HELMET-MOUNTED DISPLAY

• US 20140000014A1
• Filed: 06/28/2012
• Published: 01/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Galvion Ltd. (Galvion Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Revision Military Incorporated (Revision Military)
• Inventors: Gendron, Marie-Pierre, Lebel, Stphane, Bernier, Dominic Giroux, Slater, Lindsay Faye, Redpath, David
• Granted Patent: US 10,051,908 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 2/422
• 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

Helmet-mounted display unit arrangements provide improved adjustability, including pitch, yaw, and/or vertical translation adjustment. In some embodiments, adjustments to one parameter do not affect the adjustability of other parameters. The helmet-mounted display and associated mount may be arranged such that the helmet-mounted display fits behind a helmet-mounted visor and/or in front of glasses being worn by the user.

Claims

1. A helmet-mounted display unit comprising:

an electronic display;

a connector to adjustably connect the display to a helmet, the connector including;

an attachment portion to attach the connector to the helmet;

a first revolute joint having a first axis of rotation to permit pitch rotation of the display; and

a second revolute joint having a second axis of rotation to permit yaw rotation of to the display.

2. The helmet-mounted display unit according to claim 1, wherein the connector further comprises a prismatic joint to permit translation of the display.

3. The helmet-mounted display unit according to claim 2, wherein the first axis of rotation is substantially horizontal, the second axis of rotation is substantially vertical, and the prismatic joint permits vertical translation of the display.

4. The helmet-mounted display unit according to claim 2, further comprising a clamp and clamp actuator to prevent yaw rotation, pitch rotation, and vertical translation of the display when the friction clamp is engaged.

5. The helmet-mounted display unit according to claim 4, wherein the second revolute joint and the prismatic joint form a cylindrical joint.

6. The helmet-mounted display unit according to claim 5, wherein the clamp actuator comprises a clamp bolt to engage and disengage the clamp.

7. The helmet-mounted display unit according to claim 4, wherein the clamp can be partially engaged such that the clamp prevents yaw rotation, pitch rotation, and vertical translation of the display under forces typically encountered during regular helmet movement, and the clamp allows yaw rotation, pitch rotation, and vertical translation in response to forces from a user'"'"'s hand.

8. The helmet-mounted display unit according to claim 1, wherein the attachment portion comprises a spring-biased catch.

9. The helmet-mounted display unit according to claim 1, further comprising electrical contacts to electrically connect the helmet-mounted display unit to corresponding electrical contacts of the helmet.

10. The helmet-mounted display unit according to claim 9, wherein one of a pin connector and a socket connector include the electrical contacts.

11. The helmet-mounted display unit according to claim 2, wherein the second revolute joint permits yaw rotation of the display of at least 13.5 degrees in each direction.

12. The helmet-mounted display unit according to claim 2, wherein the first revolute joint permits pitch rotation of the display of at least eighty degrees in a direction away from the helmet to remove the display from a line of sight of the wearer.

13. The helmet-mounted display unit according to claim 1, further comprising a display housing, wherein the display is held by the connector via the display housing.

14. The helmet-mounted display unit according to claim 1, wherein the first resolute joint includes a first pin, the second resolute joint includes a second pin, and the connector includes a pin connector, the pin connector including a first opening in which the first pin rotates, and a second opening in which the second pin rotates.

15. The helmet-mounted display according to claim 14, wherein the first pin is oriented at an angle of approximately ninety degrees relative to the second pin.

16. The helmet-mounted display according to claim 15, wherein the second revolute joint and the prismatic joint form a cylindrical joint, and the connector is slidable vertically along the second pin.

17. The helmet-mounted display unit according to claim 1, wherein attachment portion is configured to be attached to a helmet opening which has a width of less than a half inch.

18. The helmet-mounted display unit according to claim 1, wherein attachment portion is configured to be attached to a helmet opening without the use of tools.

19. The helmet-mounted display unit according to claim 1, wherein the attachment portion attaches the connector directly to the helmet.

20. An apparatus comprising:

a helmet having a rim including a downwardly-facing surface;

a first helmet-mounted display unit mount for removably attaching a helmet-mounted display unit, the mount being accessible for connection of a helmet-mounted display at the downwardly-facing surface of the helmet rim, and the mount including electrical contacts to contact corresponding electrical contacts in a helmet-mounted display unit.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the mount is configured for physical connection of the helmet and the helmet-mounted display unit, wherein the physical connection results in an electrical connection of the helmet-mounted display unit to an electrical transmission element in the helmet.

22. The apparatus according to claim 20, in combination with the helmet-mounted display unit.

23. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein one of the mount and the helmet-mounted display unit has a spring-biased catch.

24. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the helmet-mounted display unit has at least one of a pin electrical connector and a socket electrical connector.

25. The apparatus according to claim 24, further comprising a connector to adjustably connect the display to a helmet, the connector including:

an attachment portion to attach the connector to the helmet;

a first joint having a first axis of rotation to permit changes to a pitch orientation of the display; and

a second joint having a second axis of rotation to permit changes to a yaw orientation of the display.

26. A helmet-mounted display unit comprising:

an electronic display;

a connector to adjustably connect the display to a helmet, the connector including;

an attachment portion to attach the connector to the helmet;

a first joint having a first axis of rotation to permit changes to a pitch orientation of the display; and

a second joint having a second axis of rotation to permit changes to a yaw orientation of the display;

wherein changing the pitch orientation does not change the orientation of the second axis of rotation about which changes to yaw orientation are permitted.

27. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the connector including the attachment portion is constructed and arranged to attach to a mount positioned on a downwardly-facing surface of a helmet.

28. An apparatus comprising:

a helmet;

a visor mounted to the helmet; and

an electronic display attached to the helmet in a location where the display is visible to

a wearer of the helmet by at least one eye;

wherein

when the helmet is worn by the user, the visor is positioned to protect the wearer'"'"'s eyes, and the display is positioned between the wearer'"'"'s face and the visor without contacting the visor.

29. The apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the helmet includes a rim with a downwardly-facing surface, and the helmet further includes a first helmet-mounted display unit mount for removably attaching the display, the mount being accessible for connection of the display at the downwardly-facing surface of the helmet rim. to 30. The apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the visor is movable from a protection position to a non-protection position without contacting the electronic display.