Abstract:
An equipment carrier configured to secure at least one piece of equipment to a user, and corresponding method. The equipment carrier includes at least one equipment holder configured to be secured to the user. The equipment holder includes an engaging portion configured to receive the equipment. At least one tether includes a first portion attached to the equipment and a second portion attached to the user at a second location offset from the engaging portion. The at least one tether applies a tension force on the equipment to retain the equipment with the engaging portion of the equipment holder. The tension force is negligible when the equipment is disengaged from the equipment holder and positioned near the second location.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a divisional, and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 120, of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/107,037, filed Dec. 16, 2013, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/180,549, filed Jul. 12, 2011, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present disclosure is directed to an equipment carrier that retains equipment, such as binoculars, cameras, range finders, GPS systems, and other equipment, to a user, and to a locking mechanism for securing the equipment to the equipment holder. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A wide variety of carriers exist for binoculars, cameras, range finders, GPS systems, and other similar equipment. Various carriers that secure the device to the user tend to limit access to the device and typically require two hands to operate. For example, a neck strap is not sufficient to secure binoculars when the user is engaged in kinetic activity. A more elaborate structure is required, which in tum, reduces access to the equipment. 
         [0004]    Gaining quick and easy access to a device, especially with only one hand, has proven to be difficult to achieve with existing carriers. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0005]    The present disclosure is directed to an equipment carrier configured to secure at least one piece of equipment to a user. The equipment carrier includes at least one equipment holder configured to be secured to the user. The equipment holder includes an engaging portion configured to receive the equipment. At least one tether includes a first portion attached to the equipment and a second portion attached to the user at a second location offset from the engaging portion. The at least one tether applies a tension force on the equipment to retain the equipment with the engaging portion of the equipment holder. The tension force is negligible when the equipment is disengaged from the equipment holder and positioned near the second location. 
         [0006]    The engaging portion optionally includes a locking assembly configured to lock a base plate attached to the equipment to the equipment holder. The base plate is releasably attached to the equipment, such as a shoe for a camera. The base plate is configured to attach the equipment to other structures, such as a tripod. The locking assembly is typically biases to a locked configuration and the base plate slides into engagement with the locking assembly. 
         [0007]    The tether can be an elastically deformable member or a retraction mechanism that generates the tension force. The equipment holder can be attached to one of the user, or a backpack, a safety or utility vest, a utility belt, a harness, a hydration pack, or other garments or equipment worn by the user. The second portion of the tether can be attached to one of the user, or a backpack, a safety or utility vest, a utility belt, a harness, a hydration pack, or other garments or equipment worn by the user. 
         [0008]    The present disclosure is also directed to a method of securing at least one piece of equipment to a user. The method includes attaching an equipment holder to the user. A first portion of a tether is attached to the equipment and a second portion is attached to the user at a location offset from an engaging portion of the equipment holder. The equipment is positioned against the engaging portion of the equipment holder in opposition to a tension force applied by the tether. The tension force sufficient to retain the equipment with the engaging portion of the equipment holder. When the equipment is removed from the equipment holder the tension force is negligible when the equipment is positioned near the second location. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an equipment carrier in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the equipment carrier of  FIG. 1  with tethers biasing an item of equipment into engagement with the equipment holder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the equipment carrier of  FIG. 1  with a front panel closed in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the equipment carrier of  FIG. 1  securing a device to a user in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the equipment carrier of  FIG. 4  with the user accessing the device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of an alternate equipment carrier with a tether secured to a user in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6B  is a perspective view of an alternate equipment carrier with tethers with retractable mechanisms secured to a user in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternate equipment carrier with an inverted equipment holder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an equipment holder and tethers secured to straps of a back pack in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an equipment carrier secured to a user&#39;s arm in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  illustrates an alternate back panel with a removable base plate for an equipment holder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the back panel of  FIG. 10  without the removable base plate in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the removable base plate of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a locking assembly on the back panel of  FIG. 10  in a locked configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0023]      FIG. 14  is a sectional view of a locking assembly on the back panel of  FIG. 10  in a locked configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0024]      FIG. 15  illustrates operation of the locking assembly of  FIG. 10  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
       [0025]    It should be noted that the embodiments depicted in this disclosure are shown only schematically, and that not all features may be shown in full detail or in proper proportion. Certain features or structures may be exaggerated relative to others for clarity. It should be noted further that the embodiments shown are exemplary only, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the written description or appended claims. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0026]      FIGS. 1-5  illustrate one embodiment of an equipment carrier  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the equipment carrier  100  includes a pair of shoulder straps  102 , a waist strap  104 , and a buckle  106  configured to secure to a user  50 . The straps  102 ,  104  can be constructed from a variety of suitable materials such as nylon or canvas) and can be arranged with a variety of buckles, ties, closures, and the like. 
         [0027]    Equipment holder  200  is attached to one or more of the straps  102 ,  104  so as to be supported against a wearer&#39;s chest or belly, within easy reach (see e.g.,  FIG. 5 ). More generally, the equipment holder  200  can be held at any convenient or suitable position against the user&#39;s torso or limbs (see e.g.,  FIG. 9 ). The position of the equipment holder  200  (e.g., its height) can be fixed or adjustable on the equipment carrier  100 , such as by adjustment of strap lengths or a sliding buckle attached to one of the straps  102 ,  104 . In an alternate embodiment discussed herein, the equipment holder  200  can be attached to straps of another structure, such as a backpack, so the straps  102 ,  104  are not necessary. 
         [0028]    In the illustrated embodiment, the equipment holder  200  includes back panel  202 , top panel  206 A, and front panel  206 B (“the top front panels  206 ”), and can further include a flexible bottom front panel  208 . The flexible bottom front panel  208  is attached to a lower portion of back panel  202  and can fold upward to be releasably attached to the top front panel  206 . The equipment holder  200  can be sized to accommodate the equipment  99  between the various panels of the equipment holder  200  with the bottom front panel  208  folded upward and attached to top front panel  206 . The bottom front panel  208  is attached to the top front panel  206  by any suitable fastener or closure mechanism  210  (e.g., snap, hook-and-loop, magnet, and so on). The equipment holder  200  can be configured to hold any equipment  99  desired to be kept within easy reach for the user, such as a pair of binoculars, a laser rangefinder, a camera, GPS system, cell phone, or some other device. 
         [0029]    The back panel  202  and top front panels  206  preferably form a rigid or semi-rigid structure that nevertheless exhibits a small degree of elastic deformability. The back panel  202  and the top front panel  206  are preferably shaped to form a recess  205  sized to receive the equipment  99 . The recess  205  can be arranged to provide an interference fit when the equipment  99  is inserted to help to retain it in the equipment holder  200 . 
         [0030]    In another embodiment, the top front panels  206  are plastically deformable (or pre-molded) to be shaped to the equipment  99 . For example, the top front panel  206  can be a ductile metal structure that can be deformed to the shape of the equipment  99 . Alternatively the top front panel  206  may be constructed from a thermoplastic material that can be heated a sufficient amount to permit shaping to conform to the equipment  99 . 
         [0031]    One or more tethers  300  are provided to attach the equipment  99  to the user  50 . In one embodiment, the tethers  300  are constructed from an elastic material (e.g., shock or bungee cord, elastic polymer or other suitable elastic material) that provide bias force F when extended. The tethers  300  preferably have a desired rest length when under negligible tension, but that is under tension when lengthened. In another embodiment, the tethers are tensioned by retraction mechanisms, such as illustrated in  FIG. 6B . The tension force F is preferably sufficient to retains the equipment  99  in the recess  205 , even when the user is engaged in kinetic activities (i.e., running, climbing, jumping, etc.). 
         [0032]    In the illustrated embodiment, two tethers  300  are attached to the shoulder straps  102  at one end and to the equipment  99  at the other end. As best illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the tethers  300  provide tension forces F that biases the equipment  99  in recess  205  in the top panels  206 . Using two tethers  300  balances the forces F on the equipment  99  when positioned in the recess  205 . 
         [0033]    The tethers  300  can be attached in any suitable way to the equipment holder  200  or to the support members  102 / 104  (e.g., tied, stitched, stapled, tacked, riveted, glued, buckled, latched, clamped, secured by hook-and-loop, and so on). The tethers  300  can be arranged or adapted to be attached in any suitable way to the equipment  99  (e.g., tied around the item, looped through an eyelet or similar structure on the item, attached to a case or sleeve for the item, attached to a mounting plate secured to the item, and so on). 
         [0034]    As best illustrated in  FIG. 3 , once the equipment  99  is inserted between the panels  202  and  206 , the bottom front panel  208  can be pulled forward beneath the equipment  99  and upward in front of the equipment. In that closed arrangement, the panels  202 ,  206 , and  208  enclose the equipment in front, behind, above, and below and hold it in the holder  200 . The equipment  99  can be left exposed on the sides, thereby providing the user  50  with access to grasp it while detaching the bottom front panel  208  from the top front panel  206  to release the equipment  99  from the holder  200 . The front panel  208  can be multiple substantially rigid segments connected by one or more flexible joints or a single flexible sheet. 
         [0035]    Optionally, equipment carrier can include additional pockets or pouches  212 , quick-detach sockets, or attachment points to carry other objects (in addition to the equipment  99  in equipment holder  200 ). Such pockets, pouches, sockets, or attachment points can be located anywhere suitable on the equipment holder  200 , such as on back panel  202  or top front panel  206 , or on the set  100  of support members  102 / 104  (or backpack, safety harness, etc.). 
         [0036]    As best illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the equipment holder  200  is secured to the user  50  with the equipment  99  retained in the recess  205  by the tension force F with the tethers  300  extended substantially beyond its rest length (as in  FIG. 4 ). The equipment  99  is captured in the recess  205  by the tension force F, even when the bottom front panel  208  is open. 
         [0037]    As best illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the equipment  99  is removed from the equipment holder  200  and available for use by the user  50  with the tethers  300  under negligible tension. In the illustrated embodiment, the equipment  99  can be held by the user&#39;s face or head  52  with the tethers  300  under negligible tension (i.e., not extended substantially beyond its rest length). The length of the tethers  300  are optimized so as to not interfere with the user&#39;s  50  access to the equipment  99  when removed from the equipment holder  200 . 
         [0038]    The elongation of and tension on the tethers  300  with the equipment  99  held by the equipment holder  200  can serve to retain the equipment  99  in the holder  200 , while permitting the user  50  to access the equipment  99  with one hand. Attaching the tethers  300  at a location offset from the equipment holder  200  provides the tension force F to urges the equipment  99  into the recess  205  as seen in  FIG. 4 . This arrangement also enables the equipment  99  to be held at or near the wearer&#39;s face or head with the tether  300  at its rest length and under negligible tension as in  FIG. 5 . This configuration permits the user  50  to access the equipment  99  (e.g., by holding binoculars or a camera in front of his eyes) without having to exert force against tension in the tethers  300 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 6A  illustrates securing the tethers  300  as a discrete component directly to the user  50  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The tether  300  merely wraps around the user&#39;s neck  54 . 
         [0040]    As discussed above, tension force F generated by the tether  300  retains the equipment  99  in the recess  205 . The tension force F is calibrated so that when the equipment  99  is removed from the equipment holder  200  and raised to the user&#39;s head  52  (see e.g.,  FIG. 5 ), the tension force F is negligible, and preferably substantially zero. 
         [0041]    Wrapping the tether  300  around the user&#39;s neck simulates a neck strap, such as for binoculars or a camera, providing easy access. If the user  50  needs to engage in kinetic activity, the equipment  99  is easily engages with the equipment holder  200  using one hand. 
         [0042]      FIG. 6B  illustrates the use of retraction mechanism  302  to generate tension force F on the tethers  300  that retains the equipment in the recess  205  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The retraction mechanism  302  can be a spring-loaded spool or other suitable extension/retraction mechanism. The retraction mechanism  302  can be arranged to enable the tethers  300  to be extended under tension and to be retracted when that tension is sufficiently reduced, and can include a stop that prevents further retraction of the tethers  300  once it is retracted to a desired rest length. 
         [0043]      FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment with the tethers  300  attached to the user  50  below the equipment holder  200  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The equipment holder  200  includes front panel  206  sized to receive the equipment  99 . The tension force F is directed downward toward the waist strap  104  to retain the equipment  99  in the recess  205 . In the illustrated embodiment, the equipment  99  is a GPS device with screen  98  that can be viewed at a location below the equipment holder  200 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 8  illustrates an alternate equipment holder  200  attached directly to an existing structure, such as chest strap  310  of a backpack  312  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The straps  102 ,  104  are not required. The tethers  300  are attached to shoulder straps  314  of the backpack  312 . The equipment holder  200  can be attached to a typical backpack, a safety vest or utility vest, a utility belt, a safety harness, a hydration pack with a bladder, or other garments or equipment that can be worn by a wearer, making the straps  102 ,  104  unnecessary. In another embodiment, the tethers  300  are attached directly to the user  50 , such as the neck strap illustrated in  FIG. 6A . 
         [0045]    In an alternate embodiment, the equipment holder  200  can be attached to the user&#39;s belt  58 . The tethers  300  can be attached to the user  50  using any of the techniques disclosed herein, such as by wrapping the tether  300  around the user&#39;s neck (see  FIG. 6A ). 
         [0046]      FIG. 9  illustrates an alternate equipment carrier  350  attached to a user&#39;s limb  352  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Elastic strap  354  secures equipment holder  356  to the user&#39;s arm  352 . In the illustrated embodiment, the tethers  300  are secured to shoulder straps  358  on backpack  360 . As discussed above, tension force F generated by the tethers  300  biases the equipment  99  into recess  362 . In the illustrated embodiment, the equipment  99  is a rangefinder. 
         [0047]    In use, the user  50  removes the rangefinder  99  from the equipment holder  356  and raises it to his eye. The length of the tethers  300  permit the user  50  to raise the rangefinder  99  to his eye with little or no resistance. 
         [0048]      FIGS. 10-12  illustrate an alternate back panel  400  for an equipment holder  402  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Locking assembly  404  includes housing  405  with channels  406  configured to engage with recesses  408  on removable base plate  410 . Locking flap  412  is biased to locked configuration  414  that retains the removable base plate  410  in the channels  406 . As will be discussed in detail below, trigger  416  lowers the locking flap  412  to be flush with surface  418  so the removable base plate  410  can be slide out of the channels  406 . 
         [0049]    In the illustrated embodiment, the removable base plate  410  includes threaded member  420  that attaches to the equipment  99 , such as for example a camera. In one embodiment, the removable base plate  410  is configured to attach to a tripod or other structure. 
         [0050]      FIGS. 13 and 14  illustrate operation of the lock  404 .  FIG. 14  shows the locking assembly  404  with housing  405  removed for clarity.  FIG. 13  shows spring  422  biasing the locking flap  412  in the locked configuration  414 . The locking flap  412  is attached to the locking assembly  404  by pivot pin  424 . 
         [0051]    In operation, best illustrated in  FIG. 15 , moving the trigger  416  in direction  426  around pivot point  427  from locked configuration  428  to an unlocked configuration causes the locking flap  412  to rotate in direction  430  so the removable base plate  410  can be slide in direction  432  and out of the channels  406 . Spring  434  biases the trigger  416  back to the locked configuration  428  so the locking flap  412  can return to the locked configuration  414 . 
         [0052]    The removable base plate  410  can be returned to the locking assembly  404  simply by sliding it along the surface  418  and into the channels  406 . The biasing force of the spring  422  is overcome until the removable base plate  410  is past leading edge  436 , after which the spring  422  returns the locking flap  412  to the locked configuration  414 . 
         [0053]    Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range is encompassed within this disclosure. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges which may independently be included in the smaller ranges is also encompassed within the disclosure, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either both of those included limits are also included in the disclosure. 
         [0054]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the various methods and materials are now described. All patents and publications mentioned herein, including those cited in the Background of the application, are hereby incorporated by reference to disclose and described the methods and/or materials in connection with which the publications are cited. 
         [0055]    The publications discussed herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the present disclosure is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention. Further, the dates of publication provided may be different from the actual publication dates which may need to be independently confirmed. 
         [0056]    Other embodiments are possible. Although the description above contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure, but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments. It is also contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of this disclosure. It should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes disclosed. Thus, it is intended that the scope of at least some of the present disclosure should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above. 
         [0057]    Thus the scope of this disclosure should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of the present disclosure fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the present disclosure is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural, chemical, and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred embodiment that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. Moreover, it is not necessary for a device or method to address each and every problem sought to be solved by the present disclosure, for it to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims.