U.S. patent application number 12/027003 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-29 for headwear.
Invention is credited to Christopher D. Clark.
Application Number | 20080120763 12/027003 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37024692 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080120763 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Clark; Christopher D. |
May 29, 2008 |
Headwear
Abstract
Headwear comprising a headband portion, a brim portion, a lens
receiving portion, and a vision enhancing element operatively
coupled with the lens receiving portion. The lens receiving portion
and brim portion may be formed as a single-piece unitary member,
such as a single piece of plastic.
Inventors: |
Clark; Christopher D.;
(Marietta, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BARNES & THORNBURG LLP
600 ONE SUMMIT SQUARE
FORT WAYNE
IN
46802
US
|
Family ID: |
37024692 |
Appl. No.: |
12/027003 |
Filed: |
February 6, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11386358 |
Mar 22, 2006 |
7340781 |
|
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12027003 |
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60664530 |
Mar 24, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/209.13 ;
2/195.1; 351/155 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02C 3/02 20130101; A42B
1/247 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/209.13 ;
2/195.1; 351/155 |
International
Class: |
A42B 1/24 20060101
A42B001/24; A42B 1/00 20060101 A42B001/00; G02C 3/00 20060101
G02C003/00 |
Claims
1. A method for making headwear with vision enhancing features, the
method comprising the steps of: forming a headwear body including a
brim portion and an elongated lens receiving portion from a
single-piece unitary member, wherein said lens receiving portion
has a longitudinally-extending opening therethrough; placing a
magnifying lens within a proximal end of said lens receiving
portion; placing an objective lens within a distal end of said lens
receiving portion wherein said objective lens is movable with
respect to said magnifying lens; and providing a focus adjustment
member coupled with said objective lens, wherein said focus
adjustment lens is movable along a longitudinal axis of said lens
receiving portion.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said headwear body includes a
headband portion that is linearly movable with respect to said brim
portion.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein said lens receiving portion and
said brim portion are formed as a single piece of plastic.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein said lens receiving portion is
entirely disposed below said brim portion.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein said lens receiving portion
includes a stop proximate said distal end to limit movement of said
objective lens.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein said focus adjustment member is
entirely disposed below said brim portion.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein said headwear body includes a
headband portion that is pivotally connected with said brim
portion.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein said brim portion is linearly
movable with respect to said headband portion.
9. Headwear comprising: a headband portion; a brim portion
extending from said headband portion; a first lens receiving
portion extending below said brim portion; a second lens receiving
portion extending below said brim portion; a first magnifying lens
disposed within said first lens receiving portion; a second
magnifying lens disposed within said second lens receiving portion;
a first objective lens axially aligned with said first magnifying
lens; a second objective lens axially aligned with said second
magnifying lens; a focus adjustment element coupled with said first
objective lens and said second objective lens; and wherein said
focus adjustment element is linearly movable with respect to said
first lens receiving portion and said second lens receiving
portion.
10. The headwear of claim 9, wherein the focus adjustment element
is disposed between said first lens receiving portion and said
second lens receiving portion.
11. The headwear of claim 9, wherein said first lens receiving
portion and said second lens receiving portion are substantially
cylindrical in shape.
12. The headwear of claim 9, wherein said brim portion is pivotally
connected to said headband portion.
13. The headwear of claim 9, wherein said brim portion is linearly
movable with respect to said headband portion.
14. The headwear of claim 9, further comprising a crown portion
attached to said brim portion for covering a user's head.
15. The headwear of claim 14, wherein the brim portion has an
arcuate shape.
16. The headwear of claim 14, wherein said brim portion has a
substantially uninterrupted surface contour.
17. Headwear formed by a process comprising the steps of: forming a
headwear body including a brim portion and an elongated lens
receiving portion from a single-piece unitary member, wherein said
lens receiving portion has a longitudinally-extending opening
therethrough; placing a magnifying lens within a proximal end of
said lens receiving portion; placing an objective lens within a
distal end of said lens receiving portion wherein said objective
lens is movable with respect to said magnifying lens; and providing
a focus adjustment member coupled with said objective lens, wherein
said focus adjustment lens is movable along a longitudinal axis of
said lens receiving portion.
18. The headwear of claim 17, wherein said headwear body includes a
headband portion that is linearly movable with respect to said brim
portion and wherein said lens receiving portion and said brim
portion are formed as a single piece of plastic.
19. The headwear of claim 17, wherein said lens receiving portion
and said focus adjustment member are entirely disposed below said
brim portion.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein said headwear body includes a
headband portion that is pivotally connected with said brim portion
and wherein said brim portion is linearly movable with respect to
said headband portion.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. Utility
application Ser. No. 11/386,358, filed Mar. 22, 2006, which claimed
priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/664,530, filed Mar.
24, 2005, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein
by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention relates to headwear, such as a visor or cap.
In particular, this invention relates to headwear with a binocular
assembly.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Binoculars are used in many different activities, such as
spectator sports, concerts, and bird watching, to magnify a distant
point. In sporting events held at large arenas, for example,
spectators may be far away from players on the field. Accordingly,
spectators often bring binoculars to more easily see the activities
occurring on the field. Carrying the binoculars to the event,
however, can be cumbersome and tiring. Moreover, a spectator may
experience physical discomfort with the prolonged use of binoculars
due to the muscular fatigue caused by raising arms his/her aims for
an extended time.
[0004] Binoculars mounted to the brim of a visor or cap have been
devised. However, many of these designs include unsightly and
complex mechanisms for attaching the binoculars to the brim.
Additionally, the weight that the binoculars add to the brim can be
bulky and cumbersome to wear.
SUMMARY
[0005] A headwear in accordance with one aspect of the invention
comprises a headband portion, a brim portion, a lens receiving
portion and a vision enhancing element operatively coupled with the
lens receiving portion. The brim portion may be proximate to the
headband portion. The lens receiving portion and brim portion may
be formed as a single-piece unitary member.
[0006] In some exemplary embodiments, the lens receiving portion
and the brim portion are formed as a single piece of plastic.
Embodiments are also contemplated in which the vision enhancing
element is movable with respect to the lens receiving portion along
a longitudinal axis of the lens receiving portion.
[0007] Depending on the exigencies of a particular application, the
lens receiving portion may be generally cylindrical in shape. In
some such embodiments, the lens receiving portion may define an
elongated hole that is dimensioned to receive the vision enhancing
element. Typically, the lens receiving portion may extend below the
brim portion. In some embodiments, a focus adjustment member may be
provided. In such embodiments, the focus adjustment member may
extend through the hole in the lens receiving portion. In many
cases, the focus adjustment member may be engagable to move the
vision enhancing element with respect to the lens receiving
portion. For example the lens receiving portion may include a
longitudinally extending groove through which at least a portion of
the focus adjustment member extends.
[0008] In other examples, the lens receiving portion may be a
channel defined in the brim portion. For example, the channel may
be dimensioned to receive at least a portion of a rim surrounding
the vision enhancing element. Typically, the rim may include an
extension that is received by the channel.
[0009] According to a further aspect, the invention provides
headwear comprising a brim portion pivotally coupled to a headband
portion. The brim may move between a lowered position and a raised
position. A binocular assembly may also be provided that is
disposed below the brim portion. The headwear may be configured
such that the binocular assembly is axially aligned with a user's
eye when the brim portion is in the lowered position, but not in
the raised position.
[0010] In some examples, the binocular assembly comprises a pair of
lens receiving members and a pair of magnifying lenses selectively
attachable to the lens receiving members. Typically, the pair of
lens receiving members and the brim portion are formed as a unitary
member. For example, the pair of lens receiving members and the
brim portion could be formed as a single piece of plastic.
[0011] According to a further aspect, the invention provides a
method of configuring headwear. The method may include the step of
providing headwear including a headband portion, a brim portion
extending from the headband portion and a lens receiving portion
extending from the brim portion. The method may also include the
step of providing a magnifying lens. Additionally, the method may
include coupling the magnifying lens with the lens receiving
portion. In some examples, the method may include moving the
magnifying lens with respect to the lens receiving portion, such
that the lens receiving portion is stationary with respect to the
brim portion.
[0012] Additional features and advantages of this invention will
become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of
the following detailed description of the illustrated embodiment
exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as
presently perceived.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0013] The present disclosure will be described hereafter with
reference to the attached drawings which are given as non-limiting
examples only, in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example headwear
resembling a baseball cap with the brim portion in the lowered
position according to one aspect of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is the example headwear of FIG. 1 with the brim
portion in the raised position;
[0016] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an example headwear resembling
a visor;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a partial side cross-sectional view of the brim
portion of FIG. 3 along line 4-4;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the example
headwear shown in FIG. 1 along line 5-5;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a partial front cross-sectional view of the
headwear shown in FIG. 1; and
[0020] FIG. 7 is a front cross-sectional view of the headwear
according to an alternative embodiment of the present
invention.
[0021] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views. The components in the figures
are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon
illustrating the principles of the invention. The exemplification
set out herein illustrates embodiments of the invention, and such
exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the
invention in any manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a user wearing a headwear 100. Although
the example headwear 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 resembles a
baseball cap, it should be appreciated that headwear 100 may
resemble other types of hats, helmets, or other head coverings.
Embodiments are also contemplated in which headwear 100 may not
include a portion that covers the user's head. For example,
headwear 100 may resemble a visor (as seen in FIG. 3).
[0023] In the example shown, headwear 100 comprises a headband
portion 102, a brim portion 104 and a binocular assembly 106.
Headband portion 102 encircles the head of the user. Optionally, a
crown portion 107 may be integrally formed with and/or attached to
headband portion 102 to cover the user's head. In some embodiments,
headband portion 102 may be formed entirely from plastic.
Embodiments are also contemplated in which headband portion 102 may
be formed from other materials, such as fabric, elastic material,
or leather. It should be appreciated that headband portion 102 may
be formed from a combination of plastic, fabric, elastic material,
leather, or other materials.
[0024] Brim portion 104 extends from headband portion 102 to shade
the user's eyes and/or face. Brim portion 104 may be formed from
various materials, such as plastic, fabric, leather, or a
combination of materials. Any materials that may be used for the
brim of a cap or visor may be suitable for brim portion 104. As
discussed below, at least a portion of binocular assembly 106 may
be formed as a unitary member with brim portion 104, Preferably,
binocular assembly 106 magnifies a distant point when axially
aligned with the user's eyes. However, the term "binocular
assembly" is not intended to be limited to magnification, but
refers to a vision enhancement for the user. For example, binocular
assembly 106 may be configured for night vision, virtual reality,
optical filtration, or sunglasses. In the example shown, binocular
assembly 106 extends below brim portion 104.
[0025] In some embodiments, brim portion 104 may be pivotally
coupled to headband portion 102, which allows brim portion 104 to
move between a lowered position (FIG. 1) and a raised position
(FIG. 2). In the lowered position, binocular assembly 106 is
axially aligned with the user's eyes to provide a visual
enhancement, such as magnifying player(s) on a sporting field. In
the raised position, binocular assembly 106 is not axially aligned
with the user's eyes. For example, the user may move brim portion
104 to the raised position when looking at a person seated next to
the user.
[0026] In the example shown, brim portion 104 includes a brim
extension 108 with a pivot hole 110 that is dimensioned to receive
a knob 112 on headband portion 102. Although this pivotal
connection is shown for purposes of example, it should be
appreciated that other suitable pivotal connections may be used.
For example, a rivet joint between brim extension 108 and headband
portion 102 may provide a pivotal connection.
[0027] Embodiments are also contemplated without a pivotal
connection between brim portion 104 and headband portion 102. For
example, brim portion 104 and headband portion 102 may be fixedly
attached or formed as a unitary member. In such an embodiment, the
user would remove headwear 100 when binocular assembly 106 is not
desired.
[0028] In the example shown, brim portion 104 is linearly movable
with respect to headband portion 102 (as indicated by arrows in
FIG. 1), which allows binocular assembly 106 to be moved closer to
or further away from the user's eyes. In an embodiment where
binocular assembly 106 moves concomitant with movement of brim
portion 104, for example, the user's linear movement of brim
portion 104 with respect to headband portion 102 also adjusts the
distance between binocular assembly 106 and the user's eyes.
Although many suitable arrangements could be used for such a linear
adjustment, the example shown provides an elongated pivot hole 110
that allows limited linear movement of knob 112. Optionally, rails
114 may be formed on brim extension 108 to aid in guiding linear
movement of knob 112 (as best seen in FIG. 3).
[0029] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of an example headwear 100. In
this example, headwear 100 resembles a visor. Headwear 100 may
include a locking mechanism that selectively fixes the angular
position of brim portion 104 with respect to headband portion 102.
For example, the locking mechanism could be used to selectively
position brim portion 104 in either the lowered position (FIG. 1)
or raised position (FIG. 2). In the example shown, headband portion
102 includes a lower groove 116 and an upper grove 118 which each
are dimensioned to receive a ridge 120 protruding from inner
surface of brim extension 108 (as best seen in FIG. 5). Lower
groove 116 and upper groove 118 are positioned on headband portion
102 to correspond with lowered and raised position of brim portion
104, respectively. Lower groove 116 receives ridge 120 when brim
portion 104 is in the lowered position while upper groove 118
receives ridge 120 when brim portion 104 is in the upper position.
It should be appreciated that other suitable locking mechanisms for
selectively fixing the angular position of brim portion 104 with
respect to headband portion 102 could be used. For example,
friction between a portion of brim portion 104 and headband portion
102 may allow a user to select an angular position between brim
portion 104 and headband portion 102. Embodiments are also
contemplated in which hook and loop fasteners may be used as a
locking mechanism.
[0030] Headband portion 102 may include an adjustable member 122 to
vary the diameter of headband portion 102, which allows headband
portion 102 to accommodate various sizes of heads. Although an
interlocking structure is shown for purposes of example, other
headband adjustments could be used, such as hook and loop fasteners
or buckle and straps. Other embodiments are contemplated in which
at least a portion of headband portion 102 may include an elastic
material to vary the diameter of headband portion 102.
[0031] In the example shown, binocular assembly 106 comprises a
lens receiving portion 124 that is configured to receive a vision
enhancing element, such as a magnifying lens. In some embodiments,
lens receiving portion 124 may include a left lens receiving member
130 and/or a right lens receiving member 132. Each lens receiving
member 130, 132 may include an elongated hole dimensioned to
receive at least one magnifying lens. Lens receiving members 130,
132 are cylindrical in the examples shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and
6. It should be appreciated, however, that lens receiving members
130, 132 could have a triangular, square, rectangular, oval or
other cross-sectional shape. Embodiments are also contemplated in
which a separate lens receiving member could be provided for each
magnifying lens. For example, lens receiving portion 124 may
include four lens receiving members in an embodiment with four
magnifying lenses. By way of another example, lens receiving
portion 124 may include a single lens receiving member in an
embodiment with a single magnifying lens. Lens receiving members
130, 132 may be positioned below brim portion 104 so as to be
axially aligned with the user's eyes. For example, left lens
receiving member 130 may be axially aligned with the user's left
eye while right lens receiving member 132 may be axially aligned
with the user's right eye.
[0032] Binocular assembly 106 may include a left eye lens 134 and
right eye lens 136. A left objective lens 138 and right objective
lens 140 may also be included in binocular assembly 106. In the
example shown, left and right eye lenses 134, 136 are received in
the proximate end of left and right lens receiving members 130,
132, respectively. In some examples, eye lenses 134, 136 may be
attached to lens receiving members 130, 132 using a fictional fit,
threaded fit, interference fit or other connection. This example
also shows left and right objective lenses 138, 140 received in the
distal end of left and right receiving members 130, 132,
respectively. Accordingly, in this example, left eye lens 134 is
axially aligned with left objective lens 138, while right eye lens
136 is axially aligned with right objective lens 140. Embodiments
are contemplated in which binocular assembly 106 may be assembled
by inserting eye lenses 134, 136 into the proximate end of lens
receiving members 130, 132 and objective lenses 138, 140 into
distal end of lens receiving members 130, 132. It should be
appreciated that eye lenses 134, 136 and/or objective lenses 138,
140 could each be formed as a single lens. For example, a single
eye lens dimensioned to be axially aligned with the user's left and
right eyes could be used instead of separate eye lenses for the
user's left and right eyes. Likewise, a single objective lens
dimensioned to be axially aligned with the user's left and right
eyes could be used instead of separate objective lenses for the
user's left and right eyes. Embodiments are also contemplated in
which additional magnifying lenses may be included in binocular
assembly 106. For example, additional magnifying lenses may be
provided to adjust magnification of a distant point.
[0033] Objective lenses 138, 140 may be movable with respect to eye
lenses 134, 136 for purposes of focusing (as best seen in FIG. 4).
In the example shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 6, a focus adjustment
member 142 is connected to objective lenses 138, 140. Focus
adjustment member 142 provides an engagement surface for a user to
move objective lenses 138, 140 with respect to eye lenses 134, 136.
To accommodate focus adjustment member 142, lens receiving members
130, 132 may include a longitudinal groove 144 through which focus
adjustment member 142 extends. A stop 146 may be formed on an
interior surface of lens receiving members 130, 132 near the distal
end of lens receiving members 130, 132. Stop 146 could be used to
prevent removal of objective lenses 138, 140 from lens receiving
members 130, 132. In the example shown, stop 146 is sloped to allow
insertion of objective lenses 138, 140 into lens receiving members
103, 132.
[0034] Lens receiving portion 124 and brim portion 104 may be
formed as an unitary member. FIG. 6 shows an example in which right
lens receiving member 132 and brim portion 104 are formed as a
unitary member. This type of unitary construction may reduce
manufacturing costs and/or reduce the weight of binocular assembly
106. For example, embodiments are contemplated in which lens
receiving portion 124 and brim portion 104 are formed as a single
piece of plastic.
[0035] FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of lens receiving
portion 124 and brim portion 104. In this example, lens receiving
portion 124 comprises channels 148 defined in bottom of brim
portion 104. A rim 150 surrounding magnifying lenses 152 includes
an extension 154 that is received by a channel 148. Embodiments are
contemplated in which a channel 148 may be formed for each
magnifying lens.
[0036] Although the present disclosure has been described with
reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments from the
foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain
the essential characteristics of the present disclosure and various
changes and modifications may be made to adapt the various uses and
characteristics without departing from the spirit and scope of the
present invention as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *