Patent Application
20080010722
As shown in
In all instances, the present invention comprises a left blinder member (18) which is affixed to a left side of the headwear or eyewear, and is preferably removable. The left blinder member is shaped to extend outwardly to a previously-determined area of an outside of a user's left eye. This functions to block off a previously-determined degree of the user's peripheral vision for the left eye.
Likewise, the headwear or eyewear further comprises a right blinder member (20) which is affixed to a right side thereof, again preferably removably affixed. Similar to the left blinder member, the right blinder member is shaped to extend outwardly to a previously-determined area of an outside of the user's right eye. This functions to block off a previously-determined degree of the user's peripheral vision for the right eye as well.
The left blinder and right blinder may each be curved to simulate the shape of the user's head. Alternatively, the left blinder and right blinder may each be straight in configuration, if desired for the type of activity in question. In either instance, the left blinder and right blinder may each be of a length in the range of one to four inches. Moreover, for versatility in manufacture, the blinders may be constructed of any of a variety of materials, such as plastic, nylon, cardboard, paper, and foam.
Importantly, the apparatus of the present invention functions to assist the user in keeping the user's visual focus straight ahead, rather than wandering off to the sides peripherally. When used in a sporting activity, this mitigates the natural tendency to look to the sides and thus facilitates keeping the user's visual focus directly on the ball or other item used in the sport. The result is a significant improvement in the hand-eye coordination of the user. Because this enhances the user's performance in the sporting activity, it provides an excellent training tool, uniquely teaching the player the level of focus needed to excel in the activity in question.
Regarding the construction of the device, in a first mode, a generally annular headband (12) comprises a left slot (14) in which a first end of the left blinder is inserted. The left slot functions to hold and guide the left blinder, such that the left blinder can move outwardly from the left slot to block the user's peripheral vision as desired. Likewise in the first mode, the headband comprises a right slot (16) in which a first end of the right blinder is inserted. The right slot functions to hold and guide the right blinder, such that the right blinder can move outwardly from the right slot to block the user's peripheral vision as desired.
In a second mode, the headwear or eyewear article comprises an attachment means (14) where a first end of the left blinder is affixed. This functions to hold the left blinder, such that the left blinder can fold downwardly to block the user's peripheral vision as desired. Likewise the headwear or eyewear article may comprise an attachment means (16) where a first end of the right blinder is affixed. This functions to hold the right blinder, such that the right blinder can fold downwardly to block the user's peripheral vision as desired.
Due to the unique configuration of the present invention, the existing headwear or eyewear can continue to be worn by the user when not utilizing the blinders (i.e. when not training). This is because the user can conveniently fold the blinder members upwardly along the side of the item and out of the user's line of vision.
In a second mode of production, the left blinder and right blinder are removably affixed to the headwear or eyewear through usage of hook and loop fasteners. In such instance, hook and loop fasteners may be located on an interior surface of the left blinder and right blinder, with corresponding fasteners upon the exterior surface of the article to which it is affixed. Moreover, hook and loop fasteners may also be placed along the ear on both sides to hold the left blinder and right blinder.
In either above-described embodiment, the degree to which the blinders extend outwardly from the article may be adjustable. Specifically, the blinders can be moved back toward the user's ears to a point where the blinders are no longer required as the user's focus improves.
As depicted in
As one example,
Another available embodiment is shown in
As an alternate embodiment using a single support structure,
Regarding additional features of any embodiment described herein, the device may comprise indicia thereon. Such may be in the form of decorative items, colors or designs, or may be functional in nature. For the purposes of example only, the device may include a series of marks to indicate the degree to which the blinders are extended outwardly from the headwear. This will allow the user to set the extension length to a specific desired degree, and will also allow the user to track his or her progress in the activity at hand.
It is important to note that the device of the present invention may be worn by a user in conjunction with headwear selected from the group consisting of a headband, cap, visor, helmet, or other item. The ability to wear the blinders with such items renders same suitable for usage in a host of sporting activities. For the purposes of example only, the device may be utilized for activities in which visual focus is important to performance, such as tennis, racquetball, squash, paddleball, badminton (see
In an alternate mode of usage, the device is used in connection with non-sporting activities in which focus is equally important, such as reading, studying or other academic activities, as shown in
The device may also be effectively used by members of the medical community, such as while performing medical procedures. In this context, the user's concentration will again be enhanced due to the blocking of any external visual distractions.
With regards to all descriptions and graphics, while the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the invention.
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention. What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.
