Pivot-Arm Assembly for a Helmet Mounted Headset

• US 20160324248A1
• Filed: 01/13/2015
• Published: 11/10/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Artisent Incorporated (Gentex Corporation)
• Inventors: Rogers, David C., Winters, Nathan E., Aaskov, Michael D.
• Granted Patent: US 10,617,168 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 1/24 with means for attaching articles thereto, e.g. memorandum tablets or mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/04 Parts, details or accessories of helmets
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/0406 Accessories for helmets
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/16 Ear protection devices
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/30 Mounting radio sets or communication systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/12 with means for image conversion or intensification

Abstract

A pivot-arm assembly is provided for attaching an ear cup to a mounting feature on an exterior of a helmet. The pivot-arm assembly comprises a mount configured to releasably couple to the mounting feature. A hinge is rotatable about a first axis and about a second axis. The hinge is coupled to a second end of the arm and disposed between the second end of the arm and the mount such that the first end of the arm is rotatable relative to the mount about the first axis and the first end of the arm is rotatable relative to the mount about the second axis. A biasing member is coupled to the arm and is configured to spring bias the first end of the arm relative to the mount in a rotatable direction about the second axis of the hinge.

Claims

1. A pivot-arm assembly for attaching an ear cup to a mounting feature on an exterior of a helmet, the pivot-arm assembly comprising:

a mount configured to releasably couple to the mounting feature;

an arm having a first end configured to couple to the ear cup and a second end;

a hinge rotatable about a first axis and about a second axis, the hinge being coupled to the second end of the arm and disposed between the arm and the mount such that the first end of the arm is rotatable relative to the mount about the first axis and the first end of the arm is rotatable relative to the mount about the second axis; and

a biasing member coupled to the arm and configured to spring bias the first end of the arm relative to the mount in a rotatable direction about the second axis of the hinge.

2. The pivot-arm assembly of claim 1 further comprising a lock configured to releasably retain the first end of the arm in a predetermined rotational position relative to the second axis.

3. The pivot-arm assembly of claim 2, wherein the lock includes a plate having a multi-lobed slot and a spring-biased protrusion extending through the multi-lobed slot, the protrusion being engageable with the multi-lobed slot to lock a rotational position of the first end of the arm relative to the second axis in a first position when the protrusion engages a first lobe of the multi-lobed slot and lock the rotational position of the first end of the arm relative to the second axis in a second position when the protrusion engages a second lobe of the multi-lobed slot.

4. The pivot-arm assembly of claim 3, wherein the protrusion is engageable with the multi-lobed slot to lock a rotational position of the first end of the arm relative to the second axis in a third position when the protrusion engages a third lobe of the multi-lobed slot.

5. The pivot-arm assembly of claim 3, wherein the multi-lobed slot is shaped and configured so that rotational movement of the first end of the arm about the second axis causes the lock to transition from the first position to the second position.

6. The pivot-arm assembly of claim 5, wherein the multi-lobed slot is shaped and configured so that rotational movement of the first end about the second axis causes the lock to transition from the second position to the third position.

7. The pivot-arm assembly of claim 3 further comprising a release coupled to the protrusion, wherein depression of the release urges the protrusion into the first position.

8. The pivot-arm assembly of claim 2, wherein the lock and the hinge are surrounded by a common housing.

9. The pivot-arm assembly of claim 2 further comprising:

a release configured to selectively release the lock.

10. The pivot-arm assembly of claim 2, wherein the lock is configured to releasably retain the first end of the arm in two or more predetermined angular positions relative to the second axis.

11. The pivot-arm assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

the mounting feature coupled to the second end.

12. The pivot-arm assembly of claim 11, wherein the mounting feature includes a dovetail groove with at least a portion of the dovetail groove positioned on the helmet behind the wearer'"'"'s ear, the mount including a dovetail projection configured to mount in the dovetail groove.

13. The pivot-arm assembly of claim 1, wherein the hinge is a first hinge, the pivot-arm assembly further comprising:

a second hinge coupled to the first end of the arm.

14. The pivot-arm assembly of claim 13, wherein the second hinge includes a gimbal attachment.

15. The pivot-arm assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

the ear cup coupled to the first end.

16. The pivot-arm assembly of claim 1, wherein the biasing member is coupled to the hinge.

17. The pivot-arm assembly of claim 1, wherein the biasing member includes a torsion spring.

18. The pivot-arm assembly of claim 1, wherein the arm has an adjustable telescoping length.

19. The pivot-arm assembly of claim 1, wherein the first axis of the hinge is generally perpendicular to the second axis of the hinge.

20. The pivot-arm assembly of claim 1, wherein the first end is freely rotatable about the first axis of the hinge.

21. The pivot-arm assembly of claim 1, wherein the mount includes a dovetail projection.

22. A pivot-arm assembly for attaching an ear cup to a mounting feature of a helmet, the pivot-arm assembly comprising:

an ear cup; and

a mount configured to releasably couple to a mounting feature on the helmet;

an arm having a first portion coupled to the ear cup, the arm having a second portion moveably coupled to the first portion to adjust a length of the arm;

a hinge having a first part rotatable about a first axis and second part rotatable about a second axis, the first axis being generally perpendicular to the second axis, the first part of the hinge being coupled to the mount and the second part of the hinge being coupled to the second portion such that the first portion of the arm is rotatable relative to the mount about the first axis and the first portion of the arm is rotatable relative to the mount about the second axis, the second part of the hinge having a torsion spring coupled to the first portion of the arm and configured to spring bias the first portion of the arm relative to the mount in a rotatable direction about the second axis of the hinge, the second part of the hinge having a lock configured to releasably retain the first portion of the arm in a predetermined angular position relative to the second axis, the second part of the hinge having a release configured to selectively release the lock.

23. The pivot-arm assembly of claim 22 further comprising:

a deployed position defined by when the mount is mounted to the mounting feature and the ear cup is biased against the wearer'"'"'s head;

a locked position defined by when the mount is mounted to the mounting feature, the lock retains the first portion of the arm in the predetermined angular position and the ear cup is positioned over the wearer'"'"'s ear, the ear cup is spaced from the wearer'"'"'s head; and

a stowed position defined by when the mount is mounted to the mounting feature and the ear cup is positioned over a back portion of the helmet, the ear cup is biased against the back portion of the helmet.