Locking inter-pupillary distance and convergence adjustment mechanism

• US 20070103774A1
• Filed: 11/08/2005
• Published: 05/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DenMat Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Perioptix Co.
• Inventors: Greelis, Jack, Tholin, Keith, Woker, Gary
• Granted Patent: US 7,675,678 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/412
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/18 for binocular arrangements focusing binocular pairs G02B7/06; adjusting pupillary distance of binocular pairs G02B7/12
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 25/004 having binocular arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/002 Mounting on the human body
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/12 Adjusting pupillary distance of binocular pairs

Abstract

Improvement to an adornable binocular device having a telescope pair and an adjustable inter-pupillary distance (IPD) where both telescopes move simultaneously and substantially the same distance when the IPD is adjusted, the improvement including a mechanism for releasably preventing unintentional adjustment the IPD and including a first releasably pivoting coupling between each telescope and arm and a second releasably slidable coupling between each telescope and arm.

Claims

1. In an adornable binocular device having a telescope pair and an adjustable inter-pupillary distance (IPD) and where both telescopes move simultaneously and substantially the same distance when the IPD is adjusted, the improvement comprising means for releasably preventing unintentional adjustment of the IPD.

2. In the adornable binocular device of claim 1, wherein the device has an IPD adjustment mechanism and the improvement comprising means for releasably preventing unintentional activation of the IPD adjustment mechanism.

3. In the adornable binocular device of claim 2, wherein the IPD adjustment mechanism is activated by a rotational force.

4. In the adornable binocular device of claim 2, the improvement comprising means for releasably preventing unintentional rotation of the IPD adjustment mechanism.

5. In the adornable binocular device of claim 4, wherein the IPD adjustment mechanism is coupled to a housing and the improvement comprising means for releasably preventing unintentional rotation of the IPD adjustment mechanism by releasably applying a compressive force from the IPD adjustment mechanism to the housing.

6. In the adornable binocular device of claim 5, wherein the means for preventing unintentional rotation of the IPD adjustment mechanism includes a spring.

7. In the adornable binocular device of claim 6, wherein the IPD adjustment mechanism and housing include matable teeth.

8. In the adornable binocular device of claim 1, wherein the device has two moveable arms with one of the telescope pair attached to each arm and the improvement comprising means for releasably preventing unintentional displacement of the moveable arms.

9. In the adornable binocular device of claim 8, wherein the device has a housing holding at least a portion of two moveable arms and the improvement comprising means for releasably preventing unintentional displacement of the moveable arms by releasably applying compressive force from the least a portion of the two moveable arms to the housing.

10. In the adornable binocular device of claim 9, wherein the means for releasably preventing unintentional displacement of the moveable arms includes a cam.

11. In an adornable binocular device having a telescope pair, each telescope pivotally mounted to an arm to permit convergence adjustment and each telescope having a rear to be located near an eye when in use and a front to be located away from the eye when in use, the improvement comprising a first releasably pivoting coupling between each telescope and arm and a second releasably slidable coupling between each telescope and arm.

12. In the adornable binocular device of claim 11, wherein the second releasably slidable coupling includes a partial radial slot in the arm.

13. In the adornable binocular device of claim 12, wherein the partial radial slot in the arm is dimensioned to permit at least 4 degrees of movement of telescope relative the first releasably pivoting coupling.

14. In the adornable binocular device of claim 13, wherein the first releasably pivoting coupling includes a mechanical element extending from the arm into the telescope.

15. In the adornable binocular device of claim 11, wherein the device has an adjustable inter-pupillary distance (IPD).

16. In the adornable binocular device of claim 15, wherein both telescopes move simultaneously and substantially the same distance when the IPD is adjusted, the improvement comprising means for releasably preventing unintentional adjustment of the IPD.

17. In the adornable binocular device of claim 14, wherein the second coupling is located one of more forward and more rearward on the telescope than the first coupling.

18. In the adornable binocular device of claim 16, wherein the IPD adjustment mechanism is activated by a rotational force.

19. In the adornable binocular device of claim 16, wherein the device has a housing holding at least a portion of two arms and the improvement comprising means for releasably preventing unintentional displacement of the moveable arms by releasably applying compressive force from the least a portion of the two moveable arms to the housing.

20. In the adornable binocular device of claim 14, wherein the second coupling is located more forward on the telescope than the first coupling.