Pivoting helmet mount

• US 8,209,780 B1
• Filed: 10/27/2008
• Issued: 07/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wilcox Industries Corp.
• Original Assignee: Wilcox Industries Corp.
• Inventors: Lemire, Gary M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harmon, Christopher
• Application Number:
  US12/259,010
• Time in Patent Office: 1,345 Days
• Field of Search: 241/0, 2/66, 242/2, 359/409
• US Class Current: 2/422
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/04 Parts, details or accessories of helmets

Abstract

A mounting device for mounting an associated optical device on an associated helmet includes a first pivot arm assembly removably attachable to the associated helmet. A second pivot arm assembly is pivotally attached to the first pivot arm assembly and is rotatable about a first horizontal axis. A optical device mounting arm assembly is rotatably attached to the second pivot arm assembly. The optical device mounting arm assembly rotatable about a first vertical axis relative to the second pivot arm assembly.

Claims

1. A mounting device for mounting an associated optical device on an associated helmet, said mounting device comprising:

a first pivot arm assembly removably attachable to said associated helmet;

a second pivot arm assembly pivotally attached to said first pivot arm assembly, said second pivot arm assembly rotatable about a first horizontal axis; and

an optical device mounting arm assembly rotatably attached to said second pivot arm assembly, said optical device mounting arm assembly rotatable relative to said second pivot arm assembly about a first vertical axis, said optical device mounting arm assembly including a ball rotatably received within a complimentary cavity formed in said second pivot arm assembly;

said ball rotatable about a vertical axis of said ball, the vertical axis of said ball being aligned with said first vertical axis; and

a plurality of detents formed on said ball and spaced about the vertical axis of said ball for removably receiving one or more complimentary and resiliently biased engagement members received within said cavity for securing the optical device mounting arm assembly at a plurality of rotational positions about the vertical axis of said ball.

2. The mounting device of claim 1, further comprising:

said optical device mounting arm assembly being further rotatable about a second horizontal axis.

3. The mounting device of claim 1, further comprising:

each of said first and second horizontal axes extending in a transverse direction relative to a line of sight of a user.

4. The mounting device of claim 1, said optical device mounting arm assembly including:

a first member and a second member slidable with respect to said first member; and

a locking member for selectively and releasably securing the second member at a desired position relative to the first member.

5. The mounting device of claim 1, further comprising:

said ball being rotatable about a horizontal axis of said ball, the horizontal axis of said ball being aligned with said first vertical axis; and

a plurality of detents formed on said ball and spaced about the horizontal axis of said ball for removably receiving a complimentary and resiliently biased engagement member received within said cavity for securing the optical device mounting arm assembly at a plurality of rotational positions about the horizontal axis of said ball.

6. The mounting device of claim 1, further comprising:

said ball supported on stem which runs in an opening formed in a housing on said second pivot arm assembly defining said cavity.

7. The mounting device of claim 1, further comprising:

an optical device mounting assembly attached to said optical device mounting arm assembly, said optical device mounting assembly for removably attaching the associated optical device.

8. The mounting device of claim 7, further comprising:

said optical device mounting assembly including a mounting shoe for removably receiving a complimentary mounting foot of the associated optical device.

9. The mounting device of claim 7, further comprising:

said optical device mounting assembly rotatable about a second vertical axis.

10. The mounting device of claim 1, further comprising:

said second pivot arm assembly pivotable about said first horizontal axis between a first, deployed position and a second, stowed position.

11. The mounting device of claim 1, further comprising:

said second pivot arm assembly having a first adjustment member and a second adjustment member slidable with respect to said first adjustment member; and

a locking member for selectively and releasably securing the second adjustment member at a desired position relative to the first adjustment member.

12. The mounting device of claim 1, further comprising:

a tilt adjustment mechanism for adjusting a tilt position of the associated optical device relative to an eye of a user.

13. The mounting device of claim 1, further comprising:

a mounting bracket on the associated helmet; and

said first pivot arm assembly removably attachable to said mounting bracket.

14. The mounting device of claim 13, further comprising:

a connector for removably attaching said first pivot arm assembly to said mounting bracket.

15. The mounting device of claim 1, further comprising:

said first pivot arm assembly including a breakaway connector, said breakaway connector configured to release upon application of a predetermined force.

16. The mounting device of claim 1, further comprising:

said first pivot arm assembly including a breakaway connector, said breakaway connector selectively configurable between a breakaway configuration, wherein the breakaway connector is configured to release upon application of a predetermined force, and a nonbreakaway configuration.

17. The mounting device of claim 1, further comprising:

said first pivot arm assembly including a generally vertically slidable mounting base for providing a vertical adjustment of the associated optical device relative to an eye of a user.

18. The mounting device of claim 1, wherein the associated optical device is selected from a night vision goggle optical device and an electronic night vision goggle device.