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Retractable carrying device for an optical deviceRetractable carrying device for an optical device description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20090084697, Retractable carrying device for an optical device. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
(Not Applicable) (Not Applicable) 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to a retractable carrying device and more particularly, to a retractable device mountable on a host member to enable carrying of an optical device commonly used for hunting and other sporting activities. 2. Description of the Related Art It is well known among hunters and target shooters that gravity influences the trajectory of a projectile, whether it be a bullet, arrow, or other hunting ammunition. Consequently, it is very important for a hunter to know the distance to a particular target. As the distance between the hunter and his target increases, the hunter must make a larger adjustment to account for the influence of gravity on his shot. Some hunters draw on past experience to estimate the distance to the target. However, there is inherent inaccuracy involved with estimation which leads to undesirable results. Improvements in hunting technology have lead to range-finding devices that provide the hunter with a more accurate determination of the distance between the hunter and the target. The range-finding devices provide the hunter with valuable information which the hunter uses to adjust his shot, accordingly. Although range-finding devices may be a useful tool to a hunter, the hunter may be required to carry the range-finding device while he searches for a target. Hunters typically hunt in remote locations which are only accessible by foot. Therefore, many of the range-finding devices are designed to be compact and easily carried. Many range-finding devices fit into a carrying case which may include a strap wearable around the neck or shoulder of the hunter. Other carrying cases are mountable directly to a belt, shoulder strap or the like which may be worn or carried by the user. Despite the fact that carrying cases alleviate transport of the range-finding devices, the carrying cases may hinder access and operability of the devices. For instance, the range-finding device may be tightly or compactly stored within the carrying case thereby making removal a loud and time consuming endeavor. Furthermore, once the device is removed from the case, the hunter may spend time positioning the range-finder within his hand to enable proper operation of the device (i.e. positioned such that the eyepiece is adjacent to a hunter\'s eye and the trigger button is depressed). Hunting is a sport that requires quick and quiet movements in order to take advantage of a brief window in which the target is attainable. This retrieval process consumes valuable time and may produce noise which is likely to scare away the game. As such, there is a need in the art for a carrying case for a rangefinder that provides quick and easy access thereto. Furthermore, there is a need for a carrying device which repeatedly positions the range-finder in a ready-to-use orientation. According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a retractable carrying device for an optical device. The retractable carrying device includes a support member including an alignment contact element being engageable with the optical device. The alignment contact element is configured to dispose the optical device in a stowed position in fixed orientation relative to the support member upon engagement with the optical device. The retractable carrying device further comprises a retraction assembly connected to the support member. The retraction assembly includes a tether attachable to the optical device and a retraction mechanism attached to the tether. An exposed segment of tether extends between the retraction mechanism and the optical device. The exposed segment is free of lateral support from the retraction mechanism and the optical device. The exposed segment is also extendable upon removal of the optical device from the stowed position. The retraction mechanism is operative to apply a longitudinal biasing force along the exposed segment of the tether upon extension of the exposed segment. The retractable carrying device also includes a locking mechanism having locked and unlocked configurations. The locking mechanism is engaged with the retraction assembly to prevent application of the longitudinal biasing force along the exposed segment in the locked configuration. The exposed segment defines an operative length when the locking mechanism is in the locked configuration. Upon further extension of the exposed segment beyond the operative length the locking mechanism assumes the unlocked configuration with the locking mechanism disengaged with the retraction assembly to allow application of the longitudinal biasing force along the exposed segment. The retraction mechanism may include a roller being biased to rotate in a first direction to apply the longitudinal biasing force along the exposed segment. The retraction mechanism may also include a ratchet gear attached to the roller. The ratchet gear may include a plurality of gear teeth extending therefrom. The ratchet gear may include a first portion having a first radius and a second portion having a second radius smaller than the first radius. The plurality of teeth may extend from the first portion. The locking mechanism may include a pawl being pivotable about a pivot axis. The pawl may be engageable with respective ones of the plurality of teeth in the locked configuration. The pawl may include a locking portion having an engagement end. The pawl may also have an arm length defined by the pivot axis and the engagement end. A threshold length being defined by the rotation and pivot axes, the combined arm length and first radius being greater than the threshold length to enable lockable engagement between the locking portion and respective ones of the gear teeth, the combined arm length and second radius being less than the threshold length to enable disengagement between the locking portion and the gear teeth. The retractable carrying device of the present invention provides an efficient and reliable means of carrying an optical device. It is contemplated that the carrying device may be mounted on a belt, strap or other equipment employed by a user. When the user desires to utilize the optical device, the user simply reaches for and grabs the optical device and moves it from the stowed position into an operable position. As the user moves the rangefinder from the stowed position and into the operable position, the exposed segment of tether increases in length. The tether becomes locked to define an operative length when the locking mechanism is in the locked configuration. In this regard, the tension in the tether is reduced, which mitigates the shaking of the optical device during operation. When the user desires to return the optical device to the stowed position, the user simply pulls on the tether to slightly extend it beyond the operative length to disengage the locking mechanism. Thereafter, the tether retracts to return the optical device to the stowed position. The present invention is best understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Continue reading about Retractable carrying device for an optical device... Full patent description for Retractable carrying device for an optical device Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Retractable carrying device for an optical device patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Retractable carrying device for an optical device or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Media caddy handling Next Patent Application: Absorbent product for protection from ultraviolet ray Industry Class: Special receptacle or package ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Retractable carrying device for an optical device patent info. 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