Instrument flight rules (IFR) training device

• US 5,252,069 A
• Filed: 03/30/1992
• Issued: 10/12/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Richard A. Lamb
• Original Assignee: Richard A. Lamb
• Inventors: Lamb, Richard A., Gilbert, Jack J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, John J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TSO, LAURA K
• Application Number:
  US07/859,883
• Time in Patent Office: 561 Days
• Field of Search: 434/35, 434/36, 2/6, 2/11, 2/209, 2/432, 2/433, 2/448, 351/158, 359/480
• US Class Current: 434/35
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/165 Condition of cabin, cockpit or pilot's accessories
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/36 Simulation of night or reduced visibility flight

Abstract

An Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Training Device for use during aircraft pilot training in conjunction with a headset having a pair of earphones supported by earphone stirrups. In its most preferred embodiment, the training device includes, at least, a mask member for partially occluding a pilot'"'"'s vision, two arm members extending rearwardly from connections with opposing sides of the mask member, and headset connecting clamps for pivotally connecting the arm members to the headset stirrups, wherein the training device is supported by the headset and movable to a location up and away from a pilot'"'"'s primary field of vision.

Claims

1. Pilot vision restriction apparatus for use with a headset during piloting an aircraft, said apparatus comprising:

a mask means for partially occluding a pilot'"'"'s vision by blocking pilot lines of sight which extend outside an aircraft and only permiting pilot lines of sight which extend to points within the aircraft, wherein said mask means includes, at least, a shield member defining a viewing aperture; and

a connection means for connecting said mask means to a headset.

2. Pilot vision restriction apparatus for use with a headset during piloting an aircraft said apparatus comprising:

a mask means for partially occluding a pilot'"'"'s vision and including, at least, a completely opaque shield member defining a viewing aperture; and

a connection means for connecting said mask means to a headset.

3. Pilot vision restriction apparatus for use with a headset during piloting an aircraft, said apparatus comprising:

a mask means for partially occluding a pilot'"'"'s vision; and

a connection means for connecting said mask means to a headset, said connection means including at least, two arm members extending rearwardly from opposing sides of said mask means, each of said two arm members including at least two pivotally connected strut portions.

4. Pilot vision restriction apparatus for use with a headset during piloting an aircraft, said apparatus comprising:

a mask means for partially occluding a pilot'"'"'s vision; and

a connection means for connecting said mask means to a headset, said connection means including, at least, a headset connector means for removably clamping said connection means to a headset, said headset connector means includes, at least, headband clamp means for removably clamping said connection means to a headband of a headset.

5. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) training apparatus for use during training for piloting an aircraft in conjunction with a headset having a pair of earphones supported by earphone stirrups, said apparatus comprising:

a mask means for partially occluding a pilot'"'"'s vision, said mask means including, at least, an opaque shield member defining a viewing aperture, wherein said mask means blocks pilot lines of sight extending outside an aircraft, said opaque shield member including, at least,

a front lateral section and two rearwardly extending side sections attached to opposing sides of said front lateral section; and

a connection means for so pivotally connecting said mask means to a headset that said mask means in a completely supported by the headset and movable to a location up and away from a pilot'"'"'s face, said connection means including, at least,

shield connector means for connecting said connection means to said side sections of said opaque shield member,

two arms members extending rearwardly from said shield connector means, and

headset stirrup connector means for removably and pivotally clamping said two arm members to headset earphone stirrups.

6. Vision occlusion apparatus for use by an aircraft pilot, in conjunction with a headset, to restrict the pilot'"'"'s vision to points within the aircraft, said apparatus comprising:

a shield member including, at least,

a first side,

a second side, wherein said first side and said second side oppose each other, and

a view opening;

a first arm member including, at least, a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said first arm member is connected to said first side of said shield member,

a second arm member including, at least, a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said second arm member is connected to said second side of said shield member;

a first headset connector clamp connected to said second end of said first arm member; and

a second headset connector clamp connected to said second end of said second arm member,

wherein said connection between said first arm member and said shield member, said connection between said second arm member and said shield member, said connection between said first arm member and said first headset connector clamp, and said connector between said second arm member and said second headset connector clamp are pivotal connections, and wherein said first headset connector clamp and said second headset connector clamp are adjustable and readily removable from a headset.

7. In combination:

a headset including, at least,

a headband, and

two earphones assemblies including, at least, muff members and stirrup means for connecting said muff members to said headband; and

a mask assembly connected to said headset and including, at least,

a shield member, and

a connection means for connecting said shield member to the headset, said connection means including, at least, means for connecting said shield member to said stirrup means.

8. In combination:

a headset including, at least,

a headband, and

two earphones assemblies; and

a mask assembly connected to said headset and including, at least,

a shield member, and

a connection means for connecting said shield member to the headset, said connection means including, at least, two arm members and two headset connector clamps.