Mounting system for accessories on a safety helmet

• US 7,849,517 B2
• Filed: 02/09/2006
• Issued: 12/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation, USA As Represented By The Secretary of The Army
• Original Assignee: Artisent Incorporated
• Inventors: Correa, Mathew M., Rogers, David C., Noordzij, Duco W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hurley; Shaun R
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sutton; Andrew W
• Application Number:
  US11/350,477
• Publication Number:
  US 20060282939A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,769 Days
• Field of Search: 2/62, 242/2, 220/913, 241/0
• US Class Current: 2/6.2
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/04 Parts, details or accessories of helmets

Abstract

Embodiments of a fixture secured, securable to, or integral with the outer shell of a helmet to facilitate convenient positional adjustment, attachment and removal of multiple accessories include a fixture, attachable to the helmet, for securely receiving an accessory, wherein the fixture comprises a rail for slidably and adjustably receiving a plural of accessories thereon.

Claims

1. A mounting facility for a safety helmet having a helmet shell and retention straps affixed thereto, the mounting facility comprising:

(i) a fixture, attachable to the helmet shell, for securely receiving an accessory, wherein the fixture comprises a rail for slidably and adjustably receiving a plurality of accessories thereon, and (ii) a plurality of apertures aligning with existing through-holes in the helmet shell for facilitating common affixation of the mounting facility and retention straps thereto.

2. The mounting facility of claim 1 further comprising an inner surface having a contour conforming to the helmet.

3. The mounting facility of claim 1 wherein the rail comprises a recessed retaining groove.

4. The mounting facility of claim 3 wherein the retaining groove comprises a flat inner surface and a pair of angled side walls opposed to the inner surface.

5. The mounting facility of claim 3 wherein the retaining groove has an L or T shape.

6. The mounting facility of claim 3 wherein the retaining groove is substantially flat in extent.

7. The mounting facility of claim 1 wherein the fixture comprises a pair of sloped ends.

8. A safety helmet comprising:

a. a helmet shell and retention straps affixed thereto;

b. a mounting facility comprising at least one fixture, securable to the helmet shell, for receiving at least one accessory engagement member therein, at least one rail for slidably and adjustably receiving the engagement members, and a plurality of apertures aligning with existing through-holes in the helmet shell for facilitating common affixation of the mounting facility and retention straps thereto; and

c. a plurality of accessory engagement members positionable within the at least one fixture and securable thereto.

9. The helmet of claim 8 wherein the mounting facility further comprises means for accepting an element conforming to the rear of the helmet shell.

10. The helmet of claim 8 wherein the at least one rail comprises an inner surface having a contour conforming to the helmet shell.

11. The helmet of claim 8 wherein the at least one rail comprises a recessed retaining groove.

12. The helmet of claim 11 wherein the retaining groove comprises a flat inner surface and a pair of angled side walls opposed to the inner surface.

13. The helmet of claim 11 wherein the retaining groove has an L or T shape.

14. The helmet of claim 11 wherein the retaining groove is substantially flat in extent.

15. The helmet of claim 8 wherein the at least one rail comprises a pair of ends sloped to the helmet shell.