Helmet stabilization apparatus

• US 8,739,319 B2
• Filed: 05/07/2013
• Issued: 06/03/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shrike Industries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: SERE Industries Inc.
• Inventors: Langan, Timothy M.
• Primary Examiner(s): HARMON, CHRISTOPHER R
• Application Number:
  US13/889,303
• Publication Number:
  US 20130239305A1
• Time in Patent Office: 392 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 2/422
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/0406 Accessories for helmets
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/042 Optical devices night vision goggles G02B23/12

Abstract

The helmet stabilization apparatus includes a helmet adapted to be worn by a user, a night vision goggle unit attached to a front portion of the helmet, and a removable counterweight attached to a rear portion of the helmet that balances with the weight of the night vision goggle unit, wherein said removable counterweight can be connected in a variety of manners, such as a magnetic means of connection, a hook and loop connection, or a mechanical means of connection. Furthermore, the helmet may provide staggered connections, such that the removable counterweight may be positioned on the helmet at the user'"'"'s desired orientation. This allows the user to move the center of mass of the system such that it is self-stabilizing on the user'"'"'s head. Moreover, the removable counterweight may be formed such that when it is removed, it may be coupled with an attachable handle to form a plurality of tools or weapons. This is beneficial in that it provides a collection of tools while only one object need be carried.

Claims

1. A method of balancing a helmet assembly with respect to a central axis of a user comprising the steps of:

providing a helmet, a night vision goggle unit, and a counterweight having a curved edge and an overall shape that forms a shovel head;

removably securing the night vision goggle unit to the helmet at a first position;

removably securing the counterweight to the helmet at a second position that counterbalances the night vision goggle unit with respect to the central axis;

wherein the counterweight has (i) a first curvature that mates with a first curvature of the helmet, and (ii) a second curvature that mates with a second curvature of the helmet; and

wherein the counterweight has a first mechanical attachment port.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of securing the counterweight to the helmet includes the steps of:

attaching a first hook and loop connector to a back surface of the helmet;

attaching a second hook and loop connector to a surface of the counterweight, wherein the first and second hook and loop connectors are configured to removably engage one another; and

removably securing the counterweight to the helmet via the first and second hook and loop fasteners.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

removing the counterweight from the helmet; and

attaching a handle to the first mechanical attachment port.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of using the counterweight and handle as a shovel.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the first mechanical attachment port comprises a threaded connector.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the counterweight further comprises a second mechanical attachment port.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the first mechanical attachment port is disposed on a facial portion of the counterweight and the second mechanical attachment port is disposed on an apical portion of the counterweight.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of removably securing a second counterweight to the first mechanical attachment port.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the counterweight has a first magnetic attachment port.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the counterweight is made of a material that provides ballistic protection.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the counterweight is made of a material that provides impact protection.