Rotatable helmet mount

• US 20040244099A1
• Filed: 04/05/2004
• Published: 12/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Norotos Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Norotos Incorporated
• Inventors: Prendergast, Jonathon R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,957,449 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 2/422
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/04 Parts, details or accessories of helmets
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/125 head-mounted

Abstract

A helmet mount for a night vision device is provided having means to attached to headgear, such as a helmet, wherein the mount is rotatable between a use position and a stowed position about an axis that is substantially parallel to the attachment means. In one embodiment, a position adjustment assembly comprises a rotary plate, a helmet block rotationally coupled to the rotary plate and a spring-biased ball and socket system located between the helmet bock and rotary plate. In another embodiment, a tilt adjustment assembly may include a gear system wherein rotation of a lever produces rotation of a night vision device relative to a user'"'"'s eyes.

Claims

1. A rotatable mount for a night vision device having means to attach to headgear wherein the mount is rotatable between a use position and a stowed position about an axis that is substantially parallel to the attachment means.

2. A rotatable mount according to claim 1 wherein the attachment means is a lock plate.

3. A rotatable mount according to claim 1 wherein the headgear is a helmet.

4. A rotatable mount according to claim 1 wherein, in a stowed position, the center of gravity of the night vision device is substantially over the user'"'"'s head.

5. A rotatable mount for a night vision device having means to attach to headgear wherein, in a stowed position, eyepieces of the night vision device are substantially flush with the headgear.

6. A rotatable mount according to claim 5 wherein the attachment means is a lock plate.

7. A rotatable mount according to claim 5 wherein the headgear is a helmet.

8. A rotatable mount for a night vision device having means to attach to headgear wherein, in a stowed position, the center of gravity of the night vision device is substantially directly above the attachment means.

9. A position adjustment assembly adapted for use in a rotatable helmet mount for a night vision device, the position adjustment assembly comprising:

a rotary plate;

a helmet block rotationally coupled to the rotary plate; and

a spring-biased ball and socket system located between the helmet block and rotary plate including at least one socket, at least one spring and at least one ball biased against the rotary plate by the corresponding spring.

10. The position adjustment assembly according to claim 9 further comprising a lockplate attached to the rotary plate, which allows the helmet mount to be attached to a helmet.

11. The position adjustment assembly according to claim 9 wherein there are two sockets, two springs and two balls and each ball is biased against the rotary plate by the corresponding spring.

12. A tilt angle adjustment assembly adapted for use in a rotatable helmet mount for a night vision device, the tilt angle adjustment assembly comprising:

a gear system including a lever, wherein rotation of the lever produces rotation of the night vision device relative to the user'"'"'s eyes.

13. A vertical adjustment assembly adapted for use in a rotatable helmet mount for a night vision device, the vertical adjustment assembly comprising:

a screw having a rotation knob, a smooth top portion and a threaded lower portion; and

a threaded member adapted to receive the screw

wherein when the helmet mount is secured to a helmet and a night vision device is secured to the helmet mount, rotation of the knob moves the night vision device vertically relative to a user'"'"'s eyes.