Mounting means for use of ground system type goggles as aviators goggle

• US 4,987,608 A
• Filed: 09/13/1989
• Issued: 01/29/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army (Government of the United States of America)
• Original Assignee: The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army
• Inventors: Cobb, Bernard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US07/406,490
• Time in Patent Office: 503 Days
• Field of Search: 2/6, 2/10, 2/422, 2/424, 2/427, 2/428, 2/429, 2/453
• US Class Current: 2/6.2
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 10/00 Flight suits helmets in general A42B3/00; breathing helmets A62B18/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/125 head-mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/18 for binocular arrangements focusing binocular pairs G02B7/06; adjusting pupillary distance of binocular pairs G02B7/12
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 2/909 Head protector, e.g. helmet, goggles

Abstract

A flip-up mounting bracket for use of a stripped down ground system type ht vision goggle on an aviators helmet. The frame and excess padding surrounding the ground system goggle is removed and the mounting bracket is substituted for the frame as a threadable mount for the ground system goggle. The bracket is rotatably connectable to standard aviators night vision imaging system (ANVIS) hardware on the helmet. The mounting bracket and goggles are rotatable about the hardware for stowing the ground system goggles up in the vertical flip-up position or down in the direct view of the pilot for use in night observation.

Claims

1. An adapter for coupling a pair of ground system, AN/PVS-5, night vision goggles, having threadable engagement means on both sides thereof, to an ANVIS helmet visor having attached thereto a cylindrical flip up mount with a stationary support means containing an elongated cylindrical opening in which a cylindrical rotatable member may be rotatably inserted for effecting rotational flip up capability for the goggles, wherein said adapter comprises:

bracket means for coupling the goggles to said cylindrical rotatable member;

adjustment means for aligning and adjusting the distance between a users eyes and the goggles;

wherein said bracket means is further composed of a lightweight rigid material of a generally rectangular shape with a tab extension, having a slot therein, extending perpendicularly from each end thereof, whereby the bracket may be placed over the goggles with the tab extensions extending down along side the goggles for aligning the slots in the tabs with said threadable engagement means on each side of the goggles, wherein said adjustment and aligning means further comprises a screw mechanism slidably engaged in the slots of each respective bracket tab and threadably engaged with the threadably engagement means of the goggles to effect the proper alignment of the goggles to a users eyes.

2. A mounting means for mounting ground system type goggles on an aviator helmet, said mounting means comprising:

a mounting bracket having a rectangular bridge portion curved at the short ends into two generally perpendicular braces which extend outward on the same side of said bridge portion, each of said two braces having beveled portions extending outward for a short distance on a facial side of said bridge forming brace portions that are wider than the short ends of said rectangular bridge portion each of said two braces have an elongated slot therein that is generally parallel with the short ends of said bridge portion;

a stripped ground system type goggles comprised of the goggles held by a front plate and a goggle electrical system wiring harness and plug connector attached thereto and a threaded connecting port on each side of said goggles;

an attachment plate attachable on the side of said bridge portion opposite said two braces by a plate attachment means, said attachment plate having rounded edges facing said short ends of said bridge portion;

a goggle attachment means for attaching said goggles between said two braces with the objective lens of said goggles positioned outward from the side opposite said facial side of said bridge portion wherein said goggles are threadably attachable to said two braces;

a connecting means for rotatably connecting said mounting bracket with said goggles attached thereto on the front of said helmet, said connecting means comprised of a helmet connecting device connectable to said attachment plate on said bridge portion and a goggle support means mounted on the front of the helmet, rotatable connecting means between said helmet connecting device and said goggle support means wherein said bracket and goggles are rotatable between the line-of-sight of an aviator and an overhead to stow position, and electrical connecter means on said bracket for connecting said plug connector thereto to complete an electrical circuit from a power supply within the helmet to said goggles.

3. A mounting means as set forth in claim 2 wherein said goggle attachment means between said goggles and said two braces is by thumb nail bolts which pass through said elongated slots in each of said two braces and thread into said threaded connecting ports on each side of said goggles.

4. A mounting means as set forth in claim 3 wherein said mounting bracket is made of a light weight material.

5. A mounting means as set forth in claim 3 wherein said mounting bracket is made of plexiglass of about 3/16 inch thickness.

6. A mounting means as set forth in claim 3 wherein said thumb nail bolts are characterized by large diameter knurled outer edge thumb wheel heads for easily threading a threaded stem therefrom with said threaded connecting ports on said goggles.

7. A mounting means as set forth in claim 2 wherein said goggle mount of said goggle support means is mounted at an offset from the centerline of the front of said helmet.

8. A mounting means as set forth in claim 7 wherein said offset from the centerline of the front of said helmet is about one inch.