Abstract:
An attachment device ( 1 ) that attaches a pair of binoculars ( 3 ) to the brim ( 4 ) of a hat ( 2 ) via a clip ( 5 ). The attachment device has a series of arms ( 7, 10, 13 ) that are pivotally attached to each other and to the clip, thereby allowing a user to flip the binoculars upward in a stored position on top of the brim or downward so that the user can look through the binoculars. The pivoting arms further allow a user to adjust the binoculars up or down depending on the position of a user&#39;s eyes in relation to the brim of the hat. In addition, the pivoting arms are slidably attached to the clip via slides ( 6 ), thereby allowing a user to adjust the distance between his or her eyes and the binoculars. An optional strap ( 20 ) may be worn around the user&#39;s head to provide additional support to the attachment device and binoculars.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to binoculars, more particularly, an adjustable device for attaching a pair of binoculars to the brim of a hat that allows a user to use the binoculars while keeping his or her hands free. 
         [0002]    Binoculars are commonly used for sporting events, concerts, bird and animal watching, hunting, surveillance and scenery viewing to magnify a distant point. For example, in sporting events at large arenas spectators may be far away from the players on the field. Accordingly, spectators bring binoculars to more easily see the activities occurring on the field. A drawback of current binoculars is the need to hold the binoculars to your face while looking through them. This can leave users at a disadvantage, especially those who need the use of their hands for other purposes, such as hunters. This can also cause physical discomfort to the user due to the muscular fatigue caused by holding the binoculars up to the user&#39;s face for extended periods of time. 
         [0003]    Therefore, a need exists for a device which will allow a user to mount a pair of binoculars to a brim of a hat so that a user can look through the binoculars while using their hands for other purposes. 
         [0004]    The relevant prior art includes the following patent references: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Patent/Serial No. 
                 Inventor 
                 Issue/Publication Date 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 U.S. References 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 7,340,781 
                 Clark 
                 Mar. 11, 2008 
               
               
                   
                 7,240,374 
                 Fang 
                 Jul. 10, 2007 
               
               
                   
                 2006/0126013 
                 Himmele 
                 Jun. 15, 2006 
               
               
                   
                 2006/0037125 
                 McDowell 
                 Feb. 23, 2006 
               
               
                   
                 2005/0111097 
                 Iannarelli et al. 
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                 2004/0070823 
                 Radna 
                 Apr. 15, 2004 
               
               
                   
                 6,639,958 
                 Himmele 
                 Apr. 09, 2002 
               
               
                   
                 6,172,808 
                 Foreman et al. 
                 Jan. 09, 2001 
               
               
                   
                 6,115,846 
                 Truesdale 
                 Sep. 12, 2000 
               
               
                   
                 5,526,178 
                 Goldstein et al. 
                 Jun. 11, 1996 
               
               
                   
                 5,179,735 
                 Thomanek 
                 Jan. 19, 1993 
               
               
                   
                 5,150,255 
                 Lin 
                 Sep. 22, 1992 
               
               
                   
                 4,807,987 
                 Bastable et al. 
                 Feb. 28, 1989 
               
               
                   
                 4,637,536 
                 Wong 
                 Jan. 20, 1987 
               
               
                   
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                 Potez 
                 Aug. 26, 1958 
               
               
                   
                 2,649,019 
                 Hartline et al. 
                 Aug. 18, 1953 
               
               
                   
                 2,625,855 
                 Gaylor 
                 Jan. 20, 1953 
               
               
                   
                 2,517,892 
                 Larrabee et al. 
                 Aug. 08, 1950 
               
               
                   
                 2,452,522 
                 Ellis 
                 Aug. 12, 1947 
               
               
                   
                 Foreign References 
               
               
                   
                 CN201281781 
                 Xiaoli et al. 
                 Jul. 29, 2009 
               
               
                   
                 KR20080009387 
                 Park 
                 Jan. 29, 2008 
               
               
                   
                 JP2003166112 
                 Matsunaga 
                 Jun. 13, 2003 
               
               
                   
                 CN2297738 
                 Gao 
                 Nov. 18, 1998 
               
               
                   
                 CN2282692 
                 Guo et al. 
                 May 27, 1998 
               
               
                   
                 CN2243199 
                 Liang 
                 Dec. 25, 1996 
               
               
                   
                 CN2075347 
                 Jinzhe 
                 Apr. 17, 1991 
               
               
                   
                 GB8827329 
                 Choi 
                 Dec. 29, 1988 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The primary object of the present invention is to provide an attachment device for a pair of binoculars that allows a user to mount a pair of binoculars to a brim of a hat. 
         [0006]    Another object of the present invention is to provide an attachment device for a pair of binoculars that allows a user to look through the binoculars while his or her hands remain free to perform other tasks. 
         [0007]    A further object of the present invention is to provide an attachment device for a pair of binoculars that allows a user to place the binoculars in a stored position on top of a brim of a hat. 
         [0008]    The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing an attachment device that uses a clip to attach a pair of binoculars to the brim of a hat, such as a baseball cap, visor, fishing hat, golfing hat, helmet, hard hat, etc. The device comprises a series of arms that are pivotally attached to each other and to the clip, thereby allowing a user to flip the binoculars upward in a stored position on top of the brim or downward below the brim so the user can look through the binoculars. The pivoting arms further allow a user to adjust the binoculars up or down depending on the position of a user&#39;s eyes in relation to the brim of the hat. In addition, the pivoting arms are slidably attached to the clip, thereby allowing a user to adjust the distance between his or her eyes and the binoculars. An optional strap may be worn around the user&#39;s head to provide additional support to the attachment device and binoculars. 
         [0009]    The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective side view of an attachment device for a pair of binoculars of the present invention attached to a hat and in an upward and stored position; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a side view of an attachment device for a pair of binoculars of the present invention with optional strap attached to a hat and in a downward use position; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a side view of an attachment device for a pair of binoculars of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a front view of an attachment device for a pair of binoculars of the present invention having two clips and folded flat; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a front view of an attachment device for a pair of binoculars of the present invention having a single clip and folded flat. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0016]    For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered components in the drawings is as follows: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 1. 
                 attachment device 
               
               
                 2. 
                 hat 
               
               
                 3. 
                 binoculars 
               
               
                 4. 
                 brim 
               
               
                 5. 
                 clip 
               
               
                 6. 
                 slide 
               
               
                 7. 
                 bottom arm 
               
               
                 8. 
                 first end of bottom arm 
               
               
                 9. 
                 second end of bottom arm 
               
               
                 10. 
                 middle arm 
               
               
                 11. 
                 first end of middle arm 
               
               
                 12. 
                 second end of middle arm 
               
               
                 13. 
                 top arm 
               
               
                 14. 
                 first end of top arm 
               
               
                 15. 
                 second end of bottom arm 
               
               
                 16. 
                 bracket 
               
               
                 17. 
                 attachment means 
               
               
                 18. 
                 screw 
               
               
                 19. 
                 cross member 
               
               
                 20. 
                 strap 
               
               
                 21. 
                 adjustment means 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0017]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , a perspective side view of an attachment device  1  of the present invention attached to a hat  2  and in an upward and stored position is shown. The binocular attachment device  1  attaches a pair of binoculars  3  to a brim  4  of a hat  2  and comprises at least one substantially U-shaped clip  5  that attaches to the hat  2  by sandwiching the brim  4  between the at least one clip  5 . As shown here, the binocular attachment device  1  has two clips  5 . Slides  6  are slidably attached to each clip  5 . The slides  6  allow a user to adjust the binoculars  3  forward and backward, thereby adjusting the distance between the binoculars  3  and the users head and face. Two bottom arms  7  each have a first end  8  and a second end  9 . The first end  8  of each bottom arm  7  is pivotally attached to each slide  6 . Two middle arms  10  each have a first end  11  and a second end  12 . The first end  11  of each middle arm  10  is pivotally attached to the second end  9  of each bottom arm  7 . Two top arms  13  each have a first end  14  and a second end  15 . The first end  14  of each top arm  13  is pivotally attached to the second end the  12  of each middle arm  10 . The second end  15  of each top arm  13  is pivotally attached to a bracket  16 , which may be integral to the binoculars  3  or attached to the binoculars  3  via an attachment means  17 , such as screws  18 , nuts, bolts, adhesive, hook and loop fastener, clamps, etc. 
         [0018]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , a side view of an attachment device  1  of the present invention with an optional strap attached to a hat  2  and in a downward use position is shown. The attachment device  1  comprises at least one substantially U-shaped clip  5  that attaches to the hat  2  by sandwiching the brim  4  between the at least one clip  5 . Slides  6  are slidably attached to each clip  5 . The slides  6  allow a user to adjust the binoculars  3  forward and backward, thereby adjusting the distance between the binoculars  3  and the users eyes when the binocular attachment device  1  is in a downward position. Two bottom arms  7  each have a first end  8  and a second end  9 . The first end  8  of each bottom arm  7  is pivotally attached to each slide  6 . Two middle arms  10  each have a first end  11  and a second end  12 . The first end  11  of each middle arm  10  is pivotally attached to second end  9  of each bottom arm  7 . The middle arms  10  may be straight or curved, as shown herein, to provide additional clearance for the brim  4  of the hat  2  when the attachment device  1  is in a folded down position. Two top arms  13  each have a first end  14  and a second end  15 . The first end  14  of each top arm  13  is pivotally attached to the second end  12  of each middle arm  10 . The second end  15  of each top arm  13  is pivotally attached to a the bracket  16 , which may be integral to the binoculars  3  or attached to the binoculars  3  via an attachment means  17 , such as screws  18 , nuts, bolts, adhesive, hook and loop fastener, clamps, etc. An optional strap  20  may be worn around the user&#39;s head to provide additional support to the attachment device  1  and binoculars  3  to hold the firmly on the user&#39;s head. The strap  20  may be one strap that is placed around the user&#39;s entire head or multiple straps  20  that attach to the side of a hat. 
         [0019]    With reference to  FIG. 3 , a side view of an attachment device  1  of the present invention is shown. The attachment device  1  comprises at least one substantially U-shaped clip  5  a brim  4  of a hat  2 . Slides  6  are slidably attached to each clip  5 . The slides  6  allow a user to adjust the binoculars  3  forward and backward, thereby adjusting the distance between the binoculars  3  and the users eyes when the attachment device  1  is in a downward position. Two bottom arms  7  each have a first end  8  and a second end  9 . The first end  8  of each bottom arm  7  is pivotally attached to each slide  6 . Two middle arms  10  each have a first end  11  and a second end  12 . The first end  11  of each middle arm  10  is pivotally attached to the second end  9  of each bottom arm  7 . The middle arms  10  may be straight or curved, as shown herein, to provide additional clearance for the brim  4  of the hat  2  when the attachment device  1  is an a folded down position. Two top arms  13  each have a first end  14  and a second end  15 . The first end  14  of each top arm  13  is pivotally attached to the second end  12  of each middle arm  10 . The second end  15  of each top arm  13  is pivotally attached to a bracket  16 , which may be integral to the binoculars  3  or attached to the binoculars  3  via an attachment means  17 , such as screws  18 , nuts, bolts, adhesive, hook and loop fastener, clamps, etc. 
         [0020]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , a front view of an attachment device  1  of the present invention having two clips  5  and folded flat is shown. As shown here, the attachment device  1  comprises two substantially U-shaped clips  5  for attachment to a brim  4  of a hat  2 . Slides  6  are slidably attached to each clip  5 . The slides  6  allow a user to adjust the binoculars  3  forward and backward, thereby adjusting the distance between the binoculars  3  and the users eyes when the attachment device  1  is in a downward position. Two bottom arms  7  each have a first end  8  and a second end  9 . The first end  8  of each bottom arm  7  is pivotally attached to each slide  6 . Two middle arms  10  each have a first end  11  and a second end  12 . The first end  11  of each middle arm  10  is pivotally attached to the second end  9  of each bottom arm  7 . The middle arms  10  may be straight or curved, as shown herein, to provide additional clearance for the brim  4  of the hat  2  when the attachment device  1  is an a folded down position. Two top arms  13  each have a first end  14  and a second end  15 . The first end  14  of each top arm  13  is pivotally attached to the second end  12  of each middle arm  10 . The second end  15  of each top arm  13  is pivotally attached to a bracket  16  via an adjustment means  21 . The brackets  16  which may be integral to the binoculars  3  or attached to the binoculars  3  via an attachment means  17 , such as screws  18 , nuts, bolts, adhesive, hook and loop fastener, clamps, etc. The brackets  16  slidably attached to the adjustment means  21  to allow a user to adjust the distance between to brackets  16  in order to accommodate various sizes of binoculars. The top arms  13 , middle arms  10  and/or bottom arms  7  may have cross members  19  connecting each together to provide additional stability to the attachment device  1 . 
         [0021]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , a front view of an attachment device  1  of the present invention having a single clip  5  and folded flat is shown. The attachment device  1  comprises a substantially U-shaped clip  5  for attachment to a brim  4  of a hat  2 . A slide  6  is slidably attached to the clip  5 . The slide  6  allows a user to adjust the binoculars  3  forward and backward, thereby adjusting the distance between the binoculars  3  and the users eyes when the attachment device  1  is in a downward position. Two bottom arms  7  each have a first end  8  and a second end  9 . The first end  8  of each bottom arm  7  is pivotally attached to each slide  6 . Two middle arms  10  each have a first end  11  and a second end  12 . The first end  11  of each middle arm  10  is pivotally attached to the second end  9  of each bottom arm  7 . The middle arms  10  may be straight or curved, as shown herein, to provide additional clearance for the brim  4  of the hat  2  when the attachment device  1  is an a folded down position. Two top arms  13  each have a first end  14  and a second end  15 . The first end  14  of each top arm  13  is pivotally attached to the second end  12  of each middle arm  10 . The second end  15  of each top arm  13  is pivotally attached to a bracket  16 , which may be integral to the binoculars  3  or attached to the binoculars  3  via an attachment means  17 , such as screws  18 , nuts, bolts, adhesive, hook and loop fastener, clamps, etc. The top arms  13 , middle arms  10  and/or bottom arms  7  may have cross members  19  connecting each together to provide additional stability to the attachment device  1 . 
         [0022]    It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts or use herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is considered not to be limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.