A shaft for device and wearable device comprising such shaft

Abstract

A rod (100) for a device, comprising: a main portion (110) having an inner cavity defining a housing seat (120); at least one electronic component (130), the at least one electronic component (130) being adapted to be inserted into the housing seat (120) and being adapted to be removed from the housing seat (120); a removal aid element (140) of the at least one electronic component (130), the removal aid element (140) being adapted to be switched from a closed configuration, in which the removal aid element (140) is accommodated in the housing seat (120), to an open configuration, in which the removal aid element (140) is at least partially removed from the housing seat (120).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rod for a device.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a smart wearable device comprising such a rod. Background Art

[0003] A wearable device refers to any type of device designed to be worn in front of at least one eye of a wearer, with a frame configured to be mounted on the wearer's head.

[0004] For simplicity of explanation and processing, reference will be made below to smart glasses.

[0005] As is known to all, smart glasses, also known as smart glasses, virtual glasses or digital glasses, are a pair of glasses that include electronic devices suitable for operating as a computer, that is, capable of supporting the activities performed by the user wearing them, whether in an everyday and private environment, in a work and corporate environment, or in any other specific environment.

[0006] Such components allow, for example, playing video, audio, recording, operating IT applications, recognizing natural language, shapes and objects in the surrounding environment.

[0007] Typically, known smart glasses provide electronic and / or electrical components integrated into the glasses frame.

[0008] The electronic and / or electrical components are suitably powered by batteries, which in some cases are removable, also integrated into the frame. The batteries may be rechargeable.

[0009] Typically, batteries need to be replaced to extend the life of the glasses in which they are installed, or to ensure continuity of operation of the smart glasses in situations where a charging power source is unavailable.

[0010] Removing the battery from the glasses also facilitates the disposal and recycling of the battery itself. In fact, the entire pair of smart glasses does not need to be replaced and disposed of, only the battery.

[0011] Some known smart glasses comprise a seat, for example formed in the stem of the glasses, adapted to receive a battery so as to protect the battery from shocks and external factors such as water and dust.

[0012] Typically, in order to retain the battery in such a holder, it is known to use a closing door that can be fixed to the rod by fixing means such as screws or other connection means such as glue or adhesive. Therefore, replacing the battery is cumbersome because it requires the use of tools such as screwdrivers, solvents or heat to remove the door and extract the battery. Summary of the Invention

[0013] The object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks and in particular to conceive a rod for a device and a device comprising such a rod, which allow easy installation and removal of batteries in order to replace them.

[0014] These and other objects are achieved according to the present invention by making a rod for a device and a device comprising such a rod as claimed in claim 1 and claim 13, respectively.

[0015] Further features of the rod for the device are the subject of the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The characteristics and advantages of the rod for a device and of a device comprising such a rod according to the invention will become more apparent from the following exemplary and non-limiting description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a rod for a device according to the invention, wherein the rod includes a locking system;

[0018] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Bottom view of the rod;

[0019] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a rod for a device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 4 The rod according to the first embodiment is along Figure 2 A cross-sectional view taken along section line II-II;

[0021] Figure 5a for Figure 3 a partially transparent side view of a rod with an electronic component inserted into the rod and a locking system made according to a preferred embodiment;

[0022] Figure 5b for Figure 5a a partially transparent side view of the rod with the electronic components removed from the rod;

[0023] Figure 6 To follow Figure 5a A cross-sectional view of the rod taken along section line VI-VI;

[0024] Figure 7 To follow Figure 5a A cross-sectional view of the rod taken along section line VII-VII;

[0025] Figure 8 An exploded perspective view of a rod for a device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 9 The rod according to the second embodiment is along Figure 2 A cross-sectional view taken along section line II-II;

[0027] Figure 10a for Figure 8 a partially transparent side view of a rod with electronic components inserted into the rod;

[0028] Figure 10b for Figure 10a a partially transparent side view of the rod with the electronic components removed from the rod;

[0029] Figure 11 To follow Figure 10a A cross-sectional view of the rod taken along section line XI-XI;

[0030] Figure 12 To follow Figure 10a A cross-sectional view of the rod taken along section line XII-XII;

[0031] Figure 13a is a perspective view of a particular embodiment of the device according to the invention, said device comprising only one rod according to the invention;

[0032] Figure 13b for Figure 13a A first perspective view of a device comprising two rods according to the invention, wherein the electronic component is removed from the two rods;

[0033] Figure 13c for Figure 13a a perspective view of a device comprising two rods according to the invention, wherein the electronic component is removed from only one of such rods;

[0034] Figure 13d for Figure 13b A second perspective view of the device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Referring to the drawings, there is shown a rod for use with a device, generally designated by the reference numeral 100 .

[0036] The stem 100 may be associated with a front portion 310 of a device 300 , such as a pair of smart glasses 300 .

[0037] The rod 100 may be rotatably coupled to such a front portion 310 or made as a single piece therewith.

[0038] The rod 100 comprises a main portion 110 having an inner cavity open towards the outside, which defines a housing seat 120 .

[0039] In particular, the housing seat 120 is defined by a bottom wall 121 and a peripheral wall 122 .

[0040] The rod 100 comprises at least one electronic component 130 adapted to be inserted into and removed from the housing seat 120 .

[0041] Preferably, the electronic component 130 may be, for example, a rechargeable battery.

[0042] Preferably, as shown in the figures, at least one electronic component 130 includes a cover housing 131 , in which the at least one electronic component 130 itself is accommodated.

[0043] The rod 100 includes a removal auxiliary element 140 for the at least one electronic component 130, and the removal auxiliary element 140 is suitable for switching from a closed structure to an open structure. In the closed structure, the removal auxiliary element 140 is accommodated in the shell seat 120, and in the open structure, the removal auxiliary element 140 is at least partially removed from the shell seat 120.

[0044] Furthermore, the removal aid element 140 is also adapted to be switched from an open configuration to a closed configuration.

[0045] The extraction aid element 140 is configured to push the at least one electronic component 130 out of the housing seat 120 in the open configuration.

[0046] When the extraction aid element 140 is in the closed configuration, the at least one electronic component 130 is fully inserted into the housing seat 120 .

[0047] When the removal aid element 140 is in the open configuration, the at least one electronic component 130 is at least partially outside the housing seat 120 .

[0048] Preferably, the removal assisting element 140 is substantially L-shaped and includes a head portion 141 and a cantilever portion 142 extending from the head portion 141 .

[0049] In an alternative embodiment not illustrated in the figures, the retrieval aid element 140 is substantially C-shaped.

[0050] In the closed configuration, the cantilevered portion 142 is adapted to be interposed between the bottom wall 121 of the housing base 120 and the at least one electronic component 130 .

[0051] In particular, the cantilever portion 142 may also be shaped to contact the at least one electronic component 130 in the closed configuration.

[0052] Preferably, the lever 100 comprises a locking system 150 engageable to said at least one electronic component 130 in order to retain said at least one electronic component 130 in the housing seat 120 when the extraction assistance element 140 is in the closed configuration.

[0053] The locking system 150 thus prevents the at least one electronic component 130 and the removal aid element 140 from being accidentally removed from the housing seat 120 .

[0054] Preferably, the locking system 150 comprises a restraining element 151 configured to engage / disengage with the at least one electronic component 130 .

[0055] Preferably, the locking system 150 is adapted to switch from a locked configuration, in which the restraining element 151 is engaged with the at least one electronic component 130 , to an unlocked configuration, in which the restraining element 151 is disengaged from the at least one electronic component 130 .

[0056] Preferably, as illustrated in the figures, the at least one electronic component 130 may have a seat 134 suitable for receiving the restraining element 151 in the locked configuration.

[0057] Preferably, the locking system 150 comprises a manual command element 153 facing the outside of the main part 110 , said manual command element 153 being configured to engage / disengage the restraining element 151 with said at least one electronic component 130 .

[0058] A user may move manual command element 153 to allow locking system 150 to switch from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration, and vice versa.

[0059] For example, the manual command element 153 may be a button that a user may press to disengage the restraining element 151 from the at least one electronic component 130 to switch the locking system from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration.

[0060] In this case, the manual command element 153 at least partially protrudes from the main part 110 .

[0061] Furthermore, for example, the manual command element 153 may be a fixing element such as a screw or a rivet, or a known pressure element. In this case, the manual command element 153 is completely inserted into the main body 110.

[0062] Preferably, as shown in the figures, the manual command element 153 may be a linear slide adapted to slide in a slotted guide 154 formed on the main portion 110 to switch the locking system 150 from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration and vice versa.

[0063] More preferably, in a preferred embodiment of the locking system 150, as Figure 5a As shown in , the locking system 150 further comprises a first elastic element 152 connected on one side to the housing seat 120 and on the other side to a portion opposite to the restraining element 151 .

[0064] In this case, the first elastic element 152 is connected to the peripheral wall 122 .

[0065] The first elastic element 152 is arranged to push the constraining element 151 such that the constraining element 151 engages with the at least one electronic component 130 .

[0066] Preferably, the first elastic element 152 is preloaded in compression with a first preload force. In this case, when the locking system 150 is in the locked configuration, the first elastic element 152 keeps the restraining element 151 pressed against the at least one electronic component 130.

[0067] In a preferred embodiment of the locking system 150 , the manual command element 153 is configured to compress the first elastic element 152 in order to disengage the restraining element 151 from the at least one electronic component 130 .

[0068] In a preferred embodiment of the locking system 150, during the switching of the locking system 150 from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration, the manual command element 153 is forced to slide in the slotted guide 154 so as to compressively load the first elastic element 152 with a compressive force greater than the first preload force. In this way, the restraint element 151 is disengaged from the at least one electronic component 130 due to the sliding of the manual command element 153.

[0069] Still in the preferred embodiment of the locking system 150, the locking system 150 can be switched from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration by releasing the manual command element 153. By doing so, the first elastic element 152 extends due to the applied compressive force and pushes the restraining element 151 into engagement with the at least one electronic component 130.

[0070] When the locking system 150 is in the unlocked configuration, the removal aid element 140 can be switched from the closed configuration to the open configuration, and vice versa.

[0071] exist Figure 3-7 In the first embodiment of the rod 100 shown in FIG, the head 141 is rotatably coupled to the main portion 110 about the articulation axis inside the inner cavity.

[0072] Preferably, still in the first embodiment, and in case the lever 100 comprises the locking system 150 , the lever 100 comprises a second elastic element 160 arranged to exert a first pushing force on said at least one electronic component 130 .

[0073] In more detail, Figure 4 As shown in FIG, the second elastic member 160 is connected to the housing seat 120 on one side, and is configured to be in contact with the removal aid member 140 on the other side.

[0074] Preferably, the second elastic element 160 is housed in the housing seat 120 on the side opposite the locking system 150 .

[0075] In particular, the second elastic element 160 is connected to the peripheral wall 122 on one side and to the head 141 on the other side.

[0076] The second elastic element 160 is configured to push the head 141 such that the extraction aid element 140 is forced to switch from the closed configuration to the open configuration when the locking system 150 is in the unlocked configuration.

[0077] Preferably, the second elastic element 160 is preloaded and compressed with a second preload force.

[0078] Preferably, when the removal assisting element 140 is in the closed configuration, the second elastic element 160 pushes the head 141 with a second preload force. In this case, if the locking system 150 is in the locked configuration, the removal assisting element 140 cannot be switched to the open configuration.

[0079] Preferably, when the removal assist element 140 is in the closed configuration and the locking system 150 switches from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration, the second elastic element 160 extends due to the first thrust equal to the second preload force and pushes the head 141. In this case, the cantilever portion 142 rotates and pulls the at least one electronic component 130, thereby guiding the electronic component 130 to be removed from the housing seat 120.

[0080] Therefore, during the switching of the extraction assisting element 140 from the closed configuration to the open configuration, the first pushing force facilitates the extraction of the at least one electronic component 130 .

[0081] exist Figure 8-12 In the second embodiment of the lever 100 shown in , the head 141 is configured to be at least partially elastically deformed so as to exert a second pushing force on the at least one electronic component 130 .

[0082] In this case, preferably, the head 141 has a first portion 141 ′ and a second portion 141 ″ connected to each other.

[0083] The first portion 141 ′ is constrained to the body 110 , preferably inside the inner cavity of the housing seat 120 .

[0084] The second portion 141 ″ is connected to the cantilever portion 142 .

[0085] The first portion 141 ′ and the second portion 141 ″ essentially constitute the elastic element, in particular its two ends; they can assume a closed position, in which the elastic element is loaded with an elastic force, and a spaced position.

[0086] In detail, the loaded elastic force of the elastic element tends to move the second portion 141 ″ away from the first portion 141 ′, thereby switching them from the closed position to the spaced position.

[0087] When the extraction aid element 140 is in the closed configuration, the first portion 141 ′ and the second portion 141 ″ are in a closed position and exert a second pushing force on the at least one electronic component 130 .

[0088] When the removal guide element 140 is in the open configuration, the first portion 141 ′ and the second portion 141 ″ are in a spaced apart position.

[0089] Preferably, when the removal auxiliary element 140 is in the closed structure and the locking system 150 switches from the locked structure to the unlocked structure, the second part 141" moves away from the first part 141' and pushes the at least one electronic component 130 with a second thrust. In addition, the cantilever part 142 connected to the second part 141" rotates to pull the at least one electronic component 130, thereby guiding the at least one electronic component 130 to be removed from the housing seat 120.

[0090] Therefore, during the switching of the extraction assisting element 140 from the closed configuration to the open configuration, the second pushing force facilitates the extraction of the at least one electronic component 130 .

[0091] Preferably, the at least one electronic component 130 comprises a first electrical contact 132 configured to face the second electrical contact 133 when the at least one electronic component 130 is inserted into the housing seat 120 and the extraction aid element 140 is in the closed configuration.

[0092] In the first embodiment, the second electrical contact 133 is associated with the extraction aid 140. More specifically, it is preferred that Figure 4 As shown in FIG, the second electrical contact 133 is provided on a wall 143 of the head 141 , and the wall 143 faces the at least one electronic component 130 when the at least one electronic component 130 is inserted into the housing seat 120 .

[0093] In the second embodiment, the second electrical contact 133 is associated with the housing seat 120. In this case, the first portion 141 ′ and the second portion 141 ″ have corresponding holes 144 that are configured to be arranged correspondingly to each other when the at least one electronic component 130 is inserted into the housing seat 120. The first electrical contact 132 reaches the second electrical contact 133 through the hole 144.

[0094] Advantageously, the rod 100 can be mounted on the device 300 or made as a single piece with the device 300 .

[0095] The device 300 comprises a front portion 310 and at least one rod 100 associated with the front portion 310 .

[0096] Preferably, the device 300 is wearable.

[0097] exist Figure 13a 、 13b In the particular embodiment shown in , 13c and 13d , the device 300 is a pair of smart glasses 300 comprising a front portion 310 adapted to carry at least one lens and two stems associated with the front portion 310 .

[0098] Preferably, if Figure 13a As shown in FIG, only one rod in the smart glasses 300 is the rod 100 according to the present invention.

[0099] Preferably, if Figure 13b 、 13c As shown in Figures 13 and 13d, both poles of the smart glasses 300 are poles 100 according to the present invention.

[0100] From the description provided, the characteristics of the rod for a device and of a device comprising such a rod, object of the present invention, are clear, as are the associated advantages.

[0101] The extraction assist element facilitates extraction and installation of the at least one electronic component in the rod.

[0102] Finally, it is obvious that the rod and the device thus conceived are susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which fall within the scope of the invention; moreover, all the details may be replaced by technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to the technical requirements.

Claims

1. A rod (100) for a device, comprising: - a main part (110) having an inner cavity defining a housing seat (120); - at least one electronic component (130), the at least one electronic component (130) being adapted to be inserted into the housing seat (120) and to be removed from the housing seat (120); - a removal auxiliary element (140) for the at least one electronic component (130), the removal auxiliary element (140) being suitable for switching from a closed configuration to an open configuration, in which the removal auxiliary element (140) is accommodated in the housing seat (120), and in which the removal auxiliary element (140) is at least partially removed from the housing seat (120).

2. The rod (100) according to claim 2, wherein The removal assist element (140) is adapted to switch from the open configuration to the closed configuration.

3. The rod (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The at least one electronic component (130) is a rechargeable battery.

4. The rod (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The removal assist element (140) is configured to push the at least one electronic component (130) out of the housing seat (120) in the open configuration.

5. The rod (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The removal auxiliary element (140) is substantially L-shaped and includes a head (141) and a cantilever portion (142) extending from the head (141); the cantilever portion (142) is suitable for being inserted between the bottom wall (121) of the housing seat (120) and the at least one electronic component (130) in the closed structure.

6. The rod (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprises a locking system (150) which can be engaged with the at least one electronic component (130) to retain the at least one electronic component (130) in the housing seat (120) when the removal auxiliary element (140) is in the closed structure.

7. The rod (100) according to claim 6, wherein The locking system (150) comprises: - a restraining element (151) configured to engage / disengage with the at least one electronic component (130); a manual command element (153) facing the outside of the main part (110), the manual command element (153) being configured to engage / disengage the restraining element (151) with the at least one electronic component (130).

8. The rod (100) according to claim 7, wherein The locking system (150) comprises a first elastic element (152) connected on one side to the housing seat (120) and on the other side to a portion opposite to the restraining element (151), the first elastic element (152) being arranged to push the restraining element (151) so that the restraining element (151) engages with the at least one electronic component (130).

9. The lever (100) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, comprising a second elastic element (160), the second elastic element (600) being arranged to exert a first thrust on the at least one electronic component (130).

10. The rod (100) according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein The head portion (141) is rotatably coupled to the main portion (110) about a hinge axis within the inner cavity.

11. The rod (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The at least one electronic component (130) includes a first electrical contact (132), which is configured to face a second electrical contact (133) when the at least one electronic component (130) is inserted into the housing seat (120) and the removal auxiliary element (140) is in the closed structure, and the second electrical contact (133) is associated with the removal auxiliary element (140).

12. The rod (100) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein The head portion (141) is configured to at least partially deform elastically to exert a second thrust on the at least one electronic component (130).

13. An apparatus (300), comprising: - front part (310), - at least one rod (100) associated with said front portion (310), said rod (100) comprising: - a main part (110) having an inner cavity defining a housing seat (120); - at least one electronic component (130), the at least one electronic component (130) being adapted to be inserted into the housing seat (120) and to be removed from the housing seat (120); - a removal auxiliary element (140) for the at least one electronic component (130), the removal auxiliary element (140) being suitable for switching from a closed configuration to an open configuration, in which the removal auxiliary element (140) is accommodated in the housing seat (120), and in which the removal auxiliary element (140) is at least partially removed from the housing seat (120).

14. The device (300) according to claim 13, wherein The device (300) is wearable.

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