U.S. patent application number 10/420061 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-28 for hands-free article holder and method.
Invention is credited to Loughman, Van J..
Application Number | 20040211799 10/420061 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33298444 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040211799 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Loughman, Van J. |
October 28, 2004 |
Hands-free article holder and method
Abstract
A chest-mounted assembly for holding an article, the assembly
comprising a chest plate, a plurality of indexing supports situated
on the chest plate, an indexing bar pivotally connected to the
chest plate by a pivot bar and supported by at least one of the
plurality of indexing supports, and an article mount positioned on
the indexing bar. A method for a user to adjust the height level of
a hands-free supported article, the method comprising the steps of
mounting a chest plate on the user, the chest plate having a pivot
support and a plurality of indexing supports situated thereon,
attaching the article to an article mount, the article mount being
connected to the pivot support, positioning the article at a
desired height with respect to the user, and selecting one of the
indexing supports to thereby fix the article and the article mount
at a desired height position.
Inventors: |
Loughman, Van J.; (Sycamore,
PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WEBB ZIESENHEIM LOGSDON ORKIN & HANSON, P.C.
700 KOPPERS BUILDING
436 SEVENTH AVENUE
PITTSBURGH
PA
15219
US
|
Family ID: |
33298444 |
Appl. No.: |
10/420061 |
Filed: |
April 22, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/262 ;
224/628; 224/646 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16M 11/10 20130101;
A45F 2003/045 20130101; F16M 11/24 20130101; F16M 13/00 20130101;
F16M 13/04 20130101; F16M 11/2021 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/262 ;
224/628; 224/646 |
International
Class: |
A45F 003/08; A45F
003/04; A45F 003/10 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A chest-mounted assembly for holding an article, the assembly
comprising: a chest plate; a plurality of indexing supports
situated on the chest plate; an indexing bar pivotally connected to
the chest plate by a pivot bar and supported by at least one of the
plurality of indexing supports; and an article mount positioned on
a first distal end of the indexing bar.
2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the chest plate comprises: at
least one pivot support for securing the pivot bar to the chest
plate; and at least one strap removably attached to the chest
plate.
3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the indexing bar comprises at
least one of the following: a pivot joint situated near the first
distal end of the indexing bar; a pin situated near a second distal
end of the indexing bar; and a handle situated near the second
distal end of the indexing bar.
4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the indexing supports are
selected from the group consisting of holes, a step-like structure,
a slidable block, notched grooves, and ratchet teeth.
5. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the pivot bar comprises a first
pivot arm and a second pivot arm.
6. The assembly of claim 5, further comprising a second pivot
support.
7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the first pivot arm is
removably secured to the first pivot support and the second pivot
arm is removably secured to the second pivot support.
8. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the at least one strap is one
of a torso strap and a neck strap.
9. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the article mount removably
supports one of a spotting scope, binoculars, a camera, and a video
camera.
10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein a universal screw mount is
attached to the article mount.
11. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the pivot joint pivotally
supports the pivot bar.
12. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the pin is supported by at
least one of the plurality of indexing supports.
13. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the handle is used to move the
indexing bar between the plurality of indexing supports.
14. A method for a user to adjust the height level of a hands-free
supported article, the method comprising the steps of: mounting a
chest plate on the user, the chest plate having a pivot support and
a plurality of indexing supports situated thereon; attaching the
article to an article mount, the article mount being connected to
the pivot support; positioning the article at a desired height with
respect to the user; and selecting one of the indexing supports to
thereby fix the article and the article mount at a desired height
position.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the steps of selecting an
indexing support comprises grasping a handle on an indexing bar,
the indexing bar being connected with the article mount, and
raising or lowering the handle.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the indexing bar further
comprises a pin situated on the indexing bar, wherein the handle is
used to move the indexing bar and the pin is inserted into at least
one of the plurality of indexing supports.
17. The method of claim 14, further including the step of pivoting
the article with respect to the article mount, after the desired
height position is selected.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an article holder, and more
specifically, to a chest-mounted hands-free article holder that
quickly and easily adjusts the height of an article to a wearer's
eye-level.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Handheld optical instruments such as spotting scopes,
binoculars, cameras, and video cameras are important tools which
are commonly used by hunters, bird watchers, astronomers, military
personnel, spectators at sporting events and dramatic or musical
productions, and many other people, including both amateurs and
professionals. Such optical instruments greatly enhance the user's
optical perception by providing magnified and brighter images of an
activity or subject under study and depending upon the device, also
allow the recordation of the subject onto a tangible medium.
[0005] A significant problem in the use of such instruments is the
difficulty of holding them still enough, aggravated by fatigue to a
user's arms and hands in protracted usage. In addition to taxing
one's arms, an unsteady recordation instrument will yield distorted
images. Furthermore, at least one hand, if not both hands, are
required to grasp and operate the optical instrument. Presently, it
is not possible for a user to simultaneously and efficiently engage
in other activities requiring the use of one or both hands while
also using an optical instrument such as a spotting scope. For
example, a hunter may wish to use a spotting scope to detect prey,
while holding a rifle at the same time.
[0006] To overcome these problems, various chest-mounted hands-free
devices supporting a variety of instruments and articles have
hereto been developed. These devices are meant to be worn against
the user's body and are usually secured by some sort of strap. For
example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,661,308 to Walters discloses a camera and
binocular chest support frame able to adjust the height of such
articles by a collapsible post, U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,536 to Wong
discloses a chest-mounted personal binocular support, and U.S. Pat.
No. 6,336,576 to Easter discloses a chest-mounted front pack
assembly having a tripod with a camera attached thereto.
[0007] Although the aforementioned prior art can support various
instruments and articles, the prior art has certain specific
drawbacks. One such drawback is the limited adjustability that can
be made to the chest-mounted hands-free device. This results in the
article not being optimally positioned near the user's eyes,
thereby requiring the user to uncomfortably strain to utilize the
article. Similarly, limited adjustability prevents moving the
article to an unobstructed position when the user is wearing the
chest-mounted hands-free device yet is not utilizing the article
attached thereon. Another drawback of the prior art involves the
inability to quickly adjust the article from a use to a non-use
position. Specifically, this drawback becomes a concern in
activities where time is of the essence. One such relevant activity
is hunting, where the user would want to quickly lower the spotting
scope, while immediately thereafter raising, positioning, and
firing the rifle. Finally, some of the prior art is of less than
sturdy construction and is therefore not well-suited for use in
rugged conditions.
[0008] Accordingly, what is needed and has not heretofore been
developed is a sturdy, yet not bulky, user chest-mounted hands-free
article holder, configured to support a variety of articles whose
height position relative to the user's eyes may be fully and
quickly adjusted.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention provides, in the preferred embodiment,
a chest-mounted hands-free article holder comprising a chest plate,
a plurality of indexing supports situated on the chest plate, an
indexing bar pivotally connected to the chest plate by a pivot bar
and supported by at least one of the plurality of indexing
supports, at least one pivot support for securing the pivot bar to
the chest plate, and a torso and neck strap removably attached to
the chest plate for securing the chest-mounted hands-free article
holder to a user. The indexing bar comprises an article mount and a
pivot joint situated near a first distal end of the indexing bar
and a pin and a handle situated near a second distal end of the
indexing bar. The pivot joint pivotally supports the pivot bar and
the pin is supported by at least one of the plurality of indexing
supports. The article mount removably supports a variety of
articles, including, but not limited to a spotting scope,
binoculars, a camera, and a video camera. Optionally, a pivotable
universal screw mount may be attached to the article mount to
support articles having a threadable connection. The handle is used
to move the indexing bar between the plurality of indexing
supports, thereby raising and lowering the article. Additionally,
the at least one pivot support includes a plurality of height
adjustment holes for adjustably positioning the pivot bar.
[0010] The present invention also provides a method for the user to
adjust the height level of a hands-free supported article. The
method comprising the steps of mounting the chest plate on the
user, the chest plate including the pivot support and a plurality
of indexing supports situated thereon, attaching the article to the
article mount, the article mount being connected to the pivot
support, positioning the article at a desired height with respect
to the user; and selecting one of the indexing supports to thereby
fix the article and the article mount at a desired height
position.
[0011] The present invention may be used by a variety of people in
varied settings, including, but not limited to hunters, bird
watchers, astronomers, military personnel, spectators at sporting
events and dramatic or musical productions, handicapped and
disabled people, and many other people, including both amateurs and
professionals.
[0012] By employing many adjustable components such as the
universal screw mount, the indexing supports, and the height
adjustment holes, the present invention allows the article to be
optimally positioned near the user's eyes, thereby maximizing
comfort and minimizing any strain for the user. The present
invention also allows the user to quickly move the article from a
use to an unobstructed non-use position and vice versa. The sturdy
construction of the present invention makes it well-suited for use
in rugged conditions. The present invention may also be adapted to
hold a book by attaching a shelf to the article mount.
[0013] The foregoing and other features of the method and apparatus
of the present invention will be further apparent from the
description which follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hands-free article holder
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a front view of the hands-free article holder
shown in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a side view of the hands-free article holder shown
in FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 4a is a perspective and side view of a first
alternative embodiment of a plurality of indexing supports; and
[0018] FIG. 4b is a perspective and side view of a second
alternative embodiment of a plurality of indexing supports.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] For purposes of the description hereinafter, the spatial or
directional terms, such as "above", "below", "lower", "upper",
"left", "right", "up", "down", "vertical", "horizontal", and
derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as it is oriented
in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the
invention may assume various alternative variations, except where
expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood
that the specific apparatus illustrated in the attached drawings,
and described in the following specification, is simply an
exemplary embodiment of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions
and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments
disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.
[0020] The component parts of the present invention may be
constructed from materials including, but not limited to plastic,
nylon, aluminum, steel, and wood, with the components being joined
by various means, including, but not limited to tension engaging,
hinging, socketing, wedging, welding, bolting, threaded engagement,
and gluing.
[0021] Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 shows a
hands-free article holder 10 according to the present invention. In
the preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the hands-free
article holder 10 includes a chest plate 12 with indexing supports
14 and one or more pivot supports 16a, 16b attached thereon. The
chest plate 12 may be of various dimensions, but is sufficient in
size and shape to accommodate the components of the hands-free
article holder 10 while allowing the chest plate 12 to rest against
the chest of a user 18. The chest plate 12 is preferably secured to
the user's chest by adjustable straps, a torso strap 20 and a neck
strap 22, both of which are attached to the chest plate 12. The
torso strap 10 is of a sufficient length to encircle the torso of
the user 18. The neck strap 22 may be placed around the back of the
neck of the user 18. Alternatively, instead of a neck strap 22, two
shoulder straps may be routed over the shoulders of the user 18 and
then connected to the torso strap 20 at the back of the user 18. It
is to be understood that the torso strap 20 and the neck strap 22
may be adjustable to accommodate various users.
[0022] With reference to FIG. 1, the indexing supports 14 are
preferably situated within a same vertical plane as the pivot
supports 16a, 16b yet the indexing supports 14 are situated below
the pivot supports 16a, 16b. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, and
with continuing reference to FIG. 1, the indexing supports 14 may
include, but are not limited to holes, notched grooves, edges, or
steps, either incorporated within the chest plate 12 or directly
attached to the chest plate 12. For example, in the preferred
embodiment, the indexing supports 14 comprise indexing holes 24
situated within a hollow bar 26 that is directly attached to the
chest plate 12. These indexing holes 24 are incrementally spaced
and in-line with each other.
[0023] One or more pivot supports 16a, 16b may also be incorporated
within the chest plate 12 or be directly attached to the chest
plate 12. The present invention includes a first pivot support 16a
and a second pivot support 16b able to pivotally support a pivot
bar 28 therein. In the preferred embodiment, the pivot bar 28 is of
a tube or rod-like construction having a modified V-shape. The
pivot bar 28 comprises a first pivot arm 30a and a second pivot arm
30b, with the free end of each pivot arm 30a, 30b preferably having
a slightly bent portion 32a, 32b. The intersection of the first and
second pivot arms 30a, 30b comprises a straight portion 34 that is
relatively parallel to the bent portion 32a, 32b of each pivot arm
30a, 30b. In relation to each other, the first and second pivot
supports 16a, 16b are situated at a distance that is less than the
distance between the free end of the first pivot arm 30a and the
free end of the second pivot arm 30b. Furthermore, the first and
second pivot supports 16a, 16b each comprise incrementally spaced
height adjustment holes 36, with each height adjustment hole 36 of
the first pivot support-16a having a relatively parallel
corresponding height adjustment hole 36 on the second pivot support
16b. The diameter of each height adjustment hole 36 is larger than
the diameter of the bent portion 32a, 32b of each pivot arm 30a,
30b. The first and second pivot arms 30a, 30b may be squeezed
together, thereby bringing the first and second pivot arms 30a, 30b
closer to each other within the same plane. The reduction in the
distance between the first and second pivot arms 30a, 30b, allows
the bent portion 32a of the first pivot arm 30a to be inserted into
a height adjustment hole 36 of the first pivot support 16a and the
bent portion 32b of the second pivot arm 30b to be inserted into a
corresponding height adjustment hole 36 of the second pivot support
16b. Upon release of the first and second pivot arms 30a, 30b, the
pivot bar 28 is tensionally and pivotally attached to the first and
second pivot supports 16a, 16b. It is to be understood that the
present invention may also operate by utilizing a single pivot
support with a pivot bar comprised of a single pivot arm. Although
this may achieve the same overall effect of having a pivotal
connection, the tension and stability of the pivotal connection may
not be as effective. Furthermore, it is to be understood that other
pivot supports, including, but not limited to hinges, snaps, and
sockets, may also be utilized to secure the first and second pivot
arms 30a, 30b to the chest plate and to provide a pivot motion.
[0024] The hands-free article holder 10 further includes an
indexing bar 38. In the preferred embodiment, the indexing bar 38
comprises a pivot joint 40, an article mount 42, a pin 44, and a
handle 46. The pivot joint 40 and the article mount 42 are situated
near a first distal end 48a of the indexing bar 38. The pin 44 and
the handle 46 are situated near the second distal end 48b of the
indexing bar 38.
[0025] The pivot joint 40 is preferably tubular in construction
with an interior diameter large enough to pivotally accommodate the
straight portion 34 of the pivot bar 28 therein. The straight
portion 34 of the pivot bar 28 is journaled within the pivot joint
40, thereby allowing the first and second pivot arms 30a, 30b to
pivot in relation to the first distal end 48a of the indexing bar
38.
[0026] The article mount 42 allows an article, such as a spotting
scope 50 illustrated in FIG. 1, binoculars, a camera, or a video
camera to be mounted thereon by various means, including, but not
limited to clamping, screwing, and gluing. However, in the
preferred embodiment, the article mount 42 may have a universal
screw mount 52 attached thereon. Articles may be mounted upon a
threaded base 54 of the universal screw mount 52 if these articles
include a threaded connection. The universal screw mount 52
provides additional multi-directional pivotal movement to the
mounted article 50. By providing a threaded connection for each
article 50, the universal screw mount 52 allows the user 18 to
quickly exchange one article 50 for another article 50.
Furthermore, the universal screw mount 52 may include an adjustment
handle 47 that aids the user 18 in moving the mounted article 50
with precision.
[0027] The pin 44 is smaller in diameter than the indexing holes 24
of the hollow bar 26. Preferably, the pin 44 extends from or is
affixed to the indexing bar 38 at an angle that allows the pin 44
to be inserted into any of the indexing holes 24. Similar to the
pin 44, the handle 46 also extends from or is affixed to the
indexing bar 38 at an angle. The handle 46 is long enough for the
user 18 to firmly grasp the handle 46 and thereby move the indexing
bar 38 in an up and down direction. It is to be understood that in
an alternative embodiment, the second distal end 48b of the
indexing bar 38 can be extended to serve the function of the pin
44, thereby not requiring the pin 44.
[0028] FIGS. 4a and 4b depict a first alternative embodiment of a
plurality of indexing supports 56 and a second alternative
embodiment of a plurality of indexing supports 58, respectively.
These alternative embodiments provide additional ways of supporting
the pin 44. For example, the first alternative embodiment of a
plurality of indexing supports 56 comprises a step-like structure
60, whereas the second alternative embodiment of a plurality of
indexing supports 58 comprises a slidable block 62 frictionally
engaged between the chest plate 12 and a housing 64. It is to be
understood that there are additional ways of supporting the pin 44,
including, but not limited to, notched grooves and ratchet
teeth.
[0029] Preferably, the indexing bar 38 and the first and second
pivot arms 30a, 30b are long enough so that when the pin 44 is
inserted into any one of the indexing holes 24 and the first and
second pivot arms 30a, 30b are inserted into the first and second
pivot supports 16a, 16b, that the article 50 attached to the
article mount 42 avoids contact with chest plate 12. This
configuration should occur regardless of which combination of
indexing holes 24 and height adjustment holes 36 are utilized.
[0030] The hands-free article holder 10 may be used by a variety of
users in varied settings, including, but not limited to hunters,
bird watchers, astronomers, military personnel, spectators at
sporting events and dramatic or musical productions, handicapped
and disabled people, and many other people, including both amateurs
and professionals. For example, with reference to FIG. 1, the user
18, a hunter, places the chest plate 12 against his chest. The user
18 then places and adjusts the neck strap 22 around his neck and
secures and adjusts the torso strap 20 around his torso. The user
18 then selects the article 50 which he wants to have mounted to
the hands-free article holder 10. The user 18 may attach the
article 50 either directly to the article mount 42 or to the
universal screw mount 52 if the article 50 has a threaded
connection. In this instance, the hands-free article holder 10
depicted in FIG. 1 illustrates a spotting scope 50 threadingly
engaged to the threaded base 54 of the universal screw mount 52.
The user 18 then selects the appropriate height adjustment holes 36
based upon the height at which they want to have the spotting scope
50 positioned. Selecting the highest height adjustment hole 36 will
allow the spotting scope 50 to be positioned at the greatest height
in relation to the user 18, whereas the lowest height adjustment
hole 36 will provide the lowest height of the spotting scope 50 in
relation to the user 18. The user 18 then squeezes the first and
second pivot arms 30a, 30b together and inserts the bent portion
32a of the first pivot arm 30a into the selected height adjustment
hole 36 of the first pivot support 16a and the bent portion 32b of
the second pivot arm 30b into the corresponding height adjustment
hole 36 of the second pivot support 16b. The user 18 then grasps
the handle 46 and vertically moves the indexing bar 38 to a
position that provides the user 18 with an optimal height at which
he may comfortably see through the spotting scope 50. The user 18
now inserts the pin 44 into a corresponding indexing hole 24,
securing the pin 44 therein, and allowing the spotting scope 50 to
maintain the optimal height in relation to the user 18.
[0031] Fine adjustments may be made to the position of the spotting
scope 50 by way of the adjustment handle 47 of the universal screw
mount 52. The universal screw mount 52 may have a ball and socket
design, so as to provide a myriad of movements to the spotting
scope 50, including, but not limited to side-to-side, pan, and
tilt. Additionally, the user 18 may use the adjustment handle 47 to
move the spotting scope 50 with precision, so as to follow prey
when the user 18 himself is required to maintain a relatively
immobile position. At this point, the hands-free article holder 10
supports the spotting scope 50, thus allowing the user 18 to
simultaneously hold a rifle while utilizing the spotting scope 50.
If the user 18 wishes to position the rifle into a firing position,
the user 18 simply grasps the handle 46 of the indexing bar 38 and
outwardly pushes the handle 46 until the pin 44 is removed from the
indexing hole 24. The user 18 then moves the handle 46 downward to
allow the spotting scope 50 to be lowered to an unobstructed
position. The user 18 may then fully utilize the rifle, and
thereafter is able to quickly position the spotting scope 50 to the
exact optimal position as before, simply by grasping the handle 46
and inserting the pin 44 into the previously used indexing hole 24.
It is to be understood that use of the hands-free article holder 10
by a different user or use of a different article, may require that
user to readjust the setting or position of the indexing bar 38,
the first and second pivot arms 30a, 30b, and the universal screw
mount 52, so as to optimally position the article for that
user.
[0032] Furthermore, the present invention may also be adapted to
hold a book by attaching a shelf to the article mount.
[0033] The above invention has been described with reference to the
preferred and alternative embodiments. Obvious modifications,
combinations, and alterations will occur to others upon reading the
preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention
be construed as including all such modifications, combinations, and
alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended
claims or the equivalents thereof.
* * * * *