Optical assembly

Abstract

To provide a spectacle assembly for a XR system designed to reduce impact forces on components due to contact with other components and surfaces.SOLUTION: A spectacle assembly can include a front cover 105, a suspension 205, and a waveguide 110 held by the suspension. The front cover and the waveguide can define a gap. The spectacle assembly may include a shroud 115 at least partially disposed within the gap. The shroud can define a first end and a second end. The shroud may include an elastomer body, and a core coupled to the front cover at the first end of the shroud.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 497,940, filed April 24, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. [Technical field]

[0002] The described embodiments relate generally to optical assemblies. More particularly, the embodiments relate to a waveguide bumper assembly for eyeglasses. [Background technology]

[0003] Recent advances in the augmented reality (XR) and electronics industries have enabled eyeglass assemblies to project digital information onto wearable lenses. Generally, eyeglass assemblies for XR systems include various components for displaying digital information. Therefore, in order to incorporate a large number of components into an eyeglass assembly, the components may be thin and delicate. During use, when the eyeglasses are moved and put on and taken off, the various components may come into contact with each other and may come into contact with other surfaces, such as floors or other surfaces, when dropped or placed down. Thus, there is a need for an eyeglass assembly designed to reduce impact forces on the components due to contact with other components and surfaces. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In at least one example of the present disclosure, an eyeglass assembly includes a front cover, a suspension, and a waveguide carried by the suspension. The front cover and the waveguide define a gap. The eyeglass assembly includes a shroud disposed at least partially within the gap and defining a first end and a second end. The shroud includes an elastomeric body and a core coupled to the front cover at the first end of the shroud.

[0005] In one example, the eyeglass assembly includes a first portion and a second portion opposite the first portion. The front cover defines a curve from the first portion to the second portion. The gap increases from the first portion to the second portion of the eyeglass assembly. The shroud is one-piece and tapers from the first end to the second end. The core includes nylon and is bonded to the front cover via an adhesive at an angle greater than about 35 degrees and less than about 55 degrees. The core defines a length that decreases from the first portion to the second portion of the eyeglass assembly. The elastomeric body defines a length that increases from the first portion to the second portion and defines a substantially flat contact surface at the second end. The contact surface is configured to contact a waveguide, and the elastomeric body is configured to bend in response to contact with the waveguide.

[0006] In one example, the core is stiffer than the elastomeric body, and the elastomeric body at least partially surrounds the core and is configured to flex in response to contact with the waveguide at the second end. In one example, the elastomeric body at least partially surrounds the core, and the elastomeric body defines a surface at the second end of the shroud that is substantially flat, and the surface is configured to contact the waveguide. The core includes a portion that is partially exposed at the first end of the shroud, the portion being coupled to the front cover. In one example, the elastomeric body at least partially surrounds the core, and the core includes a plastic, and the elastomeric body includes a silicone having a Shore A hardness of about 50 to 90. In one example, the shroud is one-piece and tapers from the first end to the second end. In one example, the shroud is defined by a section of the elastomeric body. In one example, the gap is greater than about 5 millimeters and less than about 25 millimeters.

[0007] In at least one example of the present disclosure, an eyeglass frame includes a first lens portion having a first outer side and a first inner side. The eyeglass frame includes a second lens portion having a second outer side and a second inner side. The eyeglass frame includes a front cover extending from the first outer side to the second outer side. The first lens portion includes a waveguide held by a suspension and extending between the first outer side and the first inner side. The front cover and the waveguide define a gap that increases from the first outer side to the first inner side. The first lens portion includes a shroud at least partially disposed in the gap and bonded to the front cover, the shroud extending in a decreasing stiffness from the first outer side to the first inner side.

[0008] In one example, the front cover defines a curve from a first outer side to a second outer side, the shroud defines a first end and a second end, and the shroud defines a region between the first end and the second end. The region is non-uniform from the first outer side to the first inner side. In one example, the shroud is coupled to the front cover at an angle greater than about 35 degrees and less than about 55 degrees. In one example, the shroud includes an elastomeric body and a core at least partially surrounded by the elastomeric body and coupled to the front cover. The core defines a length that decreases from the first outer side to the first inner side. In one example, the shroud includes a core coupled to the front cover and an elastomeric body at least partially surrounding the core. The elastomeric body defines a length that increases from the first outer side to the first inner side. In one example, the gap at the first outer side is greater than about 5 millimeters and less than about 20 millimeters. The first inner gap is greater than about 10 millimeters and less than about 25 millimeters. In one example, the shroud defines a first end and a second end, the second end being substantially flat and defining a contact surface configured to contact the waveguide. The surface includes a length greater than about 0.1 millimeters and less than about 2 millimeters.

[0009] In at least one example of the present disclosure, an eyeglass assembly includes a lens portion having an outer side and an inner side opposite the outer side, and a front cover extending from the outer side toward the inner side. The lens portion includes a waveguide extending from the outer side to the inner side, and a shroud disposed between the waveguide and the front cover, the shroud defining a first end and a second end. The shroud is coupled to the front cover at the first end and extends from the outer side to the inner side of the lens portion with a decreasing stiffness. The shroud includes a first material portion including a first material and a second material portion including a second material different from the first material. The second material portion at least partially surrounds the first material portion.

[0010] In one embodiment, the first material includes an elastomer and defines a body of the shroud, and the second material includes a plastic and defines a core of the shroud, the body at least partially surrounding the core and configured to bend in response to contact with the waveguide at the second end. In one example, the core defines a first length. The first length decreases from the outside to the inside. The body defines a second length. The second length increases from the outside to the inside. In one example, the front cover and the waveguide define a gap that increases from the outside to the inside. The shroud is at least partially disposed within the gap and defines a length that increases from the outside to the inside. In one example, the first material includes an electroactive polymer configured to receive an electric current. The shroud is directly coupled to the waveguide, and the waveguide is configured to move in response to the shroud receiving an electric current. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] The disclosure will be readily understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers designate like structural elements and in which:

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of an eyeglass assembly. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an example of an eyeglass assembly including a shroud. [Diagram 3]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an example of an eyeglass assembly including a shroud. [Figure 4] 1 illustrates an example of a shroud for an eyeglass assembly. [Diagram 5] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an example of an eyeglass assembly including a shroud. [Figure 6] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an example of an eyeglass assembly including a shroud. [Figure 7] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an example of an eyeglass assembly including a shroud. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an example of an eyeglass assembly including a shroud. [Figure 9A] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an example of an eyeglass assembly including a shroud in a first position. [Figure 9B] 2 is a cross-sectional view of an example of an eyeglass assembly including a shroud in a second position. [Figure 9C] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an example of an eyeglass assembly including a shroud in a third position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Detailed reference is provided below to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The following description is not intended to limit these embodiments to one preferred embodiment. Rather, the following description is intended to encompass alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that may be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims.

[0014] The following disclosure relates to eyeglass assemblies. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a waveguide bumper in an eyeglass assembly. A user may inadvertently bump, drop, or otherwise cause inadvertent contact between an electronic eyeglass device and another object or surface. For example, a user of an eyeglass assembly may drop the eyeglass assembly, and in response to contacting a floor or similar surface, components within the eyeglass assembly may contact each other.

[0015] The devices and systems of the present disclosure can reduce the impact forces associated with components of an eyeglass assembly that come into contact with one another. During a free fall or other impact scenario, the various embodiments of the shroud described herein can absorb the impact forces and reduce the forces applied to the components of the device or assembly. This can significantly reduce the impact forces on each component and improve durability.

[0016] In at least one example, the eyeglass assembly can include a front cover and a waveguide carried by a suspension. The waveguide can project a virtual image. The waveguide can be a thin piece of glass. The front cover and the waveguide can define a gap. The eyeglass assembly can include a shroud disposed at least partially within the gap and defining a first end and a second end. The shroud can include an elastomeric body and a core coupled to the front cover at a first end of the shroud. Because the shroud can be disposed at least partially within the gap, the shroud can separate the front cover from the waveguide and can prevent the front cover from contacting the waveguide in certain impact scenarios. For example, because a first end of the shroud is coupled to the front cover and the shroud has an elastomeric body, the shroud can deform in response to an impact force, thereby at least partially absorbing the impact force and reducing the force applied to the waveguide. In this manner, the shroud can be a bumper for the waveguide to protect it from unintentional forces caused by a user during operation or manipulation.

[0017] These and other embodiments are described below with reference to Figures 1-9C. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. Furthermore, as used herein, a system, method, article, component, feature, or subfeature that includes at least one of a first selection range, a second selection range, or a third selection range should be understood to refer to a system, method, article, component, feature, or subfeature that can include one of each enumerated selection range (e.g., only one of the first selection range, only one of the second selection range, or only one of the third selection range), multiple of a single enumerated selection range (e.g., two or more of the first selection range), two selection ranges at the same time (e.g., one of the first selection range and one of the second selection range), or a combination thereof (e.g., two of the first selection ranges and one of the second selection range).

[0018] 1 and 2 show an example of an eyeglass assembly 100, e.g., an eyeglass frame 100, including various components, such as structural elements. The eyeglass assembly 100 may be electric, such that the eyeglass assembly 100 receives power from at least one rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery, an electrical outlet, or the like. The eyeglass assembly 100 may project digital information, such as an image, onto at least one lens worn by a user. For example, the eyeglass assembly 100 may define at least one lens portion. The eyeglass assembly 100 may define a first portion 120, e.g., a first lens portion 120, having an outer side 130 and an inner side 135. The eyeglass assembly 100 may define a second portion 125, e.g., a second lens portion 125, having an outer side 140 and an inner side 145. The first portion 120 and the second portion 125 may include the same components as each other, as described herein. The second portion 125 may be on the opposite side of the first portion 120.

[0019] As used herein, the terms "inner" and "outer" can refer to edges, sides, or features of the eyeglass assembly 100 that are disposed adjacent to or away from a particular facial feature of a user when the eyeglass assembly 100 is worn. For example, the inner sides 135, 145 can be configured to be placed or disposed adjacent to the user's nose when the assembly 100 is worn, while the outer sides 130, 140 can be placed or disposed away from the user's nose. The inner sides 135, 145 can be disposed between opposing outer sides 130, 140 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0020] As used herein, the terms "structural," "structure," "structurally," and related terms refer to load-bearing components and elements, or components and elements that contribute to the physical form of an object, such as an eyeglass assembly. For example, the frame of an eyeglass assembly can be formed from various structural elements that add to the form and shape of the eyeglass assembly, and lenses can include various structural elements that add to the form and shape of the eyeglass assembly, including load-bearing elements such as a load-bearing structural suspension mechanism.

[0021] The eyeglass assembly 100 may include a front cover 105. The front cover 105 may be or include a suitable material, such as glass, plastic, metal, composite material, etc. For example, the front cover 105 may include a clear or otherwise transparent plastic. The front cover 105 may be or include a material that is substantially inelastic. For example, when a force is applied to the front cover 105, the shape of the front cover 105 may remain substantially unchanged or may not otherwise bend in response to forces expected during normal use. The front cover 105 may include a lightweight material, such as cellulose acetate propionate, xylonite, nylon, etc. The front cover 105 may be or include an exterior surface of the eyeglass assembly 100, for example, the exterior surface of the front cover 105 may be the front surface of the eyeglass assembly 100. For example, the front cover 105 may at least partially house various components of the eyeglass assembly 100.

[0022] The front cover 105 can extend across the width of the eyeglass assembly 100, for example, from a first portion to a second portion of the eyeglass assembly 100. The front cover 105 can extend continuously. For example, the front cover 105 can extend from an outer side 130 of the first lens portion 120 to an outer side 140 of the second lens portion 125. In this example, the front cover 105 can be about 8 centimeters or more and about 20 centimeters or less. The front cover 105 can extend in segments. For example, a first segment of the front cover 105 can extend from an outer side 130 of the first lens portion 120 to an inner side 135 of the first lens portion 120, and a second segment of the front cover 105 can extend from an inner side 145 of the second lens portion 125 to an outer side 140 of the second lens portion 125. In this example, the segment of the front cover 105 can be about 4 centimeters or more and about 10 centimeters or less.

[0023] The eyeglasses assembly 100 can include at least one waveguide 110. For example, the first lens portion 120 and the second lens portion 125 can each include a waveguide 110. The waveguide 110 can be a reflective waveguide, a polarizing waveguide, a diffractive waveguide, a holographic waveguide, or the like. The waveguide 110 can be or include glass, plastic, or other suitable material. For example, the waveguide 110 can include clear or otherwise transparent glass, such as a glass substrate. The waveguide 110 can define a thickness of about 0.05 nanometers or more and about 3 nanometers or less. The waveguide 110 can include an anti-reflective coating, a protective coating, or the like.

[0024] The waveguide 110 can extend across the eyeglass assembly 100, for example, across a portion of the eyeglass assembly 100. The first waveguide 110 can extend at least partially across the first lens portion 120 of the eyeglass assembly 100, and the second waveguide 110 can extend at least partially across the second lens portion 125 of the eyeglass assembly 100. For example, the first waveguide 110 can extend from approximately the outside 130 to approximately the inside 135 of the first lens portion 120, and the second waveguide 110 can extend from approximately the inside 145 to approximately the outside 140 of the second lens portion 125. In another example, the waveguide 110 can extend continuously across the eyeglass assembly 100, for example, from approximately the outside 130 of the first lens portion 120 to approximately the outside 140 of the second lens portion 125.

[0025] The waveguide 110 can project a virtual image. For example, the waveguide 110 can include multiple layers of glass substrates to project the virtual image. The layers of the waveguide 110 can transmit at least a portion of the light wavelength spectrum, such as red, green, blue, etc. The waveguide 110 can project the virtual image onto the lenses of the eyeglass assembly 100, such as the lenses of the first lens portion 120 and the lenses of the second lens portion 125.

[0026] In at least one example, as shown in FIG. 3, the waveguide 110 can be held by the suspension 205. For example, the waveguide 110 can be coupled to the suspension 205 via an adhesive. The suspension 205 can be or include metal, plastic, or the like. For example, the suspension 205 can include sheet metal. The suspension 205 can at least partially protect the waveguide 110 in an impact scenario, such as a scenario in which a force is applied to the eyeglasses assembly 100. For example, the suspension 205 can at least partially protect the waveguide 110 from a force applied to a side, such as an arm or strap, of the eyeglasses assembly 100. The suspension 205 can include a spring, such as a leaf spring, to at least partially absorb a force applied to the eyeglasses assembly 100.

[0027] The eyeglass assembly 100 can include at least one shroud 115. For example, the first lens portion 120 and the second lens portion 125 can each include a shroud 115. The shroud 115 can be one-piece, e.g., a one-piece structure. In this example, the shroud 115 can be a continuous shape, such as a square, a rectangle, a circle, an irregular shape, or the like. In some examples, the shroud 115 can include a shape that corresponds to a shape of the waveguide 110. The shroud 115 can include at least one material. For example, the shroud 115 can include a flexible material that can deform in response to a force applied to the shroud 115. The stiffness of the shroud 115 can be variable. For example, one portion of the shroud 115 can be stiffer than another portion of the shroud 115.

[0028] The shroud 115 can extend across the eyeglass assembly 100, for example, across a portion of the eyeglass assembly 100. The first shroud 115 can extend at least partially across the first lens portion 120 of the eyeglass assembly 100, and the second shroud 115 can extend at least partially across the second lens portion 125 of the eyeglass assembly 100. For example, the first shroud 115 can extend from approximately the outside 130 to approximately the inside 135 of the first lens portion 120, and the second shroud 115 can extend from approximately the inside 145 to approximately the outside 140 of the second lens portion 125. In this example, the shrouds 115 can each extend across the first lens portion 120 and the second lens portion 125, respectively, with decreasing stiffness. For example, the shroud 115 can extend from the outside 130 to the inside 135 of the first lens portion 120 such that the stiffness decreases. In another example, the shroud 115 can extend continuously across the eyeglass assembly 100, for example, from approximately the outside 130 of the first lens portion 120 to approximately the outside 140 of the second lens portion 125.

[0029] The shroud 115 can be disposed between the front cover 105 and the waveguide 110. The shroud 115 can contact at least one of the front cover 105, the waveguide 110, or another component of the eyeglass assembly 100. For example, the shroud 115 can be coupled to the front cover 105 or another component of the eyeglass assembly 100 without contacting the waveguide 110. The shroud 115 can be bonded to the front cover 105 or another component of the eyeglass assembly 100, for example, via an adhesive, or can be an integral part of the front cover 105, for example, an overmolded perimeter of the inner surface of the front cover 105. In another example, the shroud 115 can be coupled to the front cover 105 or another component of the eyeglass assembly 100 and contact the waveguide 110 in response to a force applied to the eyeglass assembly 100. In this example, the shroud 115 can at least partially protect the waveguide 110 in an impact scenario, e.g., a scenario in which a force is applied to the eyeglass assembly 100. For example, the shroud 115 can at least partially protect the waveguide 110 from a force applied to a front portion, such as the front cover 105, of the eyeglass assembly 100. The shroud 115 can include a flexible material that can deform in response to a force applied to the shroud 115, so that the shroud 115 can at least partially absorb a force applied to the front cover 105, which can reduce the magnitude of the force applied to the waveguide 110. In this manner, the shroud 115 can be or include a waveguide bumper. In this example, the shroud 115 can at least partially protect the waveguide 110 from a force applied to the front cover 105, and the suspension 205 can at least partially protect the waveguide 110 from a force applied to an arm or strap of the eyeglass assembly 100.

[0030] The features, components, and / or parts shown in Figures 1 and 2, including their arrangements and configurations, either alone or in any combination, may be included in any of the other example devices, features, components, and parts shown in other figures described herein. Similarly, the features, components, and / or parts shown and described with reference to other figures, including their arrangements and configurations, either alone or in any combination, may be included in the example devices, features, components, and parts shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of an eyeglass assembly 100 including a shroud 115. The front cover 105 can define a curve 305. For example, the front cover 105 can be curved to accommodate or follow the contours and curves of a user's face. The front cover 105 can define a curve 305 from the first portion 120 to the second portion 125 of the eyeglass assembly 100. The front cover 105 can define a curve 305 from the outside 130 of the first lens portion 120 to the outside 140 of the second lens portion 125. Because the front cover 105 can define a curve 305, other components of the eyeglass assembly 100 that are at least partially contained by the front cover 105 can also define a curve corresponding to the curve 305. For example, at least one of the shroud 115, the waveguide 110, etc. can be curved. In another example, the front cover 105 can be straight, for example, from the first portion 120 to the second portion 125 of the eyeglass assembly 100.

[0032] The shroud 115 can define at least one region, such as at least one surface region and volume region. The various regions of the shroud 115 may not be uniform. For example, the regions may not be uniform from the exterior 130 to the interior 135 of the first lens portion 120. In this example, the thicknesses W, X, Y, and Z of the shroud 115 may vary. The thicknesses Y and Z may vary from the exterior 140 to the interior 145 of the second lens portion 125. Furthermore, the thicknesses W and X may vary from the exterior 140 to the interior 145 of the second lens portion 125. For example, the thicknesses W and X may increase from the exterior 140 to the interior 145 of the second lens portion 125, e.g., the thicknesses W and X may each be greater at the interior 145 than the thicknesses W and X at the exterior 140. 3 corresponding to the second lens portion 125 of the eyeglass assembly 100, the shroud 115 corresponding to the first lens portion 120 may define the same thicknesses W, X, Y, and Z. For example, the thicknesses W and X may increase from the outer side 130 to the inner side 135 of the first lens portion 120.

[0033] The features, components, and / or parts shown in Figure 3, including their arrangements and configurations, either alone or in any combination, may be included in any of the other example devices, features, components, and parts shown in other figures described herein. Similarly, the features, components, and / or parts shown and described with reference to other figures, including their arrangements and configurations, either alone or in any combination, may be included in the example devices, features, components, and parts shown in Figure 3.

[0034] 4 illustrates one example of a shroud 115 for eyeglass assembly 100. Shroud 115 can include at least one material, such as a first material portion 405 and a second material portion 410. Shroud 115 can include at least one mechanical interlock 415. Mechanical interlock 415 can be disposed in second material portion 410 and throughout first material portion 405.

[0035] The first material portion 405 may be or may include a material that is elastically flexible, such as an elastomer. As described herein, an "elastic" or "flexible" material or portion is one that elastically deforms under expected forces during normal and / or expected use. For example, the first material portion 405 may be one or more of silicone, natural rubber, styrene-butadiene block copolymer, polyisoprene, nitrile rubber, and the like. The first material portion 405 may define a body of the shroud 115. For example, the first material portion 405 may be referred to as or include an elastomeric body 405 of the shroud 115. The elastomeric body 405 may include silicone or a similar flexible material. The overall hardness of the shroud 115 may be adjusted in response to adjustments of the first material portion 405. In other words, the elastic response of the first material portion 405 may be adjusted. On the Shore hardness scale, the hardness of the elastomeric body 405 can be greater than or equal to about 50 Shore A and less than or equal to about 90 Shore A, such as from about 60 Shore A to about 80 Shore A, to function as described herein. For example, the elastomeric body 405 can include silicone with a hardness of 70 Shore A.

[0036] The second material portion 410 may be or may include a rigid material, e.g., a material that is stiffer than the first material portion 405, such as a plastic. As referred to herein, a "rigid" or "plastic" material may include a material that does not mean to elastically deform or bend significantly or measurably during normal and / or expected use. For example, the second material portion 410 may be an adhesive plastic, such as nylon, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylic, polycarbonate, and the like. The second material portion 410 may define a core 410 of the shroud 115. For example, the second material portion 410 may be or may include the core 410 of the shroud 115. The core 410 of the shroud 115 may include nylon or a similar rigid material or plastic.

[0037] The elastomeric body 405 can at least partially surround the core 410. In other words, the core 410 can be at least partially surrounded by the elastomeric body 405. In this manner, the core 410 can structurally support the elastomeric body 405 and thus the shroud 115. For example, the elastomeric body 405 is flexible and can deform or otherwise deflect in response to a force applied to the shroud 115. However, because the core 410 is stiffer than the elastomeric body 405, the core 410 can bend less than the elastomeric body 405 in response to a force applied to the shroud 115, or cannot bend at all. In this manner, the shroud 115 can bend at least partially in response to a force applied to the shroud 115, but cannot bend or deform completely due to the stiffness of the core 410.

[0038] The shroud 115 may define a first end 435 and a second end 440. The distance between the first end 435 and the second end 440 may be a thickness W, as shown in FIG. 3 . In addition, the shroud 115 may define a length 430 from the first end 435 to the second end 440 of the shroud 115. The shroud 115 may taper from the first end 435 toward the second end 440. In other words, the thickness W of the shroud 115 may be reduced. The thickness W of the shroud 115 may taper or otherwise decrease over the length 430 from a surface adjacent the front cover 105 to a surface adjacent the waveguide 110.

[0039] The core 410 can define a length 420 from a first end 435 of the shroud 115. The elastomeric body 405 can define a length 425 from the first end 435 of the shroud 115. The lengths 420, 425 can be variable across the shroud 115. For example, the lengths 420, 425 can increase or decrease from the exterior 130 of the first lens portion 120 to the exterior 140 of the second lens portion 125. The length 430 of the shroud 115 can increase from the exterior 130 to the interior 135 of the first lens portion 120 and can increase from the exterior 140 to the interior 145 of the second lens portion 125. As described in more detail below, the length 420 of the core 410 can decrease from the outside 130 to the inside 135 of the first lens portion 120 and can decrease from the outside 140 to the inside 145 of the second lens portion 125. In this manner, the shroud 115 can decrease in stiffness from the outside 130 to the inside 135 of the first lens portion 120 and from the outside 140 to the inside 145 of the second lens portion 125. The length 425 of the elastomeric body 405 can increase from the outside 130 to the inside 135 of the first lens portion 120 and can increase from the outside 140 to the inside 145 of the second lens portion 125. In this manner, the shroud 115 can increase in flexibility from the outside 130 to the inside 135 of the first lens portion 120 and from the outside 140 to the inside 145 of the second lens portion 125.

[0040] In another example, the first material portion 405 and the second material portion 410 can be the same material. For example, the reduction in stiffness of the shroud 115 can also be achieved by only varying the thickness of the shroud 115 such that only one material is used. For example, the shroud 115 can include only one material, such as black plastic, with a decreasing stiffness from the first end 435 to the second end 440 of the shroud 115, from the outside 130 to the inside 135 of the first lens portion 120, and from the outside 140 to the inside 145 of the second lens portion 125. In another example, the materials 405, 410 can both be electroactive polymers. In this example, the shroud 115 can be directly coupled to the waveguide 110, for example. The materials 405, 410 can receive an electric current to move the waveguide 110 in response to the shroud 115 receiving an electric current. For example, the position and angle of the waveguide 110 can change in response to the electric current.

[0041] The features, components, and / or parts shown in Figure 4, including their arrangements and configurations, either alone or in any combination, may be included in any of the other example devices, features, components, and parts shown in other figures described herein. Similarly, the features, components, and / or parts shown and described with reference to other figures, including their arrangements and configurations, either alone or in any combination, may be included in the example devices, features, components, and parts shown in Figure 4.

[0042] 5-7 show an example of an eyeglass assembly 100 including a shroud 115. The front cover 105 and the waveguide 110 can be spaced apart to define a gap 505, as depicted in FIG. 5. For example, the gap 505 can be between the front cover 105 and the waveguide 110. The gap 505 can be about 5 millimeters or more and about 25 millimeters or less in length. For example, the gap 505 between the front cover 105 and the waveguide 110 can be about 15 millimeters. The front cover 105 and the waveguide 110 can be coupled, for example, indirectly coupled. For example, a structural component 710 of the eyeglass assembly 100 can indirectly couple the front cover 105 to the suspension 205 and thus to the waveguide 110, as shown in FIG. 7. In this manner, the gap 505 can be defined by the structural component 710, the front cover 105, and the waveguide 110.

[0043] The gap 505 may vary. For example, the gap 505 may increase or decrease throughout the eyeglass assembly 100. The gap 505 may increase from the first portion 120 to the second portion 125 of the eyeglass assembly 100, or vice versa. For example, the gap 505 may increase from the outside 130 of the first lens portion 125 to the inside 135 of the first lens portion 120 and the inside 145 of the second lens portion 125, and the gap 505 may increase from the outside 140 of the second lens portion 125 to the inside 135 of the first lens portion 125 and the inside 145 of the second lens portion 125. In another example, the gap 505 may decrease from the inside 135 of the first lens portion 120 and the inside 145 of the second lens portion 125 to the outside 130 of the first lens portion 120 and the outside 140 of the second lens portion 125, respectively.

[0044] In this example, the length 515 of the gap 505 at the inner side 135, 145 can be greater than the length 510 of the gap 505 at the outer side 130, 140. In other words, the length 510 of the gap 505 at the outer side 130, 140 can be less than the length 515 of the gap 505 at the inner side 135, 145. The gap 505 can be approximately equal on the inner side 135 of the first lens portion 125 and the inner side 145 of the second lens portion 125. The gap 505 can be approximately equal on the outer side 130 of the first lens portion 125 and the outer side 140 of the second lens portion 125. The length 510 of the gap 505 at the outer side 130, 140 can be greater than about 5 millimeters and less than about 20 millimeters. For example, the gap 505 at the outer side 130 of the first lens portion 120 can be greater than about 10 millimeters and less than about 15 millimeters. The length 515 of the gap 505 at the inner side 135, 145 can be about 10 millimeters or more and about 25 millimeters or less. For example, the gap 505 at the inner side 135 of the first lens portion 120 can be about 15 millimeters or more and about 20 millimeters or less.

[0045] The shroud 115 can be at least partially disposed within the gap 505. For example, the shroud 115 can be disposed between the front cover 105 and the waveguide 110. The core 410 can include or define a portion 620 that is partially exposed, e.g., not surrounded by or otherwise in contact with the elastomeric body 405. The portion 620 can be defined at a first end 435 of the shroud 115. The portion 620 can be coupled to the front cover 105. For example, the core 410 can be coupled to the front cover 105 at the first end 435 of the shroud 115. The portion 620 of the core 410 can be coupled or otherwise adhered to the front cover 105 via an adhesive 625, as shown in FIG. 6. The adhesive 625 can be an industrial adhesive, including ABP 8520E2, ABP 8035M, and ABP 2032S, and the like. In another example, the shroud 115 can be an integral part of the front cover 105 such that the shroud 115 is an overmolded perimeter of the inner surface of the front cover 105. To protect the front cover 105 and the waveguide 110 as described herein, the shroud 115 can be, for example, coupled to the core 410 or extend from the front cover 105 at an angle 705 of about 35 degrees or more and about 55 degrees or less, as shown in FIG. 7. For example, the angle 705 can be about 45 degrees.

[0046] In an example where the length 510 of the gap 505 at the outer side 130, 140 is shorter than the length 515 of the gap 505 at the inner side 135, 145, the stiffness of the shroud 115 can be greater at the outer side 130, 140 than at the inner side 135, 145. In this example, because the stiffness of the shroud 115 is greater at the outer side 130, 140 than at the inner side 135, 145, the shroud 115 can prevent or otherwise inhibit the waveguide 110 from oscillating at either the inner side 135, 145 or the outer side 130, 140 in response to a force applied to the eyeglass assembly 100. In other words, the stiffness of the shroud 115 can compensate for changes in the length of the gap 505 to provide a substantially uniform compression rate of the shroud 115 towards the waveguide 110 via changes in the deformation rate of the shroud 115. For example, because the shroud 115 is stiffer on the outer sides 130 , 140 than on the inner sides 135 , 145 , the shroud 115 on the outer sides 130 , 140 may deform at a slower rate than the shroud 115 on the inner sides 135 , 145 .

[0047] The length 420 of the core 410 can be varied, thus varying the stiffness of the shroud 115. The core 410 can define a length 420 that decreases from the first portion 120 to the second portion 125 of the eyeglass assembly 100, or vice versa. For example, the length 420 can decrease from the outside 130 of the first lens portion 125 to the inside 135 of the first lens portion 120, and the gap 505 can decrease from the outside 140 of the second lens portion 125 to the inside 145 of the second lens portion 125. In this example, the length 525 of the core 410 at the inside 135, 145 can be shorter than the length 520 of the core 410 at the outside 130, 140. In other words, the length 520 of the core 410 at the outside 130, 140 can be greater than the length 525 of the core 410 at the inside 135, 145. In this example, the shroud 115 may be stiffer on the outer sides 130,140 than on the inner sides 135,145.

[0048] The length 425 of the elastomeric body 405 can be varied, thus varying the stiffness of the shroud 115. The elastomeric body 405 can define a length 425 that increases from the first portion 120 to the second portion 125 of the eyeglass assembly 100, or vice versa. For example, the length 425 can increase from the outside 130 of the first lens portion 125 to the inside 135 of the first lens portion 120, and the gap 505 can increase from the outside 140 of the second lens portion 125 to the inside 145 of the second lens portion 125. In this example, the length 535 of the elastomeric body 405 at the inside 135, 145 can be greater than the length 530 of the elastomeric body 405 at the outside 130, 140. In other words, the length 530 of the elastomeric body 405 at the outside 130, 140 can be less than the length 535 of the elastomeric body 405 at the inside 135, 145. In this example, the shroud 115 may be stiffer on the outer sides 130,140 than on the inner sides 135,145.

[0049] The shroud 115 may define a surface 615 or contact surface 615, as shown in FIG. 6 . The surface 615 may be defined at a second end 440 of the shroud 115. In this example, the surface 615 may contact the waveguide 110, for example, due to a force applied to the eyeglass assembly 100. The surface 615 may be substantially flat. For example, the surface 615 may be substantially flat to prevent or otherwise inhibit the shroud 115 from applying a point load to the waveguide 110. The surface 615 being substantially flat may distribute forces that arise in response to contact between the shroud 115 and the waveguide 110, and may prevent or otherwise inhibit the shroud 115 from buckling. The surface 615 may include or define a length 630. The length 630 may be greater than or equal to about 0.1 millimeters and less than or equal to about 2 millimeters. For example, the length 630 may be about 1 millimeter.

[0050] The features, components, and / or parts shown in Figures 5-7, including their arrangements and configurations, either alone or in any combination, may be included in any of the other example devices, features, components, and parts shown in other figures described herein. Similarly, the features, components, and / or parts shown and described with reference to other figures, including their arrangements and configurations, either alone or in any combination, may be included in the example devices, features, components, and parts shown in Figures 5-7.

[0051] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of an eyeglass assembly 800 including a shroud 815. The eyeglass assembly 800 may be similar to the eyeglass assembly 100. For example, the eyeglass assembly 800 may include a front cover 805 and a waveguide 810. The waveguide 810 may be held by a suspension 820. The front cover 805, the waveguide 810, and the suspension 820 may be similar or the same as the front cover 105, the waveguide 110, and the suspension 205, respectively. For example, the front cover 805, the waveguide 810, and the suspension 820 may define or include the same dimensions and materials as the front cover 105, the waveguide 110, and the suspension 205, respectively. Additionally, the components of the eyeglass assembly 800 may be coupled to or otherwise contact each other similar or the same as the components of the eyeglass assembly 100.

[0052] The shroud 815 may be similar or the same as the shroud 115. For example, the shroud 815 may include or define the same materials and dimensions as the shroud 115. The shroud 815 may be defined by a section of an elastomeric body 825. In this example, the shroud 815 may be non-integral, e.g., a non-integral structure. For example, the shroud 815 may be a discontinuous shape, such as a broken square, rectangle, circle, or the like. FIG. 8 illustrates the shroud 815 as a broken square. For example, the section of the elastomeric body 825 may at least partially define a square shape, e.g., the section of the elastomeric body 825 may define square edges, square corners, or a combination of both, as shown in FIG. 8. The section of the elastomeric body 825 may be aligned with the front cover 805 and the waveguide 110 held by the suspension 820. For example, the discontinuous shape of the shroud 815 can correspond to the shape of the front cover 805, the waveguide 110, or both.

[0053] The shroud 815 may be similar or the same as the shroud 115. For example, the shroud 815 may be coupled to the front cover 805 or other components of the eyeglass assembly 800, for example, via an adhesive. The shroud 815 may include at least one core similar or the same as the core 410. Each of the sections of the elastomeric body 825 may at least partially surround the core, and each core may be glued or otherwise coupled to the front cover 805. The sections of the elastomeric body 825 and the core may have various stiffnesses. For example, the stiffness of each section of the elastomeric body 825 and the core may vary, and the average stiffness of each section of the elastomeric body 825 may vary relative to one another. In another example, the stiffness of each section of the elastomeric body 825 may be uniform, but the stiffnesses may vary relative to one another.

[0054] In these examples, the stiffness of the section of the elastomeric body 825 that is on the outside of the eyeglasses assembly 800 may be greater than the section of the elastomeric body 825 that is on the inside of the eyeglasses assembly 800. In this manner, the shroud 815 may prevent or otherwise inhibit the waveguide 810 from rocking on either side of the eyeglasses assembly 800 in response to forces applied to the eyeglasses assembly 800. In other words, the varying stiffness of the shroud 815 may provide a substantially uniform rate of compression of the shroud 815 towards the waveguide 810 via the varying rates of deformation of the sections of the elastomeric body 825. For example, the shroud 815 on the outside of the eyeglasses assembly 800 may deform at a slower rate than the shroud 815 on the inside of the eyeglasses assembly 800 due to the greater stiffness of the outer shroud 815 than the inside.

[0055] The features, components, and / or parts shown in Figure 8, including their arrangements and configurations, either alone or in any combination, may be included in any of the other example devices, features, components, and parts shown in other figures described herein. Similarly, the features, components, and / or parts shown and described with reference to other figures, including their arrangements and configurations, either alone or in any combination, may be included in the example devices, features, components, and parts shown in Figure 8.

[0056] 9A-9C show an example of an eyeglass assembly 100 including a shroud 115 in various positions. FIG. 9A shows the shroud 115 in a first position 900. FIG. 9B shows the shroud 115 in a second position 905. FIG. 9C shows the shroud 115 in a third position 910.

[0057] With the shroud 115 in the first position 900, the shroud 115 and the waveguide 110 can define a gap 915. For example, the shroud 115 and the waveguide 110 can be separated from one another or otherwise not in direct contact. The gap 915 can be about 40 microns or more and about 60 microns or less. For example, the gap 915 can be about 50 microns. In the first position 900, the waveguide 110 can be in contact only with the suspension 205. With the shroud 115 in the first position 900, the eyeglass assembly 100 can be at least partially in equilibrium. For example, a force may not be applied to the eyeglass assembly 100, for example at the front cover 105. In this example, a force may be applied to the eyeglass assembly 100 at a location other than the front cover 105 or a similarly disposed surface.

[0058] The shroud 115 can transition from the first position 900 to the second position 905 in response to a force 930 applied to the eyeglass assembly 100. For example, the force 930 can be applied to the front cover 105, as shown in FIG. 9B. The shroud 115 can transition from the second position 905 to the first position 900 in response to the force 930 decreasing in magnitude or being otherwise removed from the eyeglass assembly 100.

[0059] 9B , the shroud 115 and the waveguide 110 can define a gap 920. The gap 920 can be smaller than the gap 915. For example, the gap 920 can be greater than or equal to about 0 microns and less than about 60 microns. In the second position 905, the shroud 115, for example, the surface 615, can contact the waveguide 110. The force 930 can be sufficient to compress the front cover 105 and the shroud 115 toward the waveguide 110.

[0060] The shroud 115 can transition from the second position 905 to the third position 910 in response to a force 935 applied to the eyeglass assembly 100. For example, the force 935 can be applied to the front cover 105, as shown in FIG. 9C. The shroud 115 can transition from the third position 910 to the second position 905 in response to the force 935 decreasing in magnitude or being otherwise removed from the eyeglass assembly 100.

[0061] With the shroud 115 in the third position 910 shown in FIG. 9C, the shroud 115 and the waveguide 110 can define a gap 920. For example, the length of the gap 920 can be 0 microns with the shroud 115 in the third position 910. In the third position 910, the shroud 115, for example the surface 615, can contact the waveguide 110. The force 935 can have a magnitude greater than the magnitude of the force 930. The magnitude of the force 935 can be sufficient to compress the front cover 105 and the shroud 115 toward the waveguide 110 and to bend, compress, or otherwise deform the shroud 115. In this example, the shroud 115 can define a bending surface 925 of the shroud 115. For example, the elastomeric body 405 can bend in response to contact with the waveguide 110 at the second end 440 of the shroud 115. The bending surface 925 can include or define a concave curvature. For example, the second end 440 of the shroud 115 can compress toward the front cover 105. Because the core 410 is stiffer than the elastomeric body 405, the shroud 115 can remain substantially straight along the length 420 of the core 410, and because the elastomeric body 405 can be or can include a flexible material, the shroud 115 can bend along the length 425 of the elastomeric body 405.

[0062] With the shroud 115 defining the bending surface 925, the shroud 115 can at least partially absorb the force 935, thereby reducing the magnitude of the force 935 transmitted or otherwise applied to the waveguide 110. For example, in an eyeglass assembly 100 that does not include the shroud 115, the front cover 105 can directly contact the waveguide 110. In this example, the front cover 105 can be or can include a non-elastic material such that substantially the entire magnitude of the force 935 can be transmitted to the waveguide 110.

[0063] The features, components, and / or parts shown in Figures 9A-9C, including their arrangements and configurations, either alone or in any combination, may be included in any of the other example devices, features, components, and parts shown in other figures described herein. Similarly, the features, components, and / or parts shown and described with reference to other figures, including their arrangements and configurations, either alone or in any combination, may be included in the example devices, features, components, and parts shown in Figures 9A-9C.

[0064] The terms "about" and "substantially" herein shall be interpreted as + / - 10% unless otherwise specified. All value ranges disclosed herein (such as "from about a to about b" or, equivalently, "from approximately a to b" or, equivalently, "approximately ab" or, equivalently, "greater than about a and less than about b") shall be understood to indicate all numbers and ranges encompassed within the broader value range.

[0065] In some examples, the system may collect user-specific information to provide a customized experience to the user. In such examples, the collection, storage, use, and transmission of user-specific data should be done in accordance with well-known and accepted data privacy standards.

[0066] The specific details provided above are not required to practice the described examples, but are presented for purposes of illustration and explanation. The details provided above are not exhaustive and should not be construed to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Rather, many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings.

Claims

1. 1. An eyeglass assembly comprising: The front cover and The suspension and a waveguide carried by the suspension, the front cover and the waveguide defining a gap; a shroud disposed at least partially within the gap and defining a first end and a second end, the shroud comprising: An elastomer body; a core coupled to the front cover at the first end of the shroud.

2. the eyeglass assembly includes a first portion and a second portion opposite the first portion; the front cover defines a curve from the first portion to the second portion; the gap increases from the first portion to the second portion of the eyeglass assembly; the shroud is one-piece and tapers from the first end to the second end; the core comprises nylon and is attached to the front cover via an adhesive at an angle greater than about 35 degrees and less than about 55 degrees, the core defining a length that decreases from the first portion toward the second portion of the eyeglass assembly; 2. The eyeglass assembly of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric body defines a length that increases from the first portion toward the second portion and defines a substantially flat surface at the second end, the substantially flat surface configured to contact the waveguide, and the elastomeric body configured to bend in response to contact with the waveguide.

3. the core being stiffer than the elastomeric body; The eyeglass assembly of claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric body at least partially surrounds the core and is configured to flex in response to contact with the waveguide at the second end.

4. the elastomeric body at least partially surrounds the core, the elastomeric body defining a contact surface at the second end of the shroud that is substantially flat; The eyeglass assembly of claim 1 , wherein the core includes a portion that is partially exposed at the first end of the shroud, the portion being coupled to the front cover.

5. the elastomeric body at least partially surrounds the core; the core comprises plastic; The eyeglass assembly of claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric body comprises silicone having a Shore A hardness of about 50-90.

6. The eyeglass assembly of claim 1 , wherein the shroud is one piece and tapers from the first end to the second end.

7. The eyeglass assembly of claim 1 , wherein the shroud is defined by a section of an elastomeric body.

8. The eyeglass assembly of claim 1 , wherein the gap is greater than about 5 millimeters and less than about 25 millimeters.

9. A spectacle frame, a first lens portion having a first outer side and a first inner side; a second lens portion having a second outer side and a second inner side; a front cover extending from the first outer side to the second outer side, The first lens portion is a waveguide carried by a suspension and extending between the first outer side and the first inner side, the front cover and the waveguide defining a gap that increases from the first outer side to the first inner side; a shroud disposed at least partially in the gap and bonded to the front cover, the shroud extending from the first outer side to the first inner side with decreasing stiffness.

10. the front cover defines a curve from the first outer side to the second outer side; The shroud defines a first end and a second end; 10. The eyeglass frame of claim 9, wherein the shroud defines an area between the first end and the second end, the area being non-uniform from the first outer side to the first inner side.

11. The eyeglass frame of claim 9 , wherein the shroud is coupled to the front cover at an angle greater than about 35 degrees and less than about 55 degrees.

12. The shroud includes: An elastomer body; 10. The eyeglass frame of claim 9, further comprising: a core at least partially surrounded by the elastomeric body and coupled to the front cover, the core defining a length that decreases from the first outer side toward the first inner side.

13. The shroud includes: A core coupled to the front cover; 10. The eyeglass frame of claim 9, comprising: an elastomeric body at least partially surrounding the core, the elastomeric body defining a length that increases from the first outer side to the first inner side.

14. the gap at the first outer side is greater than about 5 millimeters and less than about 20 millimeters; 10. The eyeglass frame of claim 9, wherein the gap at the first inner side is greater than about 10 millimeters and less than about 25 millimeters.

15. The shroud defines a first end and a second end; The eyeglass frame of claim 9 , wherein the second end defines a substantially flat contact surface, the contact surface comprising a length greater than about 0.1 millimeters and less than about 2 millimeters.

16. 1. An eyeglass assembly comprising: a lens portion having an outer side and an inner side opposite the outer side; a front cover extending from the outer side toward the inner side, The lens portion is a waveguide extending from the outer side to the inner side; a shroud disposed between the waveguide and the front cover, the shroud defining a first end and a second end, the shroud coupled to the front cover at the first end and extending with a reduced stiffness from the outer side to the inner side of the lens portion, the shroud comprising: a first material portion including a first material; and a second material portion comprising a second material different from the first material, the first material portion at least partially surrounding the second material portion.

17. the first material includes an elastomer and defines a body of the shroud; the second material includes a plastic and defines a core of the shroud; The eyeglass assembly of claim 16 , wherein the body at least partially surrounds the core and is configured to bend in response to contact with the waveguide at the second end.

18. The core defines a first length; the first length decreases from the lateral side to the medial side; The body defines a second length; The eyeglass assembly of claim 17 , wherein the second length increases from the outer side to the inner side.

19. the front cover and the waveguide define a gap that increases from the exterior to the interior; The eyeglass assembly of claim 16 , wherein the shroud is at least partially disposed within the gap and defines a length that increases from the outer side to the inner side.

20. the first material includes an electroactive polymer configured to receive an electrical current; the shroud is directly coupled to the waveguide; The eyeglass assembly of claim 16 , wherein the waveguide is configured to move in response to the shroud receiving the electric current.

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