Wearable device-securing system

Abstract

A wearable system for securing a device against a torso of a user. In one embodiment, the system includes an adjustable strap attached to a flap. A connector attached to opposite ends of the strap facilitates securing the device between the flap and a torso of a user via pressure applied by the strap. In a more specific embodiment, the device is an optical device, such as binoculars. In this embodiment, the flap is selectively attached to the strap, enabling the flap to exhibit an open configuration, a protective configuration, or a forward-folded configuration. When the flap is in the protective configuration, a section of the flap covers an aperture, such as a lens or other opening, of the optical device, thereby protecting the aperture. When the flap is in the forward configuration, a first portion of the flap is folded behind a portion of the elastic strap that extends between first and second connections that secure the strap to the flap. The flap includes a gripping surface on a first side of the flap that inhibits relative motion between the flap and the accompanying optical device.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This invention claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/642,176, entitled ADJUSTABLE BINOCULAR OR CAMERA BELT WITH INTERGRAL LENS COVER, filed on Jan. 7, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in full in this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is related in general to device holders and more specifically to a wearable apparatus for supporting devices, such as optical devices.

Apparatuses, such as straps and containers, for supporting devices, such as binoculars, cameras, range finders, infrared goggles, glasses, and so on, are employed in various demanding applications, including horseback riding, running, hunting, bird-watching, sport viewing, concert viewing, and military applications. Such applications often demand reliable and secure systems for maintaining devices in readily accessible, convenient, and non-cumbersome positions.

Convenient, protective, and non-cumbersome device support systems are particularly important in rugged outdoor applications, such as horseback riding and running, where extreme environments and movements and quick-access requirements are particularly demanding.

Conventionally, in these extreme applications, optical devices, such as binoculars, are often directly attached to shoulder, neck, or hand straps. Alternatively the devices are supported in pouches that are tied to shoulder straps, neck straps, or hand straps. Unfortunately, such support systems often allow accompanying binoculars and cameras to bounce and move. This excessive movement may increase the likelihood that the optical devices and accompanying pouches will contact surroundings, such as rocks, and trees, and body parts. Furthermore, the excessive movement may cause the optical devices to interfere with accompanying equipment, such as hunting or fishing gear. In addition, the neck straps and shoulder straps may undesirably tug at a user's neck or pull on a user's shoulder, thereby contributing to user discomfort and potentially creating neck and back problems.

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a wearable system for supporting a device, such as an object or piece of equipment, on a torso of a user. In one embodiment, the system includes an adjustable strap with an attached flap. A strap connector facilitates securing the device between the flap and the torso via pressure applied by the strap.

In a more specific embodiment, the device is an optical device, such as a camera, range finder, glasses, or binoculars. The flap is selectively attached to the elastic strap so as to enable the flap to exhibit an open configuration, a protective configuration, or a forward-folded configuration. When the flap is in the protective configuration, a section of the flap covers an aperture, such as a lens or other opening, of the optical device, thereby protecting the aperture. In the protective configuration, a first portion of the flap folds between the optical device and the torso. In the forward-folded configuration, a first portion of the flap folds behind a first section of the elastic strap that extends between the first and second connections that connect the flap to the adjustable strap. The first portion of the flap is secured by the first section of the elastic strap when the flap is in the forward-folded configuration. The flap, the strap, and the optical device are positioned so that the flap does not obstruct optical apertures of the optical device when the flap is in the forward-folded configuration or the open configuration. In the open configuration, the first portion of the flap is not folded behind the first section of the elastic strap or between the torso and the optical device.

In an illustrative embodiment, the system is adapted to be installed on the torso by pressing the optical device against the torso at the flap via the strap. The flap includes a gripping surface on a first side of the flap. The first side of the flap is adjacent to the optical device when the flap is in the forward-folded or protected configuration and installed on the torso. The forward-folded, open, and protected configuration enable the gripping surface to further inhibit motion of the optical device relative to the flap. The flap may be removably secured to the elastic strap to enable replacement of the flap with a different-shaped or sized flap. Alternatively, the flap may be trimmed to a desired size or shape. A bar-slide device may be connected to the strap to facilitate lengthening or shortening the strap.

Hence, embodiments of the present invention may obviate the need for special containers, backpacks, straps, and so on. Optical devices secured via embodiments of the present invention are readily and rapidly accessible and do not require unzipping or opening containers or protective pouches to remove the optical devices. Use of such conventional containers can result in undesirable delays, especially in applications such as bird watching, hunting, and photography, where quick reactions are important. Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention are lightweight, generally requiring less material than conventional device holders.

Furthermore, certain embodiments of the present invention may compliment existing optical-device straps by preventing undesirable bouncing, swinging, and other motion of the optical devices while hiking, horseback riding, and so on. Furthermore, use of embodiments of the present invention may relieve tension from optical-device straps that would otherwise place undesirable strain on the neck, shoulders, or other body parts. By relieving such tension, embodiments of the present invention may improve comfort and reduce possible injuries associated with use of the optical devices. This is especially true in applications involving use of particularly heavy or bulky binoculars or other optical devices.

In addition, certain embodiments of the present invention hold optical devices close to the chest, which keeps the optical devices out of the way. This is especially important in archery and shooting applications, where undesirable interference from objects, such as optical devices, is particularly dangerous.

Hence, embodiments of the present invention may compliment or replace existing device neck straps with an efficient mechanism for relieving neck strain, for preventing the devices from jostling, and for maintaining the device in a convenient and readily accessible location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a wearable device-securing system exhibiting a flap in a protective configuration according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the device-securing system of FIG. 1 wherein the flap is in an open configuration.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the device-securing system of FIG. 1 wherein the flap is in a forward-folded configuration.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a device-securing system having a lengthened flap according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIG. 1, a front view of a wearable device-securing system 10 is shown including a flap 12 in a protective configuration according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The system 10 of FIG. 1 includes a strap 14, which is attached to the flap 12 at a first sewn X-pattern connection 17 and a second sewn X-pattern connection 18. The strap 14 includes a central section 24 that extends between the first X-pattern connection 17 and the second X-pattern connection 18. The central section 24 is adjacent to the flap 12 and separates a top portion 20 and a bottom portion 22 of the flap 12. For illustrative purposes, the top portion 20 of the flap 12 is shown folded over a pair of binoculars 26. The flap 12 includes an inner gripping surface 28, which acts to protect and to grip an accompanying device, such as binoculars 16, thereby preventing or reducing motion of the binoculars 16 relative to the system 10 and relative to a torso 30 around which the strap 14 is to be attached.

Devices such as binoculars, monoculars, cameras, etc., are often provided with a neck strap such as neck strap 21 shown in FIG. 1 that is attached to binoculars 16. The neck strap is useful to prevent loss or damage to the device in case it is dropped from a user's hands while being used. A preferred embodiment of the invention does not have side portions so that neck straps or other protrusions on the sides of devices can be easily accommodated.

For the purposes of the present discussion, a device may be any object or piece of equipment, such as binoculars, range finders, necklace attachments, glasses, purses, and so on. In general, devices are small and light enough so they can be conveniently strapped to or otherwise secured to a user via embodiments of the present invention as discussed more fully below.

An optical device may be any device that is employed to view or register an image of an environment or scene. Examples of optical devices include cameras, glasses, binoculars, range finders, infrared devices, and so on.

An aperture may be any opening, such as a lens opening, that may allow light therethrough.

A torso may be any section of the body of a human, animal, or equipment around which a strap may be deployed in accordance with various embodiments discussed herein. For example, in certain applications, embodiments of the present invention may be strapped around or otherwise secured to pack horses, dogs, or other animals, and to backpacks, front packs, and other equipment.

A flap may be any piece of material that may be folded or bent or that is attached to a hinge or other mechanism that enables folding or bending. For example, a flap may be a piece of foldable or bendable material, such as neoprene, plastic, cloth and so on.

A holder may be any slot, aperture, pocket, or other mechanism that can secure a device or other object in a desired position. For example, a holder can be formed to receive rifle or gun cartridges, bird or animal calls or sound-making devices, lip balm dispensers, or any other type of object.

A connector may be any mechanism, such as belt buckles, clasps, zippers, ties, and so on, that enables two objects or parts of a single object to be secured relative to each other. An object may be any item or physical thing, such as a strap.

The system 10 further includes strap connector comprising a female buckle section 32 and a male buckle section 34, which are attached at opposite ends of the strap 14. The strap 14 runs through the female buckle section 32 and is folded back upon itself, creating a first folded strap section 38. The first folded strap section 38 extends between the female buckle section 32 and the first X-pattern connection 17. The first folded strap section 38 is sewn together in various locations, including at a third sewn X-pattern connection 36 and at the first X-pattern connection 17. The first folded strap section 38 of the strap 14 includes various vertical stitches 40, which form various holders 42 therebetween. For illustrative purposes, the holders 42 are shown accommodating various bullets 44.

The strap 14 includes a second extendable strap section 46. In the second extendable strap section 46, the strap 14 runs through the male buckle section 34; folds back upon itself; and extends to the a three-bar slider 48. The three-bar slider 48 allows the initial length of the second extendable strap section 46 to be adjusted. The three-bar slider 48 may be replaced with another mechanism that enables the length of the strap 14 to be adjusted without departing from the scope of the present invention. The length of the strap 14 may also be adjusted by stretching the strap 14, which is an elastic strap in the present embodiment. For the purposes of the present discussion, an elastic material or item, such as a strap, is any material item that may be stretched by a user, after which the material or item returns to its original size and shape.

A first ring 50 and a second ring 52 are attached to the strap 14 at opposite sides of the flap 12. In the present specific embodiment, the rings 50, 52 are positioned adjacent to the first X-pattern connection 17 and the second X-pattern connection 18, respectively. The rings 50, 52 may be used to hang equipment, such as bird-calling devices, fishing hooks and lures, sunglasses, and so on. The central strap section 24 includes a convenient label space 54, which readily accommodates logos, emblems, and/or patches.

The flap 12 in FIG. 1 is in a protective configuration, wherein the flap 12 covers apertures of the binoculars 16. The flap 12 may be trimmed to accommodate optical devices of different sizes and shapes. In the present embodiment, the flap 12 is constructed from neoprene, and the gripping surface is 28 is implemented via textured neoprene, rubber, or other polymer. The flap 12 may also be folded open into an open configuration or the flap 12 may be folded forward and secured between the flap 12 and the central strap section 24 in a forward-folded configuration as discussed more fully below.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the device-securing system 10 of FIG. 1 wherein the flap 12 is in an open configuration. When in the open configuration, the flap 12 is folded open, exposing optical apertures 60, 62 of the binoculars 16.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the device-securing system 10 of FIG. 1 wherein the flap 12 is in a forward-folded configuration. When in the forward-folded configuration, the flap 12 is folded forward so that the top portion 20 of the flap 12 folds behind the central strap section 24. The central strap section 24 holds the top portion of the flap 12 securely against itself.

In operation, with reference to FIGS. 1-3, the strap 14 and accompanying flap 12 is strapped around the torso 30 of a user. The length of the strap 14 is adjusted via the three-bar slider 48 so that when the system 10 is strapped around the torso 30, the strap 14 creates sufficient pressure to secure the binoculars 16 to the torso 30 at the flap 12. A user may place the binoculars 16 behind the flap 12 after the strap 14 is fastened around the torso 30. Alternatively, the system 10 may be fastened around the torso 30 after the binoculars 16 are placed around a user's neck via binocular neck straps (not shown). For example, after the binoculars 16 or other device, such as a camera, or range finder, is hung around a user's neck or shoulder, the user may subsequently rap the strap 14 around the torso 30 and the binoculars 16 and then fasten the female buckle section 32 and the male buckle section 34 together. The user may then position the flap 12 over the binoculars 16 and then employ the three-bar slider 48 to adjust the length of the strap 14 as desired.

Hence, the system 10 does not require containers, pouches, or other mechanisms to fasten to or hold the binoculars 16 or other devices, since only the inner gripping surface 28 of the flap 12 and the pressure applied between the strap 14 and the torso 30 via the strap 14 are used prevent undesirable motion of the binoculars 16.

The strap 14 may be fastened around various different portions of the body depending upon the application. For example, the system 10 may be fastened around a waist to accommodate heavy objects or around an upper chest to accommodate sunglasses with short sunglass straps.

In the protected, open, or forward-folded configuration, the binoculars 16 are readily removable from behind the flap 12. For example, to remove the binoculars 16, a user may employ one hand to pull or push the flap or strap 14 away from the torso (see 10 of FIG. 1) and then pull the binoculars 16 or other device, such as via binocular straps, from behind the flap 12 with the other hand.

Other methods for removing the binoculars 16 may be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, in certain situations, the system 10 is worn loosely enough so that a brisk tug on accompanying binocular straps (not shown) is sufficient to remove the binoculars 16 from behind the flap 12. This method is particularly useful when the flap 12 is in the open or forward-folded configuration.

Hence, the system 10 implements a system for securing an optical device or other device to a user's body. The system 10 includes a first mechanism 14 for creating pressure against the torso 30 of a user and a second mechanism 12 for securing the optical device to the torso 30 via the pressure. The first mechanism 14 includes the adjustable strap 14, which has the adjustable flap 12 attached thereto.

In the present specific embodiments of FIGS. 1-3, the strap 14 is implemented via a continuous piece of elastic that is folded over at the second section 38. The holders 42 are sewn in the folded section 38 of the adjustable strap 14. The continuous piece of elastic 14 that forms the strap 14 extends between the female buckle section 32 and the male buckle section 34, which represent a first portion 32 of a buckle connector and a second portion 34 of a buckle connector, respectively.

The adjustable strap 14 includes plural separate segments, including the first folded strap section 38, the second extendable strap section 46, and the central section 24. The flap 12 is attached to the central section 24. Additional devices, such as loops implemented via the plastic rings 50, are attached to the adjustable strap 14 to facilitate attaching objects to the system 10. Various accessories, such as wildlife calls, clip-on pockets, cleaning apparatuses, and so on, may be attached to the system 10 via the rings 50, 52 or via other mechanisms without departing from the cope of the present invention.

The flap 12 is positioned relative to the strap 14 and the optical device 16 so that pressure between the torso 30 and the flap 12 secures the optical device 16 to the torso 30.

When the system 10 is in the protective configuration, as shown in FIG. 1, the flap 12 is folded over an aperture 60, 62 of the optical device 16. In the protective configuration the flap 12 is folded over the optical device 16 and secured between the optical device 16 and the torso 30 via pressured therebetween provided by the adjustable strap 14.

A side of the flap 12 includes the gripping surface 28. When the system 10 is in the first protective configuration, the gripping surface 28 is oriented relative to the adjustable strap 14 and the optical device 16 so that the gripping surface 28 faces the optical device 16, thereby gripping the optical device 16 and preventing further movement thereof. When the system 10 is in an inside-out configuration (not shown) one portion of the gripping surface 28 faces away from the optical device and is adjacent to the torso when the gripping surface 28 is folded over the optical device 16.

For the purposes of the present discussion, a gripping surface is any surface that provides a coefficient of friction that is suitable to maintain a device, such as the binoculars 16, in a desired configuration and/or orientation when pressure is applied to the device via embodiments of the present invention. Examples of gripping surfaces include textured rubber, textured foam, etc.

The system 10 of FIGS. 1-3 includes a third mechanism 12, 16, 18, 24 for maintaining the flap 12 in the forward-folded configuration. The third mechanism 12, 16, 18, 24 is implemented via the central section 24 of the flap and the accompanying sewn connections 16, 18, which facilitate pressing the top portion 20 of the flap 12 between the adjustable strap 14 and a bottom portion 22 of the flap 12.

In the specific embodiments, the flap 12 is attached to the adjustable strap 14 at a first attachment point and a second attachment point, corresponding to the first sewn X-pattern connection 17 and the second sewn X-pattern connection 18, respectively. The top portion 20 of the flap 20 folds into a space 64 between the first attachment point 16 and the second attachment point 18. The space 64 is adapted to accommodate one end 20 of the flap 12.

The flap 12 and the space 64 are constructed so that when the flap 12 is in the forward-folded configuration as shown in FIG. 3, a fold loop 66 is formed in the flap 12. The fold loop 66 is adapted to accommodate an object, such as light fishing pole or other equipment (not shown).

The flap 12 is adapted to adjust to the open position as shown in FIG. 2, wherein the top portion 20 of the flap 12 is not pressed between the optical device 16 and the torso 30 and is not pressed between the adjustable strap 14 and the lower portion 22 of the flap 12.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a device-securing system 70 having a lengthened flap 72 according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The construction and operation of the system 70 of FIG. 4 is similar to the construction of the system 10 of FIGS. 1-3 with the exception that the foldable flap 12 of FIGS. 1-3 is replaced with the lengthened flap 72, and the continuous strap 14 of FIGS. 1-3 is replaced with a distinctly segmented strap 78 in FIG. 4. The segmented strap 78 is separated into a first segment 74, a central second segment 76, and a third segment 80 at a first loop 82 and a second loop 84. The loops 82, 84 may be opened so that the lengthened flap 72 may be removed from the segmented strap 78.

The first segment 74 is implemented via a piece of elastic material that extends through the first loop 82 and the female buckle section 32. The resulting folded material is sewn together at an additional sewn X-pattern connection 94, where both ends of the first segment 74 terminate. Similarly, the end of the third segment 80 that extends through the second loop 84 terminates at another sewn X-pattern connection 96. The end of the third segment 80 that extends through the male buckle section 34 terminates at or near the three-bar slider 48, which enables the initial length of the third segment 80 to be adjusted.

In the present illustrative embodiment, the lengthened flap 72 is equipped with hook Velcro® 86 on an inner gripping side 88 of one end 90 of the flap 72 and is further equipped with loop Velcro® 92 strategically positioned at various locations on a front side of the flap 72.

In operation, the flap 72 is sufficiently long to extend and fold around the bottom of the binoculars 16 to enable the hook Velcro® 86 to attach to the loop Velcro® 92, thereby protecting a bottom end 98 of the binoculars 16. Alternatively, the Velcro® 86, 90 is omitted, and the end 90 of the flap 72 folds around a bottom end 98 of the binoculars 16 and behind the central section 76 of the flap 72. In this case, the central strap section 76 presses the end 90 of the flap 72 against the lower portion 22 of the flap 72. The flap 72 may be made long enough to accommodate various sizes of optical devices.

The neoprene flap 72 can be trimmed down or cut with scissors to suit different equipment sizes. Alternatively, the flap 72 can be readily replaced with different flaps with custom dimensions and shapes.

While various embodiments of FIGS. 1-4 are indicated as being constructed from specific materials, such as neoprene, elastic, Velcro®, or other materials, other types of materials and fastening mechanisms may be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, flaps 12, 72 may be implemented via polymer gels, specially coated plastic, and so on, instead of or in addition to neoprene. The Velcro® and the female and male buckle connectors 32, 34 may be replaced with other types of fasteners, such as button systems or ties. The elastic material employed to implement the straps 14, 78 may be replaced with rigid material.

The bar-slide device 48 of FIGS. 1-4 may be implemented via any type of strap-length-adjusting mechanism without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, with reference to FIG. 4, various snaps may be included along the third segment 80 of the strap 78 so that the elastic of the third segment 80 may extend through and fold around male buckle section 34 and snap into place at various snaps positioned along the third segment 80, thereby enabling the default or initial length of third segment 80 to be extended or shrunk.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, while the systems 10, 70 of FIG. 104 are shown supporting binoculars 16 by pressing the binoculars 16 against the torso 30, the system 10 may be readily employed to support virtually any type of suitably sized device or object against the torso 30 of a user. The system 10 is particularly effective in supporting devices that are conventionally attached to neck or shoulder straps. Use of the system 10 may relieve neck strain, shoulder strain; may reduce undesirable motion of the accompanying object 16; and may hold the object 16 out of the way of other equipment, such as rifles, bows and arrows, and so on. Hence, embodiments of the present invention may be considered as providing mechanisms to augment, compliment, or replace conventional neck or shoulder straps.

While embodiments of the present invention have been primarily discussed with respect to pressing objects, such as optical devices, against a torso of a user, embodiments of the present invention may be employed to hold objects to other parts of the body without departing from the scope thereof. For example, various embodiments of the present invention may be fastened around users' waists. The accompanying flaps may be positioned on users' hips in certain applications, such as applications involving securing optical devices or other objects or bags that have shoulder straps.

In the description herein, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of components and/or methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that an embodiment of the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other apparatus, systems, assemblies, methods, components, materials, parts, and/or the like. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not specifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of embodiments of the present invention.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “a specific embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention and not necessarily in all embodiments. Thus, respective appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, or “in a specific embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics of any specific embodiment of the present invention may be combined in any suitable manner with one or more other embodiments. It is to be understood that other variations and modifications of the embodiments of the present invention described and illustrated herein are possible in light of the teachings herein and are to be considered as part of the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It will also be appreciated that one or more of the elements depicted in the drawings/figures can also be implemented in a more separated or integrated manner, or even removed or rendered as inoperable in certain cases, as is useful in accordance with a particular application.

Additionally, any signal arrows in the drawings/figures should be considered only as exemplary, and not limiting, unless otherwise specifically noted. Furthermore, the term “or” as used herein is generally intended to mean “and/or” unless otherwise indicated. Combinations of components or steps will also be considered as being noted, where terminology is foreseen as rendering the ability to separate or combine is unclear.

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow “a”, an and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Furthermore, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present invention, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed herein. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes only, various equivalent modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate. As indicated, these modifications may be made to the present invention in light of the foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present invention and are to be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Thus, while the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosures, and it will be appreciated that in some instances some features of embodiments of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth. Therefore, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the essential scope and spirit of the present invention. It is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular terms used in following claims and/or to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include any and all embodiments and equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus that is worn by a user for securing a device to the user, the apparatus comprising:

first means for creating pressure in a direction toward a torso of the user; and

second means coupled to the first means, for applying pressure to the device via a surface having a coefficient of friction such that the device is prevented from movement.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the first means includes an adjustable strap having a flap attached thereto.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the adjustable strap includes an elastic strap.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the flap includes neoprene.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein the adjustable strap includes one or more holders sewn therein.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the strap includes a continuous piece of material folded over at one end, wherein the one or more holders are sewn in a folded section of the adjustable strap.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein a holder is formed to receive a gun cartridge.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein the continuous piece of material extends between a first portion of a connector and a second portion of a connector.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the first portion of a connector and a second portion of a connector represent sections of a buckle.

10. The system of claim 3 wherein the adjustable strap includes plural separate segments, and wherein the flap is flap is attached to one of the segments.

11. The system of claim 3 further including one or more loops or hooks for attaching objects to the system, wherein loops or hooks attached to the adjustable strap or the flap.

12. The system of claim 3 wherein the flap is positioned relative to the strap and the device so that pressure between the torso and the flap secures the device to the torso.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the system includes a protective configuration wherein the flap is folded over an aperture of the device, wherein the device includes an optical device.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein in the protective configuration the flap is folded over the optical device and secured between the optical device and the torso via pressured therebetween provided by the adjustable strap.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein a side of the flap includes a gripping surface.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein when the system is in a protective configuration, the gripping surface is oriented relative to the adjustable strap and the optical device so that the gripping surface faces the optical device.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the system further includes third means for maintaining the flap in a forward-folded configuration.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the third means includes fourth means for pressing a first portion of the flap between the adjustable strap and a second portion of the flap.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein the flap is attached to the adjustable strap at a first attachment point and a second attachment point, the third means including a space between the first attachment point and the second attachment point, the space adapted to accommodate one end of the flap.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the flap and the space are constructed so that when the flap is in the forward-folded configuration, a loop is formed in the flap.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein the loop is adapted to accommodate an object.

22. The system of claim 17 wherein the flap is adapted to adjust to an open position wherein a top end of the flap is not pressed between the optical device and the torso and is not pressed between the adjustable strap and a second portion of the flap.

23. The system of claim 16 wherein the system further includes forth means for attaching one side of the flap to another side of the flap, thereby creating a space for accommodating the optical device.

24. A system for supporting an optical device comprising:

an adjustable strap;

a flap attached to the adjustable strap; and

a connector for securing the optical device between the flap and a torso of a user via pressure applied by the strap.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein the flap is selectively attached to the elastic strap to enable the flap to exhibit an open configuration, a protective configuration, and a forward-folded configuration.

26. The system of claim 25 wherein when the flap is in the protective configuration, a section of the flap covers an aperture of the optical device, thereby protecting the aperture.

27. The system of claim 25 wherein the flap is attached to the adjustable strap at a first connection and a second connection, a portion of the flap being adapted to fold behind a first section of the elastic strap that extends between the first and second connections, the flap thereby being secured by the first section of the elastic strap when the flap is in the forward-folded configuration.

28. The system of claim 25 wherein the flap, the strap, and the optical device are positioned so that the flap does not obstruct optical apertures of the optical device when the flap is in the forward-folded configuration or the open configuration.

29. The system of claim 28 wherein the system is adapted to be installed on a torso of a user, the optical device being pressed against the torso at the flap.

30. The system of claim 28 wherein the flap includes a gripping surface on a first side of the flap.

31. The system of claim 30 wherein the first side of the flap is adjacent to the optical device when the flap is in the forward-folded configuration or the protected configuration and installed on the torso, thereby enabling the gripping surface to further inhibit motion of the optical device relative to the system and the torso.

32. The system of claim 24 wherein the flap is removably secured to the elastic strap.

33. The system of claim 25 wherein the flap includes material that may be trimmed or cut with scissors.

34. The system of claim 25 further including a bar-slide device connected to the strap to facilitate lengthening or shortening the strap.

35. A method for securing a device relative to a torso of a user comprising:

creating pressure against the torso via an adjustable strap and a flap; and

securing the optical device to the torso via the pressure between the flap and the torso.