Night vision system and mounting assembly
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A night vision monocular, comprising:
- an optical portion having an objective lens, an eyepiece and an image intensification means for intensifying a received image intermediate said objective lens and said eyepiece;
a control housing affixed to said optical portion and having internal circuitry for powering said optical portion; and
a means for selectively mounting said monocular in either of two operational positions corresponding to a desired one of an operator'"'"'s eyes and being rapidly switchable between said operational positions, said selective mounting means further comprising;
a first dovetail mounting plate affixed to a first surface of said control housing, and a second dovetail mounting plate affixed to a second surface of said control housing;
a carriage configured to receive a selected one of said dovetail plates and means for securing said selected dovetail plate within said carriage; and
a frame conforming to the shape of the visor of a helmet worn by said operator, and carrying said carriage in a central portion of said frame, and means for attaching said frame to '"'"'said helmet, said carriage being selectively adjustable relative said frame to vary the distance between the operator and said eyepiece.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A night vision system usable as either a helmet mounted or face mask mounted monocular, or as a pocketscope, comprising an optical portion having an objective lens, an eyepiece, and an image intensification apparatus for intensifying a received image intermediate the objective lens and the eyepiece, a control housing affixed to the optical portion and having internal circuitry for powering the optical portion, and an apparatus for selectively mounting the monocular in an operational position adjacent to a desired one of an operator'"'"'s eye and being rapidly switchable between the eyes.
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Citations
43 Claims
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1. A night vision monocular, comprising:
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an optical portion having an objective lens, an eyepiece and an image intensification means for intensifying a received image intermediate said objective lens and said eyepiece; a control housing affixed to said optical portion and having internal circuitry for powering said optical portion; and a means for selectively mounting said monocular in either of two operational positions corresponding to a desired one of an operator'"'"'s eyes and being rapidly switchable between said operational positions, said selective mounting means further comprising; a first dovetail mounting plate affixed to a first surface of said control housing, and a second dovetail mounting plate affixed to a second surface of said control housing; a carriage configured to receive a selected one of said dovetail plates and means for securing said selected dovetail plate within said carriage; and a frame conforming to the shape of the visor of a helmet worn by said operator, and carrying said carriage in a central portion of said frame, and means for attaching said frame to '"'"'said helmet, said carriage being selectively adjustable relative said frame to vary the distance between the operator and said eyepiece. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A night vision system, comprising:
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an optical portion for receiving and intensifying an image; a means for mounting said optical portion to a helmet in either of two fixed operational positions corresponding to a desired one of an operator'"'"'s eyes and being rapidly switchable between said operational positions; further comprising a control housing affixed to said optical portion and having an internal battery for powering said optical portion; wherein said mounting means comprises; a first dovetail mounting plate affixed to a first surface of said control housing, and a second dovetail mounting plate affixed to a second surface of said control housing; and a carriage configured to receive as elected one of said dovetail plates and means for securing said selected dovetail plate within said carriage. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A night vision system, comprising:
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an optical portion for receiving and intensifying an image; a means for selectively mounting said optical portion to a face mask in either of two operational positions corresponding to a desired one of an operator'"'"'s eyes and being rapidly switchable between said operational positions;
wherein said face mask further comprises a frame partially surrounding the operator'"'"'s face, a plurality of mask plates carried by said frame and pressing against specified points of the operator'"'"'s face, and a strap affixed to said frame at a plurality of points and wrapping around the operator'"'"'s head;whereby said mark can be firmly affixed to the operator'"'"'s head by the intentional tightening of said strap;
further comprising a control housing affixed to said optical portion and having an internal battery for powering said optical portion;
wherein said selective mounting means further comprises;a first dovetail mounting plate affixed to a first surface of said control housing, and a second dovetail mounting plate affixed to a second surface of said control housing; and a carriage centrally positioned on said face mask frame and configured to receive a selected one of said dovetail plates and means for securing said selected dovetail plate within said carriage. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A night vision monocular comprising:
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a housing at a forward end carrying an objective lens for receiving light from a scene to be imaged, said housing at an aft end including an eyepiece in which an enhanced image of said scene may be viewed, and said hosing further carrying an image intensifier tube receiving said light and producing said enhanced image; said housing in frontal view including a portion thereof which is generally triangularly-shaped and which includes first and second mutually angulated mounting surfaces each carrying a respective quick-coupling/quick-release mounting feature; said eyepiece being offset with respect to said first and second mounting features along a line substantially bisecting said mutual angulation between said mounting surfaces of said triangularly-shaped housing to align said eyepiece with a respective eye of a human user dependent upon which one of said mounting features is engaged with a support structure centered forwardly of an above said user'"'"'s eyes.
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Specification