US20090242595A1 - Retractable carrying device for an optical device - Google Patents
Retractable carrying device for an optical device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20090242595A1 US20090242595A1 US12/478,947 US47894709A US2009242595A1 US 20090242595 A1 US20090242595 A1 US 20090242595A1 US 47894709 A US47894709 A US 47894709A US 2009242595 A1 US2009242595 A1 US 2009242595A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- indexing
- housing
- alignment
- face
- recess
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45F—TRAVELLING OR CAMP EQUIPMENT: SACKS OR PACKS CARRIED ON THE BODY
- A45F5/00—Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping
- A45F5/004—Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping with an automatic spring reel
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45F—TRAVELLING OR CAMP EQUIPMENT: SACKS OR PACKS CARRIED ON THE BODY
- A45F5/00—Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping
- A45F5/02—Fastening articles to the garment
- A45F2005/025—Fastening articles to the garment with a holder or item rotatably connected to the fastening device, e.g. having a rotation axis perpendicular to the garment
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45F—TRAVELLING OR CAMP EQUIPMENT: SACKS OR PACKS CARRIED ON THE BODY
- A45F2200/00—Details not otherwise provided for in A45F
- A45F2200/05—Holder or carrier for specific articles
- A45F2200/0508—Portable audio devices, e.g. walkman, discman, radio, MP3 player, headphones
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45F—TRAVELLING OR CAMP EQUIPMENT: SACKS OR PACKS CARRIED ON THE BODY
- A45F5/00—Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping
- A45F5/02—Fastening articles to the garment
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45F—TRAVELLING OR CAMP EQUIPMENT: SACKS OR PACKS CARRIED ON THE BODY
- A45F5/00—Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping
- A45F5/02—Fastening articles to the garment
- A45F5/021—Fastening articles to the garment to the belt
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
- The present application 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 disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
- Not Applicable
- 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.
- 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. 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. 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.
- 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:
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FIG. 1 is a front upper perspective view of a carrying device for a viewing tool constructed in accordance with 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 inFIG. 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 inFIG. 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 inFIG. 5 ; and -
FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of the carrying device, wherein the alignment member is removed from the stowed position. - 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 carryingdevice 10 configured for use with aviewing tool 12 to facilitate transport and use of theviewing tool 12. The carryingdevice 10 may be connected to a support member 14 (such as a belt, shoulder-strap, or the like) worn by the user. Theviewing tool 12 may be connected to the carryingdevice 10 via a tether 90 (seeFIG. 1 ) to allow the user to remove theviewing tool 12 from a stowed position (during transport) and place theviewing tool 12 in a deployed position (during use). The carryingdevice 10 may be configured to dispose theviewing tool 12 in substantially the same position and orientation when theviewing tool 12 is returned to the stowed position. In this manner, the user may reliably reach for theviewing tool 12 and have confidence that theviewing 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 theviewing 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 thesupport member 14 to facilitate transport of theviewing tool 12. Asupport member 14 may include an article worn by a user, such as a belt or shoulder strap. It is also contemplated that the carryingdevice 10 may be attachable to a user's limb, such as the user's arm. - Referring now specifically to
FIGS. 1 and 2 , the carryingdevice 10 includes ahousing body 16 having an outer face 18 (seeFIG. 4 ), aninner face 24, and aperipheral wall 26 extending between theinner face 24 andouter face 18. Thehousing body 16 defines ahousing recess 28 extending into thehousing body 16 from theouter face 18 and theperipheral wall 26. Thehousing recess 28 defines a recess face 30 (seeFIG. 6 ) and a recess wall 32 (seeFIG. 6 ) extending between therecess face 30 and theouter face 18. Thehousing recess 28 may further define a housing contact axis 88 (seeFIG. 4 ). - The carrying
device 10 additionally includes analignment member 36. According to one embodiment, a portion of thealignment member 36 is complimentary to the shape of thehousing recess 28. In this manner, thealignment member 36 is sized and configured to be received within thehousing recess 28. As described in more detail below, the unique shape of thealignment member 36 may limit insertion of thealignment member 36 into thehousing recess 28 in a particular orientation. - The
alignment member 36 includes aflange 40 and ahousing contact element 44 connected to theflange 40. Thehousing contact element 44 is configured to be received within thehousing recess 28. Referring now toFIGS. 3 and 4 , thehousing contact element 44 defines aninner end portion 46 and anouter end portion 48. Thehousing contact element 44 includes analignment face 50 and analignment wall 52 extending between thealignment face 50 and theflange 40. In the embodiment depicted inFIGS. 3 and 4 , thealignment face 50 faces away from theflange 40. - The
alignment member 36 defines an insertion orientation relative to thehousing body 16 when theinner end portion 46 is facing toward thehousing recess 28, theouter end portion 48 is facing away from thehousing recess 28 and thealignment face 50 is facing toward the recess face 30 (as shown inFIGS. 2 and 7 ). Thehousing contact element 44 is sized and configured to limit insertion into thehousing recess 28 to insertion when thealignment member 36 is in the insertion orientation. Thealignment member 36 is disposed in a stowed position in fixed relation relative to thehousing body 16 upon insertion into thehousing recess 28. - The size and shape of the
alignment member 36 may create a secure, tight fit within thehousing recess 28 when thealignment member 36 is disposed therein. In one embodiment, thehousing contact element 44 and thehousing recess 28 define a trapezoidally-shaped cross section in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to thehousing contact axis 88. In this manner, insertion of thehousing contact element 44 into thehousing recess 28 is substantially limited to insertion when thehousing contact element 44 is disposed in the insertion orientation. Theviewing tool 12 may be connected to the alignment member 36 (as described in more detail below) to dispose theviewing tool 12 in a ready-to-use orientation when thehousing contact element 44 is disposed within thehousing recess 28. Movement of thehousing contact element 44 relative to thehousing body 16 when thehousing contact element 44 is in the stowed position is substantially limited to translation out of thehousing recess 28 along thehousing contact axis 88. This tends to ensure that theviewing tool 12 is disposed in substantially the same position every time the user returns theviewing tool 12 to the stowed position. Although the foregoing describes thehousing 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 andhousing body 16 may include additional structural attributes to guide thealignment member 36 along thehousing contact axis 88 during insertion and removal of thehousing contact element 44 to and from thehousing recess 28. More specifically, one embodiment of thealignment member 36 includes an alignment groove 54 (seeFIG. 3 ) formed within thealignment face 50. Thealignment groove 54 extends from theouter end portion 48 to theinner end portion 46. Thehousing body 16 may include acorresponding alignment spine 34 protruding from therecess face 30. Thealignment groove 54 andalignment spine 34 are configured to complimentarily engage with one another as thealignment member 36 is advanced into thehousing recess 28 along thehousing contact axis 88. A portion of thegroove 54 adjacent theinner end portion 46 may include a flaredsection 56 to facilitate insertion of thealignment spine 34 into thealignment groove 54. - According to one embodiment the
outer face 18 of thehousing body 16 includes a raisedsection 20 and a loweredsection 22. The loweredsection 22 may define a periphery that is substantially complimentary to the periphery of theflange 40. Accordingly, when thealignment member 36 is received within thehousing recess 28, a portion of theflange 40 may overlap the loweredsection 22 of theouter face 18. As such, theflange 40 may be substantially flush with the raisedsection 20 of theouter face 18, or may only slightly protrude above theouter face 18 when thealignment member 36 is disposed within thehousing recess 28. This may reduce the gap between thehousing body 16 and theviewing tool 12 when theviewing tool 12 is in the stowed orientation. - The
alignment member 36 is connected to thehousing body 16 via atether 90. Thetether 90 may be disposed about arotatable spool 86 connected to thehousing body 16. As shown, thespool 86 is disposed within thehousing cavity 17; however, it is contemplated that thespool 86 may be disposed on an outer surface of thehousing body 16 in other embodiments. As shown, thetether 90 extends between thespool 86 and thealignment member 36 via atether aperture 92 formed within thehousing body 16. As thealignment member 36 is removed from thehousing recess 28, an exposed segment oftether 90 extends between thehousing recess 28 and thealignment member 36. Thespool 86 may be rotatable to facilitate lengthening of the exposed segment oftether 90 as thealignment member 36 is pulled away from thehousing body 16. Furthermore, thespool 86 may rotate upon return of thetether 90 when thealignment member 36 is returned to and inserted into thehousing recess 28. In one embodiment, thespool 86 rotates in a first direction to unwind thetether 90 therefrom, and in a second direction to wind thetether 90 about thespool 86. Thespool 86 may be biased to rotate in the first direction to urge thetether 90 to wind about thespool 86. Furthermore, the biasing may create a tension in thetether 90 as the user moves thealignment member 36 from thehousing recess 28. - According to one implementation, the carrying
device 10 may include a clip 94 (seeFIG. 7 ) connected to an end of thetether 90. Theclip 94 may be connected to theviewing tool 12 to connect thetether 90 to theviewing tool 12. In this regard, thetether 90 may extend through thealignment member 36 to connect with theviewing tool 12 via theclip 94. - Referring now to
FIGS. 3 and 4 , thealignment member 36 may be attached to theviewing tool 12 via afirst indexing member 58. Thealignment member 36 andfirst indexing member 58 may be configured to enable incremental rotational indexing of thealignment member 36 relative to thefirst indexing member 58 about a first rotation axis 62 (seeFIGS. 3 and 4 ). In this manner, theviewing tool 12 may be rotationally indexed relative to the carryingdevice 10. Thefirst indexing member 58 may be connected to theviewing tool 12 via anattachment plate 61. - The
first indexing member 58 includes afirst indexing face 60 defining a first indexing contour. Likewise, theflange 40 includes aflange indexing face 42 defining a flange indexing contour. The first indexing contour is complimentary to the flange indexing contour to enable rotational indexing of thealignment member 36 relative to thefirst 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 thefirst indexing member 58 relative to theflange 40. - In one implementation, the
first indexing member 58 is connected to thealignment member 36 via afirst retention member 64. Thefirst retention member 64 engages with thealignment member 36 and thefirst indexing member 58 to couple thealignment member 36 to thefirst indexing member 58 and to enable the above-mentioned rotational indexing. According to one embodiment, thealignment member 36 includes analignment aperture 38 and thefirst indexing member 58 includes afirst indexing aperture 59. Thefirst retention member 64 is advanced through thefirst indexing aperture 59 and thealignment aperture 38 to couple thealignment member 36 to thefirst indexing member 58. Thefirst indexing aperture 59 andalignment aperture 38 are co-axially aligned to facilitate insertion of thefirst retention member 64 therethrough. - The
first retention member 64 includes afirst retention flange 68 and afirst retention shaft 66 defining afirst shaft end 70. Thefirst indexing member 64 may include afirst indexing recess 63 within which thefirst retention flange 68 may be disposed. In this manner, thefirst indexing recess 63 may define a first recess periphery that is slightly larger than the outer diameter of thefirst retention flange 68. - The
first retention shaft 66 may include a spring loaded retention mechanism which engages with thealignment member 36 upon insertion through thealignment aperture 38. Thefirst indexing aperture 59 defines a first indexing circumference while thefirst retention flange 68 defines a first flange circumference that is larger than the first indexing circumference. In this manner, thefirst retention flange 68 may not pass through thefirst indexing aperture 59 to maintain thefirst indexing member 58 in engagement with thealignment member 36. - The
first retention member 64 may define a first distance “FD” (seeFIG. 7 ) as the distance between thefirst shaft end 70 and thefirst retention flange 68. The first distance FD may be variable to allow for movement of thefirst indexing member 58 relative to thealignment member 36. In other words, the distance between thefirst shaft end 70 and thefirst retention flange 68 may be adjustable. Thefirst indexing member 58 may be pulled away from thealignment member 36 and rotated about thefirst rotation axis 62 to rotate thefirst indexing member 58 relative to thealignment member 36. After thefirst indexing member 58 has been sufficiently rotated relative to thealignment member 36, the first distance FD may be shortened to return thefirst indexing member 58 into abutting contact with thealignment member 36. Accordingly, in one embodiment, thefirst retention shaft 66 is moveable between a first retracted position and a first extended position. Thefirst retention shaft 66 may be biased towards the first retracted position to urge thefirst indexing member 58 into contact with thealignment member 36. - It is also contemplated that other embodiments may include a
first retention member 64 configured to connect thefirst indexing member 58 to thealignment member 36 without forming apertures in thealignment member 36 or thefirst indexing member 58. For instance, thefirst retention member 64 may be disposed between thefirst indexing member 58 and thealignment member 36, and include one or more bearings to enable rotation of thefirst indexing member 58 relative to thealignment member 36. - As described above, the
first indexing member 58 enables incremental rotational indexing of theviewing tool 12 relative to the carryingdevice 10. According to another implementation, and referring now toFIGS. 5 and 6 , the carryingdevice 10 may additionally be configured to enable incremental rotational indexing of the carryingdevice 10 relative to thesupport member 14. To this end, one embodiment includes asecond indexing member 72 engageable with thesupport member 14. Thesecond indexing member 72 engages with thehousing body 16 to enable rotational indexing of thehousing body 16 relative to thesecond indexing member 72. - The
second indexing member 72 includes asecond indexing face 74 defining a second indexing contour. Likewise, thehousing body 16 defines a housing indexing contour which is complimentary to the second indexing contour. The housing indexing contour is disposed on theinner face 24 of thehousing body 16 in the embodiment depicted inFIG. 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 thesecond indexing member 72 relative to thehousing body 16. - The
second indexing member 72 may be connected to thehousing body 16 by asecond retention member 78. Thesecond retention member 78 may engage with both thehousing body 16, as well as thesecond indexing member 72 to couple thesecond indexing member 72 to thehousing body 16, and to enable incremental rotational indexing therebetween. In one implementation, thehousing body 16 includes ahousing aperture 25 extending through theinner face 24 and thesecond indexing member 72 includes asecond indexing aperture 75 extending therethrough. Thehousing aperture 25 defines asecond rotation axis 76. Thesecond retention member 78 is insertable through thehousing aperture 25 and thesecond indexing aperture 75 to couple thesecond indexing member 72 to thehousing body 16. In this manner, thesecond indexing aperture 75 is co-axially alignable with thehousing aperture 25 to facilitate advancement of thesecond retention member 78 therethough. - The
second retention member 78 includes asecond retention flange 82 and asecond retention shaft 80 defining asecond shaft end 84. Thesecond retention shaft 80 is advanced through thehousing aperture 25 and thesecond indexing aperture 75 to couple thesecond indexing member 72 to thehousing body 16. Thesecond indexing member 72 may also include asecond indexing recess 73 defining a second recess periphery that is slightly larger than the outer diameter of thesecond retention flange 82. - The
second retention shaft 80 may include a spring loaded engagement member to maintain thesecond retention shaft 80 within thesecond indexing aperture 75 and thehousing aperture 25. Thesecond indexing aperture 75 defines a second indexing circumference, while thesecond retention flange 82 defines a second flange circumference. The second flange circumference may be larger than the second indexing circumference to couple thesecond indexing member 72 to thehousing body 18. - The
second retention shaft 80 may define a second distance “SD” (seeFIG. 7 ) as the distance between thesecond shaft end 84 and thesecond retention flange 82. Thesecond retention shaft 80 may be moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. The second distance SD increases as thesecond retention shaft 80 moves from the retracted position toward the extended position. Thesecond retention shaft 80 may be biased towards the retracted position to maintain thesecond indexing member 72 in abutting contact with thehousing body 16. The biasing force may be overcome by a user to separate thesecond indexing member 72 from thehousing body 16 to rotate thesecond indexing member 72 relative to thehousing body 16 about thesecond rotation axis 74. When the user is done rotating thesecond indexing member 72, the biasing force returns thesecond indexing member 72 into abutting contact with thehousing body 16. - Although the foregoing describes an embodiment wherein the
second retention member 78 connects thesecond indexing member 72 to thehousing body 16 via thesecond indexing aperture 75 and thehousing aperture 25, it is also contemplated that thesecond retention member 78 may be configured to connect thesecond indexing member 72 to thehousing body 16 without forming apertures in thehousing body 16 or thesecond indexing member 72. For instance, thesecond retention member 78 may be disposed between thesecond indexing member 72 and thehousing body 16, and include one or more bearings to enable rotation of thesecond indexing member 72 relative to thehousing body 16. - 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 (20)
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;
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; 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 , further including a clip connected to the tether, the clip being configured to be engageable with the viewing tool.
5. 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.
6. The carrying device of claim 5 , wherein the first indexing member includes a first indexing aperture defining a first indexing circumference.
7. The carrying device of claim 6 , 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.
8. The carrying device of claim 7 , 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.
9. The carrying device of claim 8 , wherein the first retention shaft is biased towards the first retracted position.
10. The carrying device of claim 1 , wherein the first indexing contour and flange indexing contour define complimentary ribs and grooves.
11. 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.
12. The carrying device of claim 11 , wherein the second indexing contour and the housing indexing contour define complimentary ribs and grooves.
13. The carrying device of claim 11 , 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.
14. The carrying device of claim 13 , wherein the second indexing member includes a second indexing aperture defining a second indexing circumference.
15. The carrying device of claim 14 , 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.
16. The carrying device of claim 15 , 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.
17. The carrying device of claim 16 , wherein the second retention shaft is biased towards the first retracted position.
18. 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.
19. 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.
20. 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;
an alignment member including:
a flange including a flange indexing face defining a flange indexing contour; and
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 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.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/478,947 US20090242595A1 (en) | 2007-09-27 | 2009-06-05 | Retractable carrying device for an optical device |
US12/770,521 US20100206922A1 (en) | 2007-09-27 | 2010-04-29 | Retractable carrying device for an optical device |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/904,390 US20090084697A1 (en) | 2007-09-27 | 2007-09-27 | Retractable carrying device for an optical device |
US12/478,947 US20090242595A1 (en) | 2007-09-27 | 2009-06-05 | Retractable carrying device for an optical device |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/904,390 Continuation-In-Part US20090084697A1 (en) | 2007-09-27 | 2007-09-27 | Retractable carrying device for an optical device |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/770,521 Continuation-In-Part US20100206922A1 (en) | 2007-09-27 | 2010-04-29 | Retractable carrying device for an optical device |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20090242595A1 true US20090242595A1 (en) | 2009-10-01 |
Family
ID=41115580
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/478,947 Abandoned US20090242595A1 (en) | 2007-09-27 | 2009-06-05 | Retractable carrying device for an optical device |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20090242595A1 (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20130126565A1 (en) * | 2011-11-18 | 2013-05-23 | Ramin Rostami | Device holder apparatus with clip and method of forming apparatus |
US20130284772A1 (en) * | 2011-12-29 | 2013-10-31 | West Coast Chain Mfg. Co. | Retractor carrying case |
US11266225B2 (en) | 2018-12-13 | 2022-03-08 | Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation | Lanyard clip |
US11667026B2 (en) | 2017-09-25 | 2023-06-06 | Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation | Battery pack with lanyard receiver and tether with quick attachment |
US11945682B2 (en) | 2020-07-17 | 2024-04-02 | Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation | Lanyard with locking arm |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: GRACE ENGINEERING CORP., MICHIGAN Free format text: TECHNOLOGY PURCHASE AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:GROSS, TRAVIS A.;REEL/FRAME:024712/0880 Effective date: 20100708 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |