WO1995004298A1

WO1995004298A1 - Binocular sleeve

Info

Publication number: WO1995004298A1
Application number: PCT/US1994/008580
Authority: WO
Inventors: David J. Tacke; Ralph A. Rasmussen; Anthony P. Kampelman
Original assignee: Binoptic International Systems, Inc.
Priority date: 1993-07-30
Filing date: 1994-07-29
Publication date: 1995-02-09
Also published as: AU7476994A

Abstract

A binocular sleeve (200) fits over a pair of binoculars (100). The binocular sleeve with a flexible body which generally follows the binocular body. An opening at the objective lens portion of the binoculars allows for sliding the binoculars on and off. In addition, the binocular sleeve (200) may include formed eyepieces (202) and retaining rings (210) for positioning and protecting of the binoculars.

Description

BINOCULAR SLEEVE

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a protective sleeve for binoculars such as may be used at spectator facilities.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Binoculars are widely used by spectators in large and small spectator facilities to enhance their view of events from seats which are a substantial distance from the activity being viewed. In the past, however, it has generally been necessary for spectators to bring their own binoculars. This usually creates a dilemma for the owner of the binoculars as it is bothersome to have to carry the binoculars to and from the facility and there is a chance that one's binoculars can be damaged or stolen during transit to and from the facility or during the event. There is also a limited space to store the binoculars and the case for them when the binoculars are not being used.

Although some facilities now rent binoculars, the cost is often quite high and requires a very large deposit. In addition, it requires the spectators to seek out the rental booth and often leave some form of identification or security with the renters. The rental also requires returning the binoculars after the event when spectator traffic is often high and when time may be of the essence for avoiding spectator traffic. In addition, there are many spectators who do not own a pair of binoculars, but would nevertheless like to use binoculars to enhance their viewing particular events. Indeed, some people have no need for a pair of binoculars, except when they are at a particular event or in a special location where they have a particular interest and, therefore, wish to have the enhanced vision through the use of a pair of binoculars. For example, a sports fan might have interest in several different spectator sports, but only have a desire to use a pair of binoculars to watch portions of one particular sport. An example of such a situation might be an individual who has courtside tickets for a basketball game, but sits in the outfield upper deck at a baseball game. It can also be appreciated that at many areas such as scenic overlooks of natural sites, there exists a need for fitting binoculars at such sites.

It can be appreciated that such vending apparatus should have rugged construction to withstand use at outdoor facilities and use and abuse by spectators. It can further be appreciated that such an apparatus should supply the binoculars on a tether and that should have a recoil which pulls the binoculars back to the vending apparatus when not used. Such a recoil should be reliable and easily used and actuated for repeated use. Such an apparatus should also include a reliable token mechanism which is used for vending the binoculars. For repeated use of the binoculars, oils and other dirt builds up on the binoculars, making their use less attractive to spectators. It can be appreciated that if a protective sleeve could be provided, the hygiene associated with renting binoculars would also be improved, thereby enhancing their use.

Accordingly, a need exists for availability of binoculars for spectators watching events so that view of the events can be enhanced by using binoculars provided. The usage can be improved by using a protective sleeve on the binoculars. The present invention provides a solution to these other problems and also offers other advantages over the prior art, and solves other problems associated therewith.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Preferably, a vending apparatus includes a binocular sleeve which includes a flexible body portion which is configured to slide over and conform to an exterior portion of the binoculars. The sleeve is a flexible material which fits over the body of the binoculars. In the first embodiment, a sleeve forms an opening to slide over the binoculars at the objective lens end of the binoculars. A pair of eyepieces form orifices for fitting around the binocular eyepieces and ocular lenses. The sleeve is disposable and can be removed after single use, such as may be needed for vending binoculars.

In a second embodiment, the sleeve is flexible and fits over the binoculars with retainer rings positioned at the objective lenses of the binoculars for positioning and retaining the binoculars. In addition, the binoculars do not include eyepieces at the ocular lenses. Therefore, the sleeve forms raised portions which keep the eye at a distance of the eyepoint from the ocular lenses so that the brightest and sharpest visual image is obtained. In this manner, the binoculars are protected from grease and oils of the user to provide better hygiene.

These and various other advantages and features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, wherein like reference letters and numerals indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of binoculars and a sleeve for the binoculars according to the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the sleeve shown in Figure 1 on the binoculars; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of binoculars;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a sleeve for binoculars according to the principles of the present invention configured for fitting the binoculars shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is front elevational view of the sleeve shown in Figure 4 covering the binoculars shown in Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a rear elevational view of the binoculars and sleeve shown in Figure 5; and.

Figure 7 is a sectional view of the sleeve and binoculars shown in Figure 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding structure throughout the views, and referring in particular to Figure 1, there is shown a first embodiment of a sleeve 30 for binoculars 10. The binoculars generally include a pair of lens assemblies 14 connected by a hinged body 12. The hinged body 12 allows for pivoting the lens assemblies 14 to fit user's face. The lens assemblies 14 include an objective lens 16 and an ocular lens 18 and an opposite end. A prism is between the lenses which magnifies objects and improves the depth perception when viewing through the binoculars 10. The binocular lens includes an eyepiece 20 positioned to fit against the user's eyes and to position the lens at a preferred distance from the eye for focusing. The hinged body 12 includes a focus adjustment 22 for changing the focus of the binoculars when viewing different distances. The binoculars 10 are preferably good binoculars which provide a patron or spectator with a good view of the events taking place. The binoculars preferably are 7 power X 50 mm (7 X 50). It can be appreciated that any other binoculars can be provided, for instance, 5 X 25, or 8 X 55 can also be used. Low power binoculars are often ideal for the opera, concerts, speaking events and the like. Additionally, the binoculars are preferably of a rugged construction which enables the binoculars to withstand use at outdoor facilities and use and abuse by spectators.

The sleeve 30 includes a sleeve body which may be made of a flexible elastic material or may be a molded flexible material to generally fit and follow the exterior of the binoculars. Suitable materials include polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polypropylene, low or high density polyethylene, foam or foam based materials, or rubber and rubber based materials. The elastic flexible characteristics of the sleeve 30 make the sleeve tend to cling to the binoculars 10 so the sleeve 30 does not slide off without being urged to do so by a user or worker. The binocular sleeve 30 includes an enlarged opening 36 configured to fit around the exterior of the binoculars 10 for applying and removing the sleeve 30. At an opposite end of the sleeve 30, and aligned with the objective lens opening 36, are a pair of raised eyepiece cover portions 32. The cover portions 32 form orifices 34 which are generally aligned with the ocular lenses 18 of the eyepieces 20 of the binoculars 10. The raised portions 32 cover the rim around the eyepieces 20 of the binoculars 10.

As shown in Figure 2, when the sleeve 30 is mounted on the binoculars 10, the field of vision remains clear through the ocular lenses 18 and objective lenses 16 of the binoculars 10. In this way, vision is not impaired by the sleeve 30. It can be further appreciated that the sleeve 30 provides for hygienic protection, as the binoculars are used over and over by different persons, while the sleeve 30 may be cleaned and reused or disposed and recycled after a single use. The eyepiece portions 20 of binoculars 10 never physically contact the eyes or face of a user as the raised eyepiece cover portions 32 of the sleeve 30 cover the eyepieces 20 around the ocular lenses 18. This prevents dirt and oil from building up on the binoculars 10 and eliminates extensive cleaning of the binoculars. It can be further appreciated that the binocular body 12 does not retain grease or oils from either the face or hands of patrons, as the portions are not gripped directly, rather they are covered by the sleeve 30. Since the binocular sleeve 30 is made of a flexible lightweight material, it may be easily slipped over the eyepieces 20 and onto the body 12 with little adjustment or alignment required. It can be further appreciated that after each use of the binoculars 10, the sleeve 30 is easily removed and a new sleeve may be quickly applied for the next use. The sleeve 30 also provides enough flexibility so that when adjustments to the binoculars 10 are required to fit the individual user's face or for focusing, the sleeve body is able to flex with the adjustments of the binocular's configuration. The sleeve body also fits a user's hands for ergonomic gripping. In addition, the sleeve 30 affords a padded layer over the binoculars 10 should they be dropped or otherwise mishandled.

Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown a second embodiment of binoculars, generally designated 100. The binoculars 100 include a hinged body 102 with a pair of lens assemblies 104. The lens assemblies 104 include a larger objective lens 106, a smaller ocular lens 108 and a prism intermediate the lenses. The binoculars 100 may also include a focus adjustment 110. It can be appreciated however, that the ocular lenses 108 do not have eyepieces formed around. Rather, eyepieces may be formed with the sleeve, as explained hereinafter.

Referring now to Figure 4, there is shown a second embodiment of the sleeve, generally designated 200 which is made of a flexible material. The sleeve includes formed eyepiece portions 202 forming an orifice 204. The eyepieces 202 include a raised ring portion 206 and an inner portion 208. The binoculars may also include an enlarged opening 212 at the objective lens end of the binoculars. The orifice may also have a pair of retainer rings 210 formed therein. The retainer rings 220 are used for positioning the sleeve 200 relative to the openings for the objective lenses 106. The sleeve 200 further includes an outer lens assembly cover portion 214 and an inner lens assembly cover portion 216 for covering both the smaller and larger portions of the lens assembly 104. The sleeve 200 also includes a center portion 220 covering the hinged body which may include a tab 224 for covering a portion of the focus adjustment 110 and a tab 222 at an opposite end of the body for retaining and positioning the sleeve 200. The center portion 220 may include a slit or opening to increase flexibility. Alternatively, the sleeve 200 may have a pleated or corrugated construction to increase flexibility.

It can be appreciated that with the second embodiment, the sleeve 200 includes eyepiece portions 202. These provide the proper positioning of the ocular lenses 108 relative to a user's eyes. In particular, the eyepieces 202 have raised portions 206 which position the eye so that the distance between the user's eyes and the lens is equal to the eye point of the binoculars. The eye point, also known as the eye relief, is the point on the axis of the lens at which the brightest and sharpest visual image is obtained. In this manner, the eyepoint is being maintained between the ocular lens 108 and the user's eyes. In addition. the ocular lens 108 and the rest of binoculars are protected from the grease and oils from the user's face. The sleeve 200 may be cleaned and reused or disposed and recycled. The sleeve 200 provides a hygienic method of positioning and maintaining the binoculars 100. In addition, the sleeve 200 provides protection from the binoculars 100 being dropped or otherwise mishandled.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A sleeve for binoculars, the binoculars including a pair of lens assemblies having an ocular lens and an objective lens, the lens assemblies being hingedly connected, the sleeve comprising a flexible body portion forming an opening configured to slide over the binoculars and conform to an exterior portion of the binoculars, wherein the body forms a pair of orifices generally aligned with eyepieces of the binoculars and configured to form eyepieces to position the lenses relative to a user's eyes.

2. A sleeve according to claim 1, wherein the binoculars includes an ocular lens at the eyepiece end and a larger objective lens at a second end, and wherein the opening aligns with the second end.

3. A sleeve according to claim 2, further comprising rings around the objective lenses.

4. A sleeve according to claim 1, wherein the flexible body in an elastic material.

5. A sleeve according to claim 1, wherein the body is a molded material.

6. A sleeve according to claim 5, wherein the sleeve comprises a member which is removable after each use for cleaning or disposal.

7. A disposable sleeve for covering binoculars, the binoculars having a pair of lens assemblies hingedly connected, comprising a flexible body portion having an exterior generally following the contour of the binoculars and forming an opening configured to slide over the binoculars and conform to an exterior portion of the binoculars, wherein the body forms a pair of orifices generally aligned with ocular lenses and forming eyepieces around the lenses for positioning the binoculars relative to a user.

8. A sleeve according to claim 7, wherein the sleeve opening is configured in an arc to generally follow the exterior of the binoculars.

9. A sleeve according to claim 7, wherein an exterior surface of the sleeve generally follows the contour of the binoculars.

10. A sleeve according to claim 7, further comprising retainer rings extending around the objective lenses.