SECURE OPTICAL DEVICE HOLDER OPERABLE BY ONE HAND

Abstract

Embodiments herein describe a secure handheld device holder for securely holding handheld devices such as binoculars, a telescope, a range finder, or any other handheld device. The holder is held adjacent to the torso of a person using straps with buckles. The straps may go around the torso and around the shoulders. The holder allows placement into the holder and removal from the holder of the handheld device using only one hand.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application hereby claims priority to U.S. Provisional Pat. Application No. 63/297,743, filed 08-JAN-2022.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments herein relate to the field of optical device cases or holders for holding binoculars, telescopes, or range finders or similar devices and, more specifically, to a case or holder for securely holding binoculars, a telescope, a range finder, or a similar device against a torso of a person using straps and buckles while allowing one handed removal and replacement of the optical device back into the case or holder.

BACKGROUND

Generally, people using binoculars, portable telescopes, range finders, or similar devices (device) use some type of case or holder (case) to store and to protect the device while using the same in a field application or other application. The case may protect fragile elements such as lenses and other parts of the device and may include one or more straps to allow the case to be loosely held around the neck of a person or secured more tightly around the torso and/or shoulders of the person using adjustable straps with buckles. The straps may allow the case to be held against the torso, thereby preventing the case from swinging away from the torso. Holding the device against the torso in a case may provide better protection of the device. Generally, two hands are needed to remove the device from the case in order to use the device. Generally, two hands are needed to replace the device back into the case when a use is completed. Under some circumstances, there may be a need to use only one hand to remove the device and to make observations with the device. Under some circumstances, there may be a need to store away the device back into the case using only one hand. The aforementioned circumstances may include situations where the opposite hand is not available due to another use or may include use by a person having only one useable hand. Accordingly, a case operable by one hand while securely holding the device against a torso may be desirable to allow one handed use and storage of the optical device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a front perspective view of a secure handheld device holder having straps and buckles for securing to a torso and shoulders of a person, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a top front perspective view of a secure handheld device holder having a set of binoculars held in the holder and having straps and buckles for securing to a torso and shoulders of a person, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a frontal side perspective view of a secure handheld device holder having a set of binoculars held in the holder and having straps and buckles for securing to a torso and shoulders of a person, in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustrating embodiments that may be practiced. Other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of embodiments is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations in turn, in a manner that may be helpful in understanding embodiments; however, the order of description should not be construed to imply that these operations are order dependent.

The description may use perspective-based descriptions such as up/down, back/front, and top/bottom. Such descriptions are merely used to facilitate the discussion and are not intended to restrict the application of disclosed embodiments.

The terms “coupled” and “connected,” along with their derivatives, may be used. These terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Rather, in particular embodiments, “connected” may be used to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical contact with each other. “Coupled” may mean that two or more elements are in direct physical contact. However, “coupled” may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still cooperate or interact with each other.

For the purposes of the description, a phrase in the form “A/B” or in the form “A and/or B” means (A), (B), or (A and B). For the purposes of the description, a phrase in the form “at least one of A, B, and C” means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C). For the purposes of the description, a phrase in the form “(A)B” means (B) or (AB) that is, A is an optional element.

The description may use the terms “embodiment” or “embodiments,” which may each refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments. Furthermore, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like, as used with respect to embodiments, are synonymous, and are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.).

The term “upright” is in reference to the direction of gravitational pull.

With respect to the use of any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a front perspective view of a secure handheld device holder 100 having straps and buckles 112 for securing to a torso and/or shoulders of a person, in accordance with some embodiments. The torso and shoulders of the person are not illustrated. The straps and buckles 112 are partially shown as outlines. The holder 100 is shown in an upright position relative to the pull of gravity. In some embodiments, the holder 100 may include a base 102. The base 102 may be referred to as a lens cover or a base plate. The base 102 may cover the lenses of a first end of a handheld device such as a set of binoculars or cover a lens of a telescope. The base 102 may be a split base to cover lenses of a set of binoculars individually. The two parts of the split base may be joined by a rigid joining structure to allow the two parts of the split base to move together allowing covering of the lenses of the binoculars when placed in the holder. The base 102 may include one or more straps 112 couple to the base 102 to couple the holder to the torso or shoulders of a person. The base 102 may include sides 118. The sides 118 may be around the circumference of the base 102 or may be around a portion of the circumference of the base 102. The sides 118 may help secure the handheld device to the base 102 and hence to the holder 100 by preventing the handheld device from slipping off the base 102. The base 102 may have a surface 116 that includes a cross hatch pattern or other pattern. The pattern may reduce weight of the base 102 while maintaining rigidity of the base 102. The pattern may increase friction with the handheld device, thereby helping secure the handheld device in the holder. The pattern may include features to protect lenses of the handheld device. The base 102 may be comprised of a metal, plastic, or composite or any suitable rigid material or combination of materials to provide sufficient rigidity to hold securely the handheld device, in view of a selected design of the base.

The holder 100 may include a side 103 coupled to the base 102. The side 103 and the base 102 may be formed together and of the same material or of a combination of materials. The side 103 may be referred to as a side component or a side plate. The side 103 and the base 102 may be coupled using any available fasteners and methods of fastening. The side 103 and the base 102 may be joined or welded together using any joining, gluing, and/or welding method and suitable materials. The side 103 may include straps and buckles 112 coupled to the side 103. The straps and buckles 112 may be used to secure the holder 100 to the torso and/or shoulders of a person. There may be a single strap for the torso and two straps for the shoulders, one for each shoulder. There may be two straps for the torso and two straps for the shoulders. The side 103 may be a plate of a material such as a metal, plastic, or composite or any suitable materials or combinations thereof. The metal may be a plate of stainless steel. The side 103 may be required to have sufficient rigidity to hold a handheld device securely in the holder 100. The shape of the side 103 may be made to optimize holding power of the holder 100 while minimizing weight of the side 103. The side 103 may include stiffening ridges or other design features to optimize performance and/or rigidity of the side 103.

The holder 100 may include a second side 104 coupled to the side 103. The second side 104 may be comprised of a flexible material to provide compression to securely hold the handheld device in the holder 100. The second side 104 may be referred to as a flexible component or a spring. The second side 104 may include a first end coupled to the side 103. The coupling may be accomplished using suitable fasteners such as the fasteners 105. The coupling may be accomplished by a suitable joining, gluing, or welding method and suitable materials. The second side 104 may have a shaped region such as a curved region providing a second end 107. The shaped region may effectively provide a bend that is approximately a 90 degree bend from the second side 104 that is coupled to the side 103. The second side 104 may include holes 109 or other features to optimize performance and/or assembly.

The second side 104 may be a part of the side 103 and not be a separate element as illustrated by holder 100. For clarity, when a reference is made to the side 103, such a reference may include the second side 104 in the reference to the side 103 such that no separate reference may be made to a second side 104. When the second side 104 is included as a part of the side 103, the material or materials comprising side 103 and second side 104 may be the same materials. For example, the side 103 may be a plate of material having a first end region with a first end coupled to the base 102 and a second end region that is the second side 104. When second side 104 is not a separate element, side 103 first side region may be rigid while the second side region may be flexible to provide compression by way of a spring action to securely hold the handheld device in the holder 100. In some embodiments where second side 104 is included in side 103, the side 103 may have a first region that is rigid and a second region that is flexible, wherein the material forming side 103 is of the same material but the flexible second region may be provided by reducing a thickness of the material. In some embodiments, side 103 may have the rigid first section made more rigid by coupling an additional material to the rigid first section to provide the additional rigidity, wherein the additional material may create a composite.

The holder 100 may include a cap 106. The cap 106 may be coupled to the second side 104 at the second end 107. The cap 106 may include protrusions 114 to aid coupling by a pin 108. The cap 106 may freely rotate around pin 108. The cap 106 may be to receive a second end of a handheld device. The second end of the handheld device may be the viewing end of a set of binoculars or a telescope. The cap 106 may cover the lenses of the second end of the handheld device and be referred to as a lens cover. The cap 106 may be a split cap to cover lenses of a set of binoculars individually. The two parts of the split cap may be joined by a rigid joining structure to allow the two parts of the split cap to move together allowing covering of the lenses of the binoculars when placed in the holder. The cap 106 may include a cavity to receive the second end of the handheld device. When placing a handheld device in holder 100, the second end of the handheld device is placed first in the cap 106. The handheld device is then rotated to place the first end of the handheld device into the base 102. Pressure is required to flex the second side 104 in order to place the first end of the handheld device into the base 102 during rotation. Similarly, to remove the handheld device from holder 100, upward pressure is need to lift the first end of the handheld device off from the surface 116 and to clear sides 118 while rotating the handheld device first end away from the holder 100. Then the second end of the handheld device may be removed from the cap 106 to allow use of the handheld device. The entire process of placing or removing the handheld device from holder 100 may be performed using one hand. One handed operation may be important when the other hand is busy with another activity or when the other hand is incapacitated or not available. A tether may be used to secure the handheld device to the holder 100.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a top front perspective view of a secure handheld device holder 100 having a set of binoculars 110 held in the holder 100 and having straps and buckles 112 for securing to a torso and shoulders of a person, in accordance with some embodiments. Only a portion of the straps and buckles 112 are illustrated. The binoculars 110 are held in place in the holder 100 by a compressive force provided by second side 104. The cap 106 may include a cavity to further secure a second side (viewing end) of the binoculars 110. The base 102 may include the sides 118 to further secure the binoculars 110. The shaped region 120 of the second side 104 may be approximately a 90 degree bend. The second end 107 of the second side may be coupled to the top via pin 108 passing through cap 106 protrusions 114. The pin 108 may have its ends bent to secure in place the pin 108. When binoculars 110 are in holder 100, the surface 118 and the cap 106, are approximately parallel to each other. Although binoculars 110 are illustrated, other handheld devices may be secured by holder 100. These devices include but are not limited to a telescope and a range finder. The base 102 and cap 106 may be designed accordingly to fit the telescope or the range finder or other handheld device.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a frontal side perspective view of a secure handheld device holder 100 having a set of binoculars 110 held in the holder 100 and having straps and buckles 112 for securing to a torso and shoulders of a person, in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, the cap 106 may have a centerline 122 along an axis of the cap 106. The centerline 106 may approximate a weight center of the cap 106 along the axis 122. The coupling of the second end 107 of the second side 104 via pin 108 through protrusions 114 may be off center from the axis 122 such that a bottom of the cap 106 rotates outwards away from the side 103 and the second side 104 when the holder 100 is upright and there are no handheld devices in holder 100. The outward rotation provides for easier placement of the second end of a handheld device into cap 106 in order to secure the handheld device into the holder 100. The shaped region 120 of the second side 104 may be about 90 degrees as illustrated in FIG. 3.

In some embodiments, the second side 104 may be secured to the cap on a side of the cap 104 instead of the top of the cap 106. In such an embodiment, a spring may be used to rotate the bottom of the cap away from the second side 104 and the side 103. The spring mechanism may be incorporated into the coupling or a pin coupling the cap 106 to the second side 104, as commonly known in the art. The spring mechanism may have a circular spring region going around a pin and having ends fixed against the cap 106 and the second side 104. There may be an additional spring to provide compression against a handheld device when the device is in holder 100. In this embodiment, the second side 104 may be rigid similar to side 103. In this embodiment, the side 103 may include the second side 104 as a single component and may be a rigid component referred to as side 103. Various other embodiments of coupling the second side 104 or the side 103 to the cap 106 are readily available to a person of ordinary skill in the art. The various coupling embodiments may include various means for rotation of the cap to allow placement and removal of a handheld device from the holder 100 while providing the necessary compression to hold the handheld device securely. In some embodiments, the entire holder 100 may be comprised of a single material made by various means including injection molding of a plastic or reinforced plastic material. The holder 100 may be formed of a composite material such as a carbon fiber composite, Kevlar composite, or fiberglass composite, or various combinations of composites. Holder 100 may be formed of various composites in combination with various suitable metals. Holder 100 may include various metals highly resistant to permanent deformation while providing flexibility sufficient to allow placement and removal of the handheld device.

EXAMPLES

According to various embodiments, the present disclosure describes a secure handheld device holder operable by one hand to remove from the holder and to put back into the holder binoculars, a portable telescope, or a range finder, wherein the holder may be held tightly to a front torso of a person by straps with buckles, the straps wrapping around the torso and the shoulders of the person.

Example 1 of a secure handheld device holder may include a base plate so dimensioned to allow a first end of a handheld device to be placeable on a surface of the base plate. The holder further may include a side component having a first end region having a first end coupled to the base plate. The first end region may extend away from the base and towards a second end region of the side component. the second end region may have a second end. The second end region may be shaped to place the second end above the base plate when the secure handheld device holder is in an upright position. The holder further may include a cap so dimensioned to allow a second end of the handheld device to be placeable in the cap. The cap may be coupled to the second end of the side component. There may be a distance between the cap and the base plate to allow the handheld device to be holdable in compression between the base plate and the cap when the handheld device is placed in the secure handheld device holder.

Example 2 may include the secure handheld device holder of Example 1, wherein the first end region of the side component may be a rigid side component coupled to the base plate and the second end region of the side component may be a flexible side component coupled between the rigid side component and the cap. The compression may be provided by resistance to flexing by the flexible side component when the handheld device is placed in the secure handheld device holder.

Example 3 may include the secure handheld device holder of Example 1, wherein the second end region of the side component is comprised of a flexible material. The compression may be provided by resistance to flexing by the flexible second end region when the handheld device is placed in the secure handheld device holder.

Example 4 may include the secure handheld device holder of Examples 1-3, wherein the second end of the side component is rotateably coupled off center to a centerline on a top of the cap. The cap may be rotated outwards from the side component to receive the second end of the handheld device when the secure handheld device holder is in an upright position.

Example 5 may include the secure handheld device holder of Example 1, wherein the second end of the side component and the cap have a spring component coupled between the second end of the side component and the cap. The spring component may allow the handheld device to be holdable in compression between the base plate and the cap when the handheld device is placed in the secure device holder.

Example 6 may include the secure handheld device holder of Examples 1-5, wherein the base plate is a plate having sides to receive and secure the first end of the handheld device. The cap may have a concave region to receive and secure the second end of the handheld device.

Example 7 may include the secure handheld device holder of Examples 1-6, wherein the base plate and the cap are so dimensioned for receiving and holding securely a set of binoculars, a telescope, or a range finder.

Example 8 may include the secure handheld device holder of Examples 1-7, wherein the cap has an angle relative to the base plate to allow the second end of the handheld device to be placeable in the cap when the secure handheld device holder is in an upright position. The angle may allow the first end of the device to clear the base plate when the second end of the device is to be placed in the cap or to be removed from the cap. The angle may be about zero degrees when the handheld device is secured between the base plate and the cap, the angle being changeable by flexing of the side component or rotation at the coupling between the cap and the second end of the second region of the side component.

Example 9 may include the secure handheld device holder of Examples 1-8, wherein the holder further may comprise receptacles for receiving one or more straps. The straps may include buckles for coupling of the straps to a torso of a person or to shoulders of a person, or to the torso at one or more places and the shoulders of the person. The secure handheld device holder may be held upright and firmly against a front of the torso of the person standing upright.

Example 10 may include the secure handheld device holder of Examples 1-9, wherein the holder further may comprise a tether receptacle to receive a tether coupleable between the handheld device and the secure handheld device holder.

Example 11 may include the secure handheld device holder of Examples 1-10, wherein one or more straps having buckles may be coupled to the side component or the base plate. The straps having buckles may be coupleable to the torso or shoulders of a person.

Example 12 may include the secure handheld device holder of Examples 1-11, wherein a tether may be coupled to the side component or the base plate. The tether may be coupleable to the handheld device.

Example 13 of a secure handheld device holder may include a base plate dimensioned to receive a first end of a handheld device. The first end of the handheld device may be covered by a top surface of the base plate. The base plate may have one or more sides extending up from the top surface to secure the first end of the handheld device to the top surface of the base plate.

The holder further may include a side plate having a first side plate end coupled to the base plate. The side plate may extend away from the base plate at an angle of about 90 degrees as measured relative to the top surface of the base plate. The side plate may have a second side plate end opposite to the first side plate end.

The holder further may include a flexible component having a first component end coupled to the second side plate end and extending away from the base plate. The flexible component may have a shaped region and having a second component end opposite the first component end. The shaped region may be shaped to place the second component end over and above the base plate when the secure handheld device holder is in an upright position.

The holder further may include a cap so dimensioned to allow a second end of the handheld device to be placeable in a cavity of the cap. The cap may be rotateably coupled on a top cap surface of the cap at a location off axis from a centerline of the cap to the second component end of the flexible component. The cap may have an angle relative to the base plate to allow the second end of the handheld device to be placeable in the cavity of the cap. A distance between the cap and the base plate may allow the handheld device to be holdable in compression between the base plate and the cap when the handheld device is placed in the secure handheld device holder. The compression may be provided by the flexible component resisting flexing resulting from the handheld device being between the base plate and the cap.

Example 14 may include the secure handheld device holder of Example13, wherein the base plate and the cap are so dimensioned for receiving and holding securely a set of binoculars, a telescope, or a range finder.

Example 15 may include the secure handheld device holder of Examples 13-14, further comprising receptacles for receiving one or more straps. The straps may include buckles for coupling of the straps to a torso of a person or to shoulders of a person, or to the torso at one or more places and the shoulders of the person. The secure handheld device holder may be held upright and firmly against a front of the torso of the person standing upright.

Example 16 may include the secure handheld device holder of Examples 13-15, further comprising a tether receptacle to receive a tether coupleable between the handheld device and the secure handheld device holder.

Example 17 may include the secure handheld device holder of Examples 13-16, wherein one or more straps having buckles may be coupled to the side component or the base plate. The straps having buckles may be coupleable to the torso or shoulders of a person.

Example 18 may include the secure handheld device holder of Examples 13-17, wherein a tether may be coupled to the side component or the base plate. The tether may be coupleable to the handheld device.

Example 19 of a secure binocular holder operable by one hand may include a base plate so dimensioned to receive a first end of binoculars. The first end of the binoculars may be covered by a top surface of the base plate. The base plate may have one or more sides extending up from the top surface to secure the first end of the binoculars to the top surface of the base plate. The secure binocular holder operable by one hand further may include a side plate having a first side plate end coupled to the base plate. The side plate may extend away from the base plate at an angle of about 90 degrees as measured relative to the top surface of the base plate. The side plate may have a second side plate end opposite to the first side plate end. The secure binocular holder operable by one hand further may include a flexible component having a first component end coupled to the second side plate end and extending away from the base plate. The flexible component may have a shaped region and may have a second component end opposite the first component end. The shaped region may be shaped to place the second component end over and above the base plate when the secure binocular holder is in an upright position. The secure binocular holder operable by one hand further may include a cap so dimensioned to allow a second end of the handheld device to be placeable in a cavity of the cap. The cap may be rotateably coupled on a top cap surface of the cap at a location off axis from a centerline of the cap to the second component end of the flexible component. The cap may be at an angle relative to the base plate to allow the second end of the binoculars to be placeable in the cavity of the cap when the secure binocular holder is in an upright position. A distance between the cap and the base plate may allow the binoculars to be holdable in compression between the base plate and the cap when the binoculars are placed in the secure binocular holder. The compression may be provided by the flexible component resisting flexing resulting from the binoculars being between the base plate and the cap. The secure binocular holder operable by one hand further may include one or more straps having buckles that may be coupled to the side plate or the base plate. The straps having buckles may be coupleable to the torso or shoulders of a person. A tether may be coupled to the side plate or the base plate. The tether may be coupleable to the binoculars.

Although certain embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a wide variety of alternate and/or equivalent embodiments or implementations calculated to achieve the same purposes may be substituted for the embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope. Those with skill in the art will readily appreciate that embodiments may be implemented in a very wide variety of ways. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that embodiments be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A secure handheld device holder, comprising:

a base so dimensioned to allow a first end of a handheld device to be placeable on a surface of the base;

a side component having a first end region having a first end coupled to the base, wherein the first end region extends away from the base and towards a second end region of the side component, wherein the second end region has a second end, wherein the second end region is shaped to place the second end above the base when the secure handheld device holder is in an upright position; and

a cap so dimensioned to allow a second end of the handheld device to be placeable in the cap, wherein the cap is coupled to the second end of the side component, wherein a distance between the cap and the base allows the handheld device to be holdable in compression between the base and the cap when the handheld device is placed in the secure handheld device holder.

2. The secure handheld device holder of claim 1, wherein the first end region of the side component is a rigid side component coupled to the base and the second end region of the side component is a flexible side component coupled between the rigid side component and the cap, wherein the compression is provided by resistance to flexing by the flexible side component when the handheld device is placed in the secure handheld device holder.

3. The secure handheld device holder of claim 1, wherein the second end region of the side component is comprised of a flexible material, wherein the compression is provided by resistance to flexing by the flexible second end region when the handheld device is placed in the secure handheld device holder.

4. The secure handheld device holder of claim 1, wherein the second end of the side component is rotateably coupled off center to a centerline on a top of the cap, wherein the cap is rotated outwards from the side component to receive the second end of the handheld device when the secure handheld device holder is in an upright position.

5. The secure handheld device holder of claim 1, wherein the second end of the side component and the cap have a spring component coupled between the second end of the side component and the cap, wherein the spring component allows the handheld device to be holdable in compression between the base and the cap when the handheld device is placed in the secure device holder.

6. The secure handheld device holder of claim 1, wherein the base is a plate having sides to receive and secure the first end of the handheld device, wherein the cap has a concave region to receive and secure the second end of the handheld device.

7. The secure handheld device holder of claim 1, wherein the base and the cap are so dimensioned for receiving and holding securely a set of binoculars, a telescope, or a range finder.

8. The secure handheld device holder of claim 1, wherein the cap has an angle relative to the base to allow the second end of the handheld device to be placeable in the cap when the secure handheld device holder is in an upright position, wherein the angle allows the first end of the device to clear the base when the second end of the device is to be placed in the cap or to be removed from the cap, wherein the angle is about zero degrees when the handheld device is secured between the base and the cap, the angle being changeable by flexing of the side component or rotation at the coupling between the cap and the second end of the second region of the side component.

9. The secure handheld device holder of claim 1 further comprising receptacles for receiving one or more straps, wherein the straps include buckles for coupling of the straps to a torso of a person or to shoulders of a person, or to the torso at one or more places and the shoulders of the person, wherein the secure handheld device holder is held upright and firmly against a front of the torso of the person standing upright.

10. The secure handheld device holder of claim 9 further comprising a tether receptacle to receive a tether coupleable between the handheld device and the secure handheld device holder.

11. The secure handheld device holder of claim 1, wherein one or more straps having buckles are coupled to the side component or the base, wherein the straps having buckles are coupleable to the torso or shoulders of a person.

12. The secure handheld device holder of claim 11, wherein a tether is coupled to the side component or the base, wherein the tether is coupleable to the handheld device.

13. A secure handheld device holder, comprising:

a base dimensioned to receive a first end of a handheld device, the first end of the handheld device being covered by a top surface of the base, the base having one or more sides extending up from the top surface to secure the first end of the handheld device to the top surface of the base;

a side plate having a first side plate end coupled to the base, the side plate extending away from the base at an angle of about 90 degrees as measured relative to the top surface of the base, the side plate having a second side plate end opposite to the first side plate end;

a flexible component having a first component end coupled to the second side plate end and extending away from the base, the flexible component having a shaped region and having a second component end opposite the first component end, the shaped region is shaped to place the second component end over and above the base when the secure handheld device holder is in an upright position; and

a cap so dimensioned to allow a second end of the handheld device to be placeable in a cavity of the cap, wherein the cap is rotateably coupled on a top cap surface of the cap at a location off axis from a centerline of the cap to the second component end of the flexible component, wherein the cap has an angle relative to the base to allow the second end of the handheld device to be placeable in the cavity of the cap, wherein a distance between the cap and the base allows the handheld device to be holdable in compression between the base and the cap when the handheld device is placed in the secure handheld device holder, the compression being provided by the flexible component resisting flexing resulting from the handheld device being between the base and the cap.

14. The secure handheld device holder of claim 13, wherein the base and the cap are so dimensioned for receiving and holding securely a set of binoculars, a telescope, or a range finder.

15. The secure handheld device holder of claim 13 further comprising receptacles for receiving one or more straps, wherein the straps include buckles for coupling of the straps to a torso of a person or to shoulders of a person, or to the torso at one or more places and the shoulders of the person, wherein the secure handheld device holder is held upright and firmly against a front of the torso of the person standing upright.

16. The secure handheld device holder of claim 15 further comprising a tether receptacle to receive a tether coupleable between the handheld device and the secure handheld device holder.

17. The secure handheld device holder of claim 13, wherein one or more straps having buckles are coupled to the side component or the base, wherein the straps having buckles are coupleable to the torso or shoulders of a person.

18. The secure handheld device holder of claim 17, wherein a tether is coupled to the side component or the base, wherein the tether is coupleable to the handheld device.

19. A secure binocular holder, comprising:

a base plate dimensioned to receive a first end of binoculars, the first end of the binoculars being covered by a top surface of the base plate, the base plate having one or more sides extending up from the top surface to secure the first end of the binoculars to the top surface of the base plate;

a side plate having a first side plate end coupled to the base plate, the side plate extending away from the base plate at an angle of about 90 degrees as measured relative to the top surface of the base plate, the side plate having a second side plate end opposite to the first side plate end;

a flexible component having a first component end coupled to the second side plate end and extending away from the base plate, the flexible component having a shaped region and having a second component end opposite the first component end, the shaped region is shaped to place the second component end over and above the base plate when the secure binocular holder is in an upright position;

a cap so dimensioned to allow a second end of the handheld device to be placeable in a cavity of the cap, wherein the cap is rotateably coupled on a top cap surface of the cap at a location off axis from a centerline of the cap to the second component end of the flexible component, wherein the cap rests at an angle relative to the base plate to allow the second end of the binoculars to be placeable in the cavity of the cap when the secure binocular holder is in an upright position, wherein a distance between the cap and the base plate allows the binoculars to be holdable in compression between the base plate and the cap when the binoculars are placed in the secure binocular holder, the compression being provided by the flexible component resisting flexing resulting from the binoculars being between the base plate and the cap; and

one or more straps having buckles, wherein the straps are coupled to the side plate or the base plate, wherein the straps include buckles to provide for coupling of the secure binocular holder to a torso or shoulders of a person, wherein a tether is coupled to the side plate or the base plate, wherein the tether is coupleable to the binoculars.