Optical device mounting adapter

• US 9,622,530 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2014
• Issued: 04/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Knight Vision, LLLP
• Original Assignee: Robert J. Mccreight Jr
• Inventors: DiCarlo, Joseph A.
• Primary Examiner(s): MORAN, KATHERINE M
• Application Number:
  US14/184,818
• Publication Number:
  US 20140237708A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,153 Days
• Field of Search: 2422
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/04 Parts, details or accessories of helmets
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/042 Optical devices night vision goggles G02B23/12

Abstract

An optical device mounting adapter, and system and method for mounting an optical device to a head-worn article are provided. The optical device mounting adapter includes a helmet mount connector. A first arm having a first end is affixed to the helmet mount connector, wherein a second end of the first arm extends away from the helmet mount connector. A second arm is movably attached at a first point to the second end of the first arm, wherein the second arm has an elongated slot formed therein. A mobile support is connected to the second arm, the mobile support having a pin at least partially positioned within the elongated slot, wherein the mobile support is movable along a length of the elongated slot. An optical device connector is affixed to the mobile support.

Claims

1. An optical device mounting adapter comprising:

a helmet mount connector;

a first arm having a first end affixed to the helmet mount connector, wherein a second end of the first arm extends away from the helmet mount connector;

a second arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second arm is pivotally attached to the second end of the first arm, wherein the second arm has an elongated slot formed therein;

a mobile support connected to the second arm, the mobile support having a pin at least partially positioned within the elongated slot, wherein the mobile support is movable along a length of the elongated slot; and

an optical device connector affixed to the mobile support.

2. The optical device mounting adapter of claim 1, further comprising a latch controlling movement of the second arm relative to the first arm.

3. The optical device mounting adapter of claim 2, wherein the latch controls movement of the second arm relative to the first arm between at least two positions, wherein in a first of the at least two positions, the second arm is positioned substantially perpendicular to the first arm, and wherein in a second of the at least two positions, the second arm is positioned substantially perpendicular to the first arm, wherein the first of the at least two positions is substantially opposite the second of the at least two positions.

4. The optical device mounting adapter of claim 1, wherein the elongated slot is formed through an entire thickness of the second arm.

5. The optical device mounting adapter of claim 1, wherein the mobile support is moveable along at least two parallel sides of the second arm.

6. The optical device mounting adapter of claim 1, wherein the mobile support further comprises:

an upper platform; and

a lower platform, wherein the pin is connected between the upper and lower platforms.

7. The optical device mounting adapter of claim 6, wherein the pin further comprises a first pin portion having a cavity with internal threading and a threaded fastener, wherein the threaded fastener is threadably engagable with the internal threading of the cavity.

8. The optical device mounting adapter of claim 6, wherein the optical device connector is formed on an underside of the lower platform.

9. The optical device mounting adapter of claim 6, further comprising a curved slot formed within the lower platform and a lever formed on the upper platform, wherein a second pin connected to the lever is movable within the curved slot of the lower platform.

10. The optical device mounting adapter of claim 6, wherein the lower platform further comprises a guiding wall with a substantially straight edge, wherein an elongated side of the second arm is positionable against the guiding wall.

11. The optical device mounting adapter of claim 1, wherein the second end of the second arm further comprises a rounded, terminating end, wherein the mobile support is movable from a first side of the second arm, around the rounded, terminating end, and to an second side of the second arm, wherein the first and second sides are parallel.

12. The optical device mounting adapter of claim 1, wherein an elongated length of the second arm is angularly adjustable relative to an elongated length of the first arm.

13. A system for mounting an optical device to a head-worn article, the system comprising:

a shroud connected to a head-worn article;

a helmet mount engagable with the shroud;

a helmet mount connector engagable with the helmet mount;

a first arm having a first end affixed to the helmet mount connector, wherein a second end of the first arm extends away from the helmet mount connector;

a second arm having a first end pivotally attached to the second end of the first arm, the second arm having an elongated slot formed therein;

a mobile support connected to the second arm, the mobile support having a pin at least partially positioned within the elongated slot, wherein the mobile support is movable along a length of the elongated slot;

an optical device connector affixed to the mobile support; and

an optical device mountable to the optical device connector.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein second arm is movable between at least two positions, wherein in a first of the at least two positions, the second arm is positioned substantially perpendicular to the first arm and the optical device is positioned on a left side of the head-worn article, and wherein in a second of the at least two positions, the second arm is positioned substantially perpendicular to the first arm and the optical device is positioned on a right side of the head-worn article, wherein the first of the at least two positions is substantially opposite the second of the at least two positions and the left side of the head-worn article is substantially opposite the right side of the head-worn article.

15. A method of manufacturing an optical device mounting adapter, the method comprising the steps of:

affixing a first arm having a first end to a helmet mount connector, wherein a second end of the first arm extends away from the helmet mount connector;

pivotally attaching a first end of a second arm to the second end of the first arm, whereby an elongated length of the second arm is angularly adjustable relative to an elongated length of the first arm;

forming an elongated slot within the second arm;

connecting a mobile support to the second arm, wherein the mobile support has a pin at least partially positioned within the elongated slot, wherein the mobile support is movable along a length of the elongated slot; and

affixing an optical device connector to the mobile support.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of controlling movement of the second arm relative to the first arm with a latch movably connected to the first arm, whereby actuating the latch between locked and unlocked positions engages and disengages the latch with the second arm.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein controlling movement of the second arm relative to the first arm with the latch further comprises controlling a movement of the second arm relative to the first arm between at least two positions, wherein in a first of the at least two positions, the second arm is positioned substantially perpendicular to the first arm, and wherein in a second of the at least two positions, the second arm is positioned substantially perpendicular to the first arm, wherein the first of the at least two positions is substantially opposite the second of the at least two positions.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the mobile support is moveable along at least two parallel sides of the second arm and around a terminating end of the second arm.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein connecting the mobile support to the second arm further comprises connecting together an upper platform to a lower platform with the pin.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of forming the optical device connector with at least two angled sides and an actuatable latch, wherein the at least two angled sides are sized to receive a mounting shoe therein, wherein the actuatable latch is sized to retaining the mounting shoe between the at least two angled sides.