slider and the push button are connected to each other via the strip-shaped through hole, and the slider is adapted to move along the strip-shaped through hole; and A second fixing member that encloses the wedge-shaped groove and the guide grooves with the first fixing member.

14. The handle assembly according to claim 9, wherein The belt body includes: A first sub-belt body; and A second sub-belt body detachably assembled to the first sub-belt body. The locking mechanism is assembled to the first sub-belt body.

15. The handle assembly according to claim 14, characterized in that, The belt body further includes a metal member disposed on the first sub-belt body. The first sub-belt body is coupled to the top of the control handle via the metal member.

16. The handle assembly according to claim 14, characterized in that, The main materials of the first sub-belt body and the second sub-belt body are foam.

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