Latch for mounting a goggle system to a face mask

• US 4,675,920 A
• Filed: 12/16/1985
• Issued: 06/30/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Baird Corporation
• Original Assignee: Baird Corporation
• Inventors: Glasheen, W. Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): NERBUN, PETER P
• Application Number:
  US06/809,344
• Time in Patent Office: 561 Days
• Field of Search: 2/453, 2/427, 2/6, 2/9, 2/422, 2/10, 350/547, 350/548, 350/549, 350/145, 350/146, 250/213 VT
• US Class Current: 2/427
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/029 Additional functions or features, e.g. protection for other parts of the face such as ears, nose or mouth; Screen wipers or cleaning devices

Abstract

An improved latch to mount a night vision goggle system to a face mask is disclosed. The latch comprises a part secured to the face mask and parts secured to the goggle system. Specifically, it includes a tongue, which angularly adjustably is secured to the face mask. In one embodiment, the goggle system is provided with a receiver, a switch to render the system operational mounted adjacent the receiver and means mounted in operative association with the receiver both releasably to secure the goggle system to the face mask via the tongue and also to actuate the switch. In a second embodiment, the goggle system is provided with a receiver and a leaf spring releasably to secure the goggle system to the face mask via the tongue.

Claims

1. A latch comprising:

(a) a face mask provided with mounting means;

(b) a tongue angularly adjustably secured to said mounting means; and

(c) a goggle system provided with a receiver for said tongue, said receiver having means to secure said tongue within said receiver;

(d) said tongue provided with a pair of alignment grooves and said receiver with a pair of ribs cooperating with said grooves laterally to locate said tongue within said receiver;

(e) said means to secure said tongue within said receiver being a leaf spring provided with a plurality of indents to locate said tongue depthwise variably within said receiver.

2. The latch of claim 1 wherein said mounting means comprises a pair of wires fastened to said face mask, said pair of wires formed of horizontal and vertical sections, said pair of wires in said horizontal section, being offset vertically as a top and a bottom wire, a member loosely mounted about said top wire and connected to said tongue, and a wing nut operatively associated with said member to secure said member and thereby said tongue angularly adjustably about said horizontal section.

3. The latch of claim 1 wherein said leaf spring is formed with an integral actuating arm at its distal free end in a plane above said receiver and projecting therefrom.