Facemask assembly for night vision goggles

• US 6,986,162 B2
• Filed: 01/05/2004
• Issued: 01/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Norotos Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Norotos Incorporated
• Inventors: Soto, Ronald R., Robinson, David A., Prendergast, Jonathon R., Soto, John E., Barth, Pascal A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lindsey, Rodney M.
• Application Number:
  US10/752,382
• Publication Number:
  US 20040181858A1
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 2/62, 2/63, 217/3, 242/1, 242/2, 2/66, 2/67, 242/0, 2/9, 241/4, 241/5, 245/2, 128/207.11, 224/181, 224/930, 359/409, 359/815
• US Class Current: 2/6.3
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/125 head-mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0176 characterised by mechanical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/002 Mounting on the human body

Abstract

A facemask assembly for night vision goggles comprises a frame assembly, a mount assembly for attachment of the night vision goggles, an adjustment strap assembly, and a neck pad assembly, wherein the frame assembly is generally C-shaped and contoured to extend across the upper forehead of a user, with each end of the generally C-shaped frame assembly extending down around the outside of the eyes and to the hollow of the cheeks of a user, below the cheek bones and above the jaw.

Claims

1. A facemask assembly for night vision goggles comprising,

a frame assembly;

a mount assembly for attachment of the night vision goggles;

an adjustment strap assembly; and

a neck pad assembly,

wherein the frame assembly is generally C-shaped and contoured to extend across the upper forehead of a user, with each end of the generally C-shaped frame assembly extending down around the outside of the eyes and to the hollow of the cheeks of a user, below the cheek bones and above the jaw, the frame assembly resting only on a user'"'"'s upper forehead and in the hollows of a user'"'"'s cheeks below the cheekbones and above the jaw bone.

2. A facemask assembly according to claim 1 also comprising at least one forehead pad attached to the frame assembly and positioned to be between the frame assembly and the upper forehead of a user when the facemask assembly is being worn by the user.

3. A facemask assembly according to claim 2 also comprising a pair of cheek pads, a first cheek pad attached to one end of the frame assembly and positioned to be between the frame assembly and the hollow of the cheek of a user when the facemask assembly is being worn by the user and a second cheek pad attached to the other end of the frame assembly and positioned to be between the frame assembly and the hollow of the other cheek of the user when the facemask assembly is being worn by the user.

4. A facemask assembly according to claim 3 wherein the pads are removably attached to the frame assembly.

5. A facemask assembly according to claim 4 wherein the pads are removably attached using at least one snap for each pad.

6. A facemask assembly according to claim 4 wherein the pads are removably attached using at least two snaps for each pad.

7. A facemask assembly according to claim 1 wherein the frame assembly has an exterior surface that is smooth and streamlined.

8. A facemask assembly according to claim 3 wherein the pads are covered with a protective sheath.

9. A facemask assembly according to claim 8 wherein the protective sheath is made of sheepskin leather.

10. A facemask assembly according to claim 3 wherein the pads are comprised of a foam material.

11. A facemask assembly according to claim 10 wherein a first portion of the foam material positioned closest to a user'"'"'s face when the facemask is being worn is adapted to form itself around facial features while applying minimal pressure.

12. A facemask assembly according to claim 11 wherein the first portion is a polyurethane foam with a thickness of about 0.5 inch, having a density of about 2 lbs./cu. ft. and a compression of about 0.7 psi.

13. A facemask according to claim 11 wherein a second portion of the foam material positioned outside the first portion is adapted to allow for additional cushioning.

14. A facemask according to claim 13 wherein the second portion is a polyurethane foam with a thickness of about 0.25 inch, having a density of about 15 lbs/cu. ft. and a compression of about 1 to 5 psi.

15. A facemask assembly according to claim 3 wherein there is a gap between the at least one forehead pad and each of the cheek pads.

16. A facemask assembly according to claim 1 wherein the frame assembly is made from a durable, lightweight and flexible material.

17. A facemask assembly according to claim 1 wherein the frame assembly is made from nylon 6/6.

18. A facemask assembly according to claim 1 wherein the frame assembly is hinged so that the facemask assembly can be folded into a more compact configuration when not in use.

19. A facemask assembly for night vision goggles comprising,

a frame assembly;

a mount assembly for attachment of the night vision goggles;

an adjustment strap assembly;

a neck pad assembly; and

a protective pad positioned on top of a user'"'"'s head when the facemask assembly is being worn to protect the user'"'"'s head from injury from the night vision goggles when in a stowed position, wherein the frame assembly is generally C-shaped and contoured to extend across the upper forehead of a user, with each end of the generally C-shaped frame assembly extending down around the outside of the eyes and to the hollow of the cheeks of a user, below the cheek bones and above the jaw, the frame assembly resting only on a user'"'"'s upper forehead and in the hollows of a user'"'"'s cheeks below the cheekbones and above the jaw bone; and

wherein the frame assembly is hinged to allow rotation of at least one portion of the frame assembly with respect to the remainder of the frame assembly through a limited range of motion between an open configuration for use and a folded configuration for storage.