WO2019053740A1

WO2019053740A1 - A viewing aid

Info

Publication number: WO2019053740A1
Application number: PCT/IN2018/050586
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sunil Nadkarni
Original assignee: Sunil Nadkarni
Priority date: 2017-09-15
Filing date: 2018-09-11
Publication date: 2019-03-21

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a viewing aid (10) comprising at least one mount (12) adapted to enable mounting of the viewing aid (10) onto at least one mounting surface; optionally, at least one frame (14) adapted to detachably attach at least one reflecting surface (16) onto said mount (12); and at least one reflecting surface (16) adapted to capture and display a pre-determined field of vision of the user, to the user when the head of the user is in an upright position; thereby eliminating the need of the user to tilt the head downwards for carrying out activities requiring the attention of the eyes of the user.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

A VIEWING AID

FIELD The present disclosure relates to a viewing aid.

DEFINITIONS

The term 'activity' for the purpose of the present disclosure, is to be interpreted as any activity requiring the attention of the eyes and mandating the user to tilt the head downwards from the upright position - an activity that can normally be accomplished only by bending the head downwards; and includes but is not limited to tasks such as using devices such as desktops, mobile phones, laptops and tablets and carrying out work such as reading, writing, stitching, pottery, embroidering, painting, cooking and conducting a surgical procedure.

BACKGROUND

With the advent of technology, devices such as desktops, mobile phones, laptops, tablets and the like have become an inseparable part of today's world. However, along with a bountiful of advantages, the afore-stated devices are associated with some startling adverse repercussions. While using the aforementioned devices, it has been observed that users always tend to bend the head downwards to look at the screens or keyboards. Constant use of the afore- stated devices, therefore, causes the head to be in the bowed down position, more often that it should ideally be.

l Furthermore, carrying out activities that include but are not limited to constant reading, writing and working in the kitchen also result in the head being bowed down for prolonged time periods. Such a position of the head increases the load on the spine to a significant extent thereby disturbing the natural alignment of the spine. Besides incidences of severe disorders resulting from a misaligned spine, some additional health problems such as joints pain, nerve constriction, increased risk of cardiovascular disease are bound to result that affect the overall quality of life.

The inventor of the present disclosure, being a practicing orthopedic surgeon for many decades, has observed that the alignment of the spine has been disturbed in most of the urban population due to the afore-mentioned causes. Devices such as prism glasses are currently available in the market that address a part of the afore-stated problem. However, prism glasses suffer from some significant disadvantages such as exclusion of a significant part of the visible field; thereby making the user accident prone as obstacles may not be seen.

The viewing accessory of the present disclosure aims at mitigating the afore- stated problem.

OBJECTS It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a viewing aid.

It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a viewing aid which is easy to use.

It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a viewing aid which is economical. It is still another object of the present disclosure to provide a viewing aid which is manufactured from easily available raw materials. It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a viewing aid which is light in weight.

It is still another object of the present disclosure to provide a viewing aid which obviates health problems associated with excessive gadget use. It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a viewing aid which is customizable according to the physical characteristics and need of the user.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a viewing aid (10) comprising at least one mount (12) adapted to enable mounting of the viewing aid (10) onto at least one mounting surface; optionally, at least one frame (14) adapted to detachably attach at least one reflecting surface (16) onto the mount (12); and at least one reflecting surface (16) adapted to capture and display a pre-determined field of vision of the user, to the user when the head of the user is in an upright position; thereby eliminating the need of the user to tilt the head downwards for carrying out activities requiring the attention of the eyes of the user. Typically, the predetermined field of vision of the user is the field of vision that would appear to the user while carrying out activities requiring the attention of the eyes and mandating the user to tilt the head downwards.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objectives and advantages of the proposed invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of the proposed invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 illustrates two non-limiting embodiments of the viewing aid (10) of the present disclosure, upon mounting on the person of a user; Figure 2 illustrates a non-limiting embodiment of the perspective view of the viewing aid (10) of the present disclosure, the view being a side perspective view from the top when the user after wearing the aid (10) is looking to the left;

Figure 3 a illustrates a non-limiting embodiment of the top view of the viewing aid (10) of the present disclosure and 3b illustrates a non-limiting embodiment of the bottom view of the viewing aid (10) of the present disclosure;

Figure 4 illustrates the orientation and associated geometry of the reflecting surfaces (16_r and 160 when the object relating to the activity is placed on an axis parallel to the plane of the eye of the user; and Figure 5 illustrates the orientation and associated geometry of the reflecting surfaces (16_r and 160 when the object relating to the activity is not placed on an axis parallel to the plane of the eye of the user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The inventor of the present disclosure provides a viewing aid (10) which precludes the need of the user to bend the head downwards while carrying out any activity requiring the attention of the eyes of the user, that can normally be accomplished only by bending the head downwards from the upright position (as illustrated in Figures la and b). As a consequence, correct posture of the body is maintained, preventing harmful side effects that may develop over a period of time due to incorrect posture.

The viewing aid (10) of the present disclosure has been illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, and comprises at least one mount (12), optionally at least one frame (14) and at least one reflecting surface (16). The mount (12) of the present disclosure is adapted to enable mounting of the viewing aid (10) onto at least one mounting surface. The mounting surface, for the purpose of the present disclosure, is at least one selected from the group consisting of the person of the user and at least one object relating to the activity being carried out by the user requiring the attention of the eyes of the user and bending the head downwards while carrying out the activity. In one embodiment, the viewing aid (10) is mounted on the head of the user. In another embodiment, the viewing aid (10) is mounted on the head of the user, in front of the eyes (illustrated in Figures la and lb). In still another embodiment, the viewing aid (10) is mounted on the waist of the user. In yet another embodiment, the viewing aid (10) is mounted on a mobile phone. In still another embodiment, the viewing aid (10) is mounted on the reading material. Typically, any material capable of facilitating mounting of any device onto the human body or an inanimate object, can be used as the mount (12). In one embodiment, the mount (12) of the present disclosure is a head band. In another embodiment, the mount (12) of the present disclosure comprises two detachably attachable straps for locking behind the head.

The frame (14) of the viewing aid (10) of the present disclosure is adapted to detachably attach, at least one reflecting surface (16) onto the mount (12). The frame (14) is adapted to facilitate a change in the angle of the reflecting surface(s) (16) for better visibility to suit the need and physical characteristics of the user and/or for efficient storage. In one embodiment, the viewing aid (10) of the present disclosure does not have a frame (14) and the mount (12) is adapted to perform the dual functions of facilitating the mounting of the viewing aid (10) and to detachably hold at least one reflecting surface (16).

The reflecting surface(s) (16) of the present disclosure is adapted to capture and display a pre-determined field of vision of the user, to the user when the head of the user is in an upright position (as illustrated in Figure lb); the predetermined field of vision of the user being the field of vision that would normally appear to the user while carrying out activities requiring the attention of the eyes and mandating the user to tilt the head downwards; thereby improving the posture of the user. Typically, the pre-determined field of vision is the field of vision appearing to the user upon tilting the head downwards at an angle ranging from 30 to 80° from an upright position. In one embodiment, the viewing aid (10) of the present disclosure comprises two reflecting surfaces (16_r and 16i) as illustrated in Figure 4. The reflecting surfaces 16_r and 16i are characterized by having a pre-determined distance (R) therebetween; a pre-determined distance from the mounting surface (a and b) and the ability to rotate to up to 360° along the vertical axis and stabilize at a pre-determined angle (Θ_Γ and 9i). Typically, the pre-determined distance (R) between the two reflecting surfaces (16_r and 160 ranges from 20 to 60 mm. In one embodiment, R is 40 mm. Further, the pre-determined distance (a and b) of the reflecting surfaces 16_r and 16i from the mounting surface is dependent on the pre-determined distance (R) between the two reflecting surfaces (16_r and 160. In the embodiment when the activity is being carried out in a plane parallel to the plane of the eye (as illustrated in Figure 4), a ranges from 10 to 30 mm and b ranges from 25 to 40 mm. The pre-determined distance a and b of the reflecting surfaces 16_r and 16i also depends on the angle to which the user has to tilt the head downwards to carry out the afore-stated activities as illustrated in Figure 5. In one embodiment, the first reflecting surface (16_r) is known as the reflecting mirror and the second reflecting surface (160 is known as the incident mirror. The incident mirror (160 is also known as the viewing mirror.

The pre-determined angle of stabilization of the two reflecting surfaces Θ_Γ and 9i is dependent on at least one variable selected from the group consisting of the physical characteristics of the user and the angle to which the user has to tilt the head downwards to carry out the afore-stated activities as illustrated in Figure 5. Typically, the angle (Θ_Γ) of the first reflecting surface 16_r ranges from 40 to 75° and the angle (Θ0 of the second reflecting surface 16i ranges from 14 to 50°. It is significant to note that if the viewing mirror is kept at 0°, the user will be able to see only themselves and if the incident mirror is kept at 30°, the vision will be reflected to infinity.

In another embodiment, the viewing aid (10) comprises one reflecting surface (16) with a curvature creating a first reflecting arm ( 16_r) and a second reflecting arm (16i) and having the same geometry and functionality as mentioned in the previous embodiment.

It is a characteristic of the viewing aid (10) of the present disclosure that the afore-mentioned geometry of the reflecting surfaces (16) makes the sight, that would normally be seen by the user in the head down position, available to the user with the head held upright. The reflecting mirror (16_r), in the aforementioned orientation, reflects the pre-determined field of vision of the user and the incident mirror (16i), in the afore-mentioned orientation, further reflects the field of vision thus reflected by the reflecting mirror (16_r), such that the pre- determined field of vision is visible to the user in the incident mirror (16i). The inventor of the present disclosure, after rigorous experimentation, has narrowed down on the afore-mentioned angles of the reflecting surfaces (16_r and 160, to give the user the best possible visibility and coverage according to the physical characteristics and the activity being carried out by the user. The reflecting surface(s) (16) of the viewing aid of the present disclosure, in one embodiment, is flat. The reflecting surface(s) (16), in another embodiment, is curved. The reflecting surface (16) is at least one selected from the group consisting of regular mirror, first surface mirror and second surface mirror. The reflecting surface (16) is made up of at least one material selected from the group consisting of glass, acrylic and metal.

In one embodiment, the viewing aid (10) comprises a plurality of accessories that aid the user in getting a proper view of the pre-determined field of vision. In one embodiment, the viewing aid (10) comprises LED light(s) to illuminate the reading or working surface as per the necessity.

Preferred embodiment: The foregoing objects of the invention are accomplished, the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art techniques and approaches are overcome by the viewing aid (10) as described below in the preferred embodiment (ref. Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5).

The mount (12) of the present disclosure comprises two detachably attachable straps for locking behind the head. The frame (14) of the present disclosure acts as a headband to which the reflecting mirror (16_r) and the incident mirror (16i) are detachably attached. The frame (14) allows the reflecting mirror (16_r) and the incident mirror (16i) to independently rotate to up to 360° along the vertical axis and stabilize at a pre-determined angle (Θ_Γ and Θ depending upon the physical characteristics of the user and the specific requirement. The viewing aid (10) is mounted on the head of the user in front of the eyes like eye glasses. If the user is reading a book placed exactly perpendicular to the plane of the eye, then the angle of the reflecting mirror (16_r) is 55° and the angle of the incident mirror (16i) is 30°. For the same situation, the distance between the reflecting mirror (16_r) and the incident mirror (16i) is 40 mm. Further, the distance (a) of the reflecting mirror (16_r) from the point of intersection of the line of vision of the eye and the projection from the midpoint of the reflecting mirror (16_r) is 22 mm and the distance (b) of the incident mirror (16i) from the point of intersection of the line of vision of the eye and the projection from the midpoint of the reflecting mirror (16_r) is 28.5 mm. The line of vision of the eye coincides with the projection from the midpoint of the incident mirror (16i). As the point of intersection of the line of vision of the eye and the projection from the midpoint of the reflecting mirror (16_r) forms a right angle, the values of Θ_Γ, 9i, 16_r and 16i are derived using the following equations:

R = square roof of (a² +b²)

0! = Sin ^a/R) Θ_Γ = Sin ^b/R)

The value of R was first determined, on the basis of which the other above- mentioned values were calculated.

A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the values R, Θ_Γ, 6i, 16_r and 16i will vary depending upon the angle at which the user has to tilt their head to carry out the activity and also on the physical characteristics of the user (as illustrated in Figure 5 - different position of the mobile phone leading to different values of Θ_Γ, 6i, 16_r and 16i ).

The embodiments described herein above are non-limiting. The foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as an illustration of the concept of the proposed invention and it is in no way to be construed as a limitation. Description of terminologies, concepts and processes known to persons acquainted with technology has been avoided to preclude beclouding of the afore- stated embodiments. TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES AND ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE

The technical advantages and economic significance of the viewing aid (10) of the proposed invention include but are not limited to:

- The viewing aid (10) is made up of easily available, economical and light weight raw materials

- The construction of the viewing aid (10) is based on simple physics

- Use of the viewing aid (10) of the present disclosure aims to prevent harmful side effects on the body that may develop over a period of time due to incorrect posture while pursuing day to day activities. The foregoing objects of the invention are accomplished, and the problems and shortcomings associated with prior art techniques and approaches are overcome by the proposed invention described in the present embodiment. Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein; however, it is to be understood that the proposed invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the proposed invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure, or matter.

The embodiments of the invention as described above, and the processes disclosed herein will suggest further modification and alterations to those skilled in the art. Such further modifications and alterations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

I CLAIM:

1. A viewing aid (10) comprising:

a. at least one mount (12) adapted to enable mounting of the viewing aid (10) onto at least one mounting surface;

b. optionally, at least one frame (14) adapted to detachably attach at least one reflecting surface (16) onto said mount (12); and c. at least one reflecting surface (16) adapted to capture and display a pre-determined field of vision of the user, to the user when the head of the user is in an upright position; thereby eliminating the need of the user to tilt the head downwards for carrying out activities requiring the attention of the eyes of the user.

2. The viewing aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pre-determined field of vision of the user is the field of vision that would appear to the user while carrying out activities requiring the attention of the eyes and mandating the user to tilt the head downwards.

3. The viewing aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mounting surface is at least one selected from the group consisting of the person of the user and at least one object relating to said activity.

4. The viewing aid as claimed in claim 1, being mounted on the head of the user, in front of the eyes.

5. The viewing aid as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said mount ( 12) is adapted to enable mounting of the viewing aid (10) onto said mounting surface(s) and to detachably hold at least one reflecting surface (16).

6. The viewing aid as claimed in claim 1, comprising two reflecting surfaces (16_r and 16i) characterized by having a pre-determined distance (R) therebetween; a pre-determined distance from the mounting surface (a and b) and the ability to independently rotate to up to 360° along the vertical axis and stabilize at a pre-determined angle (Θ_Γ and Θ0, wherein said pre-determined distance (R) between the two reflecting surfaces (16_r and 16i) ranges from 20 to 60 mm and wherein said pre-determined distance (a and b) from the mounting surface(s) is dependent on the predetermined distance (R) between the two reflecting surfaces (16_r and 16i).

7. The viewing aid as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said pre-determined angle of stabilization of said reflecting surfaces (Θ_Γ and 9i) is dependent on at least one variable selected from the group consisting of the physical characteristics of the user and the angle to which the user has to tilt the head downwards to carry out the afore- stated activities and ranges from 40 to 75° (ΘΓ) for 16_r and 14 to 50° (Θ for ½.

8. The viewing aid as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said frame (14) and optionally said mount (12) is adapted to facilitate a change in the distance between said reflecting surface(s) (16) (R); the distance of the reflecting surface(s) (16) from the mounting surface (a and b) and the angle of the reflecting surfaces (16) (Θ_Γ and 9i).

9. The viewing aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein said reflecting surface(s) (16) is at least one selected from the group consisting of flat mirror and curved mirror.

10. The viewing aid as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one accessory selected from the group consisting of LED light(s).