Helmet head tracking mounting device

• US 5,416,922 A
• Filed: 02/23/1993
• Issued: 05/23/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Rhodes, Carroll L., Horvat, Christina A., Bradley, Gary F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crowder, Clifford D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Neas, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US08/021,388
• Time in Patent Office: 819 Days
• Field of Search: 2/6.1, 2/6.2, 2/6.3, 2/410, 2/422, 2/424, 2/10, 359/409, 359/410, 359/411
• US Class Current: 2/6.2
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/042 Optical devices night vision goggles G02B23/12
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0156 with optionally usable elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0176 characterised by mechanical features

Abstract

A unified, low-profile, lightweight and strong component mounting system an aircrew member'"'"'s helmet is disclosed. The system includes a substantially rectangular mounting bracket that carries necessary power, communications, and optical inputs to the components, mounting hardware and specially designed interface pieces for each component. The system is designed to securely and easily snap-lock onto the helmet and is positioned to stay balanced while attached to eliminate crewmember discomfort.

Claims

1. A component mounting device for securely and removably attaching aircrew member optical components to the crewmember'"'"'s helmet comprising:

a common helmet mount assembly, and including at least one terminal block with at least one terminal removably attached thereto and with at least one wire connected thereto;

attachment means securely and removably affixed onto said mount assembly to optionally carry an optical component; and

a latch means including a slideable plunger extending from the topside to the bottomside, spring means concentrically engaging said plunger and shelf means adjacent said plunger to make a snap-lock fit with said mount assembly.

2. A device for securely and removably mounting components to hang from the front brim of a helmet, comprising:

a substantially rectangular mount assembly having a pair of through-ports therein;

communication terminals attached in said through-ports; and

a substantially hexahedronal attachment housing having a cavity in the front face thereof, the cavity being sized to slip-fit over said mount assembly, said housing having attachment brackets on the oppositely-disposed rear face for optical components and being removably secured by a spring-loaded latch.