Helmet attachment apparatus and methods

• US 7,234,173 B2
• Filed: 01/26/2005
• Issued: 06/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: McCalla, Michael B.
• Primary Examiner(s): LINDSEY, RODNEY M
• Application Number:
  US11/044,157
• Publication Number:
  US 20060162036A1
• Time in Patent Office: 881 Days
• Field of Search: 242/2, 242/5, 241/0, 2/62, 220/913, 359/409, 359/815, 362/105, 362/106, 362/107, 379/430, 128/201.24, 224/181, 224/930, 224/909, 224/271
• US Class Current: 2/422
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/04 Parts, details or accessories of helmets
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 80/00 Products made by additive manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/125 head-mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0176 characterised by mechanical features

Abstract

Helmet attachment apparatus and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus for attaching a device to a helmet includes a first shell member coupled to a second shell member by at least one expandable member. The first and second shell members are adapted to approximately conform to first and second surface portions the helmet. When the first and second shell members are engaged with first and second engagement portions of the helmet, the expandable member is tensioned to secure the first and second shell members to the helmet. At least one of the first and second shell members includes a mount adapted to be attached to the device.

Claims

1. A helmet attachment apparatus for attaching a device to a helmet, comprising:

a first shell member coupled to a second shell member by circumferentially spaced expandable members, the first and second shell members being adapted to approximately conform to first and second surface portions the helmet, respectively, the first and second shell members having first and second engagement members adapted to engage with corresponding first and second engagement portions of the helmet such that the expandable member is tensioned to secure the first and second shell members to the helmet, wherein at least one of the first and second shell members includes a mount adapted to be attached to the device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first shell member defines at least one cutout portion adapted to be positioned proximate a forward central portion of the helmet.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first shell member defines a pair of opposing lateral cutout portions adapted to be positioned proximate opposing lateral sides of the helmet.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the expandable member includes at least one of an adjustable material, and an elastic material.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first engagement member includes a gripping member adapted to engage a front portion of the helmet, the gripping member being adjustable to accommodate a range of helmet sizes.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mount comprises a plate projecting outwardly from the first shell member and including at least one mounting aperture disposed therethrough.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mount comprises a slot disposed in the first shell member.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a compressible fitting element coupled to the second shell member and adapted to be disposed between the second shell member and the helmet.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second engagement member includes at least one hook adapted to couple to an edge portion of the helmet.

10. An assembly, comprising:

a helmet adapted to worn on a head of a user; and

an attachment apparatus for coupling a device to the helmet, the attachment apparatus including;

a first shell member approximately conforming to a first surface portion the helmet and including a first engagement member engaged with a first engagement portion of the helmet; and

a second shell member coupled to the first shell member circumferentially spaced expandable members, the second shell member approximately conforming to a second surface portion of the helmet and including a second engagement member engaged with a second engagement portion of the helmet such that when the first and second engagement members are engaged with the first and second engagement portions, the expandable members is tensioned to secure the first and second shell members to the helmet, and wherein at least one of the first and second shell members includes a mount adapted to be attached to the device.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the first shell member defines at least one of a first cutout portion positioned proximate a forward central portion of the helmet, and a second cutout portion positioned proximate a lateral side of the helmet.

12. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the first engagement member includes a gripping member engaged with a front portion of the helmet, the gripping member being adjustable to accommodate a range of helmet sizes.

13. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the mount comprises at least one of a plate projecting outwardly from the first shell member and including at least one mounting aperture disposed therethrough, and a slot.

14. The assembly of claim 10, further comprising a compressible fitting element coupled to the second shell member and disposed between the second shell member and the helmet.

15. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the second engagement member includes at least one hook coupled to an edge portion of the helmet.

16. A method of coupling a device to a helmet, comprising:

providing an attachment apparatus including a first shell member approximately conforming to a first surface portion the helmet and a second shell member approximately conforming to a second surface portion of the helmet, the first and second shell members being coupled by circumferentially spaced expandable members;

engaging a first engagement member of the first shell member with a first engagement portion of the helmet;

engaging a second engagement member of the second shell member with a second engagement portion of the helmet such that the expandable member is tensioned to secure the attachment apparatus to the helmet; and

coupling the device to at least one of the first and second shell members.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein engaging a first engagement member includes engaging a gripping member with a front portion of the helmet, the gripping member being adjustable to accommodate a range of helmet sizes.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein engaging a second engagement member includes compressing a compressible element disposed between the second shell member and the helmet.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein engaging a second engagement member includes engaging at least one hook with an edge portion of the helmet.