GB2157555A - Observation seat - Google Patents

Abstract

An observation seat 3 is mounted on a turntable 2 for rotation about a generally vertical axis. Seat 3 has a back portion 4 which is adjustably mounted on the seat portion 3 for movement between upright and fully reclined positions. The back portion 4 supports a column 7 which carries a slidable mount 8 which may be clamped into position and which carries a bracket 9 for holding binoculars 10. The user may recline on the seat and back portion 3, 4 whilst observing through the binoculars which are held in position by bracket 9. Alternatively, a telescope or camera may be held by bracket 9. The base on which the turntable is mounted may be provided with a transport wheel or wheels, or with adjustable leveling pads. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Observation Seat This invention relates to observation seats, primarily for astronomical observation, but not necessarily limited to such use, since they may find utility in ornithology, photography or other fields.

When studying the key, or other objectives high in elevation through binoculars or a telescope, it is necessary to have a high angle of observation, and to maintain steadiness while moving or panning across a field of view. Hand holding of the binoculars or telescope thus leads to difficulties, and the necessity for looking upwards implies that a conventional tripod is useless for much of the time.

The use of a deck chair in fully reclined position, or leaning upon a convenient wall is only comfortable for a comparatively short time, and is in any event not wholly satisfactory, in that little or no adjustment of position is possible while maintaining any sort of control over the position of the binoculars, and hence the area being observed.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided an observation seat mounted on a turntable or the like for rotation above a vertical or generally vertical axis, the seat having a back portion adjustable relative to the seat portion so as to be capable of taking up an at least substantially fully reclined position, and the back portion also supporting a column for adjustable mounting of a pair of binoculars or other optical equipment so that the equipment may be maintained in a user comfortable position at any position of the seat back and held without necessity of holding by the user's hands.

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a form of observation seat in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a rear elevation of a seat back and column shown in figure 1; Figure 3 is a side elevation, to an enlarged scale, of a detail offigure 1; Figure 4 is a sectional view of a detail of figure 3; Figure 5 is a plan view, to an enlarged scale, of a further detail of figure 1; Figure 6 is a side elevation showing details of the structure shown in figure 5; and Figure 7 is an end elevation of the structure of figures 5 and 6.

Turning first to figures 1 and 2, there is shown a base 1 adapted for free standing upon a suitable floor or ground surface, and supporting a rotary turntable 2 which carries in turn a seat comprising a seat portion 3 fixed mounted on the turntable for rotation therewith and a back portion 4 adjustably mounted on the seat portion 2 for movement between the upright position shown and a fully reclined position, in each the seat back portion 4 is substantially horizontally disposed. The seat may for instance have a recliner mechanism similar two that utilised in many saloon and other passenger cars.

Figure 2 shows that the seat back 4 has transverse frame members 5 and 6 which support a column 7, which may for instance be of 3 inch by 1 inch (7.5 cmx2.5 cm) timber. The column 7 slidingly supports a clampable mount 8 for a bracket 9 to carry binoculars or other optical equipment. Figure 1 also shows a pair of binoculars 10 mounted on the bracket 9.

Figures 3 and 4 show more detail of the bracket 9.

A clip 11 of known type for engaging the bridge piece of a conventional pair of binoculars, and having a holding screw 12, is mounted by means of a plate 13 with upturned flanges 14 (see figure 4) within a channel shaped support 15. This is achieved by rivets or bolts 16, and a timber block 17 maintains the shape of the channel shaped support 15. To enable the angle of the binoculars or other equipment to be adjusted, the support 15 is pivotally mounted on a slide member 18 by means of a pivot pin 19, and the angular position is controllable and adjustable by means of an adjusting nut 21 cooperable with a screw 22 passing through an angle plate 23 on the slide 18.

The slide 18 is mounted by means of a slot 24 upon the mount 8, which is shown in more detail in figures 5,6 and 7. The mount 8 is laminated in timber and consists of outer layers 25 and 26, which sandwich a composite inner layer consisting of two pieces 27 and 28. The pieces 27 and 28 are spaced apart to define a rectangular gap 29 to provide a sliding fit over the column 7. A metal plate 31 is attached to the layer 26 to provide a mount for a clamping screw 32 (see figure 6) to locate the mount 8 at any required adjusted position on the column 7.

Part of the layer 27 extends beyond the piece 26 and has a top plate 33 affixed thereto so as to provide an overhand 34. A hole 35 in the extension of the layer is arranged to receive a locating pin (not shown).

The locating pin in the hole 35 co-operates with the slot 24 in the slide 18, which also fits sliding beneath the overhand 34. This pin may also carry a clamping nut for holding the slide 18 in any required adjusted position.

In use, the observer sits on the seat and adjusts the angle of the back portion 4 to his requirements.

The position of the binoculars or other equipment may be adjusted at anytime by adjustment of the position of the mount 8 on the column 7, the position of the bracket 9 on the mount 8, and the angular adjustment of the mount 15 on the slide 18.

Once set for any user, only angular and minor adjustment is likely to be necessary. When sitting or reclining on the seat, the observer will normally have his feet on the ground and may thus readily swing the seat on the turntable through large or small angles.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. For instance, the seat may be adapted for users with telescoped instead of binoculars. Also, the seat may be usable when photographing wildlife, by keeping a camera trained on a required target area with the photographer waiting for the subject to appear.

Also, the base may be provided with a transport wheel or wheels to enable the seat to be transported over rough ground like a wheelbarrow. Such transport wheel or wheels may be retracted when not in use, or the base 1 may have a handle or handles to lower it to a stable position. Adjustable levelling pads may also be providedforthe base

Claims (6)

1. An observation seat mounted on a turntable or the like for rotation about a vertical or generally vertical axis, the seat having a back portion adjustable relative to the seat portion so as to be capable of taking up an at least substantially fully reclined position, and the back portion also supporting a column for adjustable mounting of a pair of binoculars or other optical equipment so that the equipment may be maintained in a usercomfortable position at any position of the seat back and held without the necessity of holding by the user's hands.

2. An observation seat as claimed in claim 1, in which the column carries a sliding mounting member for the equipment, and the equipment is arranged to be mounted on a bracket releasably and adjustably attachable to the slidable mounting member.

3. An observation seat as claimed in claim 2, in which the bracket is angularly adjustable relative to the sliding mounting member.

4. An observation seat as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the turntable is mounted on a base which is provided with a transport wheel or wheels.

5. An observation seat as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the turntable is mounted on a base provided with adjustable levelling pads.

6. An observation seat substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.