System for mounting a helmet-mounted device to a helmet

• US 9,167,859 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2013
• Issued: 10/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Elbit Systems of America LLC (Elbit Systems Limited)
• Original Assignee: Exelis Incorporated (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bandy, Gregory Seth, Garris, William Eric, Leitzsch, Christopher, Trudeau, Timothy, Neff, Todd M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ostrup, Clinton T
• Assistant Examiner(s): PIERORAZIO, JILLIAN KUTCH
• Application Number:
  US13/798,757
• Publication Number:
  US 20140259317A1
• Time in Patent Office: 958 Days
• Field of Search: 242/2, 2/66
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/04 Parts, details or accessories of helmets
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/0406 Accessories for helmets
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0176 characterised by mechanical features

Abstract

Systems for mounting a helmet-mounted device to a helmet are disclosed. One such system comprises a frame configured to be movably coupled to the helmet, and an interconnect mechanism rotatably coupled to the frame. The interconnect mechanism is configured to receive the helmet-mounted device. The interconnect mechanism is rotatable relative to the frame between a use position for the helmet-mounted device and a stow position for the helmet-mounted device.

Claims

1. A system for mounting a helmet-mounted optical device having an optical axis to a helmet, the system comprising:

a base portion configured to be movably coupled to the helmet;

a frame coupled to the base portion and configured to rotate about an axis that is parallel to the optical axis between a first rotational position corresponding to a right-eye position for the frame and a second rotational position corresponding to a left-eye position for the frame; and

an interconnect mechanism moveably coupled to the frame, said interconnect mechanism including a first portion translationally coupled to the frame by a slot and projection arrangement for adjusting a pupillary distance of the system, the first portion slideably coupled to the frame and configured to move the helmet-mounted optical device between a right-eye device position and a left-eye device position offset from the right-eye device position, the helmet mounted optical device directly mounted to a second portion of the interconnect mechanism, the second portion rotatably coupled to the first portion about the optical axis for rotating the helmet mounted optical device with respect to the first portion between a device use position for the helmet-mounted optical device and a stow position for the helmet-mounted optical device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the frame is configured to be movable between a position in front of a user'"'"'s face and a position above the user'"'"'s face.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the interconnect mechanism is rotatable around an axis parallel to an operational axis of the helmet-mounted device.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the interconnect mechanism is configured to be fixed in either the use position or the stow position.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the interconnect mechanism is slidingly coupled to the frame.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a power source contained within the frame.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the system comprises a pair of interconnect mechanisms rotatably coupled to the frame, each of the pair of interconnect mechanisms configured to receive a respective helmet-mounted device to form a binocular device.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the use position for each helmet-mounted device is in front of a respective eye of a user.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the system comprises no more than one interconnect mechanism.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the use position for the helmet-mounted device is in front of an eye of a user.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the interconnect mechanism is movable such that the helmet-mounted device is positionable in front of either eye of the user.