Helmet mounting system

• US 9,414,633 B2
• Filed: 06/25/2014
• Issued: 08/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Galvion Ltd. (Galvion Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Revision Military Incorporated (Revision Military)
• Inventors: Giroux Bernier, Dominic, Lebel, Stphane, Gendron, Marie-Pierre
• Primary Examiner(s): Hurley, Shaun R
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Bao-Thieu L
• Application Number:
  US14/314,117
• Publication Number:
  US 20150026872A1
• Time in Patent Office: 783 Days
• Field of Search: 242/2, 242/1, 2/62, 2/63
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 1/24 with means for attaching articles thereto, e.g. memorandum tablets or mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/00 Helmets; Helmet covers ; Other protective head coverings hoods for welders A61F9/06; defence protection helmets F41H1/04
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/04 Parts, details or accessories of helmets
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/0406 Accessories for helmets
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/042 Optical devices night vision goggles G02B23/12
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/221 Attaching visors to helmet shells, e.g. on motorcycle helmets
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/30 Mounting radio sets or communication systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

Systems and methods for attaching an accessory to a helmet. A helmet accessory mounting interface may be attached to a receptacle. The receptacle may be removably or permanently received by a carrier. The carrier may be attached to a helmet having a particular shape and size. The carrier also may be configured to receive any selected type of a plurality of receptacle types which, in turn, corresponds to a particular mounting interface for a helmet accessory. The receptacle may be receivable, in some embodiments removably, by any one of a number of different types of carriers.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a helmet accessory mounting interface;

a receptacle that is configured to hold the helmet accessory mounting interface without a helmet accessory attached to the helmet accessory mounting interface; and

a carrier attachable to a helmet, the carrier including;

a first arm and a second arm located opposite one another relative to a central region of the carrier, each arm extending in a respective direction away from the central region of the carrier; and

the carrier including a receptacle-receiving portion to removably receive the receptacle;

wherein the helmet accessory mounting interface, the receptacle, and the carrier are configured such that when the helmet accessory mounting interface,

the receptacle, and the carrier are attached to the helmet, the helmet accessory mounting interface is ready to receive a helmet accessory, and

the helmet accessory mounting interface is located between the carrier and the receptacle.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receptacle-receiving portion has at least one retaining member.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one retaining member comprises a first ridge and a second ridge located opposite one another relative to the central region of the carrier.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein each of the first and second ridges includes an overhanging portion extending toward the central region of the carrier.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the overhanging portion of each of the first and second ridges is configured to form an interference fit with the receptacle.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the accessory mounting interface includes an attachment hole; and

the carrier, receptacle, and accessory mounting interface are arranged such that a fastener is insertable through the accessory mounting interface attachment hole and the receptacle to reach an attachment hole in the helmet.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the accessory mounting interface includes an attachment hole, and the receptacle and accessory mounting interface are coupled to one another and arranged such that a fastener is insertable into the mounting interface attachment hole from an accessory-facing side of the accessory mounting interface to attach the receptacle and accessory mounting interface to at least one of the carrier and the helmet.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receptacle-receiving portion comprises an opening for attachment of the helmet accessory mounting interface to the helmet.

22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receptacle-receiving portion is configured to receive any selected one of a plurality of receptacles.

23. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising the helmet.

6. A helmet accessory mount assembly, comprising:

a carrier constructed and arranged to be attached to a helmet, the carrier including a receptacle-receiving portion;

a receptacle removably received by the receptacle-receiving portion of the carrier, wherein when the carrier is attached to the helmet and the receptacle is attached to the carrier, the receptacle is removable from the carrier without removing the carrier from the helmet; and

a helmet accessory mounting interface attached to the receptacle without a helmet accessory attached to the helmet accessory mounting interface;

wherein

the helmet accessory mounting interface is located between the carrier and the receptacle.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the carrier comprises a first arm and a second arm located opposite one another relative to a central region of the carrier, each arm extending in a respective direction away from the central region of the carrier.

8. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the receptacle-receiving portion comprises at least one ridge including an overhanging portion extending toward a central region of the carrier.

9. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the receptacle forms an interference fit with the receptacle-receiving portion of the carrier.

10. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the helmet accessory mounting interface is removably attached to the receptacle.

11. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the receptacle comprises a tab inserted into a slot of the helmet accessory mounting interface.

12. The assembly of claim 6, wherein a portion of the receptacle forms an interference fit with a corresponding portion of the helmet accessory mounting interface.

13. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the helmet accessory mounting interface is ready to receive a helmet accessory.

14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the helmet accessory comprises a face shield, a visor, a camera or goggles.

15. The assembly of claim 6, further comprising the helmet, wherein the carrier is attached to a front portion of the helmet.

16. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the helmet accessory mounting interface comprises a metal plate.

17. A method of assembling a helmet accessory mount system, the system including a carrier which is attachable to a helmet and is configured to receive any type of receptacle from among a plurality of receptacle types, each type of receptacle being configured to receive a different type of helmet accessory mounting interface, the method comprising:

(a) selecting a type of receptacle to associate with the carrier from among a plurality of receptacle types, each type of receptacle being configured to receive a different type of helmet accessory mounting interface;

(b) attaching a receptacle of the selected receptacle type to the carrier;

(c) attaching an accessory mounting interface to the receptacle such that when the helmet accessory mounting interface, the receptacle, and the carrier are attached to the helmet, the helmet accessory mounting interface is located between the carrier and the receptacle; and

(d) after (c), attaching a helmet accessory to the accessory mounting interface.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising attaching the carrier to the helmet prior to attaching the receptacle to the carrier.