Patent Application
20120265110
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
The present invention relates to visual training. More particularly, the present invention relates to a visual training device.
Within vision training and testing, eye alignment is an area that, if weak, may hinder the subject when participating in various activities, such as sports, where eye alignment is helpful in tracking an object, such as a ball. To improve eye alignment, various tests may be used in training to exercise this particular visual skill.
The present invention generally relates to an eye alignment training device that may be used to train and improve an individual's ability to align their vision. In using this device, one end of the device is held by the user, while another end is secured, for example, to a wall. Between each ends, a connector may comprise sliding markers of various visual characteristics. For example, each marker may be of a different color. The markers may then be moved to different locations on the connector, and the subject moves his focus between the various markers. When not in use, the connector may be wound around one end of the device, or the device may have a retracting mechanism, which retracts the connector into the body of one of the end pieces.
Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention.
The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:
The subject matter of the present invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different steps or combinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies.
Broadly speaking, eye alignment may be improved by performing eye alignment exercises. For example, a string, slender rope, tape or other substantially linear connector may be extended from near a subject's eyes to a relatively distant point, such as a point on a wall at least several feet away, and the subject may sequentially focus upon different points along the connector, which will require that the subject's eyes be aligned with a different vergence angle required for successful focusing at each point. This exercise may be facilitated by providing movable sliders, such as beads, that may be moved along the connector and used as focus points by the subject.
The present invention provides an eye alignment training device that may be easily deployed, used, stored, and transported. For example, simply using a string and beads to train a subject's eye alignment can present numerous challenges. When deploying a simple string, the string often cannot be readily affixed to a wall or other point. Further, using a simple string and beads can present challenges in use, as a simple string may be uncomfortable or even difficult to hold properly proximate to the subject's eye. Using a simple string and beads may yet further present challenges to store and/or transport, as the string can easily become knotted, tangled, snagged, etc.
Systems in accordance with the present invention provide eye alignment training devices that are simple to deploy, use, store, and transport. Eye alignment training systems in accordance with the present invention provide a connector, which may be a string, slender rope, tape, or other elongated material. The connector may be stored within a cavity in a base piece when not in use. In accordance with the present invention, the base piece may retain the connector by permitting the connector to be wrapped around a groove in the exterior of the base, by permitting the connector to be stored within a cavity enclosed within the base, or by some combination of wrapping the connector around the exterior of the base and storing the connector within the base. Slidable markers may be movably positioned on the connector, and may likewise be stored on or within the base piece. The base piece may be configured to be easily held by the subject and/or to be easily mounted at the distant end of the training device. In its extended configuration, an end piece may be located on the end of the connector opposite the base piece. The end piece may be configured to be easily held by the subject and/or to be easily mounted at the distant end of the training device. In this way, one of either the end piece or the base may be affixed at a relatively distant point, and the other may be grasped by the subject near his or her eyes, with the connector extended between the base and the end piece. The slidable markers may be positioned at one or more desired locations along the length of the connector, and the subject may then perform eye alignment focusing exercises using one or more of the positioned slidable markers as a focus point.
Generally, one end of the connector will be positioned at approximately the nose of an individual and the other end of the connector will extend to a wall or other steady object at a distance of at least several feet, and ideally ten or more feet, from the subject. In that way, slidable markers may provide focus points at distances varying from very near the subject's eyes, which will require a very high vergence angle, to at or near “optical infinity” from a subject, at which point a subject's eyes should ideally be parallel. In use, a subject may determine that he/she has properly focused on a given marker that is not at optical infinity because the connector will appear to “cross” at the connector serving as the current focus point when the subject has successfully focused on that marker.
A variety of configurations may be used for the base and end piece to permit them to be easily held by the subject and/or affixed at a relatively distant point. Additionally, a variety of configurations of the base may be used to permit the connector and slidable markers to be retained around and/or within the base. Some exemplary configurations of the base and end piece, as well as other exemplary aspects of eye alignment training devices in accordance with the present invention, are described in more detail below.
Turning now to
At the end of the connector opposite base piece 105, an end piece 130 is provided. Such an end piece 130 may be fixed on the connector 110 and may provide a stopper to the sliding markers 115. Additionally, as shown in
Turning now to
In this example, the device 200 is attached to wall 240 using opening 235, which may slide over a fastener that is affixed to wall 240 to detachably mate the opening 235 and the fastener. The subject may then extend the connector 210 by holding onto the end piece 230.
Turning now to
Although any method of connected or securing the connector may be used with any of the embodiments illustrated and discussed herein,
From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.
It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.
Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
