Abstract:
Disclosed is an improved support for an optical device. The support is preferably made from lightweight materials such as aluminum so that it can be carried by a user to a given area for use. In addition, the support is designed so that it can be folded into a,compact state for easy transport to a given area for use. The support is also designed so that it can be attached to objects that were not designed to receive a support for an optical device and still place the mount (which is attached to the optical device) in a position suitable for use.

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/286,128, which was filed on Apr. 24, 2001, and which is incorporated herein by reference. The present disclosure relates generally to an improved, adjustable support for an optical device. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to a highly adjustable support for an optical device specifically adapted for use by outdoor enthusiasts. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure describes a highly adjustable support for an optical device that is adapted for use by outdoor enthusiasts, such as hunters and nature watchers. Although the prior art has described a number of such supports for optical devices for general purpose use, and several mounts adapted for use by outdoor enthusiasts, these supports do not meet the unique needs presented by use in outdoor environments. 
     Outdoor enthusiasts use optical devices for a variety of purposes in the pursuit of their outdoor activities. For example, many take pictures of animals and scenery they encounter. In addition, hunters often take pictures or video footage of the animals they hunt or observe. In many cases, the outdoor enthusiast has his/her hands occupied with other matters and does not have a hand free to hold and operate an optical device, such as a camera or video recorder. Therefore, in order to use an optical device, a stable support for the optical device is required. For maximum perfonnance, the support should be able attach to a wide range of objects, such as, but not limited to, tree branches, tree stands, fence post and the like, which may be encountered in the natural setting. As these objects may not always be present at the desired angle for optimal use of the optical device, the mount should be adjustable in order to place the optical device in a suitable position for use. In addition, the support should be easily and quickly adjustable to allow the operator to easily locate and follow a target with the optical device during use. 
     As the devices currently available fail to satisfy all of these requirements, there is a need for an improved support for an optical device that satisfies the shortcomings of the prior devices. The support of the present disclosure provides such a solution. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure describes an improved support for an optical device. The support in its most general form comprises an attachment means, a leveling means adjustably secured to the attachment means, a support arm adjustably secured to the leveling means and a mount for an optical device secured to the support arm. The support is preferably made from lightweight material such as aluminum so that it can be carried by a user to a given area for use. In addition, the support is designed so that it can be folded into a compact state for easy transport to a given area for use. The support is also designed so that it can be attached to objects that were not designed to receive a support for an optical device and still place the mount (with the attached optical device) in a position suitable for use. 
     In one embodiment, the leveling means comprises a vertical adjustment element adjustably secured to the attachment means at a first pivot point and a horizontal adjustment element adjustably secured to the vertical adjustment element at a second pivot point. The vertical adjustment element can rotate at least 90 degrees, and preferably at least 180 degrees, about the first pivot point, and the horizontal adjustment element can rotate at least 90 degrees about the second pivot point. Through rotation of the vertical adjustment element and the horizontal adjustment element about the first and second pivot points, the leveling means is adjustable so as to place the support arm and the mount (with its attached optical device) in a suitable position for use, regardless of the orientation of the object to which the support is attached. The support arm is adjustably connected to the leveling means and comprises at least 2, and preferably 3, arms adjustably connected to one another. In the embodiment where the support arm comprises three arms, the first arm is rotatably connected to the leveling means, the second arm is rotatably connected to the first arm, and the third arm is rotatably connected to the second arm. A standard mount for an optical device is provided and secured to the third arm. The rotatable connections are accomplished through a coupling means. In one embodiment, the coupling means are frictional disks. Through the use of the coupling means, sufficient resistance is provided to position and maintain the support arm in a desired configuration, yet sufficient freedom of movement is retained so that the support arm may be easily adjusted by the user. Additionally, the coupling means provide strength for the support arm, allowing the support arm to receive optical devices of at least 12 pounds in weight. 
     Therefore, it is an object of the disclosure to provide an improved, highly adjustable support for an optical device that is adapted for use by outdoor enthusiasts. It is another object of the present disclosure to provide such a support that is lightweight and compact, so that a user can easily transport the support to an intended area of use, which may be an outdoor environment. Furthermore, it is an object of the disclosure to provide a support for an optical device that can be attached to a wide range of objects that were not designed to receive a support for an optical device, and still place the support arm and mount in a position suitable for use. It is another object of the disclosure to provide a support for an optical device that can be easily adjusted by a user with minimal effort and in a silent manner. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a support for optical devices capable of supporting optical devices of at least 12 pounds in weight without undesirable deflection. 
     The foregoing objects of the invention are provided for illustration only. Other objects may become apparent to those after reading the specification and attached claims. A preferred embodiment of the support for optical devices is described in the detailed description below, with reference to the accompanying figures. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
     FIG. 1A is a side view of one embodiment of the support of the present disclosure; 
     FIG. 1B is a front view of one embodiment of the attachment means; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of one embodiment of the support of the present disclosure mounted to a tree stand; and 
     FIGS. 3A and 3B show a top view of two embodiments of the support of the present disclosure, illustrating movement of the support arm. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the figures, where like reference numbers indicate like structures, one embodiment of the support of the present disclosure will be described in detail so that its principles of operation may be better understood. FIG. 1A is a side view of one embodiment of the support  10 . The support  10  comprises an attachment means for removably attaching the support  10  to an object, a leveling means adjustably secured to the attachment means, an adjustable support arm  12  adjustably secured to the leveling means and a mount  14  for an optical device secured to the support arm  12 . 
     The attachment means is designed so that it can be removably attached to objects that were not designed to receive a support for an optical device. The attachment means is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 as a clamp  16 . The clamp  16  comprises an L-shaped base  18  with an upper  20  and a lower  22  portion, and an adjustable plate  24  secured to the lower portion  22  by a securing means, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 as a self-securing clamping knob  26 . By rotating the clamping knob  26 , the adjustable plate  24  can be adjusted either up or down relative to lower portion  22  to secure the support  10  to an object. By virtue of the adjustable nature of clamp  16 , the support  10  may be removably secured to a variety of objects regardless of the configuration of the objects. As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the L-shaped base further comprises an arched groove  28  in upper portion  20  to adjustably secure the leveling means. The function of groove  28  in allowing adjustment of the leveling means is discussed in detail below. 
     The leveling means allows the support  10  to be adjusted so that the support arm  12  positions the mount  14  so that the optical device is in a position to view and/or capture images of a target. Optical devices are defined for the purposes of the specification and claims as a device containing at least one optical lens and which can be used to view and/or capture images of a target, including, but not limited to binoculars, spotting scopes, telescopes, cameras and video cameras. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the leveling means comprises a vertical adjustment element  30  adjustably secured to the attachment means at a first pivot point and a horizontal adjustment element  34  adjustably secured to the vertical adjustment element  30  at a second pivot point. In the embodiment illustrated, the vertical adjustment element is secured to the attachment means by a fastening means, illustrated as bolt  40  with self-securing nut, and securing means, illustrated as self-securing clamping knob  42 . The vertical adjustment element  30  has freedom of rotation about bolt  40  and first pivot point is defined by a line passing parallel to the long axis of bolt  40 . The clamping knob  42  is received by groove  28  on the upper portion  20  of clamp  16  to allow adjustment of the support  10  in the vertical plane. By loosening the clamping knob  42 , the vertical adjustment element can be adjusted in the vertical plane by moving in groove  28 ; when a desired position is reached in the vertical plane, the clamping knob  42  can be tightened to secure the vertical adjustment element  30  in place. The range of motion of the vertical adjustment element is dependent on the configuration of groove  28 , and in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1B, groove  28  is an arc of approximately 180 degrees. The configuration of groove  28  can be varied, but the support  10  functions optimally when groove  28  is configured so that the vertical adjustment element  30  can rotate at least approximately 180 degrees about the first pivot point. 
     The leveling means allows the support  10  to be adjusted so that the support arm  12  positions the mount  14  so that the optical device is in a position to view and/or capture images of a target. Optical devices are defined for the purposes of the specification and claims as a device containing at least one optical lens and which can be used to view and/or capture images of a target, including, but not limited to binoculars, spotting scopes, telescopes, cameras and video cameras. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the leveling means comprises a vertical adjustment element  30  adjustably secured to the attachment means at a first pivot point and a horizontal adjustment element  34  adjustably secured to the vertical adjustment element  30  at a second pivot point. In the embodiment illustrated, the vertical adjustment element is secured to the attachment means by a fastening means, illustrated as bolt  40  with self-securing nut, and securing means, illustrated as self-securing clamping knob  42 . The vertical adjustment element  30  has freedom of rotation about bolt  40  and first pivot point is defined by a line passing parallel to the long axis of bolt  40 . The clamping knob  42  is received by groove  28  on the upper portion  20  of clamp  16  to allow adjustment of the support  10  in the vertical plane. By loosening the clamping knob  42 , the vertical adjustment element can be adjusted in the vertical plane by moving in groove  28 ; when a desired position is reached in the vertical plane, the clamping knob  42  can be tightened to secure the vertical adjustment element  30  in place. The range of motion of the vertical adjustment element is dependent on the configuration of groove  28 , and in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1B, groove  28  is an arc of approximately 180 degrees. The configuration of groove  28  can be varied, but the support  10  functions optimally when groove  28  is configured so that the vertical adjustment element  30  can rotate at least approximately 180degrees about the first pivot point. 
     In the embodiment illustrated, the horizontal adjustment element  34  further comprises a mounting plate  50  and a support arm extension  52 . Mounting plate  50  contains groove  49  and is secured to the vertical adjustment element  30  by a fastening means, illustrated as bolt  44  and self-securing nut, and securing means, illustrated as self-securing clamping knob  46 . The horizontal adjustment element has freedom of rotation about bolt  44  and the second pivot point is defined by a line passing parallel to the long axis of bolt  44 . The clamping knob  46  is received by groove  48 , allowing the horizontal adjustment element  34  to rotate about the second pivot point. The support arm extension  52  is configured so that the horizontal adjustment element  34  can rotate about the second pivot point without contacting the vertical adjustment element  30 . By loosening the clamping knob  46 , the horizontal adjustment element  34  can be adjusted in the horizontal plane by moving in groove  48 ; when a desired position is reached in the horizontal plane, the clamping knob  46  can be tightened to secure the horizontal adjustment element  34  in position. The range of motion of the horizontal adjustment element is dependent on the configuration of groove  48 , and in the embodiment illustrated, groove  48  is an arc of approximately 90 degrees. The configuration of groove  48  can be varied, but the support  10  functions optimally when groove  48  is configured so that the horizontal adjustment element  34  can rotate at least approximately 90 degrees about the second pivot point. 
     Through rotation of the vertical adjustment element  30  and the horizontal adjustment element  34  about the first and second pivot points, the leveling means allows the support  10  to be adjusted so that the support arm  12  positions the mount  14  so that the optical device is in a position to view and/or capture images of a target. In use, the user clamps the support  10  to an object. Once secured to the object, the user adjust the vertical adjustment element  30  until the support arm  12  is in the desired vertical position with respect to the support  10 , and then adjust the horizontal adjustment element  34  until the support arm  12  is in the desired horizontal position with respect to the support  10 . The adjustability of the leveling means allows the optical device to be placed in a suitable position regardless of the orientation of the object to which the support  10  is attached. This feature is especially attractive to outdoor enthusiasts and sportsmen that may have to attach the support  10  to makeshift objects in a natural setting that would not be suitable for use with supports for optical devices that are currently available. 
     Although one embodiment of the attachment means and the leveling means have been described above in detail, any similar means that will allow the support  10  to be removably attached to an object and adjusted as described should be considered within the scope of the present disclosure 
     The support arm  12  is attached to the leveling means. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the support arm  12  is attached to the support arm extension  52 . The support arm  12  comprises at least 2, and preferably  3 , arms adjustably connected to one another and to the support arm extension  52 . FIGS. 1A,  2 , and  3 A illustrate the support arm  12  comprising a first arm  100 , a second arm  102  and a third arm  104 . The first arm  100  is rotatably connected to the support arm extension  52  of the leveling means, the second arm  102  is rotatably connected to the first arm  100  opposite the rotatable connection to the leveling means, and the third armn  104  is rotatably connected to the second arm  102  opposite the rotatable connection to the first arm. A standard mount  14  for an optical device is provided and secured to the third arm  104 . The rotatable connections are accomplished through a coupling means. Through the use of the coupling means, sufficient resistance is provided to position and maintain the support arm  12  in a desired configuration, yet sufficient freedom of movement is retained so that the support arm  12  may be easily adjusted by the user. 
     Although the support  10  is functional with only 2 arms comprising the support arm  12 , the use of three arms offers advantages during use of the support  10 , especially during adjustment of the support arm  12 . With the use of the three arms,  100 ,  102  and  104  as described above, the mount  14  can be placed in a desired position with less overall movement of the support arm  12 , as compared to a support arm  12  comprising only 2 arms. This concept is illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B. FIG. 3A shows the support arm  12  comprising a first arm  100 , a second arm  102  and a third arm  104 , with the mount  14  (not shown for clarity) secured to the third arm  104 , while FIG. 3B shows a support arm  12 B comprising a first arm  100 A and a second arm  102 B, with the mount  14  (not shown for clarity) attached to the second arm  102 B. In FIGS. 3A and 3B, both an original position of the support arm  12  and  12 B are shown (illustrated in phantom) and an end position of the support arm  12  and  12 B are illustrated. To move the third arm  104  from the original position (in phantom) to the end position requires less movement of second arm  102  (FIG.  3 A), than to move second arm  102 B from the original position (in phantom) to the end position (FIG.  3 B). Since less movement is required, the support arm  12 A can placed in a position to view and/or capture images of a target with a smoother and more efficient overall motion as compared to support arm  12 B. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the coupling means are illustrated as frictional disks  106 . The frictional disks  106  comprise an upper disk plate  108 , a lower disk plate  110  and a reduced frictional material  112  moveably secured between the upper  108  and lower  110  disk plates. In one embodiment, 1 piece of reduced frictional material  112  is secured between the upper  108  and lower  110  disk plates. In this embodiment, the upper  108  and lower  110  disk plates rotate against the reduced frictional material  112 . In a preferred embodiment, 2 pieces of reduced frictional material  112  are moveably secured between the upper  108  and lower  110  disk plates. In this embodiment, one piece of reduced frictional material  112  rotates against the other piece of reduced frictional material  112 , allowing smoother rotation of the upper  108  and lower  110  disk plates with respect to one another. The reduced frictional material  112  can be any material that allows the upper  108  and lower  110  disk plates to rotate freely with respect to one another. The reduced frictional material  112  is selected from the group consisting of UHMW (ultra high molecular weight), Teflon and nylon, with Teflon being preferred. The thickness of the reduced frictional material can be varied, but the applicant has used material ⅛ of an inch thick with good results. 
     An added benefit of using the frictional disks  106  with reduced frictional material  112  is the support arm  12  can be adjusted with no noise being generated during the adjustment process. Many prior art supports used utilize joints, hinge points and cranks that can create squeaks and other unnatural sounds when the supports are adjusted. As the support  10  is envisioned to be used in outdoor situations to capture images of targets such as wild animals, any noise generated during use of the support  10  can be an extreme disadvantage. 
     The upper  108  and lower  110  disk plates, as well as the reduced frictional material  112 , each have an opening therein to receive a fastening means, illustrated as bolt  114  and self-securing nut. The securing means extends through the components of the frictional disks  106  via the openings therein, and also passes through the support arms and/or the support arm extension  52  to create the rotatable connection. For instance, in the rotatable connection of the first arm  100  to the support arm extension  52 , the frictional disk  106  is placed between the first arm  100  and the support arm extension  52 . First arm  100  and support arm extension  52  have openings aligned with the openings in the components of the frictional disk  106  to receive bolt  114 . Bolt  114  is passed through these openings and secured with the self-securing nut. 
     In addition to providing freedom of movement to the support arm  12 , the coupling means provide added strength for the support arm. The size of the frictional disks can be varied depending on the weight of the optical device to be supported. In one embodiment, the frictional disks  106  are 2.0 inches in diameter and manufactured from ⅛ inch thick aluminum bar. The support arm  12  equipped with frictional disks  106  as described above can receive optical devices of at least 12 pounds in weight without significant deflection when the support arm is in the fully extended configuration (such as when attached to a standard tree stand  60 , illustrated in FIG.  2 ). The support  10  can be designed with frictional disks that are either larger or smaller than described above. 
     The support for optical devices described herein is useful in a variety of situations. Without limiting the use of the support of the present disclosure, the support is especially useful in outdoor environments where the circumstances of use may render currently available systems to support an optical device impractical. For example, a game hunter may wish to use the support of the present disclosure to capture video images of a game animal he is hunting or studying. The hunter carries the support to a given area and attaches the support to an available object. In many cases, the hunter will utilize a tree stand and secure the support to a section of the tree stand. In other situations, the hunter may utilize a blind or other structure on the ground and secure the support to the blind or other structure. The attachment means is designed so that the support can be removably and securely attached to a variety of objects in a range of orientations. The hunter then uses the leveling means, described and illustrated herein as the vertical adjustment element and the horizontal adjustment element to place the support arm and mount in a desired position. As described above, the vertical and horizontal adjustment elements can be rotated about their respective pivot points so that the support arm positions the mount and the optical device in a position to view and/or capture images of a target regardless of the orientation of the object to which the support is attached. The hunter then adjusts the support arm to position the video recorder in a desired position to video the target. Once the video camera is in position, the hunter is then free to attend to other activities that require his attention. As discussed above, the coupling elements, described in the preferred embodiment as frictional disks, provide sufficient resistance to place the support arm in a desired position, yet allow sufficient freedom of movement so as to allow the support arm to be quickly, quietly and smoothly adjusted by the hunter with minimal effort using one hand. In this manner the hunter can quickly adjust the support arm if required. 
     The attached abstract is provided to the Patent and Trademark Office and the public in general to quickly determine essence of the disclosure. The abstract should not be interpreted to define any element of the disclosure, nor should it be read so as to limit the disclosure or the claims in any way. 
     The description above is intended to be illustrative of the highly adjustable support for optical devices described herein. It should be appreciated that various modifications could be made to the support which remain within the scope and teaching of the instant disclosure. The details given herein regarding the preferred embodiment are to be interpreted as illustrative only, and not in a limiting sense.