Rotatable helmet mounting assembly

• US 7,996,917 B2
• Filed: 04/05/2005
• Issued: 08/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Norotos Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Norotos Incorporated
• Inventors: Prendergast, Jonathon R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hurley; Shaun R
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sutton; Andrew W
• Application Number:
  US11/100,141
• Publication Number:
  US 20080184462A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,324 Days
• Field of Search: 241/0, 2/62, 403/76, 403/90, 403/114, 403/115, 403/122, 403/127, 403/144, 403/131
• US Class Current: 2/6.2
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/04 Parts, details or accessories of helmets
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/125 head-mounted

Abstract

A mounting assembly for universally rotatably adjusting a night vision device with respect to a helmet is provided that includes a first attachment mechanism for connection to the night vision device; a second attachment mechanism for connection to the helmet; and a universally rotatable joint for universally rotatably adjusting the night vision device with respect to the helmet.

Claims

1. A mounting assembly for universally rotatably adjusting a night vision device with respect to a helmet and comprising:

a first attachment mechanism for connection to the night vision device;

a second attachment mechanism for connection to the helmet; and

a universally rotatable joint for universally rotatably adjusting the night vision device with respect to the helmet about a plurality of planes extending through a center of the universally rotatable joint, the universally rotatable joint having a substantially smooth surface; and

a fixation mechanism that permits fixation of the night vision device, the fixation mechanism comprising a lever and a body portion having a first recess for receiving the universally rotatable joint and a second recess for receiving the lever, wherein the lever is pivotally connected to the body portion and comprises a head portion and a gripping portion, and wherein the gripping portion is pivotal into and out of contact with the universally rotatable joint.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the universally rotatable joint is a ball joint.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the gripping portion of the lever is biased into contact with the universally rotatable joint.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the head portion is movable toward the second recess of the body portion to pivot the lever out of contact with the universally rotatable joint to allow for a universal rotatable adjusting of the night vision device with respect to the helmet.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the head portion of the lever is movable toward the second recess of the body portion by depressing the head portion toward the second recess of the body portion.

6. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the head portion of the lever is easily accessible by either hand of the user.

7. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the head portion of the lever comprises an opening for receiving a locking screw, and wherein the locking screw comprises an end which threadably engages an internally threaded portion of the head portion of the lever.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the locking screw is movable to contact an inner surface of the second recess to prevent the head portion of the lever from being depressed.

9. A mounting assembly for universally rotatably adjusting a night vision device with respect to a helmet and comprising:

a first attachment mechanism for connection to the night vision device;

a second attachment mechanism for connection to the helmet;

a body portion connected to the first attachment mechanism;

a platform connected to the second attachment mechanism;

a ball joint between the body portion and the platform for universally rotatably adjusting the night vision device with respect to the helmet, the ball joint having a substantially smooth surface; and

a lever pivotally connected to the body portion and comprising a head portion and a gripping portion, wherein the body portion comprises a first recess for receiving the ball joint and a second recess for receiving the lever, and wherein the gripping portion is pivotal into and out of contact with the ball joint to permit fixation of the night vision device.

10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the gripping portion of the lever is biased into contact with the ball joint.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the head portion is movable toward the second recess of the body portion to pivot the lever out of contact with the ball joint to allow for a universal rotatable adjusting of the night vision device with respect to the helmet.

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the head portion of the lever is movable toward the second recess of the body portion by depressing the head portion toward the second recess of the body portion.

13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the head portion of the lever is easily accessible by either hand of the user.

14. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the head portion of the lever comprises an opening for receiving a locking screw, and wherein the locking screw comprises an end which threadably engages an internally threaded portion of the head portion of the lever.

15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the locking screw is movable to contact an inner surface of the second recess to prevent the head portion of the lever from being depressed.