Helmet mounting systems

• US 7,219,370 B1
• Filed: 10/06/2004
• Issued: 05/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wilcox Industries Corp.
• Original Assignee: Wilcox Industries Corp.
• Inventors: Teetzel, James W., Lemire, Gary M., Kent, David G., Van Fosson, Marion H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lindsey; Rodney M.
• Application Number:
  US10/959,906
• Time in Patent Office: 958 Days
• Field of Search: 2/61, 2/62, 2/66, 242/2, 220/913, 359/409, 359/815, 224/181, 224/182, 224/908, 224/909, 396/423
• 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: F41C 27/00 Accessories; Details or attachments not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 1/00 Sighting devices for indirect laying of fire F41G3/16; bombsights F41G3/24 ; structurally associated with laser telemeters F41G3/065; mounting tubular or beam shaped aiming devices on firearms F41G11/001
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 1/30 Reflecting-sights specially adapted for smallarms or ordnance reflecting-sights in general G02B
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 1/34 combined with light source, e.g. spot light
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 11/003 Mountings with a dove tail element, e.g. "Picatinny rail systems"
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 1/04 Protection helmets crash helmets A42B3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/125 head-mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0101 characterised by optical features G02B27/0172 takes precedence

Abstract

Pivoting helmet mounts for an optical device are provided. In one aspect, a breakaway connector which is selectively configurable between breakaway and nonbreakaway configurations is provided. In a further aspect, a strap mount system for securing the helmet mount to the helmet employs a rotating ratchet assembly to adjust tension in the strap. In another aspect, a helmet mount for an optical device comprises a track assembly attached to a helmet to allow stowing of the optical device in a further retracted position. The track mount system may further include electrical connectors for attaching a power supply and an electronic device. In another aspect, a mounting bracket allows helmet-mounted optics to be shared with a weapon accessory mount. In a further aspect, a optical sighting device for a weapon combines a reflex sight a night vision goggle to allow targeting at night or in other low-light conditions.

Claims

1. A helmet mount for an optical device, comprising:

a mounting plate for attaching the helmet mount to the front of a helmet;

a gear rack system connected to the mounting plate for adjusting a vertical position of the optical device relative to a user'"'"'s eyes;

a first pivot arm coupled to the gear rack system;

a connector for securing the gear rack system to the first pivot arm, said connector selectively configurable between breakaway and nonbreakaway configurations;

a second pivot arm pivotally attached to the first pivot arm for supporting said optical device alternatively between a first, operational position in front of the user'"'"'s eyes and a second, stowed position above the user'"'"'s line of sight;

a pair of guide rails extending generally horizontally when the second pivot arm is in said first, operational position; and

a carriage member slidable along said guide rails and adapted to carry said optical device, said carriage member for adjusting a horizontal position of the optical device in front of the user'"'"'s eyes.

2. The helmet mount of claim 1, wherein the mounting plate is fastened to the helmet via one or more screw-type fasteners, a hook-type fastener having one or more hooks adapted to attach to a brim portion of the helmet, or a combination thereof.

3. The helmet mount of claim 1, wherein said connector comprises a protrusion engaging an aligned, complimentary opening in said first pivot arm, wherein said protrusion is resiliently depressible when said connector is in said breakaway configuration and said protrusion is rigid and nondepressible when said connector is in said nonbreakaway configuration.

4. The helmet mount of claim 3, further comprising:

a manually actuatable lever for alternatively configuring said connector in said breakaway and nonbreakaway configurations.

5. A helmet mount for an optical device, comprising:

a mounting plate for attaching the helmet mount to the front of a helmet;

a pivoting assembly for selectively positioning said optical device between a first, operational position in front of the user'"'"'s eyes and a second, stowed position away from the user'"'"'s eyes;

a rear bracket comprising at least one hook adapted to attach to a rear brim portion of the helmet;

a strap attached to the mounting plate for securing the helmet mount to the helmet; and

a rotating ratchet assembly attached to said strap for adjusting tension in said strap.

6. The helmet mount of claim 5, wherein said ratchet assembly includes:

a gear rack attached to said rear bracket and slidably retained in a housing;

a spur gear engaging said gear rack;

said spur gear manually rotatable by a user wherein rotation of said spur gear in a first direction retracts said gear rack to tighten said strap and rotation of said spur gear in a second direction opposite the first direction advances said spur gear to loosen said strap; and

a locking member normally engaging said spur gear to permit rotation of said spur gear in the first direction only;

a release lever for disengaging said locking member from said spur gear to permit rotation of the spur gear in the second direction and loosening of said strap.

7. The helmet mount of claim 5, wherein said pivoting portion comprises:

a gear rack system connected to the mounting plate for adjusting a vertical position of the optical device relative to a user'"'"'s eyes;

a first pivot arm coupled to the gear rack system;

a second pivot arm pivotally attached to the first pivot arm for supporting said optical device alternatively between a first, operational position in front of the user'"'"'s eyes and a second, stowed position above the user'"'"'s line of sight;

a pair of guide rails extending generally horizontally when the second pivot arm is in said first, operational position;

a carriage member slidable along said guide rails and adapted to carry said optical device, said carriage member for adjusting a horizontal position of the optical device in front of the user'"'"'s eyes.

8. The helmet mount of claim 7, further comprising:

a connector for securing the gear rack system to the first pivot arm, said connector selectively configurable between breakaway and nonbreakaway configurations.