Binocular to hat attachment

Abstract

A Quick and easy attachment system for linking a light weight headgear and a binocular for steady hands free viewing without fatigue. The headgear functions as an attractive hat or cap with visor and is comfortable for continuous use with or without the binocular attached. The attaching system offers multiple embodiments, functions and adjustments for differing conditions and wearers. Options include, flip up or fixed visor.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates to improved method and means for head mounting binoculars used for magnifying distant objects. BACKGROUND [0002] Binoculars are commonly used for sporting events, concerts, bird and animal watching, surveillance, and scenery viewing. There are many models that are compact and lightweight enough to easily be carried in a pocket in typical clothing. Hand-held binoculars have the disadvantage of amplifying the tremors of the hands so the magnified view appears to shake. Long-term use of binoculars is fatiguing to the arms, and demands that one or both hands are not available for other tasks. A tripod may be used to steady a binocular from hand tremors, and offer hands free operation without fatigue, but is expensive, bulky, and far less portable. [0003] There is a wide variety of headgear in the marketplace having various embodiments of visor, bill, brim, screen, shade, or other projections extending from the forehead of the wearer, e...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] The present invention combines the advantages of the prior art while removing objectionable limitations. The first object of the invention is that the headgear be cosmetically similar to hats and caps commonly seen in public, having the same style and appearance of current trends in headgear. Another object that the present invention offers the ability to quickly attach, remove, and re-attach the binocular to the headgear; so the headgear may be worn at any or all times, while the binocular is carried separately and conveniently in ones pocket or purse. Yet another major object is to offer optional features such as a flip-up / pivoting cap bill, hat brim or open top visor that enables wearer to momentarily remove binocular from field of view while retaining any other preset adjustments. Yet another object is the ability to use the binocular as a normal hand-held unit. So in non engineering terms, one would leave home with this purpose built cap for an outing, the same as with a conventional ball cap, wearing it all day if so desired. Then at anytime be able to attach this compact binocular with its full adjustability that is easily carried in a pants pocket. And the whole cap interface and binocular could be appropriate for and simple enough to be used by everyone including children, at baseball, football, NASCAR events, etc.

[0011] Other objectives are low cost, light weight and ease of manufacture. Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those versed in the arts after reading the detailed specifications to follow.

Problems solved by technology

Hand-held binoculars have the disadvantage of amplifying the tremors of the hands so the magnified view appears to shake.

Long-term use of binoculars is fatiguing to the arms, and demands that one or both hands are not available for other tasks.

A tripod may be used to steady a binocular from hand tremors, and offer hands free operation without fatigue, but is expensive, bulky, and far less portable.

These vision systems are complex and costly.

They require bulky and / or heavy framework, and do not cosmetically blend in a civilian environment.

The Himmele and Truesdale devices are useful for sporting events, they offer steady hands-free viewing, yet they are not suitable for continuous wearing in public since they look much different than headgear typically worn.

The devices are bulky to carry when not being worn, and they have a limited range of adjustment.

There are numerous head mounted radio devices in the market, so combining a radio device with the headgear adds to the cost, weight and bulk of the device, and contributes to the non-standard appearance.

The combinations of a fan in the Truesdale device further contributes to bulk and a non-standard appearance.

The Himmele and Truesdale combinations do not have structures that allow for quick and easy detachment and reattachment of the binocular device.

The device is not adjustable, and it offers no means to temporarily swing the binocular out of the field of view while keeping the binocular affixed to the headgear.

The complex binocular is not suited for hand held use apart from the headgear.

The optics have features unnecessary for the mass market; for instance costly lens options for military applications that filter out laser light.

The attachment lacks means for an adjustment range needed to meet the special needs of a wide variety of users and situations; for instance there is no means for adjusting the tilt of the binocular relative to the headgear.

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