Shoulder mounted device with eye-confronting portion forwardly of a user's eyes

A collar (10, 110) is placed around the neck of a user (14) and is rested on the user's shoulders (16) with forward end portions (18, 20, 122, 124) of said collar (10, 110) resting on an upper part of a user's chest. Riser arms (22, 24 or 138, 140, 134 and 142, 146, 150) extend from front end portions (18, 20 or 122, 124) of the collar (10, 100) to a video viewer (34, 130) that is positioned in front of the user's eyes. The riser arms may extend substantially straight upwardly from the front end portions (18, 20) of the collar (10, 110). Or, a lower portion (138, 140) of each arm may extend upwardly and rearwardly from the end portions (18, 20 or 122, 124) to about the level of the user's ears, and then an upper portion may extend forwardly and upwardly from that level to the video viewer (130). The collar (10, 110) and riser (12, 112) portions of the unit are foldable into a compact configuration for stowage.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit to the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/301,916, filed Jun. 29, 2001, and entitled “Shoulder Mounted Audio/Video Device.”

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a shoulder-mounted device that positions a portion of the device immediately in front of the eyes of the user. More particularly, it relates to such a device that is personal to the user and is mounted on the shoulder's of the user. By way of example, the device may be a personal video only unit, or an audio/video unit, or binoculars, or an instrument that examines the eyes of the user, or some other device that includes a portion that needs to be positioned in front of the user's eyes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A personal audio/video entertainment system that is in the prior art is disclosed by my U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,446, granted May 23, 2001, and entitled “Personal Audio/Video Entertainment System.” This patent sets forth a comprehensive description of known audio/video entertainment systems that are personal to the user. It also identifies several prior art patents and devices. Consequently, that background information will not be repeated herein but rather is hereby incorporated herein by this specific reference.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes providing a device, e.g. a personal video unit, that is basically characterized by a collar that is adapted to circumscribe or extend about a user's neck and set down on the user's shoulders and chest, and by a riser that is connected to and extends upwardly from the collar. A video viewer or some other eye-confronting unit is incorporated into an upper portion of the riser. When the collar is positioned on a user the eye-confronting unit, e.g. a video viewer, is positioned immediately forwardly of the eyes of the user.

The present invention includes providing a collar that has left and right forward end portions and a riser that has left and right arms. The left and right arms include left and right upper end portions and left and right lower end portions. The lower end portions are connected to the left and right forward end portions of the collar. The eye-confronting unit, e.g. video viewer, extends between and is mechanically attached to the left and right upper end portions of the arms of the riser.

According to a feature of the invention, the collar is U-shaped and is adjustable in size to conform to the user's neck.

According to another feature of the invention, the U-shaped collar includes left and right end sections and a rear section that is telescopically connected to the left and right sections.

A further feature of the invention is to provide a personal video unit in which left and right forward end portions of a U-shaped collar are adjustably connected to the left and right lower end portions of a riser. Preferably, the riser has left and right arms that are adjustable in length. The riser arms may have upper and lower sections and a telescopic connection between the upper and lower sections. This provides for adjustment of the video viewer in position relative to the eyes of the user.

In the preferred embodiment, the video viewer (or other eye-confronting unit) is pivotal in position relative to the left and right upper end portions of the arms of the riser. Preferably, an earphone is provided that is connectable to the user's ear. An audio cord extends from the earphone to the video viewer.

In a preferred embodiment, the left and right forward end portions of the U-shaped collar are pivotally connected to the left and right lower end portions of the riser. The pivotal connections permit pivotal movement of the riser in position relative to the U-shaped collar.

According to yet another feature of the invention, the left and right arms of the riser have upper and lower sections that are pivotally connected together. The lower sections of the arms are adapted to, during use, extend upwardly and rearwardly from the left and right lower end portions of the riser to the pivotal connection. The lower sections are adapted to, in use, extend upwardly and forwardly from the pivotal connection to the video viewer.

An object of the invention is to provide a personal video unit having a substantially U-shaped collar section or collar and a substantially U-shaped riser section which are pivotally connected together and are movable together and apart. When they are together the substantially U-shaped collar section is positioned inside of and is contiguous the substantially U-shaped riser section.

Other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the description of the best mode set forth below, from the drawings, from the claims and from the principles that are embodied in the specific structures that are illustrated and described.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The device of the present invention can be used for mounting different things forwardly of the user's eyes. A preferred use of the collar and riser structure is to mount a video unit or module, with or without an audio, into a use position immediately forwardly of the eyes of the user. However, the device can also be used for mounting other units forwardly of the user's eyes, such as instrumentation for looking into the user's eyes and conducting various examinations of the eyes. Because a video/audio device is a preferred device, embodiments of such a device will are described herein in connection with the drawingFIGS. 1–12.

Referring toFIG. 1, the personal video unit that is illustrated comprises a substantially U-shaped collar10and a substantially U-shaped riser12. The collar10is adapted to extend around the neck of a user14and set down on the user's shoulders16. The collar10has left and right forward end portions18,20. The riser has left and right arms22,24that include left and right upper end portions26,28and left and right lower end portions30,32. The left and right forward end portions18,20of the collar10are connected to the left and right lower end portions30,32of the arms22,24. A video viewer34extends between the left and right upper end portions26,28of the arms22,24of the riser12. As illustrated, when the collar10is positioned on the user14, the video viewer34is positioned forwardly of the eyes of the user14.

The substantially U-shaped collar10may also be referred to as a “base.” At its rear, it rests against the nape of the neck. It then curves around the neck and slopes forwardly and downwardly along the upper chest of the user14to the forward end portions18,20, which contact the user's chest. The collar10and its constituent parts support the entire weight of the personal video unit upon the user's lower neck, shoulders and chest. At least to some extent, the forward end portions18,20of the collar10hang from the rest of the collar10similar to the way a pendant hangs from a chain that extends around a wearer's neck. The weight of the riser bears down on the front end portions18,20of the collar10. This weight transfer from the riser12to the collar10and from the collar10to the user's chest and shoulder's16permits pivotal adjustment of the riser12relative to the collar10while maintaining stability of the unit. The riser12may be adjusted to place the video viewer34in front of the eyes of the user14and the video viewer34will stay in this general position even while the user14turns and/or nods his/her head.

Collar10may comprise symmetrical, left and right side members36,38(FIG. 2) that are connected together at the center40of the collar10. The center connection40may comprise left and right connector members42,44.FIG. 4is a plan view of the connection40.FIGS. 5 and 6are rear elevational views of the connection40.FIG. 5shows the connectors42,44connected together.FIG. 6shows the connectors42,44disconnected. Connector42may include a socket and member44may include a plug that extends into the socket. When the plug44is within the socket42, it is frictionally gripped by internal portions of the socket so that the connection40is secure until force is applied to pull the connectors42,44apart. The frictional grip is releasable in response to a moderate tug on the plug44, so that in response to such tug, the plug44is pulled out from the socket42. For example, the connector44may include a plug48that is insertable into a socket50(FIG. 4) formed in the connector42. The plug48may be of split construction, as shown byFIG. 6, so that it is laterally compressible. When it is pushed into the socket, its parts are compressed from contact with the socket wall. This bends the parts, making them act like springs. As plug48enters into the socket, the plug members exert a frictional force on the walls of the socket. In another embodiment, the plug48may be constructed like a well-known “jack” that has an enlarged end portion and a narrower portion inwardly of the end portion. The socket includes a spring-like receptor for the jack that frictionally grips it and holds it in the socket. As will be appreciated, a number of other ways of connecting the side parts36,38can be employed in place of the plug and socket44,42. For example, a hook and eye fastener such as Velcro® can be used to make the connection40.

A member52may be connected to the member42and used to connect the collar10to the collar54on a shirt or jacket that is worn by the user14. This connection of the mid portion of the collar10to the shirt or jacket collar will stabilize the unit against for and aft side-to-side movement of the user's head. It will also counter any tendency of the video viewer to tilt forwardly.

The connector52may be a generally U-shaped spring that clips onto the collar54the way the well-known tie clasp clips onto a necktie and the front of a person's shirt. Or, it may be of two-part construction wherein the two parts are interconnected by a torsion spring56that normally biases clip-end portions of the connector52into contact with each other. The opposite ends are spaced apart. When these opposite ends are squeezed together, the clip-ends move apart, allowing the collar54to be inserted between them. After this insertion is made, the squeezing force is removed from the opposite end portions, allowing the spring56to move the clip-ends into clamping engagement with the collar54. Of course, this connection can be made in a number of other ways.

The collar members42,44may include rigid shafts60,62having first ends which are located inside of the members42,44and physically attached, (e.g. molded) to the members42,44. The shafts60,62project outwardly from the members42,44. These projecting end portions of the shafts60,62are telescopically received in forward portions64,66. The members64,66are constructed so that they will frictionally grip the members60,62but will allow the members60,62to move inwardly and outwardly from the members64,66, in response to push and pull forces applied to the members42,64and44,66. This telescopic adjustment of the members60,62within the members64,66provides a way of adjusting the length and shape of the collar10. This is desirable so that the collar10can be adapted to the neck and shoulders of size users14with different neck sizes. In another embodiment, the collar portions42,44may be adjustably connected to the collar portions64,66in some other way so long as a length adjustment is achievable between the back of the collar10and the collar front ends18,20. See, for example, member9in my aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,446.

FIG. 3shows some detail of the connection between collar end member20and riser end member32. This same connection is employed between members18,30and for this reason only one of the connections is illustrated. End member20includes an inner side70that contacts an inner side72on member32. The sides70,72are generally planar. However, they may be textured surfaces or may include inter engaging locking teeth that extend radially outwardly from the axis74. An adjustment screw76is shown extending through an opening78in member20. Screw76has a threaded shaft portion80that screws into threads carried by the member32. For this purpose, a nut82may be embedded into the member32, with the threads of the nut being positioned to engage the threads on the shaft80.FIG. 1best shows the construction of the handle portion of the adjustment screw76. When it is desired to make an adjustment, the screw76is loosened, allowing member20to be swung about axis relative to member32. When the desired relative position of the members20,32is achieved, the nut76is tightened so as to connect the members20,32together. If the locking teeth are used, the adjustment screws74must be loosened to such an extent that the members20,32will separate until the teeth are no longer engaged. Then, following adjustment, when the adjustment screw76is tightened, the sides70,72will move together and the locking teeth will again become engaged.

The connection that is illustrated and described above is presented by way of non-limitive example. In another embodiment, the two sides70,72may be generally flat and the tightening of the adjustment screw76will move them into a frictional engagement with each other. Of course, there are numerous other ways of providing the adjustable connection between the members18,30and the members20,32.

Referring toFIG. 1, a microphone arm84may be connected at one end to one of the end members18,30and carry a microphone86at its opposite end. Arm84may be bendable for purposes of adjusting the position of the microphone86. What is important is that the arm84is adjustable for allowing placement of the microphone86in a proper position relative to the mouth of the user14.

Preferably, the riser end portions26,28are adjustable in position relative to the riser end portions22,24. Telescopic shafts88,90may be used to provide the adjustment. Shafts88,90may have lower end portions that are insertable into, and are connected to, the riser end portions22,24, with the remaining portions of the shafts88,90being telescopically received in the riser end portions26,28. Or, the shafts88,90may be connected to the end portions26,28and telescopically received within the end portions22,24. What is necessary is that the end portions26,28be movable up and down relative to the end portions30,32. The telescopic portions of the shafts88,90make a frictional fit with the end portions in which they fit. The friction forces can be overcome by the user applying either a push or a pull on the upper part26,28,34relative to the lower part22,24. Whenever this force is removed, the frictional forces will hold the upper and lower parts of the riser12in the position in which they have been placed relative to each other. InFIG. 1, arrows61,91show where adjustment occurs. The gap regions include the rods62,88,90. The portions of the collar10and the riser arms22,24that are situated on opposite sides of these gap regions are movable together and apart.

The necessary power/signal cables may be routed either externally or internally of the collar and riser members.FIG. 1shows a cable92that extends forwardly of the back of the user14to a clip94on member22, and from clip94to clip95on member26, and from clip95up to the video viewer34. As illustrated, clips94and95each consist of two spaced apart members between which a portion of the cable92can be fitted. The fit is a frictional fit that holds the cable92in position relative to the clip94. Another cable96is shown extending from the video viewer34to an earphone98that fits in the ear of the user. Cable96may include a coiled section99making it adjustable in length. As shown byFIG. 2, the device may include two earphones98, one for each ear, and a cable96extending from each earphone98to the video viewer34.FIGS. 2 and 3show the earphones98is a stowed position. They are constructed to make a plug-in or plug-on engagement with portions30,32of the riser12. Preferably, the members22,24include a clip101configured to engage and clamp onto a cable96(seeFIG. 3). Referring toFIG. 2, the central rear region103of the unit34preferably includes a pliable nose pad. The unit34does not actually rest on the user's nose but there may be some contact between it and the user's nose. The pliable nose pad103cushions any contact that may occur.

FIGS. 7 and 8show an alternate construction of the riser arms. In these views, riser arm22′ is illustrated. This arm22′ is a telescopic member having sections100,102,104. Section102telescopically moves into and out from section104. In this embodiment, the power/signal cable106is located within the telescopic arm22′. It includes a helical section108when the arm22′ is retracted, as shown byFIG. 7, the helical section108is contracted and has a helical form. When the arm22′ is extended, as shown byFIG. 8, the helical section108is straightened, allowing it to become longer in response to the length of the arm22′.

FIG. 1illustrates the use position or mode of the unit10,12. The collar10is around the neck of the user14and rests on the user's shoulder and on the upper portion of the user's chest. The riser12extends upwardly from the forward end portions18,20of the collar10and the video viewer34is positioned immediately in front of the eyes of the user14.FIG. 2shows the stowed position of the unit10,12. The adjustment screws76have been loosened and the riser12has been swung downwardly into a substantially coplanar position with the collar10. Then, the adjustment screws76are again tightened to hold the members together in this position.

FIGS. 9–12illustrate another embodiment of the unit that is characterized by a substantially U-shaped collar110and an articulated riser112. Riser112includes opposite arm portions114,116having lower end portions118,120that are pivotally attached to forward end portions122,124of the collar110. The arms114,116extend upwardly from the end portions122,124of the collar110and have upper end portions126,128that are connected to a video viewer130. Riser arms114,116have upper and lower portions connected together by pivot joints. InFIG. 9, arm114is shown to comprise a lower arm portion132, an upper arm portion134and a pivotal connection136. Arm132has a lower portion138and an upper portion140. The lower end of portion138includes end portion118that is connected to collar end portion122. The opposite end of portion132is pivotally connected to one end of the portion140. The opposite end of portion140is connected by the pivotal connection136to the upper portion134.

In this embodiment, the cable141is secured to riser members114,134by clips103,105. The clips103,105include a slot that frictionally receives and engages a portion of the cable141.

In this embodiment, an earphone139is provided as apart of the pivotal connection136. In use, the lower section of the riser arm extends upwardly and rearwardly from its connection to collar portion122a distance sufficient to place the earphone139generally outwardly of the ear of the user.FIG. 10shows the stowed position of the earphone139. A second earphone (not shown) is provided on the opposite side of the device in like fashion so that it is generally outwardly of the user's ear on that side of the device.

Referring toFIG. 10, arm portion116has three parts. A lower part142includes the end portion120that is pivotally connected to collar end portion124. Part142is pivotally connected at144to part146. Part146is pivotally connected at148to part150. Part142is like part138. Part146is like part140. Part150is like part134. The pivotal connection of collar end122with riser end120may be like the pivotal connection in the first embodiment. It includes an adjustment screw76that is loosened and tightened for allowing pivotal movement about axis74. A lock nut may also be provided. The pivotal connections144,148may also include a screw that is loosened to permit pivotal movement and then tightened to secure the parts together.

In this embodiment, the collar110may be constructed like the collar10in the first embodiment. That is, it is composed of forward side portions and a rear portion that together define a substantially U-shaped collar that is adjustable in size. Telescopic sections may be provided between the front and rear sections in order to provide the adjustment. The rear section may be constructed in the manner that is shown and described with respect to the first embodiment and it may include a clip or clamp for securing it to the collar on a user's shirt.

In the embodiment shown byFIGS. 9–12the riser portions138,140may both be adjustable in length. As shown byFIGS. 11 and 12, each of these parts138,140may comprise two end sections and a center section in the nature of a rod that is telescopically relieved in the end sections. InFIGS. 11 and 12, the rods are designated152,154, respectively. Each rod152,154may be anchored in one end section and telescopically movable in the second end section. Or, they may be telescopically movable in both end sections. The end sections include sockets for receiving end portions of the rods152,154. There is a frictional fit between the walls of the sockets and the end portions of the rods152,154.FIGS. 9 and 10include arrows141,157that show where the adjustment occurs.

The pivot connection140may be provided by a bolt that between its ends includes a shank146having a cross sectional shape that is flattened on opposite sides, as shown inFIGS. 11 and 12. This shank146fits snuggly within a slot160that has a circular cavity162at its outer end. When the shank160is within the cavity162, it can be rotated in position. When the shank is within the straight section160, its flat side surfaces are contiguous the flat side surfaces of the straight section. This relationship prevents rotation but rather holds the two end portions138,140in an axial alignment (FIG. 11). Starting with the end portions138,140in axial alignment, a user can move the two end portions138,140together, and move the bolt shank with flattened sides into the circular cavity162. Once the bolt shank is within the cavity162, the end portion140can be pivotally moved relative to the end portion138, as shown inFIG. 12.

Referring toFIG. 9, the collar or collar110is adjusted to fit the neck of a user14. As in the first embodiment, the collar110is set down on the user's shoulder16, with the collar forward end portions120,122directed forwardly and resting on an upper portion of the chest of the user14. The riser112is adjusted to fit the user14. The lower part of the riser side arms is moved to put the end portions138,140into axial alignment, as described in connection withFIGS. 11 and 12. The length of the lower section132is adjusted to place the pivot connection136at about the level of the user's ears. In this embodiment, earphones are built into the pivotal connections. See141inFIG. 10. The upper section134is suitably positioned and adjusted in length so that the video viewer130is properly positioned relative to the user's eyes. The upper side portions134,150of the riser112are preferably made adjustable in the same way that the collar110is made adjustable. They include end sections that are interconnected by a rod156that is either connected to one end section and telescopically movable relative to the other, or is telescopically movable in both end sections.

Referring again toFIG. 9, when the embodiment ofFIGS. 9–12is installed on a user14, the collar or collar110is around the neck of the user14and sets on the user's shoulders16. The riser112first extends upwardly and rearwardly from the forward end portions120,122of the collar110, substantially to the level of the user's ears. This places the earphones141adjacent the user's ears. Then the upper sections134,150of the riser112extend upwardly and forwardly to the video viewer130.

When it is desired to stow the unit shown byFIGS. 9–12, the unit is removed from the user's neck. Sections138,140of lower riser arm portion114are folded together, in a jackknife fashion. The folded arm portion114is then itself folded in a jackknife fashion relative to the ends of the collar or collar110. The upper part134,150of the riser112is also pivoted in jackknife fashion to place the portions134,150into the position shown byFIG. 10with respect to portion150. In this position, the collar arm, the sections142,146of the lower part of the riser114and the upper parts134,150of the riser112are all in a side-by-side relationship substantially within a common plane. This provides the stowed position for the embodiment shown byFIGS. 9–12.

The illustrated embodiments are only examples of the present invention and, therefore, are non-limitive. It is to be understood that many changes in the particular structure, materials and features of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it is my intention that my patent rights not be limited by the particular embodiments illustrated and described herein, but rather are to be determined by the following claims, interpreted according to accepted doctrines of patent claim interpretation, including use of the doctrine of equivalents and reversal of parts.