Holder for binoculars

Abstract: The invention relates to a holder for binoculars of the roof angle type or the porro type, i.e. binoculars having two rectilinear telescope portions for the objectives (roof angle type) or having respectively non-linear telescope portions due to the prisms disposed therein, characterized in that it is designed as a holster and consists thereto mainly of the combination of an open housing (1) having upright walls (3,3',4) and a bottom (2) presenting two openings (5) for receiving a portion of the cylindrical or substantially cylindrical telescope portions (6) for the objectives.

Description: This invention relates to a holder for binoculars of the roof angle type or the porro type, i.e. binoculars having two rectilinear telescope portions for the objectives (roof angle type) or having respectively non-linear telescope portions due to the prisms disposed therein. A holder of this kind is known e.g. from FR-A-1.147.622. Holders for binoculars usually consist of a case adapted to the dimensions of the binoculars and a cover. Nature lovers, in particular ornithologists, who keep their binoculars in such holders, are facing a number of problems which can be summarized in broad outlines as follows : a) For catching the binoculars quickly, the cover of the case has to be opened and the binoculars, which are usually stuck in this case, have to be pulled out thereof which cannot always be realized without effort since the binoculars fit closely in the case ; b) the binoculars which are suspended by means of a carrier belt around the neck, hit against the chest when the user steps or jumps over obstacles such as fences, dikes, ditches, etc. ; c) when observing by means of a telescope or when taking photographs the binoculars carried around the neck are a disturbing object ; d) when riding a bicycle, the binoculars or the belt thereof can hit the handlebars or can catch on this handlebars which may be dangerous ; e) when taking larger obstacles, a.o. when climbing mountains, the binoculars have to be put away together with belt and case in a bag or rucksack which requires additional difficult operations which are also not without danger. An object of the invention is now to design a holder for binoculars which does not present the many drawbacks of the known holders or cases which are still in use up to now and which offers moreover especially the advantage of permitting the binoculars to be caught quickly and to be put away as quickly while, when the binoculars are not used, the user has his hands free and is not troubled by a relatively heavy object suspended onto the neck by means of a belt. In order to realize the hereabove indicated objects, the holder for binoculars according to the invention is designed as a holster and consists thereto of the combination of an open housing having upright walls and a bottom presenting two openings for receiving a portion of the cylindrical or substantially cylindrical telescope portions for the objectives. In a preferred embodiment of the holder according to the invention, said walls are connected to a belt and at least one wall, i.e. the one which engages the body of the user in the operative position, is higher than the other walls. In an embodiment which is particularly suitable for the indicated object, said open housing is provided with a cover which is pivotally connected to said higher wall and which is further connected, in the closed position, to the wall of the housing by means of a quick-release locking belt. Other details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a holder for binoculars according to the invention. This description is only given by way of example and does not limit the invention. The reference numerals relate to the annexed figures. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the holder according to the invention and of the removed cover and locking belt. Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the holder according to the invention. The holder illustrated in these figures is designed according to the principle of a holster ensuring not only a free movement of both hands of the user but especially a quick action since the structure of the holder is invented in such a manner that the binoculars can be caught and removed therefrom immediately and can be put back away therein very quickly. The binoculars which can be put away in a holder according to the invention, pertain as well to the so-called roof angle type as to the porro type. The binoculars shown in Figure 2 are of the roof angle type. This means that both telescope portions for the objectives have geometrical central axes which are strictly parallel to one another. Binoculars of the so-called porro type have a different structure due to the presence of different prisms in the telescope portions. In the left hand and in the right hand portion of binoculars of the last mentioned type, there is more than one central axis. Both types of binoculars can be considered here. The holder according to the invention and shown in the figures consists mainly of an open housing indicated with the general reference 1 (Figure 1). The housing consists of upright walls and a bottom 2 having two openings 5. The walls comprise a wall 4 which is higher than the three other walls. These latter walls are divided up in two walls 3 which ensure the transition between the higher wall 4 and a wall 3' on the side which can be considered, at least referring to the figure, as the front side of the holder. The height of this wall 3' is sufficient for binoculars which are pushed with each of its two telescope portions 6 (Figure 2) for the objectives in each of the openings 5 in the bottom 2 of the open housing 1. The binoculars, independent of the type to which it belongs, falls then so deeply that the portion of the binoculars forming the connection between the two telescope portions 6 abuts or rests against the portion of the bottom 2 which is situated between the two openings 5. In this position, the binoculars are already stabilized to a large extent and the user can take it quickly out of the holder and put it as quickly back in its place. In order to fix the holder as a holster to the body of the user, a belt 7 is provided which is connected in an arbitrary way to the housing, in particular to the walls which compose this open housing. An excellent embodiment consists in guiding the belt 7 through slots 8 in the walls 3 and then behind the wall 4. The belt is then introduced into slots 9 provided in this higher wall 4. In the middle of the wall 4, there is provided a continuous bulge 10 enhancing further the stabilization of the binoculars in the holder. The important advantage of this structure is immediately evident. Indeed, it is clear that the binoculars in the case of a permanently open cover 11 can be immediately taken out of its holder and can be put therein as quickly thanks to the combination of the terms "open housing" and "holster". Also the structure of the cover 11 is inspired by the need to be able to handle quickly under certain circumstances. The cover 11 pivots with respect to the wall 4 thanks to the presence of a strip 12 which can be applied through a slot 13 at the top in the wall 4. This strip 12 is equipped with a pushbutton 14. This push-button does not only assure the connection between the two components of the strip 12 but assures also the connection of this strip 12 to an upright wall 11' (Figure 2) of the cover 11. On the other side, on the same inner wall indicated there for clarity's sake with reference 11'', there is also provided a connection by means of push-button 15 between a locking belt 16 and the already mentioned side or wall 11'' of the cover 11. Underneath, the locking belt 16 may be provided with a locking system 17-17' of the Velcro-type. The female and the male element of the Velcro locking may be arbitrarily fixed either underneath onto the locking belt 16 or on the outer wall of the wall 3'. From the just given description of the holder for binoculars according to the invention, the important advantages resulting from the combination of an open housing with a belt and means which assure an extremely quick opening and closing of the cover become immediately apparent. In conclusion these advantages can be summarized again as : a) the fact that the binoculars can be put away in the holder practically in one fluent motion and can be removed therefrom as quickly. Consequently the binoculars are almost always ready for use. Further the user is not obliged to carry the binoculars around his neck ; b) as already mentioned hereinabove, the user is not troubled by the binoculars when taking obstacles, running, walking, etc. ; c) the chances for losing binoculars in a holder of the hereabove described type are small since the user will have this object always onto his belt whereas the binoculars together with its conventional case can be lost so easily. The invention is not limited to the hereabove described embodiment and many modifications could be applied thereto without leaving the scope of the patent application.

Claims: A holder for binoculars of the roof angle type or the porro type, i.e. binoculars having two rectilinear telescope portions for the objectives or having respectively non-linear telescope portions due to the prisms disposed therein, characterized in that the holder for binoculars is designed as a holster and consists thereto of the combination of an open housing (1) having upright walls (3,3',4) and a bottom (2) presenting two openings (5) for receiving a portion of the cylindrical or substantially cylindrical telescope portions (6) for the objectives. A holder according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of said walls (3,3',4) is connected to a belt (7) and at least one wall (4), i.e. the one which engages the body of the user in the operative position, is higher than the other walls (3,3'). A holder according to claim 2, characterized in that at least said wall (4) which is higher than the other walls (3,3') shows in the middle a continuous bulge (10) provided for being situated partially between the two cylindrical or substantially cylindrical telescope portions (6) of the objectives. A holder according to either one of the claims 2-3, characterized in that said open housing is provided with a cover (11) which is pivotally connected to said higher wall (4) and which is further connected, in the closed position, to the wall (3') of the housing (1) by means of a quick-release locking belt (16).

Inventors: DE PUTTER GEORGES, DECORT BRIGITTE, DE PUTTER, GEORGES, DECORT, BRIGITTE
Applicants: DECORT BRIGITTE, PUTTER GEORGES DE, DE PUTTER, GEORGES, DECORT, BRIGITTE
Application year: 1993
Main classification: A45C11
IPC codes: A45C11