Binocular to hat attachment

Abstract

A Quick and easy attachment system for linking a light weight headgear and a binocular for steady hands free viewing without fatigue. The headgear functions as an attractive hat or cap with visor and is comfortable for continuous use with or without the binocular attached. The attaching system offers multiple embodiments, functions and adjustments for differing conditions and wearers. Options include, flip up or fixed visor.

1 ) A device of functional apparel for attaching a binocular to a hat or cap comprising: 
 a hat with a pivot or fixed visor or bill projecting out over the wearers eyes, and    a magnification binocular for viewing distant objects, and    an adjustable connection structure that allows fixed positioning of said binocular in relation to said hat within a range that allows comfortable viewing, and    an attachment linkage that allows said binocular to be quickly attached and/or detached from said visor or bill of said hat without the use of tools,    whereby steady and comfortable, hands free viewing; and whereby independent use of said hat and said binocular is quickly achieved without encumbrance, or unsightly appearance.    
   
   
       2 ) The device of  claim 1  whereby said hat is selected from the group consisting of: 
 baseball caps, cowboy hats, straw hats, fedoras, fishing hats, Greek style fishing hat, fishing caps, pith helmets, safari hats, and visors.    
   
   
       3 ) The device of  claim 1  whereby said binocular magnification means is selected from the group consisting of: super wide field of view types, roof prism designs, internal mirror designs, electronic display of video, zoom, and simple lens types.  
   
   
       4 ) The device of  claim 1  whereby said adjustable connection structure is selected from the group consisting of: pivot pins, telescopic struts, elongated slot with pin, repeatedly deformable link, ball joints, parallelogram strut, dovetail slide, friction fit slide, multiple detent slide or pivot, and magnetically constrained slide.  
   
   
       5 ) The device of  claim 1  whereby said quick attachment linkage is selected from the group consisting of: dovetail slot, hat section track mount, magnetic force, snap in place retention, t-slot, button and slot, spring tensioned clip, thumb screws, quarter turn fastener, Zeus type fastener, electrometric grommet with push-pin, push-button ball release, and hook and loop fastening.  
   
   
       6 ) The device of  claim 1  further comprising a pivot linkage with an axis of rotation that allows said binocular to be quickly swung out of the field of view of one who wears said hat; whereby attachment to said hat is still maintained.  
   
   
       7 ) The device of  claim 6  whereby said hat is selected from the group consisting of: 
 baseball caps, cowboy hats, straw hats, fedoras, fishing hats, Greek style fishing hat, fishing caps, pith helmets, safari hats, and visors.    
   
   
       8 ) The device of  claim 6  whereby said binocular magnification means is selected from the group consisting of: super wide field of view types, roof prism designs, internal mirror designs, electronic display of video, zoom, and simple lens types.  
   
   
       9 ) The device of  claim 6  whereby said adjustable connection structure is selected from the group consisting of: pivot pins, telescopic struts, elongated slot with pin, repeatedly deformable link, ball joints, parallelogram strut, dovetail slide, friction fit slide, multiple detent slide or pivot, and magnetically constrained slide.  
   
   
       10 ) The device of  claim 6  whereby said quick attachment linkage is selected from the group consisting of: dovetail slot, hat section track mount, magnetic force, snap in place retention, t-slot, button and slot, spring tensioned clip, thumb screws, quarter turn fastener, electrometric grommet with push-pin, push-button ball release, and hook and loop fastening.  
   
   
       11 ) The device of  claim 1  further comprising cooling means selected from the group consisting of: endothermic devices, and high surface area ratio evaporative cooling materials.  
   
   
       12 ) The device of  claim 7  further comprising cooling means selected from the group consisting of: endothermic devices, and high surface area ratio evaporative cooling materials.  
   
   
       13 ) A method of attaching a binocular to a hat comprising: 
 providing a head mounting means,    providing a binocular view magnifying means,    providing a connection adjusting means    providing an attachment linking means,    whereby steady and comfortable, hands free viewing; and whereby independent use of said hat and said binocular is quickly achieved without encumbrance, or unsightly appearance.    
   
   
       14 ) The method of attaching a binocular to a hat of  claim 13  further comprising providing a pivoting means with an axis of rotation that allows said binocular view magnifying means to be quickly swung out of the field of view of one wearing said hat; whereby attachment to said hat is still maintained.  
   
   
       18 ) The method of attaching a binocular to a hat of  claim 13  further comprising providing a cooling means whereby the person wearing the hat is cooled in hot weather.