APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR SECURING ACCESSORIES TO A HELMET

• US 20150351482A1
• Filed: 06/10/2014
• Published: 12/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Galvion Ltd. (Galvion Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Revision Military Incorporated (Revision Military)
• Inventors: Gendron, Marie-Pierre, Lebel, Stphane
• Granted Patent: US 10,383,387 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/04 Parts, details or accessories of helmets
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/042 Optical devices night vision goggles G02B23/12
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/044 Lighting devices, e.g. helmets with lamps
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/30 Mounting radio sets or communication systems

Abstract

Attachment systems for attaching accessories to a helmet shell and their methods of use are described. In one embodiment, an attachment system may include a first attachment portion mounted to a helmet shell and extending through an opening in an associated accessory. The attachment system also may include a second attachment portion that is selectively connectable to the first attachment portion. A surface of the second attachment portion facing the helmet shell engages with a bearing surface of the accessory to selectively attach the accessory to the helmet shell. In certain embodiments, the first and second attachment portions may be selectively connected to one another using a connector that moves the second attachment portion both vertically and horizontally relative to the first attachment portion when the connector is tightened.

Claims

1. An attachment system comprising:

a first attachment portion constructed and arranged to be mounted to a helmet shell, wherein the first attachment portion is constructed and arranged to extend through an opening in an accessory; and

a second attachment portion selectively connectable to the first attachment portion, wherein a surface of the second attachment portion that faces the helmet shell is constructed and arranged to engage a bearing surface of the accessory to selectively attach the accessory to the helmet shell when the second attachment portion is connected to the first attachment portion.

2. The attachment system of claim 1, further comprising a connector that selectively connects the second attachment portion to the first attachment portion.

3. The attachment system of claim 2, wherein tightening the connector moves the second attachment portion horizontally relative to the first attachment portion.

4. The attachment system of claim 3, wherein tightening the connector moves the second attachment portion vertically relative to the first attachment portion.

5. The attachment system of claim 1, further comprising the accessory.

6. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein the accessory comprises a front mount.

7. The attachment system of claim 1, further comprising the helmet shell.

8. The attachment system of claim 1, further comprising a lock constructed and arranged to maintain a position of the accessory relative to the helmet shell.

9. The attachment system of claim 8, wherein the lock comprises a protrusion that complements a size and shape of the opening of the accessory.

10. The attachment system of claim 5, where the accessory comprises a carrier configured to be attached to a front of a helmet shell, the carrier including first and second arms which extend in opposite directions away from a central region of the carrier.

11. An attachment system comprising:

a first attachment portion constructed and arranged to be mounted to a helmet shell;

a second attachment portion;

a connector constructed and arranged to selectively connect the second attachment portion to the first attachment portion, wherein when the connector is tightened, the second attachment portion moves both vertically and horizontally relative to the first attachment portion and engages a bearing surface of an accessory to selectively attach the accessory to the helmet shell when the second attachment portion is connected to the first attachment portion.

12. The attachment system of claim 11, wherein a surface of the second attachment portion that faces the helmet shell is constructed and arranged to engage the bearing surface of the accessory.

13. The attachment system of claim 11, further comprising the accessory.

14. The attachment system of claim 13, wherein the accessory comprises a front mount.

15. The attachment system of claim 11, wherein the accessory comprises a carrier configured to be attached to a front of a helmet shell, the carrier including first and second arms which extend in opposite directions away from a central region of the carrier

16. The attachment system of claim 11, further comprising the helmet shell.

17. The attachment system of claim 11, further comprising a lock constructed and arranged to maintain a position of the accessory relative to the helmet shell.

18. The attachment system of claim 17, wherein the lock comprises a protrusion that complements a size and shape of the opening of the accessory.

19. A method of attaching an accessory to a helmet, the method comprising:

positioning an opening of an accessory around a first attachment portion of an attachment system that is mounted to a helmet shell surface;

connecting a second attachment portion of the attachment system to the first attachment portion to engage a surface of the second attachment portion facing the helmet shell with a bearing surface of the accessory to attach the accessory to the helmet when the second attachment portion is connected to the first attachment portion.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising horizontally displacing the second attachment portion relative to the first attachment portion.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising vertically displacing the second attachment portion relative to the first attachment portion.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the accessory comprises a front mount.

23. The method of claim 19, further comprising engaging a lock of the attachment system with the accessory to maintain a position of the accessory relative to the helmet shell.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein engaging the lock of the attachment system with the accessory further comprises engaging a protrusion with the opening of the accessory, wherein the protrusion complements a size and shape of the opening of the accessory.