Device for retaining optical instruments

Abstract

A retaining apparatus for retaining an optical device such as a range finder includes an outer skin which is typically mountable within a cup holder typically found on motorized vehicles like golf carts and all terrain vehicles. An interior chamber is formed in the apparatus in which the optical device is removably inserted. The outer skin may be formed as part of the optical device or be a separate member. The outer surface of the outer skin typically includes a portion which tapers downwardly and inwardly to facilitate retention of the apparatus within the cup holder. A mounting mechanism may be included for mounting the retaining apparatus on structures other than the cup holder, such as on an upwardly extending pole or atop an upwardly extending lip or wall. A securing mechanism may be provided for securing the optical device within the interior chamber and typically includes a strap.

1 . A retaining apparatus for retaining an optical device having optics for magnifying a remote image, the apparatus comprising:
 an outer skin adapted to mount within a cup holder; and   an interior chamber formed in the outer skin and having an upwardly opening entrance opening adapted for removably inserting the optical device into the interior chamber.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a tapered outer surface on the outer skin which tapers downwardly and inwardly and is adapted to frictionally engage an inner surface of the cup holder. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising first and second flat upwardly extending parallel walls on the outer skin; and a third wall connected to and extending between the first and second flat walls and defining the tapered outer surface. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the tapered outer surface is frustoconical. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a lower chamber of the interior chamber; and an upper chamber of the interior chamber which is wider than the lower chamber. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein each of the lower and upper chambers has a generally rectangular cross sectional shape. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising first and second flat upwardly extending parallel walls on the outer skin. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  further comprising upper and lower ends on the outer skin; and wherein the first and second walls extend from adjacent the upper end to adjacent the lower end. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 7  further comprising upper and lower segments on each of the first and second walls; and wherein the upper segments are respectively wider than the lower segments. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising an upwardly extending wall on the outer skin adapted to be received in the cup holder; and a ledge wall connected to and extending outwardly from the upwardly extending wall and adapted to be seated on an upper surface of the cup holder. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising an upwardly extending lower wall bounding the interior chamber; an upwardly extending upper wall bounding the interior chamber and spaced outwardly from and extending upwardly of the lower wall; a ledge wall connected to and extending laterally between the lower and upper walls; and an upper surface on the ledge wall adapted for seating thereon a portion of the optical device. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a securing mechanism on the outer skin movable between a securing position for securing the optical device within the interior chamber and a releasing position for releasing the optical device. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  further comprising a strap on the securing mechanism extending upwardly of the entrance opening in the securing position. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  further comprising a pivot on the outer skin at which the strap is pivotally connected to the outer skin so that the strap is pivotally movable between the securing position and the released position. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a mounting mechanism connected to and extending outwardly from the outer skin and adapted to mount the outer skin on a structure other than the cup holder. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  further comprising a C-shaped member on the mounting mechanism defining a pole-receiving space having an entrance opening whereby the space is adapted to receive an upwardly extending pole therein via the entrance opening for mounting the outer skin on the pole. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 15  further comprising a hook on the mounting mechanism comprising a first segment extending outwardly from adjacent the outer skin and a second segment connected to and extending downwardly from the first segment so that the second segment and the outer skin define therebetween a downwardly opening space adapted to receive an upwardly extend lip for mounting the outer skin on the lip. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in combination with the optical device; and wherein the optical device is a range finder. 
   
   
       19 . An apparatus comprising:
 an optical device; and   an outer skin on the optical device adapted to mount within a cup holder.   
   
   
       20 . An apparatus comprising:
 an optical device;   an outer skin on the optical device; and   a mounting mechanism extending outwardly from the outer skin.