HELMET BRACKET

• US 20090077721A1
• Filed: 09/21/2007
• Published: 03/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Norotos Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Norotos Incorporated
• Inventors: Prendergast, Jonathon R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,677,516 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: F41H 1/08 of plastics; Plastic head-shields

Abstract

A headgear bracket for mounting night vision goggles includes a base having a fastener recess and a fastener opening within the fastener recess, the fastener opening having a beveled perimeter. A fastener is insertable into the fastener opening, the fastener including a head, a tapered neck extending from the head, and a body extending from the neck. When the fastener is inserted into the opening, the tapered neck abuts the beveled perimeter of the fastener opening.

Claims

1. A headgear bracket for mounting night vision goggles comprising:

a base comprising a fastener recess and a fastener opening within the fastener recess, the fastener opening having a beveled perimeter; and

a fastener insertable into the fastener opening comprising;

a head;

a tapered neck extending from the head; and

a body extending from the neck;

wherein, when the fastener is inserted into the opening, the tapered neck abuts the beveled perimeter of the fastener opening.

2. The headgear bracket of claim 1, further comprising a clip attachable to a rim of the headgear.

3. The headgear bracket of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of resilient bumpers, each bumper housed in a bumper recess on the base.

4. The headgear bracket of claim 1, wherein an area of the fastener recess is larger than an area of the head of the fastener.

5. The headgear bracket of claim 1, wherein the fastener comprises a high tensile strength material.

6. The headgear bracket of claim 1, wherein a headgear-facing surface of the fastener recess is configured to conform to a contour of the exterior surface of the headgear.

7. The headgear bracket of claim 1, wherein the fastener is dimensioned to be prevented from further penetrating the helmet upon impact from a discharged bullet.

8. The headgear bracket of claim 1, wherein the bracket is adapted to power enhanced night vision goggles.

9. The headgear bracket of claim 1, wherein the base is attachable to headgear by the fastener using a single tool.

10. The headgear bracket of claim 1, the fastener further comprising a threaded portion and a nut attachable to the threaded portion.

11. The headgear bracket of claim 10, wherein the nut is a kep nut.

12. The headgear bracket of claim 7, Wherein the head of the fastener is domed.

13. A helmet on which night vision goggles are mountable comprising:

a helmet fastener opening;

a bracket comprising;

a fastener recess and a bracket fastener opening within the fastener recess alignable with the helmet fastener opening, the bracket fastener opening having a beveled perimeter; and

a fastener insertable into the helmet fastener opening and the bracket fastener opening comprising;

a head;

a tapered neck extending from the head;

a body extending from the neck;

wherein, when the fastener is inserted into the helmet fastener opening and the bracket fastener opening;

the fastener recess prevents rotation of the fastener; and

the tapered neck abuts the beveled perimeter of the fastener opening.

14. The headgear bracket of claim 13, further comprising a clip attachable to a rim of the headgear.

15. The headgear bracket of claim 13, further comprising a plurality of resilient bumpers, each bumper inserted into a bumper recess.

16. The headgear bracket of claim 13, wherein an area of the fastener recess is larger than an area of the head of the fastener.

17. The headgear bracket of claim 13, wherein a headgear-facing surface of the fastener recess is configured to conform to a contour of the exterior surface of the headgear.

18. The headgear bracket of claim 13, wherein the fastener is dimensioned to be prevented from further penetrating the helmet upon impact from a discharged bullet.

19. The headgear bracket of claim 13, wherein the bracket is adapted to power enhanced night vision goggles.

20. The headgear bracket of claim 13, wherein the base is attachable to headgear by the fastener using a single tool.

21. The headgear bracket of claim 18, wherein the head of the fastener is dome-shaped.

22. A fastener for fastening a headgear bracket for mounting night vision goggles to a headgear comprising:

a dome-shaped head comprising straight perimeter sections opposite one another and separated from one another by curved perimeter sections;

an inwardly tapered neck extending from the dome-shaped head;

a body extending from the inwardly tapered neck, the body comprising a threaded tip.

23. A hot shoe bracket comprising:

a base comprising a plurality of arms extending therefrom, each arm adapted to be secured to a headgear;

at least one generally U-shaped member extending from the base adapted to fit over a headgear rim;

a hot shoe assembly comprising;

a block insulator having a plurality of electrical contacts; and

a hot shoe cover for covering the block insulator; and

a support plate between the hot shoe assembly and the base, the support plate comprising an opening through which the block insulator protrudes;

wherein the support plate comprises plastic.