Night vision device helmet mount

• US 6,662,370 B1
• Filed: 04/05/2002
• Issued: 12/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Elbit Systems of America LLC (Elbit Systems Limited)
• Original Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. (ITT, Inc.)
• Inventors: Buchanan, Harrison Lewis Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lindsey, Rodney M.
• Application Number:
  US10/116,035
• Time in Patent Office: 620 Days
• Field of Search: 2/62, 242/2, 2/63, 359/409, 359/815
• US Class Current: 2/6.2
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/04 Parts, details or accessories of helmets
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 10/00 Flight suits helmets in general A42B3/00; breathing helmets A62B18/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/125 head-mounted

Abstract

A helmet plate for interfacing between a helmet having a frontally located obstruction and a mount adjustment assembly for a night vision device. The helmet plate is comprised of a support portion having a band and a cavity for overlying the obstruction and an integral power pack housing. The integral power pack housing is disposed in relation to the support portion at such height, depth and angular position to render a night vision device attached to a mount adjustment assembly which is secured to the integral power pack housing in correct viewing position.

Claims

1. A helmet plate for interfacing between a helmet having a frontally located obstruction and a mount adjustment assembly for a night vision device, comprising:

a support portion capable of being mounted to the helmet, comprised of a band bearing a cavity having an inside cavity surface for overlying the frontally located obstruction on the helmet when mounted; and

an integral power pack housing;

wherein the integral power pack housing is disposed in relation to the band and cavity at such height, depth and angular position to render a night vision device when mounted to a mount adjustment assembly secured to the integral power pack housing capable of being in correct viewing position for a user wearing the helmet when its position is adjusted by adjustments provided by the night vision device and mount adjustment assembly.

2. The helmet plate of claim 1 wherein the helmet has a lower lip having a bottom surface, and wherein the integral power pack housing is of standard size and is disposed in relation to the band and cavity such that it does not extend beyond about the position of the bottom surface of the lower lip when the helmet plate is mounted.

3. The helmet plate of claim 2 wherein the integral power pack housing is comprised of a battery compartment receptacle and an electronics assembly receptacle.

4. The helmet plate of claim 3 wherein the electronics assembly receptacle has forward edges which comprise a mounting platform for the mount adjustment assembly, and wherein at least near the end of a portion of such forward edges of the electronics assembly receptacle farthest from the battery compartment receptacle, such edges are disposed at a slope of angle Φ

of about 8°

short of vertical when the helmet plate is mounted to a helmet being worn by a user whose neck is an upright or generally vertical orientation.

5. The helmet plate of claim 1 wherein the support portion and the integral power pack housing are of unitary construction.

6. The helmet plate of claim 4 wherein the support portion and the integral power pack housing are of unitary construction.

7. The helmet plate of claim 5 in combination with a mount adjustment assembly which is secured to the integral power pack housing.

8. The helmet plate of claim 5 in combination with both a mount adjustment assembly which is secured to the integral power pack housing and a night vision goggle device which is secured to the mount adjustment assembly.

9. The helmet plate of claim 5 wherein the obstruction on the helmet is a connector.

10. The helmet plate of claim 1 wherein the night vision device when mounted to a standard mount adjustment assembly is rendered such that it is in correct viewing position for a user wearing the helmet when the adjustments provided by the night vision device and mount adjustment assembly are in mid-range position.

11. A helmet plate for interfacing between a helmet having a frontally located obstruction and a mount adjustment assembly for a night vision device, comprising:

support means capable of being mounted to the helmet for overlying the frontally located obstruction on the helmet when mounted; and

integral power pack housing means extending from the support means for holding a mount adjustment assembly at such position that when a night vision device is mounted in the mount adjustment assembly it is in correct viewing position for a user wearing the helmet when adjustments provided by the night vision device and mount adjustment assembly are in mid-range position.

12. A night vision apparatus for attachment to a helmet having a frontally located obstruction comprising:

a helmet plate capable of being secured to the helmet;

a standard mount adjustment assembly capable of being secured to the helmet plate; and

a night vision device capable of being secured to the mount adjustment assembly;

wherein the helmet plate is comprised of;

a support portion including a fastening means for attachment to the helmet, comprised of a band bearing a cavity for overlying the frontally located obstruction on the helmet when mounted and an integral power pack housing;

wherein the integral power pack housing is disposed in relation to the support portion at such height, depth, and angular disposition to render the night vision device when the mount adjustment assembly is secured to the helmet plate and the night vision device is secured to the mount adjustment assembly, in correct viewing position for a user wearing the helmet when adjustments provided by the night vision device and mount adjustment assembly are in mid-range position.

13. A helmet plate for interfacing between a helmet having a frontally located obstruction and a mount adjustment assembly for a night vision device, comprising:

a support portion capable of being mounted to the helmet, comprised of a band bearing a cavity having an inside cavity surface for overlying the frontally located obstruction on the helmet when mounted; and

an integral power pack housing comprised of a battery compartment receptacle and an electronics assembly receptacle wherein the electronics assembly receptacle has forward edges which comprise a mounting platform for the mount adjustment assembly, and wherein at least a portion of such forward edges near the end of the electronics assembly receptacle farthest from the battery compartment receptacle are disposed at a slope of angle Φ

of about 8°

short of vertical when the helmet plate is mounted on a helmet being worn by a user whose neck is in an upright or generally vertical orientation.

14. The helmet plate of claim 13 wherein the helmet has a lower lip having a bottom surface, and wherein the integral power pack housing is of standard size and is disposed in relation to the band and cavity such that it does not extend beyond about the position of the bottom surface of the lower lip when the helmet plate is mounted.

15. The helmet plate of claim 14 wherein the support portion and the integral power pack housing are of unitary construction.

16. The helmet plate of claim 15 wherein the disposition of the integral power pack housing in relation to the support portion renders a night vision device when mounted to a mount adjustment assembly secured to the integral power pack housing in correct viewing position.

17. A helmet plate for interfacing between a helmet having a frontally located obstruction and a mount adjustment assembly for a night vision device, comprising:

a support portion capable of being mounted to the helmet, comprised of a band bearing a cavity having an inside cavity surface for overlying the frontally located obstruction on the helmet when mounted; and

an integral power pack housing comprised of a battery compartment receptacle and an electronics assembly receptacle, wherein the helmet has a lower lip having a bottom surface, and wherein the integral power pack housing is of standard size and is disposed in relation to the band and cavity such that it does not extend beyond about the position of the bottom surface of the lower lip when the helmet plate is mounted.

18. The helmet plate of claim 17 wherein the obstruction on the helmet is a connector.