Abstract:
An apparatus ( 10 ) for conveniently holding a viewing device ( 20 ) at the eye level of the user is provided, which allows the user to properly position the device ( 20 ) for ease of use without the need for continually holding the device ( 20 ), and also allows the device ( 20 ) to be pivoted to a retracted, non-use position. The apparatus ( 10 ) includes an attachment headband ( 16 ) which pivotally supports a pair of elongated, forwardly extending arms ( 12, 14 ); a tray ( 18 ) extends between and is secured to the arms ( 12, 14 ) and supports the device ( 20 ). The tray ( 18 ) is adjustable both vertically and in a fore and aft direction so that it can be precisely positioned for each individual user. A cap assembly ( 92 ) may be releasably secured to the apparatus ( 10 ) to cover the user&#39;s head and the device ( 20 ).

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is broadly concerned with a head-mounted apparatus for holding a viewing device at the eye level of the user so as to eliminate the need for constantly holding the device. More particularly, the invention pertains to such an apparatus having a device-supporting tray swingably supported on a pair of elongated arms; the inboard ends of the arms are pivotally connected to an adjustable headband. At the user&#39;s discretion, the tray and supported device can be lowered and adjusted as required, or raised to a retracted, non-use position. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Persons attending sporting events or concerts often make use of binoculars or cameras to assist in their viewing and/or recording of the event or concert. Binoculars are most often simply hung about the user&#39;s neck and shoulders using a conventional strap. This means that each time binocular-assisted viewing is desired, the binoculars must be manually grasped, moved to eye level, and held in place. Similarly, cameras must be repeatedly moved to eye level, focused and operated. 
     In many cases, the effort required to use binoculars or cameras quickly leads to frustration and non-use. Rather than go through all of the steps required for binocular or camera use, event attendees often decide that it is more enjoyable to forego their use altogether. This is particularly the case if it is desired to simultaneously listen to an account of the event through a radio receiver, i.e., a person cannot conveniently handle and manipulate both a radio and a viewing device without considerable effort. 
     There is accordingly a need for apparatus which will support a viewing device on the head of the user at a comfortable eye level without the need for manually holding the device. However, to be truly functional, such apparatus must be comfortable to wear and permit easy adjustment and manipulation of the device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overcomes the problems outlined above and provides a head-mounted apparatus for holding a viewing device at eye level while eliminating the need for holding the device in a user&#39;s hands. Broadly speaking, the apparatus of the invention includes a pair of elongated arms swingably secured to a headband-type attachment with the arms on opposite sides of the user&#39;s head and extending forwardly; a tray extends between and is supported by the arms, with the tray adapted to hold a viewing device such as binoculars or a camera. The arms are swingable between a use position where the device is at eye level, and an elevated retracted position where the device is moved out of the user&#39;s field of vision. 
     In more detail, the attachment is in the form of an adjustable padded headband with the arms swingably secured thereto. An adjustment bracket is coupled to the outer ends of the arms, and the tray is adjustably connected to the bracket. A component box is secured to one of the arms, and houses a power supply as well as circuitry for controlling operation of the device. The box includes external controls such as an on-off switch and adjustment knobs. 
     In preferred forms, the apparatus also includes headphones secured to the headband, as well as audio equipment in the form of a radio receiver, a two-way radio and/or a cellular telephone. A microphone is preferably secured to the underside of the tray to pick up the user&#39;s speech. Such audio equipment is also coupled via conventional wiring to the control circuitry within the component box. Thus, the user may listen to a radio broadcast while using the apparatus and may also participate in two-way conversations over the two-way radio or cellular telephone. 
     A cap assembly may also be secured to the apparatus to provide a more pleasing appearance and to give a measure of weather protection for the user and the viewing device and audio equipment forming a part of the apparatus. The cap assembly is conveniently held in place by mating Velcro attachments, and is designed to accommodate movement of the apparatus between the lower use and upper retracted non-use positions thereof. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the apparatus, shown mounted on the head of a user and with the selective moveability of certain of the components of the apparatus depicted in phantom; 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of the apparatus of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the apparatus opposite that shown in FIG. 1, and depicting the apparatus in its elevated, retracted position; 
     FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the apparatus; 
     FIG. 5 is a plan view of the apparatus, with the moveability of the earphone components illustrated in phantom; 
     FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1, but showing the use of the preferred cap assembly in conjunction with the apparatus; 
     FIG. 7 is a front view of the apparatus and cap assembly depicted in FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 8 is side view of the apparatus and cap assembly opposite that illustrated in FIG.  6  and showing the apparatus and cap assembly in the elevated, retracted position thereof; and 
     FIG. 9 is a plan view of the apparatus and cap assembly shown in FIGS. 6-8. 
     FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the contents of the component box, showing the interaction of the power supply, the control circuitry, the other equipment, and the external controls. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Turning now to the drawing Figures, and particularly FIG. 1, an apparatus  10  in accordance with the invention is illustrated. Broadly speaking, the apparatus  10  includes a pair of elongated arms  12 ,  14 , an attachment in the form of a headband  16  supporting the arms  12 ,  14 , and a tray  18  extending between and supported by the arms  12 ,  14 . As depicted, the apparatus  10  is designed to be worn on the head of a user with the arms  12 ,  14  on opposite sides thereof. The purpose of apparatus  10  is to conveniently support a device  20  (FIG. 5) such as binoculars, video cameras, photographic cameras and/or other devices custom-designed for the tray  18 . In addition, the overall apparatus  10  preferably includes audio and communication devices such as a radio receiver, a two-way radio or a cellular telephone. 
     In more detail, the arms  12 ,  14  are each formed of a suitable rigid material such as synthetic resin or metal, and present an apertured first or inboard end  12   a ,  14   a , as well as corresponding second or outboard ends  12   b ,  14   b . The ends  12   a ,  14   a  are swingably secured to the headband  16  by threaded fasteners  22  permitting selective swinging movement of the arms between a generally horizontal use position depicted in FIGS. 1-2 and an elevated, retracted position shown in FIG.  3 . 
     The headband  16  is of essentially conventional design and includes an interfitted band  24  which is adjustable by means of a screw assembly  26 , allowing tightening or loosening of the band  24  to accommodate different head sizes. The headband includes a forward padded overwrap section  28 , and the inside of the remainder of the band  24  may be lined with soft synthetic resin foam or other material to assure a comfortable fit. First and second headphones  30 ,  32  are also secured to the headband  16  by the fasteners  22 . To this end, each of the headphones  30 ,  32  includes an elongated, depending support arm  34 ,  36  which supports an earpiece  38 ,  40 . Each of the headphones  30 ,  32  is selectively pivotal about the associated fastener  22  between a use position over the ears of the user as shown in full line in FIG. 1, and a retracted position shown in phantom. 
     The tray  18  is in the form of an elongated, substantially U-shaped body  42  presenting a crosspiece  44  as well as upstanding marginal sidewalls  46 ,  48 . The rearmost marginal surface of the crosspiece  44  is shaped to present a nose-receiving recess  50  therein (see FIGS.  4 - 5 ). The underside of the crosspiece  44  carries a depending, centrally located microphone  52 , whereas the upper surface thereof is provided with a pair of elongated Velcro strips  54 . As shown, the sidewall  48  has a fastener opening  15  therethrough. 
     The tray  18  extends between and is supported by the arms  12 ,  14 . In particular, an elongated bracket  56  is provided for interconnecting the arms  12 ,  14  and the tray  18 . The bracket  56  has a cross member  58  as well as upstanding, somewhat L-shaped side walls  60 ,  62 . The cross member  58  has elongated connection slots  58   a ,  58   c  and rectangular recess  58   b  therein, while the sidewalls  60 ,  62  have vertical slots  64 ,  66  along with horizontal slots  68 ,  70 . The upper ends of the sidewalls  60 ,  62  are secured to the corresponding arms  12 ,  14  by means of threaded fasteners  72 , in order to permit vertical adjustment of the bracket  56  and thus tray  18 . Similarly, threaded fasteners  74  passing through the slots  68 ,  70 , and threaded fasteners  75  passing through slots  58   a ,  58   c  adjustably mount the tray  18  to the bracket  56 . 
     The arm  12  also supports an elongated, generally rectangular component box  76 , the later being secured thereto by screws or other conventional connectors. The box  76  presents an outer wall  78  having a plurality of adjustment knobs  80  and an on-off switch  82  thereon. A telescoping antenna  84  is pivotally secured to the top  86  of the box. A battery operated light  88  is provided adjacent the forward wall  90  of the box (FIG.  2 ). Internally, the box  76  houses a power supply  120  as well as conventional control circuitry  122  for the device  20  as well as any other audio or communications equipment  124  forming a part of the apparatus  10  (e.g., a radio receiver, a two-way communications radio, or a cellular telephone), as shown in FIG.  10 . Additionally, the bottom wall of box  76  is equipped with four component attachment openings  91   a - 91   d  (see FIG. 4) for selective attachment of an audio jack, video jack, power jack and computer monitor input jack. 
     As explained previously, the device  20  may be any device which will enhance viewing by the user, such as binoculars, a video camera or a standard photographic camera. Such devices may be secured using the tray-mounted Velcro strips  54 , i.e., mating Velcro strips are affixed to the underside of the device  20  for contact with the strips  54 . Alternately, a threaded fastener may be inserted through the opening  15  provided through sidewall  48 . 
     It will be understood that the device  20 , headphones  30 ,  32 , light  88 , and any other equipment  124  provided with the apparatus  10  are coupled via conventional electrical connectors to the power supply  120  and control circuitry  122  housed within box  76 . Such wiring, connections and control circuitry are well within the skill of the art. 
     In use of apparatus  10 , the user first puts on the apparatus by appropriately sizing the headband  16  and placing it as shown in FIG.  1 . Next, the headphones  30 ,  32  are swung downwardly to a position adjacent the user&#39;s ears. The device  20 , supported on the tray  18 , is then positioned for most comfortable viewing and use by movement of arms  12 ,  14  about the fasteners  22 . Vertical adjustment of the tray  18  and device  20  is effected by manual movement of the bracket  56  upwardly or downwardly, this being permitted by the slots  64 ,  66  and the fasteners  72 . Fore and aft adjustment of the device  20  is accomplished simply by grasping the depending microphone  52  and moving it (and thus tray  18  and device  20 ) as required. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the recess  58   b  allows a full fore and aft range of movement of the tray  18 . 
     When the apparatus  10  is positioned as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the switch  82  is operated and the knobs  80  manipulated so as to adjust the operation of the device  20  to fit the needs of the user. If the apparatus  10  includes a cellular telephone or two-way radio, the microphone  52  is appropriately positioned to pick up the speech of the user. As necessary, the antenna  84  can be elevated and adjusted for improved reception, and the light  88  can be activated as the user desires. 
     Returning to FIGS. 4 and 5, the tray  18  preferably includes a pair of holes  93 ,  95  therein slightly inboard from the arm  12 . The holes are approximately ¾ inch in diameter and one of the holes is provided to allow a focus adjusting knob on the bottom of a zoom binocular or monocular to extend through the bottom of the tray so that a user may conveniently focus the binocular or monocular underneath the tray rather than having to reach on top of the binocular or monocular to perform such focusing. Similarly, the other hole allows a zoom control knob on a binocular or monocular to extend therethrough for easy adjustment from underneath the tray. 
     When the use of device  20  is no longer desired, the user pushes the tray  18  forwardly away from the eyes by moving the fasteners  74  in slots  68 ,  70  and the fasteners  75  in the slots  58   a ,  58   c . Next the user simply pivots the arms  12 ,  14  upwardly about the axes of the fasteners  22  until the forward portion of the apparatus  10  is in an elevated and retracted position outside the field of vision of the user. This non-use position is shown in FIG.  3 . In this orientation, the radio receiver could still be used in which event the headphones  30 ,  32  would remain lowered; alternately, these could be swung upwardly in general alignment with the corresponding arms  12 ,  14 . 
     FIGS. 6-9 depict the apparatus  10  in conjunction with a cap assembly  92 . The later includes a rearmost segment  94 , a forward bill portion  96 , and an intermediate flexible section  98 . The cap assembly  92  is preferably secured to the apparatus  10  through the use of strategically located mating Velcro strips. Thus, and referring to FIGS. 1-5, it will be observed that Velcro strips  100  are mounted on band  24  at locations adjacent the fasteners  22  and at the rearmost central region thereof, while additional Velcro strips  102  and  104  are secured to the outer surface of arm  14  and the top  86  of box  76 , respectively. Corresponding Velcro strips (not shown) are secured to the inner surfaces of the rear segment  94  and bill portion  96  so as to permit ready attachment and detachment of the cap assembly  92  from the apparatus  10 . 
     In more detail, the rear segment  94  is adapted to conform to the rear upper section of the user&#39;s head and is secured in place by a Velcro attachment with the band  24 . This segment may be formed of cloth or other material. The bill portion  96  includes an upper, arcuate, concave section  106  which overlies the upper and forehead portion of the user&#39;s head, as well as a forwardly extending bill  108 . The bill  108  has a depending flap  110  oriented for close contact with the outer surface of arm  14  and the Velcro strips  102 , as well as a laterally projecting flap  112  which overlies box  76  and the Velcro strips  104 . As explained previously, the inner surface of flap  110  and the underside of flap  112  are equipped with Velcro strips mating with the strips  102  and  104 . 
     The flexible section  98  interconnects the segment  94  and bill portion  96  and permits movement of the apparatus  10  between the lower use and upper retracted positions thereof, without the necessity of removing the cap assembly  92 . This is shown in FIG. 8, where the flexible section  98  folds upon itself to accommodate upward movement of the apparatus  10 . 
     It will be appreciated that the cap assembly  92  provides the user with protection from the elements and moreover provides a measure of protection to the device  20  and box  76 . Also, the assembly  92  presents a more pleasing and attractive overall appearance when apparatus  10  is used. 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the attached drawing figures, it is noted that equivalents may be employed and substitutions made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as recited in the claims.