Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A42—HEADWEAR
  • A42B—HATS; HEAD COVERINGS
  • A42B3/00—Helmets; Helmet covers ; Other protective head coverings
  • A42B3/04—Parts, details or accessories of helmets
  • A42B3/0406—Accessories for helmets
  • A42B3/042—Optical devices
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B23/00—Telescopes, e.g. binoculars; Periscopes; Instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies; Viewfinders; Optical aiming or sighting devices
  • G02B23/12—Telescopes, e.g. binoculars; Periscopes; Instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies; Viewfinders; Optical aiming or sighting devices with means for image conversion or intensification
  • G02B23/125—Telescopes, e.g. binoculars; Periscopes; Instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies; Viewfinders; Optical aiming or sighting devices with means for image conversion or intensification head-mounted

Definitions

• a platform for attachment to a helmet having front chin strap mounting holes on opposite sides of the helmet has a center section adapted to support one or more items such as a headlamp or goggles.
• the platform also includes two side arms extending rearward from the center section and disposed along the opposite sides of the helmet when the platform is mounted on the helmet. The side arms of the platform are adjustable in length.
• the platform also includes a universal mounting plate for attachment to the platform center section and adapted to support either of two different types of night vision goggles.
• the platform may be mounted on different helmets having different front mounting hole configurations.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a military helmet with which the attachment platform system of the present invention can be used;
• FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an attachment platform system to be used in mounting night vision goggles on the helmet of Fig. 1;
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a platform that forms part of the attachment platform system of Fig. 2, shown mounted on the helmet of Fig. 1;
• FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the platform of Fig. 3;
• Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an adjustable length side arm of the platform of Fig. 2;
• Fig. 6 is another exploded perspective view of the adjustable length side arm of Fig. 5, taken from the opposite side;
• FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the mounting plate of Fig. 2, shown in a reverse orientation;
• the present invention relates to an attachment platform and system.
• the invention is applicable to attachment platforms of various differing constructions and configurations.
• Figs. 2-7 illustrate an attachment platform system 10 that is a first embodiment of the invention, including an attachment platform 12 (Fig. 2) illustrated in use with a helmet 13 (Fig. 1).
• the attachment platform 12 is preferably made from a strong but lightweight plastic, such as polycarbonate or another suitable material.
• the color of the platform is preferably selected to match both the Woodland and the Desert versions of the US Military camouflage helmet covers.
• Existing military helmets, such as the LWH helmet and the ACH/MICH helmet may have front mounting holes at different locations.
• the helmet 13 shown in the drawings is a composite of the LWH and or the ACH/MICH helmets, as the drawings show the front mounting holes for both.
• the platform 12 is adapted, as described below, to be mounted on either the LWH or the ACH/MICH helmet, as described below.
• the platform 12 can be mounted on a helmet that does not have any front mounting hole.
• Both the LWH helmet and the ACH/MICH helmet (Fig. 1 ) have front and rear suspension (or chin strap) mounting holes 14 on each side.
• the LWH helmet has one front mounting hole 16 on the front.
• the ACH/MICH helmet is similarly provided with a front mounting hole 18 at a different location (spaced vertically from the hole 16).
• the platform 12 has a center section 20 and two side arms 30.
• the platform 12 can be secured to the ACH helmet using a screw (not shown) through a first slot 32 in the platform center section 20 and into the ACH hole 18.
• the platform side arms 30 are also secured, in a manner as described below.
• the length of the first slot 32 enables adjustability of the platform center 20 section, on the selected helmet 13, in a vertical direction, to fit different sizes and styles of helmets.
• the platform 12 can alternatively be secured to the MICH helmet using a screw (not shown) through a second slot 34 in the center section 20 and into the MICH hole 16. (The side arms 30 are also secured, in a manner as described below.)
• the length of the second slot 34 enables adjustability of the platform center section 20, on the helmet 13, in a vertical direction, to fit different sizes and styles of helmets.
• a strap system is used. Specifically, an adjustable chin strap or other strap (not shown) can be fitted through a slot 36 in the top of the platform center section 20, extending over the crown of the helmet 13 and hooking onto the back brim (not shown) of the helmet. Also, the platform center section 20 has a lower portion 38 to attach an optional hook that engages underneath the front brim of the helmet. This acts as a stop to enable the top strap to be pulled tight, thereby securing the platform center section 20 to the helmet 13.
• the platform side arms 30 are disposed at the back and sides of the center section 20.
• the side arms 30 are adjustable in length to accommodate different helmet sizes and styles.
• the two side arms 30 are similar in configuration; specifically, they are mirror images of each other. Therefore, only one side arm 30 is described here.
• Each side arm 30 (Figs. 5 and 6) has an end portion 40 with a series of locking teeth 42 on its inner side surface 44.
• Each arm 30 has a slot 46 in its end portion 40 that can allow a fastener 48 to extend through, from outside to inside, to enable movement of the arm relative to the helmet 13 when the fastener is loosened.
• a clip assembly 50 is associated with the side arm 30 for enabling adjustment of the length of the side arm.
• the clip assembly 50 includes two clips 52 and 54.
• the two clips 52 and 54 are located on the arm end portion 40, with the inner clip 52 extending over the locking teeth 42.
• the inner and outer clips 52 and 54 both have circular holes 56 for receiving the shank of the screw 48.
• the inner clip 52 has a tongue 58 that is engageable with the series of locking teeth 42.
• the end portion 40 of the arm 30 is offset outwardly from the plane of the side arm 30, adjacent a shoulder 59. This offset allows the inner clip 52 to be introduced (positioned) between the side arm 30 and the helmet 13.
• the inner and outer clips 52 and 54 are placed on the inner and outer side surfaces, respectively, of the platform side arm 30.
• the shank of the screw 48 is placed through the circular opening 56 in the outer clip 54, through the slot 46 in the side arm 30, through the circular opening 56 in the inner clip 52, and into the front chin strap mounting opening 14 (Fig. 1) in the helmet 13.
• the screw 48 is tightened, the screw fixes the clips 52 and 54 in position on the helmet 13, relative to each other and to the helmet.
• the screw 48 When the screw 48 is tightened, it also causes the tongue 58 on the inner clip 52 to engage firmly in the locking teeth 42 of the side arm 30 of the platform center section 20. As a result, the clip assembly 50 is secured in position relative to the side arm 30. Because the clips 52 and 54 are fixed in position on the helmet 13, this engagement also secures the platform side arm 30 in position on the helmet.
• the clip assembly 50 can selectively engage the side arm at different locations in the front to back direction. With one clip assembly 50 on each side arm 30 of the platform 12 (on each side of the helmet 13), this effectively provides variable length side arms, and thus a large range of adjustability in the front to back direction, between the platform center section 20 and the helmet 13. Accordingly, the platform 12 can be adjusted to fit the different helmet sizes that are available, as well as different helmet styles.
• the side arm end portion 40 constitutes a fixed arm portion of the platform 12 that is fixed in position relative to the platform center section 20.
• the clip assembly 50 constitutes a movable arm portion of the platform 12 that is selectively positionable along the length of the fixed arm portion 40, and thus relative to the platform center section 20.
• the adjustment of the length of the side arms 30 adjusts the position (distance) of the platform center section 20 relative to the front chin strap mounting holes 14 of the helmet 13.
• a tongue 63 engages in a slot 61 to prevent the side arm 30 from pulling away from the fastener 48.
• the platform center section 20 has a portion 60 (Figs. 2 and 4) defining a pocket or recess 62 for receiving a universal mounting plate 70 for supporting night vision goggles. Tracks 64 are located on either side of the recess 62.
• the platform system 10 includes the universal mounting plate 70, which is adapted to be secured to the portion 60 of the platform 12 in either one of two different orientations thereby to support either a Wilcox style NVG or a Norotos style NVG on the platform.
• the universal mounting plate (or adapter) 70 is adapted to support at least two different kinds of NVGs (NVG) on the helmet 13, without the need for extra loose parts to adapt the platform to the specific NVG.
• the plate 70 is a reversible plate that can be mounted in one of two different orientations on the platform center section 20, to accommodate the two styles of NVG that are commonly in use — the Wilcox style, and the Norotos style, which have different mounting features from each other.
• the configuration of the plate 70 on one major side surface 72 is different from the configuration on the opposite major side surface 74.
• Each one of the two sides 72 and 74 is configured to adapt and interf ⁇ t specially with a respective one of the Wilcox style 76 and the Norotos style (not shown) NVG' s.
• the plate 70 has four NVG securement screw holes 78, and two plate securement screw holes 80.
• the plate 70 also has two ribs 82 on the long sides. The ribs 82 are adapted to fit into and slide along the tracks 64 on the center section 20 of the platform 12.
• the plate 70 is removed from the section and is oriented as shown in Fig. 2 relative to the NVG 76. Then, four screws 84 are passed from the back of the plate 70 through the opening 78 into the NVG 76. The NVG 76 is thus secured to the plate 70. The assembly of the NVG 76 and the plate 70 is then slid down into the tracks 64 on the platform center section 20, and secured with two screws 86 (Fig. 2) extending through the openings 80 into the platform center section 20. The front of the plate 70 lies flush with the plastic housing of the NVG 76; thus, the full vertical travel of the NVG is still permitted.
• the plate 70 is removed from the platform 12 and is reversed so that it is oriented as shown in Fig. 7.
• the plate 70 is then slid down (not shown) into the tracks 64 on the platform center section 20, and secured with the two screws 86.
• the plate 70 is thus in a reverse orientation on the platform 12 as compared to mounting for the Wilcox NVG.
• the plate 70 on its side 74 (Fig. 7), has mounting features that enable the Norotos NVG to snap onto the plate, after the plate has thus been mounted on the platform center section 20.
• the front platform section 20 also includes, to either side of the NVG mounting portion 60, a pair of openings 90.
• These openings 90 can be used to support other items that are appropriate for the front of a helmet, such as a light, etc.
• the items can be clipped onto, snap fit, or otherwise secured to the platform 12 at these locations 90.
• separate adapters (not shown) can be provided that are specially configured to fit (for example snap fit) securely in the openings 90, and that are specially configured to receive and support one or more items.
• these openings 90 can be left open, thus reducing the weight of the front platform section 20 as compared to a solid front section. Still further, these openings 90 can be closed, leaving a solid area suitable for mounting additional items.
• the platform may include a press fit nut attachment system, an example of which is illustrated in Fig. 4.
• the system includes a plurality of nuts 92 that are press fit into the material of the platform 12.
• the nuts 92 are preferably located in recesses (not shown) in the back side or inside surface (facing the helmet) of the platform 12.
• a through hole 96 extends between the outer surface of the platform and the recess. The through hole 96 enables a headed threaded fastener (not shown) to extend from outside the platform 12, through an item to be attached and through the platform 12, and screw into the nut 84, to clamp the item to the platform 12.
• the recesses are preferably complementary in configuration to the nuts 92.
• the nuts 92 shown in Fig. 4 are hexagonal, as are the recesses. As a result, when the nuts 92 are press fit in the recesses, they are prevented from rotating relative to the platform 12.
• Recesses and nuts 92 can be located at various places on the platform 12. They can be located at predetermined places for mounting specific items in those specific places, as shown in the example of Fig. 4. Alternatively, a number of the press fit nuts 92 can be located elsewhere on the platform 12. This allows the user to customize where the user wants to mount an item on the platform 12; the user is not restricted to placing a given item in a given location on the platform section.

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• 2009
  • 2009-03-05 EP EP09744308A patent/EP2312960A2/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2009-03-05 US US12/398,792 patent/US20100175172A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2009-03-05 WO PCT/US2009/036196 patent/WO2009142797A2/en active Application Filing

Patent Citations (1)

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