RETRACTABLE CARRYING DEVICE FOR AN OPTICAL DEVICE

Abstract

Provided is a carrying device having a housing including a housing recess defining a recess face. The device further includes an alignment member being insertable within the housing recess. The alignment member defines an insertion orientation relative to the housing when an inner end portion is facing toward the housing recess, the outer end portion is facing away from the housing recess, and the alignment face is facing toward the recess face. The alignment member is sized to limit insertion into the housing recess to insertion when the alignment member is in the insertion orientation. The alignment member is disposed in a stowed position in fixed relation relative to the housing upon insertion into the housing recess. A tether is connected to the alignment member and is retractably connected to the housing.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/478,947 entitled RETRACTABLE CARRYING DEVICE FOR AN OPTICAL DEVICE filed Jun. 5, 2009, which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/904,390, entitled RETRACTABLE CARRYING DEVICE FOR AN OPTICAL DEVICE filed Sep. 27, 2007, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

(Not Applicable)

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a carrying device for a viewing tool, and more particularly to a retractable device mountable on a support member to facilitate transport of the viewing tool during sporting activities, such as hunting.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is well known among hunters and target shooters that gravity influences the trajectory of a projectile, whether it is a bullet, arrow, or other hunting ammunition. Consequently, it is generally important for a hunter to know the distance to a particular target. As the distance between the hunter and his target increases, the hunter typically makes a larger adjustment to account for the influence of gravity on his shot. Some hunters draw on past experience to estimate the distance to the target. However, there may be inherent inaccuracy involved with estimation which leads to undesirable results.

Improvements in hunting technology have lead to range-finding devices that may provide the hunter with a more accurate determination of the distance between the hunter and the target. The range-finding devices provide the hunter with valuable information which the hunter uses to adjust his shot, accordingly.

Although range-finding devices may be a useful tool to a hunter, the hunter may be required to carry the range-finding device while he searches for a target. Hunters typically hunt in remote locations which may only be accessible by foot. Therefore, many of the range-finding devices are designed to be compact and easily carried. For instance, many range-finding devices fit into a carrying case which may include a strap wearable around the neck or shoulder of the hunter. Other carrying cases may be mountable directly to a belt or shoulder strap.

Despite the fact that carrying cases tend to alleviate transport of the range-finding devices, the carrying cases may hinder access and operability of the devices. For instance, the range-finding device may be tightly or compactly stored within the carrying case thereby making removal a loud and time consuming endeavor. Furthermore, once the device is removed from the case, the hunter may spend time positioning the range-finder within his hand to enable proper operation of the device (i.e. positioned such that the eyepiece is adjacent to a hunter's eye and the trigger button is depressed). Hunting is a sport that generally requires quick and quiet movements in order to take advantage of a brief window in which the target is attainable. This retrieval process consumes valuable time and may produce noise which is likely to scare away the game.

As such, there is a need in the art for a carrying device for a rangefinder that provides quick and easy access thereto. Furthermore, there is a need for a carrying device which repeatedly positions the range-finder in a ready-to-use orientation.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a carrying device for use with a viewing tool and a support member. The carrying device includes a housing body including an outer face, an opposing inner face and a peripheral wall disposed between the outer face and the inner face. The housing body includes a housing recess extending into the housing body from the peripheral face and the outer face. The housing recess defines a recess face and a recess wall extending between the recess face and the outer face. The recess wall defines a housing groove formed within the recess wall. The housing groove extends from the peripheral face into the housing recess. An alignment spine protrudes from the recess face toward the outer face. The carrying device further includes an alignment member including a flange having a flange indexing face defining a flange indexing contour. A housing contact element is connected to the flange and is insertable within the housing recess. The housing contact element defines an inner end portion and an outer end portion. The housing contact element includes an alignment face extending between the inner end portion and the outer end portion. The housing contact element further includes an alignment wall extending between the alignment face and the flange. The alignment member defines an insertion orientation relative to the housing body when the inner end portion is facing toward the housing recess, the outer end portion is facing away from the housing recess, and the alignment face is facing toward the recess face. The housing contact element is sized and configured to limit insertion into the housing recess to insertion when the alignment member is in the insertion orientation. The alignment member is disposed in a stowed position in fixed relation relative to the housing body upon insertion into the housing recess. A rib is connected to and extends from the alignment wall and is sized and configured to be disposed within the housing groove as the housing contact element is inserted into the housing in the insertion orientation. An alignment groove is formed within the alignment face and extends from the inner end portion to the outer end portion. The alignment groove is sized and configured to receive the alignment spine as the housing contact element is inserted into the housing recess in the insertion orientation. The carrying device additionally includes a first indexing member being engageable with the viewing tool and including a first indexing face defining a first indexing contour being complimentary to the flange indexing contour to enable rotational indexing of the alignment member relative to the first indexing member. A tether is connected to the alignment member and is retractably connected to the housing body. An exposed segment of tether extends between the housing recess and the alignment member upon removal of the alignment member from the housing recess.

The carrying device may be configured to allow for quick and easy attachment to a support member for carrying a viewing tool. Rotation of the first indexing member relative to the alignment member may facilitate disposal of the viewing tool in a desirable orientation relative to the support member to enable simple retrieval and return of the viewing tool to and from the housing body. Furthermore, the alignment member may be sized and configured to fit into the housing recess in only one orientation. In this manner, the viewing tool may be returned to the same orientation upon insertion of the housing contact element into the housing recess.

The outer face of the housing body may define a raised section and a lowered section, with the housing recess being disposed within the lowered section. The lowered section may define a periphery complimentary to the flange of the alignment member to allow the flange to be substantially flush with the raised section when the alignment member is stowed within the housing recess.

The alignment member may include an alignment aperture extending through the flange. The alignment aperture may define a first rotation axis. The carrying device may further include a first retention member engaged with the first indexing member and disposed within the alignment aperture. The first retention member may be configured to restrict rotation of the first indexing member relative to the flange to rotation about the first rotation axis.

The first indexing member may include a first indexing aperture defining a first indexing circumference. The first retention member may include a first retention flange and a first retention shaft. The first retention shaft may be disposable within the first indexing aperture and the alignment aperture to couple the first indexing member to the alignment member. The first retention shaft may include a first shaft end to define a first distance between the first shaft and the first retention flange. The first retention shaft may be moveable between a first retracted position and a first extended position, wherein the first distance increases as the first retention shaft moves from the first retracted position toward the first extended position. The first retention shaft may be biased towards the first retracted position.

The inner face of the housing body may define a housing indexing contour. The carrying device may further include a second indexing member engageable with the support member. The second indexing member may include a second indexing face defining a second indexing contour being complimentary to the housing indexing contour to enable rotational indexing of the housing relative to the second indexing member. The inner face of the housing may include a housing aperture extending through the inner face, with the housing aperture defining a second rotation axis. The carrying device may further include a second retention member engaged with the second indexing member and disposed within the housing aperture. The second retention member may be configured to restrict rotation of the second indexing member relative to the inner face to rotation about the second rotation axis.

The present invention is best understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front upper perspective view of a carrying device for a viewing tool constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the carrying device including a housing body and an alignment member disposed in a stowed position;

FIG. 2 is a front upper perspective view of the carrying device illustrated in FIG. 1, wherein the alignment member is removed from the stowed position;

FIG. 3 is an exploded front upper perspective view of the alignment member, a first indexing member, a first retention member, an attachment plate and the viewing tool;

FIG. 4 is an exploded rear upper perspective view of the device illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded front upper perspective view of the housing body, a second indexing member and a second retention member;

FIG. 6 is an exploded rear upper perspective view of the device illustrate in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of the carrying device, wherein the alignment member is removed from the stowed position;

FIG. 8 is an upper perspective view of an embodiment of the carrying device, wherein the alignment member includes a rib that is complimentary to a groove formed within a housing recess;

FIG. 9 is a top elevation view of the carrying device depicted in FIG. 8, with the alignment member being removed from the housing recess; and

FIG. 10 is a top elevation view of the carrying device depicted in FIG. 8, with the alignment member being disposed in the stowed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention only, and not for purposes of limiting the same, FIGS. 1-7 illustrate an embodiment of a carrying device 10 configured for use with a viewing tool 12 to facilitate transport and use of the viewing tool 12. The carrying device 10 may be connected to a support member 14 (such as a belt, shoulder-strap, or the like) worn by the user. The viewing tool 12 may be connected to the carrying device 10 via a tether 90 (see FIG. 1) to allow the user to remove the viewing tool 12 from a stowed position (during transport) and place the viewing tool 12 in a deployed position (during use). The carrying device 10 may be configured to dispose the viewing tool 12 in substantially the same position and orientation when the viewing tool 12 is returned to the stowed position. In this manner, the user may reliably reach for the viewing tool 12 and have confidence that the viewing tool 12 will be in a ready-to-use position.

As used herein, a viewing tool 12 refers to a device intended to be disposed adjacent a user's eyes during operation of the viewing tool 12. Exemplary viewing tools 12 include range finders, which are commonly used in hunting to detect the distance to a target. Other viewing tools 12 may include, but are not limited to, binoculars, night vision goggles, and other optical tools known by those skilled in the art.

The carrying device 10 is attachable to the support member 14 to facilitate transport of the viewing tool 12. A support member 14 may include an article worn by a user, such as a belt or shoulder strap. It is also contemplated that the carrying device 10 may be attachable to a user's limb, such as the user's arm.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2, the carrying device 10 includes a housing body 16 having an outer face 18 (see FIG. 4), an inner face 24, and a peripheral wall 26 extending between the inner face 24 and outer face 18. The housing body 16 defines a housing recess 28 extending into the housing body 16 from the outer face 18 and the peripheral wall 26. The housing recess 28 defines a recess face 30 (see FIG. 6) and a recess wall 32 (see FIG. 6) extending between the recess face 30 and the outer face 18. The housing recess 28 may further define a housing contact axis 88 (see FIG. 4).

The carrying device 10 additionally includes an alignment member 36. According to one embodiment, a portion of the alignment member 36 is complimentary to the shape of the housing recess 28. In this manner, the alignment member 36 is sized and configured to be received within the housing recess 28. As described in more detail below, the unique shape of the alignment member 36 may limit insertion of the alignment member 36 into the housing recess 28 in a particular orientation.

The alignment member 36 includes a flange 40 and a housing contact element 44 connected to the flange 40. The housing contact element 44 is configured to be received within the housing recess 28. Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the housing contact element 44 defines an inner end portion 46 and an outer end portion 48. The housing contact element 44 includes an alignment face 50 and an alignment wall 52 extending between the alignment face 50 and the flange 40. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, the alignment face 50 faces away from the flange 40.

The alignment member 36 defines an insertion orientation relative to the housing body 16 when the inner end portion 46 is facing toward the housing recess 28, the outer end portion 48 is facing away from the housing recess 28 and the alignment face 50 is facing toward the recess face 30 (as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7). The housing contact element 44 is sized and configured to limit insertion into the housing recess 28 to insertion when the alignment member 36 is in the insertion orientation. The alignment member 36 is disposed in a stowed position in fixed relation relative to the housing body 16 upon insertion into the housing recess 28.

The size and shape of the alignment member 36 may create a secure, tight fit within the housing recess 28 when the alignment member 36 is disposed therein. In one embodiment, the housing contact element 44 and the housing recess 28 define a trapezoidally-shaped cross section in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the housing contact axis 88. In this manner, insertion of the housing contact element 44 into the housing recess 28 is substantially limited to insertion when the housing contact element 44 is disposed in the insertion orientation. The viewing tool 12 may be connected to the alignment member 36 (as described in more detail below) to dispose the viewing tool 12 in a ready-to-use orientation when the housing contact element 44 is disposed within the housing recess 28. Movement of the housing contact element 44 relative to the housing body 16 when the housing contact element 44 is in the stowed position is substantially limited to translation out of the housing recess 28 along the housing contact axis 88. This tends to ensure that the viewing tool 12 is disposed in substantially the same position every time the user returns the viewing tool 12 to the stowed position. Although the foregoing describes the housing contact element 44 defining a trapezoidal shape, it is understood that other shapes and sizes known by those skilled in the art, such as triangles and polygons, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It is contemplated that the alignment member 36 and housing body 16 may include additional structural attributes to guide the alignment member 36 along the housing contact axis 88 during insertion and removal of the housing contact element 44 to and from the housing recess 28. More specifically, one embodiment of the alignment member 36 includes an alignment groove 54 (see FIG. 3) formed within the alignment face 50. The alignment groove 54 extends from the outer end portion 48 to the inner end portion 46. The housing body 16 may include a corresponding alignment spine 34 protruding from the recess face 30. The alignment groove 54 and alignment spine 34 are configured to complimentarily engage with one another as the alignment member 36 is advanced into the housing recess 28 along the housing contact axis 88. A portion of the groove 54 adjacent the inner end portion 46 may include a flared section 56 to facilitate insertion of the alignment spine 34 into the alignment groove 54.

According to one embodiment the outer face 18 of the housing body 16 includes a raised section 20 and a lowered section 22. The lowered section 22 may define a periphery that is substantially complimentary to the periphery of the flange 40. Accordingly, when the alignment member 36 is received within the housing recess 28, a portion of the flange 40 may overlap the lowered section 22 of the outer face 18. As such, the flange 40 may be substantially flush with the raised section 20 of the outer face 18, or may only slightly protrude above the outer face 18 when the alignment member 36 is disposed within the housing recess 28. This may reduce the gap between the housing body 16 and the viewing tool 12 when the viewing tool 12 is in the stowed orientation.

The alignment member 36 is connected to the housing body 16 via a tether 90. The tether 90 may be disposed about a rotatable spool 86 connected to the housing body 16. As shown, the spool 86 is disposed within the housing cavity 17; however, it is contemplated that the spool 86 may be disposed on an outer surface of the housing body 16 in other embodiments. As shown, the tether 90 extends between the spool 86 and the alignment member 36 via a tether aperture 92 formed within the housing body 16. As the alignment member 36 is removed from the housing recess 28, an exposed segment of tether 90 extends between the housing recess 28 and the alignment member 36. The spool 86 may be rotatable to facilitate lengthening of the exposed segment of tether 90 as the alignment member 36 is pulled away from the housing body 16. Furthermore, the spool 86 may rotate upon return of the tether 90 when the alignment member 36 is returned to and inserted into the housing recess 28. In one embodiment, the spool 86 rotates in a first direction to unwind the tether 90 therefrom, and in a second direction to wind the tether 90 about the spool 86. The spool 86 may be biased to rotate in the first direction to urge the tether 90 to wind about the spool 86. Furthermore, the biasing may create a tension in the tether 90 as the user moves the alignment member 36 from the housing recess 28.

According to one implementation, the carrying device 10 may include a clip 94 (see FIG. 7) connected to an end of the tether 90. The clip 94 may be connected to the viewing tool 12 to connect the tether 90 to the viewing tool 12. In this regard, the tether 90 may extend through the alignment member 36 to connect with the viewing tool 12 via the clip 94.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the alignment member 36 may be attached to the viewing tool 12 via a first indexing member 58. The alignment member 36 and first indexing member 58 may be configured to enable incremental rotational indexing of the alignment member 36 relative to the first indexing member 58 about a first rotation axis 62 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). In this manner, the viewing tool 12 may be rotationally indexed relative to the carrying device 10. The first indexing member 58 may be connected to the viewing tool 12 via an attachment plate 61.

The first indexing member 58 includes a first indexing face 60 defining a first indexing contour. Likewise, the flange 40 includes a flange indexing face 42 defining a flange indexing contour. The first indexing contour is complimentary to the flange indexing contour to enable rotational indexing of the alignment member 36 relative to the first indexing member 58. According to one embodiment, the first indexing contour and flange indexing contour both include complimentary ribs and grooves. The complimentary ribs and grooves may be disposed in a radial orientation to facilitate rotational indexing of the first indexing member 58 relative to the flange 40.

In one implementation, the first indexing member 58 is connected to the alignment member 36 via a first retention member 64. The first retention member 64 engages with the alignment member 36 and the first indexing member 58 to couple the alignment member 36 to the first indexing member 58 and to enable the above-mentioned rotational indexing. According to one embodiment, the alignment member 36 includes an alignment aperture 38 and the first indexing member 58 includes a first indexing aperture 59. The first retention member 64 is advanced through the first indexing aperture 59 and the alignment aperture 38 to couple the alignment member 36 to the first indexing member 58. The first indexing aperture 59 and alignment aperture 38 are co-axially aligned to facilitate insertion of the first retention member 64 therethrough.

The first retention member 64 includes a first retention flange 68 and a first retention shaft 66 defining a first shaft end 70. The first indexing member 64 may include a first indexing recess 63 within which the first retention flange 68 may be disposed. In this manner, the first indexing recess 63 may define a first recess periphery that is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the first retention flange 68.

The first retention shaft 66 may include a spring loaded retention mechanism which engages with the alignment member 36 upon insertion through the alignment aperture 38. The first indexing aperture 59 defines a first indexing circumference while the first retention flange 68 defines a first flange circumference that is larger than the first indexing circumference. In this manner, the first retention flange 68 may not pass through the first indexing aperture 59 to maintain the first indexing member 58 in engagement with the alignment member 36.

The first retention member 64 may define a first distance “FD” (see FIG. 7) as the distance between the first shaft end 70 and the first retention flange 68. The first distance FD may be variable to allow for movement of the first indexing member 58 relative to the alignment member 36. In other words, the distance between the first shaft end 70 and the first retention flange 68 may be adjustable. The first indexing member 58 may be pulled away from the alignment member 36 and rotated about the first rotation axis 62 to rotate the first indexing member 58 relative to the alignment member 36. After the first indexing member 58 has been sufficiently rotated relative to the alignment member 36, the first distance FD may be shortened to return the first indexing member 58 into abutting contact with the alignment member 36. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the first retention shaft 66 is moveable between a first retracted position and a first extended position. The first retention shaft 66 may be biased towards the first retracted position to urge the first indexing member 58 into contact with the alignment member 36.

It is also contemplated that other embodiments may include a first retention member 64 configured to connect the first indexing member 58 to the alignment member 36 without forming apertures in the alignment member 36 or the first indexing member 58. For instance, the first retention member 64 may be disposed between the first indexing member 58 and the alignment member 36, and include one or more bearings to enable rotation of the first indexing member 58 relative to the alignment member 36.

As described above, the first indexing member 58 enables incremental rotational indexing of the viewing tool 12 relative to the carrying device 10. According to another implementation, and referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the carrying device 10 may additionally be configured to enable incremental rotational indexing of the carrying device 10 relative to the support member 14. To this end, one embodiment includes a second indexing member 72 engageable with the support member 14. The second indexing member 72 engages with the housing body 16 to enable rotational indexing of the housing body 16 relative to the second indexing member 72.

The second indexing member 72 includes a second indexing face 74 defining a second indexing contour. Likewise, the housing body 16 defines a housing indexing contour which is complimentary to the second indexing contour. The housing indexing contour is disposed on the inner face 24 of the housing body 16 in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5. The housing indexing contour and second indexing contour may define complimentary ribs and grooves. The complimentary ribs and grooves may be disposed in a radial orientation to facilitate rotational indexing of the second indexing member 72 relative to the housing body 16.

The second indexing member 72 may be connected to the housing body 16 by a second retention member 78. The second retention member 78 may engage with both the housing body 16, as well as the second indexing member 72 to couple the second indexing member 72 to the housing body 16, and to enable incremental rotational indexing therebetween. In one implementation, the housing body 16 includes a housing aperture 25 extending through the inner face 24 and the second indexing member 72 includes a second indexing aperture 75 extending therethrough. The housing aperture 25 defines a second rotation axis 76. The second retention member 78 is insertable through the housing aperture 25 and the second indexing aperture 75 to couple the second indexing member 72 to the housing body 16. In this manner, the second indexing aperture 75 is co-axially alignable with the housing aperture 25 to facilitate advancement of the second retention member 78 therethough.

The second retention member 78 includes a second retention flange 82 and a second retention shaft 80 defining a second shaft end 84. The second retention shaft 80 is advanced through the housing aperture 25 and the second indexing aperture 75 to couple the second indexing member 72 to the housing body 16. The second indexing member 72 may also include a second indexing recess 73 defining a second recess periphery that is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the second retention flange 82.

The second retention shaft 80 may include a spring loaded engagement member to maintain the second retention shaft 80 within the second indexing aperture 75 and the housing aperture 25. The second indexing aperture 75 defines a second indexing circumference, while the second retention flange 82 defines a second flange circumference. The second flange circumference may be larger than the second indexing circumference to couple the second indexing member 72 to the housing body 18.

The second retention shaft 80 may define a second distance “SD” (see FIG. 7) as the distance between the second shaft end 84 and the second retention flange 82. The second retention shaft 80 may be moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. The second distance SD increases as the second retention shaft 80 moves from the retracted position toward the extended position. The second retention shaft 80 may be biased towards the retracted position to maintain the second indexing member 72 in abutting contact with the housing body 16. The biasing force may be overcome by a user to separate the second indexing member 72 from the housing body 16 to rotate the second indexing member 72 relative to the housing body 16 about the second rotation axis 74. When the user is done rotating the second indexing member 72, the biasing force returns the second indexing member 72 into abutting contact with the housing body 16.

Although the foregoing describes an embodiment wherein the second retention member 78 connects the second indexing member 72 to the housing body 16 via the second indexing aperture 75 and the housing aperture 25, it is also contemplated that the second retention member 78 may be configured to connect the second indexing member 72 to the housing body 16 without forming apertures in the housing body 16 or the second indexing member 72. For instance, the second retention member 78 may be disposed between the second indexing member 72 and the housing body 16, and include one or more bearings to enable rotation of the second indexing member 72 relative to the housing body 16.

Referring now to FIG. 8, there is depicted an additional embodiment of a carrying device 110, which is configured to mitigate unwanted displacement of the housing contact element 112 from the housing recess 114. In particular, it is understood that the housing contact element 112 may inadvertently fall out of the housing recess 114 through the opening opposite the recess face 116 when the housing contact element 112 is slightly lifted from the housing recess 114. Such slight, inadvertent lifting of the housing contact element 112 from the housing recess 114 may occur as a hunter walks or runs while wearing the carrying device 110. Accordingly, the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 8-10 includes a rib 118 extending from the housing contact element 112, and a corresponding housing groove 120 formed within the recess wall 122. The engagement between the rib 118 and the grove 120 mitigates inadvertent displacement of the housing contact element 112 through the opening opposite the recess face 116.

In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 8-10, the rib 118 extends from alignment wall 124. The rib 118 may extend completely along the periphery of the alignment wall 124, or only partially therealong. In addition, the thickness, “T” of the rib 118 (See FIG. 9) may be varied to facilitate engagement with the groove 120. For instance, a portion of the rib 118 adjacent the inner end portion 126 of the housing contact element 112 may define a thickness which is smaller than that of the rib 118 disposed adjacent the outer end portion 128 of the housing contact element 112. The smaller or diminished thickness of the rib 118 may allow for easy insertion into the groove 120. The groove 120 may also be configured to facilitate easy insertion of the rib 118 therein. For instance, the groove 120 may include rounded end portions 130 to more easily accept the rib 118 into the groove 120.

The rib 118 and groove 120 are configured to maintain engagement therebetween when the housing contact element 112 is slightly lifted from the housing recess 114. It is understood that the rib 118 will become disengaged from the groove 120 as the housing contact element 112 is lifted more than a slight distance, such as lifting by a user.

It is also contemplated that the biasing force exerted by the tether 90 may be adjustable to accommodate various uses by a user. For instance, if a user knows that he will be traversing an undulating terrain, or moving at a swift pace, which may be more apt to lift the housing contact element 112 from the housing recess 114, the user may increase the tension, or biasing force within the tether 90 to increase the force urging the housing contact element 112 into a seated position with the housing recess 114. Conversely, if a user knows that he will remain stationary for a period of time, the biasing force exerted by the tether 90 may be decreased to allow a user to more easily lift the housing contact element 112 from the housing recess 114.

In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 8-10, the housing contact element 112 additionally includes an alignment groove 54 along with a corresponding alignment spine 34 disposed within the housing recess 114. It is understood that various embodiments may include an alignment spine 34, a corresponding alignment groove 54, as well as a rib 118 and corresponding groove 120, while other embodiments may only include the rib 118 and groove 120, or the spine 34 and groove 54.

The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.

Claims

1. A carrying device for use with a viewing tool and a support member, the carrying device comprising:

a housing body including an outer face, an opposing inner face and a peripheral wall disposed between the outer face and the inner face, the housing body including a housing recess extending into the housing body from the peripheral face and the outer face, the housing recess defining a recess face and a recess wall extending between the recess face and the outer face, the recess wall having a housing groove formed therein, the housing groove extending along the recess wall from the peripheral face into the housing recess;

an alignment spine protruding from the recess face toward the outer face;

an alignment member including: a flange including a flange indexing face defining a flange indexing contour; a housing contact element connected to the flange and being insertable within the housing recess, the housing contact element defining an inner end portion and an outer end portion, the housing contact element including an alignment face extending between the inner end portion and the outer end portion, the housing contact element further including an alignment wall extending between the alignment face and the flange, the alignment member defining an insertion orientation relative to the housing body when the inner end portion is facing toward the housing recess, the outer end portion is facing away from the housing recess, and the alignment face is facing toward the recess face, the housing contact element being sized and configured to limit insertion into the housing recess to insertion when the alignment member is in the insertion orientation, the alignment member being disposed in a stowed position in fixed relation relative to the housing body upon insertion into the housing recess; a rib connected to and extending from the alignment wall, the rib being sized and configured to be disposed within the housing groove as the housing contact element is inserted into the housing in the insertion orientation; and an alignment groove formed within the alignment face and extending from the inner end portion to the outer end portion, the alignment groove being sized and configured to receive the alignment spine as the housing contact element is inserted into the housing recess in the insertion orientation; and

a first indexing member being engageable with the viewing tool and including a first indexing face defining a first indexing contour being complimentary to the flange indexing contour to enable rotational indexing of the alignment member relative to the first indexing member; and

a tether connected to the alignment member and retractably connected to the housing body, an exposed segment of tether extending between the housing recess and the alignment member upon removal of the alignment member from the housing recess.

2. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein the outer face of the housing body defines a raised section and a lowered section, the housing recess being disposed within the lowered section.

3. The carrying device of claim 2, wherein the lowered section defines a periphery being complimentary to the flange.

4. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein the alignment member includes an alignment aperture extending through the flange, the alignment aperture defining a first rotation axis, the carrying device further comprising a first retention member engaged with the first indexing member and disposed within the alignment aperture, the first retention member being configured to restrict rotation of the first indexing member relative to the flange to rotation about the first rotation axis.

5. The carrying device of claim 4, wherein the first indexing member includes a first indexing aperture defining a first indexing circumference.

6. The carrying device of claim 5, wherein the first retention member includes a first retention shaft and a first retention flange defining a first retention circumference being greater than the first indexing circumference, the first retention shaft being disposable within the first indexing aperture and the alignment aperture to couple the first indexing member to the alignment member.

7. The carrying device of claim 6, wherein the first retention shaft includes a first shaft end, the first retention shaft defining a first distance between the first shaft end and the first retention flange, the first retention shaft being moveable between a first retracted position and a first extended position, the first distance increasing as the first retention shaft moves from the first retracted position toward the first extended position.

8. The carrying device of claim 7, wherein the first retention shaft is biased towards the first retracted position.

9. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein the inner face of the housing defines a housing indexing contour, the carrying device further comprising a second indexing member being engageable with the support member, the second indexing member including a second indexing face defining a second indexing contour being complimentary to the housing indexing contour to enable rotational indexing of the housing relative to the second indexing member.

10. The carrying device of claim 9, wherein the inner face of the housing body includes a housing aperture extending through the inner face, the housing aperture defining a second rotation axis, the carrying device further comprising a second retention member engaged with the second indexing member and disposed within the housing aperture, the second retention member being configured to restrict rotation of the second indexing member relative to the inner face to rotation about the second rotation axis.

11. The carrying device of claim 10, wherein the second indexing member includes a second indexing aperture defining a second indexing circumference.

12. The carrying device of claim 11, wherein the second retention member includes a second retention shaft and a second retention flange defining a second retention circumference being greater than the second indexing circumference, the second retention shaft being disposable within the second indexing aperture to couple the second indexing member to the alignment flange.

13. The carrying device of claim 12, wherein the second retention shaft includes a second shaft end, the second retention shaft defining a second distance between the second shaft end and the second retention flange, the second retention shaft being moveable between a second retracted position and a second extended position, the second distance increasing as the second retention shaft moves from the second retracted position toward the second extended position.

14. The carrying device of claim 13, wherein the second retention shaft is biased towards the first retracted position.

15. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein the tether is connected to the housing via a spool rotatably connected to the housing, the spool being rotatable in a first direction and a second direction, the tether unwinding from the spool in response to rotation in the first direction and the tether winding about the spool in response to rotation in the second direction, the spool being biased to rotate in the first direction.

16. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein the housing contact element defines a housing contact axis extending between the inner end portion and the outer end portion, the housing contact element defining a trapezoidal cross section in a plane substantially perpendicular to the housing contact axis.

17. A carrying device for use with a viewing tool and a support member, the carrying device comprising:

a housing body including an outer face, an opposing inner face and a peripheral wall disposed between the outer face and the inner face, the housing body including a housing recess defining a recess face and a recess wall extending between the recess face and the outer face, the recess wall defining a housing groove, the housing groove extending along the recess wall from the peripheral face into the housing recess;

an alignment member including: a flange being connectable to the viewing tool; a housing contact element connected to the flange and being insertable within the housing recess, the housing contact element defining an inner end portion and an outer end portion, the housing contact element including an alignment face extending between the inner end portion and the outer end portion, the housing contact element further including an alignment wall extending between the alignment face and the flange, the alignment member defining an insertion orientation relative to the housing body when the inner end portion is facing toward the housing recess, the outer end portion is facing away from the housing recess, and the alignment face is facing toward the recess face, the housing contact element being sized and configured to limit insertion into the housing recess to insertion when the alignment member is in the insertion orientation, the alignment member being disposed in a stowed position in fixed relation relative to the housing body upon insertion into the housing recess; and a rib connected to and extending from the alignment wall, the rib being sized and configured to be disposed within the housing groove as the housing contact element is inserted into the housing in the insertion orientation; and

a tether connected to the alignment member and retractably connected to the housing body, an exposed segment of tether extending between the housing recess and the alignment member upon removal of the alignment member from the housing recess.

18. The carrying device of claim 17, wherein the alignment member includes an alignment aperture extending through the flange, the alignment aperture defining a first rotation axis, the carrying device further comprising a first retention member engaged with the first indexing member and disposed within the alignment aperture, the first retention member being configured to restrict rotation of the first indexing member relative to the flange to rotation about the first rotation axis.

19. The carrying device of claim 17, wherein the inner face of the housing defines a housing indexing contour, the carrying device further comprising a second indexing member being engageable with the support member, the second indexing member including a second indexing face defining a second indexing contour being complimentary to the housing indexing contour to enable rotational indexing of the housing relative to the second indexing member.

20. The carrying device of claim 17, wherein the housing contact element defines a housing contact axis extending between the inner end portion and the outer end portion, the housing contact element defining a trapezoidal cross section in a plane substantially perpendicular to the housing contact axis.