Wearable device-securing system

Abstract

A wearable system for securing a device against a torso of a user. In one embodiment, the system includes an adjustable strap attached to a flap. A connector attached to opposite ends of the strap facilitates securing the device between the flap and a torso of a user via pressure applied by the strap. In a more specific embodiment, the device is an optical device, such as binoculars. In this embodiment, the flap is selectively attached to the strap, enabling the flap to exhibit an open configuration, a protective configuration, or a forward-folded configuration. When the flap is in the protective configuration, a section of the flap covers an aperture, such as a lens or other opening, of the optical device, thereby protecting the aperture. When the flap is in the forward configuration, a first portion of the flap is folded behind a portion of the elastic strap that extends between first and second connections that secure the strap to the flap. The flap includes a gripping surface on a first side of the flap that inhibits relative motion between the flap and the accompanying optical device.

1 . An apparatus that is worn by a user for securing a device to the user, the apparatus comprising: 
 first means for creating pressure in a direction toward a torso of the user; and    second means coupled to the first means, for applying pressure to the device via a surface having a coefficient of friction such that the device is prevented from movement.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first means includes an adjustable strap having a flap attached thereto.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the adjustable strap includes an elastic strap.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the flap includes neoprene.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the adjustable strap includes one or more holders sewn therein.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the strap includes a continuous piece of material folded over at one end, wherein the one or more holders are sewn in a folded section of the adjustable strap.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein a holder is formed to receive a gun cartridge.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the continuous piece of material extends between a first portion of a connector and a second portion of a connector.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the first portion of a connector and a second portion of a connector represent sections of a buckle.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the adjustable strap includes plural separate segments, and wherein the flap is flap is attached to one of the segments.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 3  further including one or more loops or hooks for attaching objects to the system, wherein loops or hooks attached to the adjustable strap or the flap.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the flap is positioned relative to the strap and the device so that pressure between the torso and the flap secures the device to the torso.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the system includes a protective configuration wherein the flap is folded over an aperture of the device, wherein the device includes an optical device.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein in the protective configuration the flap is folded over the optical device and secured between the optical device and the torso via pressured therebetween provided by the adjustable strap.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 13  wherein a side of the flap includes a gripping surface.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein when the system is in a protective configuration, the gripping surface is oriented relative to the adjustable strap and the optical device so that the gripping surface faces the optical device.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the system further includes third means for maintaining the flap in a forward-folded configuration.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the third means includes fourth means for pressing a first portion of the flap between the adjustable strap and a second portion of the flap.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the flap is attached to the adjustable strap at a first attachment point and a second attachment point, the third means including a space between the first attachment point and the second attachment point, the space adapted to accommodate one end of the flap.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19  wherein the flap and the space are constructed so that when the flap is in the forward-folded configuration, a loop is formed in the flap.  
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 20  wherein the loop is adapted to accommodate an object.  
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the flap is adapted to adjust to an open position wherein a top end of the flap is not pressed between the optical device and the torso and is not pressed between the adjustable strap and a second portion of the flap.  
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the system further includes forth means for attaching one side of the flap to another side of the flap, thereby creating a space for accommodating the optical device.  
   
   
       24 . A system for supporting an optical device comprising: 
 an adjustable strap;    a flap attached to the adjustable strap; and    a connector for securing the optical device between the flap and a torso of a user via pressure applied by the strap.    
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the flap is selectively attached to the elastic strap to enable the flap to exhibit an open configuration, a protective configuration, and a forward-folded configuration.  
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 25  wherein when the flap is in the protective configuration, a section of the flap covers an aperture of the optical device, thereby protecting the aperture.  
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 25  wherein the flap is attached to the adjustable strap at a first connection and a second connection, a portion of the flap being adapted to fold behind a first section of the elastic strap that extends between the first and second connections, the flap thereby being secured by the first section of the elastic strap when the flap is in the forward-folded configuration.  
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 25  wherein the flap, the strap, and the optical device are positioned so that the flap does not obstruct optical apertures of the optical device when the flap is in the forward-folded configuration or the open configuration.  
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 28  wherein the system is adapted to be installed on a torso of a user, the optical device being pressed against the torso at the flap.  
   
   
       30 . The system of  claim 28  wherein the flap includes a gripping surface on a first side of the flap.  
   
   
       31 . The system of  claim 30  wherein the first side of the flap is adjacent to the optical device when the flap is in the forward-folded configuration or the protected configuration and installed on the torso, thereby enabling the gripping surface to further inhibit motion of the optical device relative to the system and the torso.  
   
   
       32 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the flap is removably secured to the elastic strap.  
   
   
       33 . The system of  claim 25  wherein the flap includes material that may be trimmed or cut with scissors.  
   
   
       34 . The system of  claim 25  further including a bar-slide device connected to the strap to facilitate lengthening or shortening the strap.  
   
   
       35 . A method for securing a device relative to a torso of a user comprising: 
 creating pressure against the torso via an adjustable strap and a flap; and    securing the optical device to the torso via the pressure between the flap and the torso.