Headwear
Headwear comprising a headband portion, a brim portion, a lens receiving portion, and a vision enhancing element operatively coupled with the lens receiving portion. The lens receiving portion and brim portion may be formed as a single-piece unitary member, such as a single piece of plastic.
The present application is a continuation of U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 11/386,358, filed Mar. 22, 2006, which claimed priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/664,530, filed Mar. 24, 2005, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELDThis invention relates to headwear, such as a visor or cap. In particular, this invention relates to headwear with a binocular assembly.
BACKGROUNDBinoculars are used in many different activities, such as spectator sports, concerts, and bird watching, to magnify a distant point. In sporting events held at large arenas, for example, spectators may be far away from players on the field. Accordingly, spectators often bring binoculars to more easily see the activities occurring on the field. Carrying the binoculars to the event, however, can be cumbersome and tiring. Moreover, a spectator may experience physical discomfort with the prolonged use of binoculars due to the muscular fatigue caused by raising arms his/her aims for an extended time.
Binoculars mounted to the brim of a visor or cap have been devised. However, many of these designs include unsightly and complex mechanisms for attaching the binoculars to the brim. Additionally, the weight that the binoculars add to the brim can be bulky and cumbersome to wear.
SUMMARYA headwear in accordance with one aspect of the invention comprises a headband portion, a brim portion, a lens receiving portion and a vision enhancing element operatively coupled with the lens receiving portion. The brim portion may be proximate to the headband portion. The lens receiving portion and brim portion may be formed as a single-piece unitary member.
In some exemplary embodiments, the lens receiving portion and the brim portion are formed as a single piece of plastic. Embodiments are also contemplated in which the vision enhancing element is movable with respect to the lens receiving portion along a longitudinal axis of the lens receiving portion.
Depending on the exigencies of a particular application, the lens receiving portion may be generally cylindrical in shape. In some such embodiments, the lens receiving portion may define an elongated hole that is dimensioned to receive the vision enhancing element. Typically, the lens receiving portion may extend below the brim portion. In some embodiments, a focus adjustment member may be provided. In such embodiments, the focus adjustment member may extend through the hole in the lens receiving portion. In many cases, the focus adjustment member may be engagable to move the vision enhancing element with respect to the lens receiving portion. For example the lens receiving portion may include a longitudinally extending groove through which at least a portion of the focus adjustment member extends.
In other examples, the lens receiving portion may be a channel defined in the brim portion. For example, the channel may be dimensioned to receive at least a portion of a rim surrounding the vision enhancing element. Typically, the rim may include an extension that is received by the channel.
According to a further aspect, the invention provides headwear comprising a brim portion pivotally coupled to a headband portion. The brim may move between a lowered position and a raised position. A binocular assembly may also be provided that is disposed below the brim portion. The headwear may be configured such that the binocular assembly is axially aligned with a user's eye when the brim portion is in the lowered position, but not in the raised position.
In some examples, the binocular assembly comprises a pair of lens receiving members and a pair of magnifying lenses selectively attachable to the lens receiving members. Typically, the pair of lens receiving members and the brim portion are formed as a unitary member. For example, the pair of lens receiving members and the brim portion could be formed as a single piece of plastic.
According to a further aspect, the invention provides a method of configuring headwear. The method may include the step of providing headwear including a headband portion, a brim portion extending from the headband portion and a lens receiving portion extending from the brim portion. The method may also include the step of providing a magnifying lens. Additionally, the method may include coupling the magnifying lens with the lens receiving portion. In some examples, the method may include moving the magnifying lens with respect to the lens receiving portion, such that the lens receiving portion is stationary with respect to the brim portion.
Additional features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the illustrated embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.
The present disclosure will be described hereafter with reference to the attached drawings which are given as non-limiting examples only, in which:
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. The exemplification set out herein illustrates embodiments of the invention, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSIn the example shown, headwear 100 comprises a headband portion 102, a brim portion 104 and a binocular assembly 106. Headband portion 102 encircles the head of the user. Optionally, a crown portion 107 may be integrally formed with and/or attached to headband portion 102 to cover the user's head. In some embodiments, headband portion 102 may be formed entirely from plastic. Embodiments are also contemplated in which headband portion 102 may be formed from other materials, such as fabric, elastic material, or leather. It should be appreciated that headband portion 102 may be formed from a combination of plastic, fabric, elastic material, leather, or other materials.
Brim portion 104 extends from headband portion 102 to shade the user's eyes and/or face. Brim portion 104 may be formed from various materials, such as plastic, fabric, leather, or a combination of materials. Any materials that may be used for the brim of a cap or visor may be suitable for brim portion 104. As discussed below, at least a portion of binocular assembly 106 may be formed as a unitary member with brim portion 104, Preferably, binocular assembly 106 magnifies a distant point when axially aligned with the user's eyes. However, the term “binocular assembly” is not intended to be limited to magnification, but refers to a vision enhancement for the user. For example, binocular assembly 106 may be configured for night vision, virtual reality, optical filtration, or sunglasses. In the example shown, binocular assembly 106 extends below brim portion 104.
In some embodiments, brim portion 104 may be pivotally coupled to headband portion 102, which allows brim portion 104 to move between a lowered position (
In the example shown, brim portion 104 includes a brim extension 108 with a pivot hole 110 that is dimensioned to receive a knob 112 on headband portion 102. Although this pivotal connection is shown for purposes of example, it should be appreciated that other suitable pivotal connections may be used. For example, a rivet joint between brim extension 108 and headband portion 102 may provide a pivotal connection.
Embodiments are also contemplated without a pivotal connection between brim portion 104 and headband portion 102. For example, brim portion 104 and headband portion 102 may be fixedly attached or formed as a unitary member. In such an embodiment, the user would remove headwear 100 when binocular assembly 106 is not desired.
In the example shown, brim portion 104 is linearly movable with respect to headband portion 102 (as indicated by arrows in
Headband portion 102 may include an adjustable member 122 to vary the diameter of headband portion 102, which allows headband portion 102 to accommodate various sizes of heads. Although an interlocking structure is shown for purposes of example, other headband adjustments could be used, such as hook and loop fasteners or buckle and straps. Other embodiments are contemplated in which at least a portion of headband portion 102 may include an elastic material to vary the diameter of headband portion 102.
In the example shown, binocular assembly 106 comprises a lens receiving portion 124 that is configured to receive a vision enhancing element, such as a magnifying lens. In some embodiments, lens receiving portion 124 may include a left lens receiving member 130 and/or a right lens receiving member 132. Each lens receiving member 130, 132 may include an elongated hole dimensioned to receive at least one magnifying lens. Lens receiving members 130, 132 are cylindrical in the examples shown in
Binocular assembly 106 may include a left eye lens 134 and right eye lens 136. A left objective lens 138 and right objective lens 140 may also be included in binocular assembly 106. In the example shown, left and right eye lenses 134, 136 are received in the proximate end of left and right lens receiving members 130, 132, respectively. In some examples, eye lenses 134, 136 may be attached to lens receiving members 130, 132 using a fictional fit, threaded fit, interference fit or other connection. This example also shows left and right objective lenses 138, 140 received in the distal end of left and right receiving members 130, 132, respectively. Accordingly, in this example, left eye lens 134 is axially aligned with left objective lens 138, while right eye lens 136 is axially aligned with right objective lens 140. Embodiments are contemplated in which binocular assembly 106 may be assembled by inserting eye lenses 134, 136 into the proximate end of lens receiving members 130, 132 and objective lenses 138, 140 into distal end of lens receiving members 130, 132. It should be appreciated that eye lenses 134, 136 and/or objective lenses 138, 140 could each be formed as a single lens. For example, a single eye lens dimensioned to be axially aligned with the user's left and right eyes could be used instead of separate eye lenses for the user's left and right eyes. Likewise, a single objective lens dimensioned to be axially aligned with the user's left and right eyes could be used instead of separate objective lenses for the user's left and right eyes. Embodiments are also contemplated in which additional magnifying lenses may be included in binocular assembly 106. For example, additional magnifying lenses may be provided to adjust magnification of a distant point.
Objective lenses 138, 140 may be movable with respect to eye lenses 134, 136 for purposes of focusing (as best seen in
Lens receiving portion 124 and brim portion 104 may be formed as an unitary member.
Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments from the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of the present disclosure and various changes and modifications may be made to adapt the various uses and characteristics without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.
Claims
1. A method for making headwear with vision enhancing features, the method comprising the steps of:
- forming a headwear body including a brim portion and an elongated lens receiving portion from a single-piece unitary member, wherein said lens receiving portion has a longitudinally-extending opening therethrough;
- placing a magnifying lens within a proximal end of said lens receiving portion;
- placing an objective lens within a distal end of said lens receiving portion wherein said objective lens is movable with respect to said magnifying lens; and
- providing a focus adjustment member coupled with said objective lens, wherein said focus adjustment lens is movable along a longitudinal axis of said lens receiving portion.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said headwear body includes a headband portion that is linearly movable with respect to said brim portion.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein said lens receiving portion and said brim portion are formed as a single piece of plastic.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein said lens receiving portion is entirely disposed below said brim portion.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein said lens receiving portion includes a stop proximate said distal end to limit movement of said objective lens.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein said focus adjustment member is entirely disposed below said brim portion.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein said headwear body includes a headband portion that is pivotally connected with said brim portion.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein said brim portion is linearly movable with respect to said headband portion.
9. Headwear comprising:
- a headband portion;
- a brim portion extending from said headband portion;
- a first lens receiving portion extending below said brim portion;
- a second lens receiving portion extending below said brim portion;
- a first magnifying lens disposed within said first lens receiving portion;
- a second magnifying lens disposed within said second lens receiving portion;
- a first objective lens axially aligned with said first magnifying lens;
- a second objective lens axially aligned with said second magnifying lens;
- a focus adjustment element coupled with said first objective lens and said second objective lens; and
- wherein said focus adjustment element is linearly movable with respect to said first lens receiving portion and said second lens receiving portion.
10. The headwear of claim 9, wherein the focus adjustment element is disposed between said first lens receiving portion and said second lens receiving portion.
11. The headwear of claim 9, wherein said first lens receiving portion and said second lens receiving portion are substantially cylindrical in shape.
12. The headwear of claim 9, wherein said brim portion is pivotally connected to said headband portion.
13. The headwear of claim 9, wherein said brim portion is linearly movable with respect to said headband portion.
14. The headwear of claim 9, further comprising a crown portion attached to said brim portion for covering a user's head.
15. The headwear of claim 14, wherein the brim portion has an arcuate shape.
16. The headwear of claim 14, wherein said brim portion has a substantially uninterrupted surface contour.
17. Headwear formed by a process comprising the steps of:
- forming a headwear body including a brim portion and an elongated lens receiving portion from a single-piece unitary member, wherein said lens receiving portion has a longitudinally-extending opening therethrough;
- placing a magnifying lens within a proximal end of said lens receiving portion;
- placing an objective lens within a distal end of said lens receiving portion wherein said objective lens is movable with respect to said magnifying lens; and
- providing a focus adjustment member coupled with said objective lens, wherein said focus adjustment lens is movable along a longitudinal axis of said lens receiving portion.
18. The headwear of claim 17, wherein said headwear body includes a headband portion that is linearly movable with respect to said brim portion and wherein said lens receiving portion and said brim portion are formed as a single piece of plastic.
19. The headwear of claim 17, wherein said lens receiving portion and said focus adjustment member are entirely disposed below said brim portion.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein said headwear body includes a headband portion that is pivotally connected with said brim portion and wherein said brim portion is linearly movable with respect to said headband portion.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 6, 2008
Publication Date: May 29, 2008
Inventor: Christopher D. Clark (Marietta, GA)
Application Number: 12/027,003
International Classification: A42B 1/24 (20060101); A42B 1/00 (20060101); G02C 3/00 (20060101);