EP2473075B1 - Einschuss- und einschlagschutz-visorsystem für eine militärische helmanordnung - Google Patents

Einschuss- und einschlagschutz-visorsystem für eine militärische helmanordnung Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2473075B1
EP2473075B1 EP10814535.0A EP10814535A EP2473075B1 EP 2473075 B1 EP2473075 B1 EP 2473075B1 EP 10814535 A EP10814535 A EP 10814535A EP 2473075 B1 EP2473075 B1 EP 2473075B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
helmet
visor
mount
rail
assembly
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP10814535.0A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP2473075A2 (de
EP2473075A4 (de
Inventor
Stephane Lebel
Marie-Pierre Gendron
Martin Belanger
Richard Coomber
Dominique Croteau
Stephan Morency
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Revision Military Inc
Revision Military SARL
Original Assignee
Revision Military Inc
Revision Military SARL
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Publication date
Application filed by Revision Military Inc, Revision Military SARL filed Critical Revision Military Inc
Publication of EP2473075A2 publication Critical patent/EP2473075A2/de
Publication of EP2473075A4 publication Critical patent/EP2473075A4/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2473075B1 publication Critical patent/EP2473075B1/de
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41H—ARMOUR; ARMOURED TURRETS; ARMOURED OR ARMED VEHICLES; MEANS OF ATTACK OR DEFENCE, e.g. CAMOUFLAGE, IN GENERAL
    • F41H1/00—Personal protection gear
    • F41H1/04—Protection helmets
    • 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
    • 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
    • A42B3/18—Face protection devices
    • A42B3/22—Visors
    • A42B3/221—Attaching visors to helmet shells, e.g. on motorcycle helmets
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41H—ARMOUR; ARMOURED TURRETS; ARMOURED OR ARMED VEHICLES; MEANS OF ATTACK OR DEFENCE, e.g. CAMOUFLAGE, IN GENERAL
    • F41H1/00—Personal protection gear
    • F41H1/04—Protection helmets
    • F41H1/08—Protection helmets of plastics; Plastic head-shields

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to helmet assemblies having multiple components such as face shields, mandibles or mouth guards and accessories for use on helmets.
  • the present inventors have recognized that it would be desirable to provide a helmet assembly with an improved attachment system for attaching a face shield, a mandible, goggles and other accessories.
  • the present inventors have also recognized that it would be desirable to provide an attachment system that was quickly and easily installed onto, or removed from, a helmet.
  • the present inventors recognize a need for a visor system having a lens that provides ballistic and impact protection while reducing refractive power, astigmatism and prism in the horizontal direction as well as in the vertical direction which is important for military personal activities such as inspecting the roof of buildings, crouching and looking upward to use a weapon, inspecting grounds, and running.
  • the present inventors recognize a need for a lens that provides not only impact protection but also ballistic protection for military applications.
  • the present inventors recognize the need for a lens without a molded bead frame structure which can induce stress on the lens during molding.
  • the present inventors recognize the need for a lens design that improves optics of the area extending 40 degrees from the straight ahead line of sight.
  • US 2,980,914 describing a combined headgear and eye shield with a head covering having a longitudinal axis extending from the front to the rear of the covering and covering substantially the entire head of a wearer except for a facial, front opening therein in a plane generally normal to the longitudinal axis.
  • the eye shield has a curved contour generally complementary to the contour of the covering, and a mounting means securing said shield to said covering, wherein said mounting means includes a base plate secured to the covering and pivot means positioned normally to the plate and to the covering and located in a vertical plane through longitudinal axis of the covering so that the eye shield may be moved about said pivot means in a plane transverse to said vertical plane.
  • the present invention relates to a visor and visor attachment assembly for a helmet according to appended claim 1.
  • Preferred embodiments thereof are defined in the appended dependent claims. All subject-matter described herein below and not falling under the ambit of the appended claims is to be considered not part of the present invention.
  • An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a helmet assembly that includes a face shield and a single, center top mounting arrangement that operatively connects a center top location of the face shield to a center front mount on the helmet.
  • the face shield can be raised and lowered about a pivot axis provided in the mounting arrangement between a tilted up, non-use position and a lowered, deployed position.
  • the mounting arrangement can include a detent and two recesses, wherein the detent engages a first recess at a slightly forwardly displaced position to allow ventilation between the helmet and mandible and the face shield and a second recess at the tilted up, non-use position.
  • the recess and detent engagement can be overcome by an easy manual force acting on the face shield to reposition the face shield.
  • An exemplary embodiment of the present invention also provides a helmet attachment system that is usable to attach a mandible or mouth guard.
  • the exemplary embodiment provides a helmet attachment system that attaches other devices such as goggle straps, night vision devices, and other devices.
  • the exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides an attachment system that is quickly and easily installed onto or removed from a helmet.
  • the helmet assembly can include a front mount or front rail that is substantially contiguous with side rails mounted to the helmet which extend rearward from side edges of the front mount.
  • the rear edges of the side rails can be substantially contiguous with a back rail mounted on the helmet.
  • the side rails are configured to provide attachment locations for further components, such as lights, electronics, communication equipment, etc.
  • the back rail can be configured to secure ends of goggle straps; if for example, under certain circumstances the wearer prefers wearing goggles instead of mounting the face shield.
  • the combination of a front mount, side rails and back rail form a substantially circumferential reinforcement of the helmet and provides front side and rear mounting platforms for accessories, electronics and other tools and devices according to the needs of the wearer.
  • the helmet assembly of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention also comprises a pair of attachment bases, each arranged on a side of the helmet near to an ear covering of the helmet.
  • the attachment bases each include a metal base plate covered by an attached body block.
  • Each attachment base provides provisions for attaching one or more devices to the attachment base, such as for attaching opposite ends of a mandible to the bases.
  • the metal base plate includes hooks for engaging an edge of the helmet.
  • a pair of strap assemblies is provided, each strap assembly connected to one attachment base.
  • the strap assemblies extend rearward and are connected to the back rail by a buckle member on the end of each strap.
  • the back rail includes a pair of buckle member-receiving slots. The straps assemblies and the hooks provided on the attachment bases secure the attachment bases to the helmet.
  • the mandible is screwed onto the attachment bases.
  • the mandible is easily installed by insertion of a headed pin or rivet extending from each attachment base inward, through channels formed on the front mount or front rail and sliding the attachment bases with mandible mounted thereto through the channel until the hooks engage the rim of the helmet.
  • the straps are then drawn rearward and buckled.
  • the mandible can be removed by unbuckling the straps from the back rails and sliding the headed pins back out of the channels formed in the front mount or front rail.
  • the face shield mounting arrangement provides an effective, cost efficient mechanism for holding the face shield in either the downward deployed position or the upwardly tilted, non-use position.
  • a wearer can raise and lower the face shield with only one hand. This attribute allows a soldier to raise or lower his face shield without putting down his rifle.
  • a front mount attached to the helmet can accommodate either the face shield mounting arrangement or a night vision appliance.
  • the mounting apparatus for a helmet is simplified and the number of parts and mounting complexities are reduced.
  • the face shield is a visor system that has a lens with optics that are designed to provide not only impact protection but also high energy ballistic protection while providing clarity by reduced refractive power, astigmatism, and prism in the horizontal direction as well as in the vertical direction.
  • the lens has a thickness defined between the inner and outer surfaces. The thickness is greatest at the centerpoint and tapers at a substantially constant rate toward the edges. The radius of curvature of the outer surface of the lens is longer and offset forwardly of the radius of curvature of the inner surface of the lens causing the lens surfaces to be eccentric.
  • helmet assembly described herein is symmetrical across a vertical, front-to-back centerplane as evidenced by the figures and any description of a right side component will also describe the left side component as a mirror image thereof.
  • FIGs 1-5 illustrate a helmet assembly 30 to be worn by a wearer 31 ( Figure 3 ) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • the helmet assembly includes a helmet, such as a military helmet 34.
  • a mandible 36 is operatively connected to the helmet 34.
  • a protective face shield, such as a transparent visor or transparent face shield 38 is also operatively connected to the helmet, substantially between a front of the helmet 34 and the mandible 36.
  • a mounting arrangement 42 is operatively connected to the helmet 34 and to the face shield 38 which allows movement of the face shield 38 with respect to the helmet.
  • the mounting arrangement 42 includes a shield mount 43 and a helmet mount 44.
  • the helmet mount 44 extends across at least a partial width of the helmet and is contiguous on the right and left sides of the helmet to a left side rail 46 and a right side rail 48 (left and right orientations mentioned herein are according to the helmet wearer's perspective).
  • the side rails are mirror image identical across a vertical, front-to-back center plane of the assembly 30. Rear portions of the rails 46, 48 are contiguous with a back rail 52.
  • the mount 44, the side rails 46, 48 and the back rail 52 together substantially surround a perimeter of the helmet 34.
  • the helmet mount includes two side channels 44a, 44b used for mounting the mandible 36 as described below.
  • the helmet assembly can also be used with goggles 54 rather than the face shield 38, as shown in Figure 4B .
  • the goggles include straps 55a, 55b that are connected to goggle clips to the back rail 52, as described below.
  • the back rail is design so that the back rail retains an unreleased goggle clip. In this way one the goggle clip and accompanying strap may be retained in the back rail even when the other goggle clip is released. This provides that a goggle may be quickly deployed by reattaching the released goggle a clip.
  • the mandible 36 is operatively mounted to the helmet 34 by left and right attachment bases 62, 64.
  • left attachment base 62 will be describes as the right side attachment base is mirror image identical across the vertical, front-to-back center plane of the assembly.
  • the mandible 36 is fastened to the attachment base by two screws 71, 72.
  • the attachment base 62 engages the helmet as described below and is drawn rearward by a strap system 76. Only the left side strap system 76 will be described but it is to be understood that a right side strap system 78 would be mirror image identical across the vertical, front-to-back center plane of the assembly.
  • the front rail or mount 44, side rails and the back or rear rail provide support as a system for the mandible.
  • the left side strap system includes a strap 82 that is connected by a loop 85 to the base 62 at one end and to a buckle member 87 at an opposite end.
  • the buckle member 87 engages a buckle receiving slot 90 formed in the back rail 52.
  • the face shield 38 comprises a lens 94 and a frame 95.
  • the lens 94 fits within a groove 97 ( Figure 9 ) in the frame 95 and is fixed to the frame by three screws 96.
  • the face shield lens 94 should be ballistic impact resistant. It can be of a laminated construction and can feature a variable light transmission system. Such a variable light transmission system can incorporate an electronic control system to vary the light transmission according to the ambient light conditions.
  • the face shield frame 95 is mounted to the mounting arrangement 42 via the shield mount 43.
  • the shield mount 43 comprises parallel lugs 98a, 98b ( Figure 14 ).
  • the lugs 98a, 98b include holes 99a, 99b for receiving pins 99c (only one shown, Figure 13 ).
  • Each pins 99c passes through a hole 101 ( Figure 12 ) formed through sides in a base portion 102 ( Figure 11 ) of a lever 100, and are held in place by the head of the pin and a circlip or lock washer 99d.
  • the lever 100 includes a hole 103 ( Figure 11 ) through a distal end thereof.
  • a pivot pin 107 ( Figure 12 ) is fit though the hole 103 and is fixed to sidewalls 110a, 110b ( Figure 13 ) which extend outward from a baseplate 112.
  • L-shaped side links 114a, 114b are pinned at one end to the lugs 110a, 110b and at an opposite end to the lugs 98a, 98b.
  • the lever 100 has a central recess 116( Figures 11 and 12 ). An opening 118 is provided within the central recess 116.
  • a hook-shaped latch 122 ( Figures 11 , 12 and 13 ) has a base end pivotally attached to the sidewalls 110a, 110b by a through pin 124 ( Figure 12 ). The latch extends outwardly through the opening 118. The latch is biased to rotate upward to a latched position by a torsion spring 130 ( Figure 13 ). When the face shield is moved from the upward, non-use position down to the deployed position as shown in Figure 1 , the lever slides over the angular face 122a of the latch, which causes rotation of the latch downward as the hook end passes through the opening 118.
  • the latch rebounds by the urging of the torsion spring to rotate upward and the hook end overlies a first recessed surface 116a of the lever adjacent to the opening 118.
  • the latch 122 holds the lever 100 and the face shield 38 in the deployed position.
  • the latch 122 can also be made to overlie a second recessed surface 116b to hold the face shield in a slightly open position with respect to the helmet and mandible.
  • the hook end 122a of the latch must be depressed downward by a finger to release the latch from the lever and the face shield can be pivoted upward.
  • the pivot pin 107 is fixed to the sidewalls 110a, 110b by use of a threaded screw 123a and a spring pin 123b on each end of the pivot pin 107 for each sidewall 110a, 110b.
  • the spring pin 123b is a pin having a portion that is larger than a hole in the pivot pin 107 such that is must be resiliently or deformable forced into the hole to hold the pivot pin 107 fixedly to the side walls 110a, 110b.
  • the use of a spring pin prevents unscrewing of the screw 123a due to the repetitive raising and lowering of the face shield.
  • the pivot pin 107 includes two recesses 126a, 126b at two spaced apart, circumferential positions.
  • a detent mechanism 127 is shown in Figures 26 and 28 .
  • the detent mechanism includes three spring mechanisms 127a arranged in parallel.
  • Each mechanism includes a compression spring 127b that urges a ball 127c toward the pivot pin 107. All the compression springs are braced by a backing through pin 127d.
  • the compression spring 127b and the ball 127c are captured within a cylindrical passage 100a formed in the lever 100, by the backing pin 127d and the pivot pin 107.
  • the springs 127b When installed, the springs 127b are pre-compressed between the backing pin 127d and the pivot pin 107 to the degree necessary to allow the balls 127c to be urged into the appropriate recess 126a, 126b when the recess presents itself to the balls 127c upon rotation of the lever 100 with respect to the pivot pin 107.
  • the balls 127c fit into the recess 126a when the face shield is moved slightly away from the helmet and mandible to allow for increased ventilation ( Figure 2A ), and fit into the recess 126b when the face shield is pivoted into the raised, non-use position ( Figures 2B and 2C ).
  • the engagement between the detent mechanism 127 and either of the recesses 126a, 126b provides a resilient hold that can be overcome by force from the wearers hand to pivot the face shield.
  • Figures 26-26B show the first embodiment of the pivot pin 107.
  • Figures 26C-26D show the second embodiment of the pivot pin 108.
  • the recesses 126a, 126b of the first embodiment have a recess wall 126c that has a constant radius of curvature along its arc length.
  • the first recess 126a is identical geometrically to the second recess126b.
  • the constant radius of curvature allow the ball 127c to fully contact the recess along the entire recess wall.
  • the second embodiment of the pivot pin 108 provides a recess wall 108c, 108d, 108e that does not have a constant radius of curvature along its length.
  • the ball 127c does not make contact with the recess along the entire recess wall as shown in Figure 26D .
  • the first recess 108a is identical geometrically to the second recess 108b.
  • the recess has two flat walls 108c, 108e are connected by a curved section 108d. At last a portion of the flat walls 108c, 108e contact the ball 127c when it engages the recess 108b.
  • the recess has full contact areas 108g, 108f and a non-contact area 108k therebetween.
  • the arrangement prevents full contact between the ball and the entire length of the recess wall to reduce force needed to overcome the spring pressure transferred to the ball.
  • the contact area 108g corresponds to the flat wall 108e
  • the contact area 108f corresponds to the flat wall 108c
  • the non-contact area 108k corresponds to the curved section 108d.
  • the face shield is operable with one hand to raise and lower the face shield.
  • One finger depresses the latch 122 as the rest of the hand lifts the face shield to a raised position.
  • the face shield can be lowered with one hand and the latch is self engaging.
  • Figure 13B shows the baseplate 112 includes a main body portion 132, a backing plate 133 ( Figure 13A ), a spring 134, and a latching tongue 136.
  • the main body portion 132 includes an upper edge 138 ( Figures 9 and 12 ).
  • the spring 134 biases the latching tongue 136 in a direction away from the upper edge 138.
  • a handle 140 is connected to the latching tongue through a side clearance within the main body portion 132.
  • the backing plate 133 is a metal piece and includes side walls 133a having holes 133b which allow resin of the main body portion 132 to flow through the holes during overmolding to integrate the backing plate 133 with the main body portion 132.
  • the mount 44 includes a top front formation or central accessory mount 144 ( Figure 10 ) that includes an inverted U-shaped retainer portion 148, surface depressions 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, a top slot 160 and a bottom slot 162.
  • the surface depressions 150-158 are sized and shaped to receive protrusions 163, 164, 165, 166 ( Figure 9 ) on a back of the baseplate 112.
  • the front mount is also compatible to mount a night vision appliance or night vision goggle.
  • the front mount or front rail is mounted on the helmet using screws 360, 362 and a center screw 363 ( Figure 10 ).
  • the top edge 138 is fit into the top slot 160, the baseplate is fit snugly within the retainer portion 148 and the tongue 136 is retracted upwardly by force on the handle 140 until the tongue can be fit into the bottom slot 162.
  • the mount side channels 44a, 44b each include a wide mouth 44c and a narrow region 44d ( Figure 6 ).
  • the side channels are used to mount mandible attachment bases as described below.
  • the face shield frame 95 can also incorporate a removable gasket to seal against the helmet brim to prevent ingress of fluids.
  • Figure 14 shows the frame 95 includes frame supports 95a that brace against the helmet gasket 240 when the face shield is properly seated.
  • the mount 1161 includes a top front formation or central accessory mount 1164 ( Figure 10B-10D ) that includes an inverted U-shaped retainer portion 1168, a surface depression 1166, lateral tabs 1168a, 1168b, a top slot 1160 and a bottom slot 1162.
  • the U-shaped retainer portion 1168 has side walls 1168a, 1168b, 1168c.
  • a recessed bottom edge 1168d is opposite the top side wall 1168b.
  • the surface depression 1166 and lateral tabs 1168a, 1168b are sized and shaped to receive protrusions on a back of the an accessory (not shown).
  • the helmet assembly may include a central accessory mount cap 45 as shown in Fig 10A , 10C, and 10D .
  • the cap forms a concavity on a back side.
  • the concavity is defined by side walls 45g, 45h, 45i, 45j, top walls 45c, 45d, 45e, 45f, an upper tab 45a, and a lower tab.
  • the upper tab is positioned along the top side wall 45h and the bottom tab is positioned along the bottom side wall 45i.
  • Opposite the top walls is an open side. The open side faces the top front formation or central accessory mount and is received thereon.
  • the upper tab 45a engages the top slot 1160 of the central accessory mount.
  • the cap After the top tab is in location the cap is rotated downward in the direction G shown in figure 10C so that the bottom tab engages the bottom slot 1162 of the central accessory mount.
  • a storage area is provided between the cap and the central accessory mount.
  • the cap 45 may also be used on the central accessory mount 144 of the first embodiment of the mount 44.
  • a second embodiment mount or rail 1161 is shown in Figure 71 .
  • the rail includes two upper rail segments 1190, 1191 that flank the top front formation or central accessory mount 1164.
  • the rail also includes the bottom rail portion 1192 that extends under the upper rail segments 1190, 1191 and under the top front formation or central accessory mount 1164.
  • Mounting apertures 1186, 1187 are located at opposed end areas of the rail. The mounting apertures allow that mount 1161 to be connected to the front area of a helmet as shown in Figure 10D .
  • mandible support slots 1188, 1189 are provided at the opposite ends of the rail and adjacent to the mounting apertures 1186 and 1187 respectively. Adjacent the mounting apertures on a side opposite the mandible support slots are anchor receivers 1170, 1180.
  • the right anchor receiver 1180 is mirror image identical to the left anchor receiver across the vertical front to back mid-plane of the helmet system as shown in Figure 71 .
  • the anchor receiver has a top recess, 1171, a bottom recess 1173, a anchor bar 1172, a vertical passage 1174, and a horizontal passage 1175.
  • the anchor bar separates the top and bottom recesses.
  • the recesses have a back wall 1171b, 1173b, a first side wall 1171a, 1173a, a opposite second side wall 1171c, 1173c.
  • the vertical passage 1174 extends behind the anchor bar 1172 vertically through to connect the top and bottom recesses.
  • the horizontal recess extends from the back side of the anchor bar 1172 out the back of the rail portion 1190.
  • a night vision device when mounted to the central accessory mount 1164 may be stabilized by connecting one or more shock or elastic cords from the night vision device to the anchor receivers 1170, 1180.
  • the anchor receivers may be used to anchor a visor or any other accessory that is mounted to the central accessory mount 1164.
  • the front anchor receivers are advantageous for, among other things, stabilizing the mounted accessory when the front mount 1161 is used alone on a helmet, and side and or back rails are not used.
  • the face shield 38 is a visor system 38.
  • the visor system comprises the lens 94 and a frame 95.
  • the visor system comprises the lens 94, the frame 95, the mounting arrangement 42, and a helmet mount 44.
  • the lens 94 has a top edge 1136 that slopes downward from a top center point to first right and left curve points 1134, 1133. At the first curve points the top edge begins to slope more aggressively toward second right and left curve points 1134a, 1133a, and more aggressively toward right and left side edge points 1132, 1131. On the left side, between the first curve point 1133 and second curve point 1133a is a top side beginning point 1133b. The left side of the lens extends from the side beginning point 1133b to the outermost point of the side edge 1131 to a bottom side beginning point 1141 ( Fig. 63 ).
  • the plane of sight 1150 along the vertical extent of the lens is displaced above the plane 1151 intersecting the side edge points 1132, 1131.
  • the plane of sight is the straight-ahead-view plane of sight when the line of view is normal to the internal surface of the lens.
  • the plane of sight 1150 is located at the vertical mid-point on a lens blank that has not been cut into a particular shape.
  • a portion of the bottom edge extends from the bottom side beginning point 1141 along an outer bottom edge 1153 of the lens to a nose cutout portion 1144.
  • the bounds of the nose cutout portion 1144 are defined by opposite upward angled portions 1127a, 1129a that are connected by a top horizontal nose cutout portion 1121a.
  • the upward angled portions 1127a, 1129a meet the outer bottom edge portions 1153, 1154 at bottom nose cutout corners 1127, 1129, respectively.
  • the upward angled portions 1127a, 1129a meet the top horizontal nose cutout border 1121a at top nose cutout corners 1123, 1125, respectively.
  • the nose cutout border 1121a has a midpoint 1121 that is coincident with the vertical midplane 120 of the lens 94.
  • the vertical midplane 120 intersects a mounting hole 1138 that is configured to receive screw 96.
  • the mounting hole is at least partially located in a mounting protruding portion or tab 1140 of the lens.
  • the mounting tab 1140 extends above the left and right top edges of the lens 1128, 1130. The mounting tab is configured to be received in the frame 95 and to securely engage the visor therewith.
  • the lens 94 has a thickness defined between the inner surface 1204 and the outer surface 1202.
  • the lens is a tapering thickness lens.
  • Figure 61 shows a cross sectional view taken along line 61-61 of Figure 60 , at the plane of sight.
  • the outer surface 1202 is convex and the inner surface 1204 is concave.
  • the outer surface 1202 has an outer surface radius of curvature RE originating at outer centerpoint of curvature CE.
  • the inner surface 1204 has an inner surface radius of curvature RI originating at inner centerpoint of curvature CI.
  • the surfaces 1202 and 1204 have different radii of curvatures where the centerpoints of those radii are shifted relative to each other.
  • the inner radius RI is shorter than the outer radius RE.
  • the thickness of the lens tapers from a centerpoint 1226 towards opposite left and right endpoints 1225, 1227.
  • the thickness of the lens is greatest at the midpoint to 1226. In one embodiment, the thickness of the lens is the smallest at the endpoints to 1225, 1227.
  • the thickness of the lens tapers at a constant rate from the midpoint 1226 towards opposite endpoints 1225, 1227.
  • the arc of the outer surface and the arc of the inner surface do not have a common centerpoint.
  • the maximum arc 1214 between a centerline 1205 and a reference ray 1216 extending from the inner centerpoint CI to the outer edge 1225 is 80 degrees. Therefore in that embodiment, the arc of the lens extends for 160 degrees about inner centerpoint CI.
  • the thickness of the lens at the midpoint 1226 is greater than the distance between the centers of curvature CI and CE.
  • the thickness of the lens tapers at a substantially constant rate from the thickest portion of the lens to the edges.
  • the lens thickness may vary smoothly from the maximum thickness at the center to the minimum thickness at or near the edges.
  • the radius RI may not be constant at the opposite left and right side ends of the lens, such as beyond 75 degrees from the center line 1205. This variation area provides a minimum thickness at the edge.
  • this variation from the constant radius RI at the edges is allowable in some cases. It may be less important that the radius of curvature be constant at these end areas because this area is in the detection area of view of a user and beyond the focusable field of view of the user. However, it is important to maintain a minimum thickness at the edges 1131, 1132 to provide sufficient ballistic protection and impact protection.
  • the tapering thickness lens has the radii of the inner and outer surface offset from one another.
  • the centerpoint CE is offset forwardly from CI along the frontal direction along Z axis as shown in Fig. 59 .
  • RE is offset from RI in the frontal direction along Z axis.
  • CI and CE are not offset vertically along the Y axis and are not offset laterally in the horizontal plane along the X axis.
  • Figure 61 shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of the tapering thickness lens that demonstrates a tapering lens thickness in the horizontal direction.
  • the lens tapers similarly in the vertical direction.
  • the lens has a vertical midpoint that comprises a maximum thickness and the lens tapers toward both a top edge 1136 and a bottom edge 1127 from the vertical midpoint.
  • the tapering thickness lens has an RI of about 104 mm, and an RE of about 106 mm, and the lens has a thickness at the midpoint 1226 of about 5 mm.
  • the lens has a radius of curvature in the vertical direction along the inner surface of about 127 mm and a radius of curvature in the vertical direction along the outer surface of about 130 mm.
  • the radius RI is about 109 mm and the radius RE is about 111 mm and the lens has a thickness at the midpoint 1226 of about 5mm.
  • the lens has a radius of curvature in the vertical direction along the inner surface of about 127 mm and a radius of curvature in the vertical direction along the outer surface of about 130 mm.
  • the lens must have a minimum thickness of about 3 mm at the center 1226 in order to provide adequate impact protection and ballistic protection.
  • a vertical radius between about 127 mm and about 130 mm with an about 5 mm center thickness provides optics that reduce aberrations when the eyes are looking upward and downward through the lens.
  • the lens achieves improved vertical field of view necessary for life-threatening situations.
  • Lenses having large vertical curvatures need to be taller, bigger, and/or heavier to make sure that the edges of the lens are not blocking the useful field of view in military operations.
  • the lens of the invention avoids the problems of large vertical curvatures. Also, large vertical curvatures restrict the ability to use the lens with ballistic mandible or jaw protectors, such as mandible 36.
  • Tapering thickness lens with vertical curvatures in the range of about 127 mm to about 130 mm have a desirable low-profiled design.
  • Such lens provides optics with low refractive power, low astigmatism, and low prism power in both the horizontal and the vertical direction.
  • the type of lens is advantageous for soldier activities, such as inspecting the roof of buildings, crouching and looking upward to use a weapon, inspecting grounds and running.
  • the tapering thickness lens provides optics in the primary viewing area where the optical aberrations need to be minimized for sharp precise vision.
  • the primary viewing area extends up to about 40 degrees sideways of eye rotation from the straight ahead viewing position in the horizontal direction and 40 degrees upward and downward vertically from the straight ahead viewing position, each of which is considered a limit where eye rotation stops and head rotation starts.
  • Figure 66 demonstrates the horizontal extent of the primary viewing area of the lens.
  • a lens 94 is shown positioned in front of a user's eyes 1401, 1402. The straight ahead line of sight 1403, 1404 from each eye is shown.
  • the primary viewing area of the lens corresponding to the right eye 1401 the primary viewing area extends forty degrees to the right as shown by angle 1408 and forty degrees to the left as shown by angle 1410.
  • the primary viewing area of the lens corresponding to the left eye 1402 the primary viewing area extends forty degrees to the right as shown by angle 1411 and forty degrees to the left as shown by angle 1409. Therefore the lens has a primary viewing area between the ray 1406 corresponding to forty degrees to the right of straight ahead view of the right eye 1401 and ray 1407 corresponding to forty degrees to the left of straight ahead view of the left eye 1402.
  • Figure 67 demonstrates the vertical extent of the primary viewing area.
  • the lens 94 is shown positioned in front of a user's eyes 1401, 1402. The straight ahead line of sight 1422 from for each eye is shown.
  • the primary viewing area of the lens extends forty degrees upward as shown by the upward angle 1426.
  • the primary viewing area of the lens extends downward forty degrees as shown by the downward angle 1425. Therefore the vertical extent of the primary viewing area extends 80 degrees between the lower bound ray 1423 and the upper bound ray 1424.
  • Figures 66 and 67 show the extent of the primary viewing area when the lens is positioned a distance from the user's eye of about 50 mm to about 60 mm, as for example positioned by mounting the lens to the helmet assembly 30 and placing the lens in the deployed position in front of the user's eyes. In one embodiment, the lens is positioned a distance from the user's eye of about 55 mm.
  • the forgoing demonstrates a primary viewing area having a rectangle or square shape, but that the actual primary viewing area defined by the limitations of a user's eye may be elliptical in shape as a user tends to roll the eye downward or upward somewhat from the maximum upward or downward position when the user turns the eye sideways while also looking up or down. Therefore, the actual primary viewing area of a user may be slightly smaller than the primary viewing area of the lens.
  • the tapering thickness lens has the following arc lengths.
  • the lens has a vertical arc length from bottom nose cutout corner 1127 following a vertical plane to a corresponding point 1124 on the top edge 1128 is about 98 mm along the inner surface 1204 and is about 103 mm along the outer surface 1202.
  • the lens has a minimum center vertical arc length in the nose cutout portion from the top 1121 of the nose cutout portion 1144 to the top 1142 of the lens, excluding the mounting tab 1140, of about 68 mm along the internal surface and about 73 mm along the external surface.
  • the lens has a maximum horizontal arc length from one side edge 1132 to the other 1131 of about 317 mm along the inner surface and about 331 mm along the outer surface.
  • the nose cut out area has a maximum width from the first bottom nose cutout corner 1127 to the second bottom nose cutout corner 1129 of about 70 mm.
  • the nose cut out area has a minimum width at the top from 1123 to 1125 of about 35mm.
  • the lens has a top edge 1136 horizontal arc length from 1133b one side to the corresponding position on the other side of about 224 mm along the inner surface and about 236 mm along the outer surface.
  • the lens has an arc length along the lower edge and across the nose cutout area of about 266 mm along the inner surface and about 278 mm along the outer surface.
  • the lens will have a minimum height arc length of about 68 mm and a maximum height or vertical arc length of about 103 mm.
  • the lens will have a minimum width or horizontal arc length of about 224 mm and a maximum width arc length of about 331 mm.
  • Figures 64-65 show a tapering thickness lens 1301 of an alternative embodiment.
  • the lens 1301 conforms to the properties provided of the lens described in Fig. 61 .
  • the lens 1301 has a smaller nose cutout area 1344 than that of lens 94.
  • the lens 1301 may be used with a different mandible than the mandible 36. Alternatively, it may be use without a mandible.
  • the tapering thickness lens of Figure 64 has the following arc lengths.
  • the arc length of the lens 1301 from bottom nose cutout corner 1327 following a vertical plane to a corresponding point 1324 on the top edge 1328 is about 78 mm along the inner surface and is about 80 mm along the outer surface.
  • the lens has a minimum center vertical arc length in the nose cutout portion from the top 1321 of the nose cutout portion 1344 to the top 1342 of the lens, excluding the mounting tab 1340, of about 48 mm along the internal surface and about 51 along the external surface.
  • the lens has a maximum horizontal arc length from one side edge 1332 to the other 1331 of about 315 mm along the inner surface and about 337 mm along the outer surface.
  • the nose cut out area has a maximum width from the first bottom nose cutout corner 1327 to the second bottom nose cutout corner 1329 of about 38 mm.
  • the nose cut out area has a minimum width at the top from 1323 to 1325 of about 35mm.
  • the lens has a top edge 1336 horizontal arc length from 1333b one side to the corresponding position on the other side 1333c of about 223 mm along the inner surface and about 241 mm along the outer surface.
  • the lens has an arc length along the lower edge and across the nose cutout area of about 238 mm along the inner surface and about 266 mm along the outer surface.
  • the lens will have a minimum height arc length of about 48 mm and a maximum height or vertical arc length of about 80 mm.
  • the lens will have a minimum width or horizontal arc length of about 223 mm and a maximum width arc length of about 337 mm.
  • the invention is not limited to lenses of those arc lengths, but rather a tapering thickness lens having a horizontal radius of curvature in the range of 100mm to 120mm, a vertical radius of curvature in the range of 120mm to 135 mm, and a maximum lens thickness in the range of about 5 mm to about 8 mm will accrue the advantages of the invention including ballistic and impact protection while reducing refractive power, astigmatism and prism in the horizontal direction as well as in the vertical direction.
  • the lens may be used with or without a mandible or jaw protector.
  • the lens may or may not have a nose cutout portion such as 1144.
  • the mandible should be ballistic impact resistant.
  • the mandible could advantageously be used for motorcycle helmet, winter sport or auto racing applications.
  • the mandible should have a high mass impact resistance.
  • Figure 20-21 illustrates two embodiments of a mandible of the present invention.
  • the mandible 36 shown in Figure 20 is a unitary structure.
  • the mandible includes an upstanding rim 259 that provides a surface against which the lens 94 can be supported when closed.
  • the mandible 180 shown in Figure 21 comprises a rigid material mandible frame 180.
  • the frame can be used alone to form a wire frame guard such as shown in Figure 24E , or can be covered by a ballistic resistant fabric 182 as shown in Figure 24F wherein the wire frame guard frame 180 is not visible.
  • the mandible frame 180 is a tubular space frame or wire frame structure to reduce weight.
  • the fabric 182 is attached to an outside of the frame 180 such as by wrapping around the frame and secured in place by hook and loop fasteners (VELCROTM). In this way the fabric is removable.
  • the frame 180 includes two plates 183a, 183b which include holes for mounting the mandible frame 180 to the attachment bases 62, 64 as described below.
  • the attachment base 62 comprises a base plate 230 and an overlying body block 232.
  • the block 232 can include a surface 232a which can support ends of the face shield frame 95 as shown in Figure 1 .
  • the base plate 230 includes hooks 234, 236 that engage a lower front edge 239 of a brim gasket 240 of the helmet 34.
  • the base plate 230 also includes two threaded bosses (or bosses terminating in captured nuts) 242, 244 that fit into holes 260, 262 ( Figures 19 , 20 and 21 ) through the mandible 36 or frame 180 and receive screws 71, 72 that fasten together the mandible 36 (or frame 180), the base plate 230 and the body block 232.
  • the mandible provides holes 260, 262 that receive the bosses 242, 244 and screws 71, 72 ( Figure 20 ).
  • the body block 232 includes a slot 263 that is engaged by the strap loop 85 of the strap assembly 76.
  • the base plate 230 also includes a fixed, headed pin or rivet 380 having a shaft 382 and a head 386.
  • the buckle member 87 includes a resilient latch 320 that is depressed inwardly as the buckle member 87 is forced into the slot 90 of the back rail 52.
  • the buckle member 87 also includes a base 324 that fits against a front surface 328 of the back rail.
  • the buckle member also includes a plug portion 330 that fits snugly into a socket formation 334 contiguous with the slot 90.
  • the wearer moves the heads 386 of the headed pins 380 of each attachment base 62, 64, with mandible 36 or frame 180 attached, into the wide mouth 44c of the two side channels 44a, 44b.
  • the wide mouth 44c is wide enough to receive the head 386 therein and the narrow region 44d is wide enough to allow sliding of the shaft 382 therethrough.
  • Beneath the narrow regions 44d is a parallel passage 44e that is wide enough to allow sliding passage of the head 386.
  • the attachment bases are slid downward until the headed pins are stopped within the narrow regions 44d.
  • the mandible or frame and attachment bases are then rotated back and the hooks 234, 236 of the attachment bases will then be oriented to brace against the rim gasket 240 as the strap assemblies 76, 78 are strapped to the back rail 52 by the buckle members 87.
  • the buckle members 87 are released and the mandible can be rotated forward without separating from the helmet due to the headed pins 386.
  • Both the mandible hooks and the face shield frame supports rest against the helmet brim in the same area; should there be an impact, the load should be absorbed by the helmet.
  • the side rails 46, 48 are fastened to the helmet by screws 360, 362 ( Figures 1-3 ) at front ends of the side rails and by being engaged to the back rail at rear sides thereof.
  • the screws 360, 362 also serve to fasten the front mount 44 to the helmet as well.
  • the side rails include an extending hook tab 370 ( Figure 19A ) that fits into and interlocks with a hook recess 872 formed on opposite ends of the back rail ( Figure 22 ).
  • a hook recess 872 formed on opposite ends of the back rail ( Figure 22 ).
  • the side rails include integrated night vision goggle (NVG) shock cords 47b, one on each side which are used to stabilize and secure either the NVG or the face shield 38.
  • Shock cords are elastic cords.
  • Figure 6B shows a shock cord channel where the shock cord channel cover is transparent or not shown.
  • Each side rail 46 contains a shock cord channel 47a that extends along a length of the side rail.
  • the shock cord is anchored with an anchor 47c that attaches the cord at one end of the channel 47a.
  • the cord extends along the length of the channel to the outlet 47d.
  • the outlet is widens beyond the width of the channel as shown in Figure 6A and 6B .
  • the widened outlet allow for a hook 47e attached to the end of the cord to reset within the widened outlet when the cord is in the retracted position as shown in Figure 6B .
  • the user pulls and stretches the shock cord to an extended condition, such as shown in Figure 6A , and attaches it the accessory (not shown in Figures 6A, 6B ).
  • the side rails 46, 48 include mounting formations 376, 377 ( Figure 4 ) for mounting an additional rail between the formations.
  • Figure 4C and 4D illustrate a top rail 378 that includes legs 378a, 378b connected to a top pod or housing 379.
  • the formations include a guide recess 376a and a slot 376c ( Figure 16 ).
  • the legs are engaged to the mounting formations wherein narrow end portions of the legs are inserted through the slots 378c of each formation 376, 377.
  • the distal end of each leg includes a hook latch 378c that retains the legs 378a, 378b engaged with the respective side rail 46, 48.
  • the legs 378a, 378b can be articulated at the pod 379 to act as latch tighteners to securely draw the hook latches 378c tightly against the slots 376c.
  • the slots 376c can be made dimensionally identical to the slots 90 on the back rail 52. Therefore, if the top rail is not used, the wearer has alternate locations to insert the buckles 87 or can use the slots 376c for mounting another component.
  • the pod 379 is thus held onto a top region of the helmet 34.
  • the pod 379 can contain electronics, communication equipment, or other equipment or can contain a beacon or other signal generating device which helps to identify the wearer to others as “friend” instead of "foe", or help in locating the wearer by friendly forces.
  • the signal generated by the beacon can be a visual signal or radio signal or other signal. Where the signal indicator is an IR designator, since it is emitting IR signals, it will be seen at night by other soldiers in the back of the helmet wearer, when the other soldiers wear night vision goggles.
  • Figures 6 and 36 illustrate the side rails 46, 48 include attachment formations 46a that include an upper and lower row of depressions 46b and a dovetail slot 46c, between the rows of depressions.
  • a component attachment base 46d includes a plurality of pins 46f that insert into a plurality of depressions. This insertion fixes the front-to-back position of the base 46d.
  • the base 46d includes a reverse dovetail profile 46g that interlocks with the dovetail slot 46c.
  • the dovetail profile 46g is slid into the dovetail slot and the pins 46f and/or the base 46d and/or the rail 46 has sufficient flexibility that the base can be forcibly positioned along the length of the rail until the desired position of the base, corresponding to registration of the pins 46f into the desired depressions 46b is reached.
  • the base 46d can be the mounting base for a camera, flashlight or other equipment.
  • the back rail 52 includes major openings 380, 382 having pie-shaped minor recesses 380a, 382a contiguous therewith. Also shown are goggle clips 386, 387 that engage recesses 380a, 382a by hook portions 386a, 387a. The pie-shape of the recesses allows for a range of angular movement of the goggle clips with respect to the back rail 52.
  • the back rail is mounted to the helmet by two screws 390, 392 ( Figure 4A ).
  • the hook portions 386a, 387a allow one side of the goggles, one hook portion, to be released from the back rail 52 while the other hook portion retains the goggles, hanging down, onto the back rail. This is advantageous for a wearer to disengage the goggles without separating the goggles from the remaining helmet equipment.
  • the clip includes a body portion 386b having slots 386c, 386d for receiving a goggle strap end, and formed with the hook portion 386a.
  • the back rail can also be configured to hold a power source such as a battery pack.
  • Figures 45-51 illustrate an alternate embodiment of an adjustable back rail system 852 that includes a first outer back rail 810, an opposite second outer back rail 820, and a center back rail 830.
  • the first and second outer back rails are constructed in mirror image fashion across a vertical centerline of the helmet.
  • the adjustable rear rail system allows the parts of the helmet assembly 30 excluding the helmet, to be used on different sized helmets and will accommodate the variation in helmet through hole location, which may arise for example during helmet mass production.
  • the adjustable back rail system 852 is shown in an expanded position in figure 47 and a retracted position in figure 46 for accommodating different sized helmets.
  • the adjustable back rail system 852 may have an adjustable range beyond that shown in figures 46 and 47 .
  • each outer back rail 810, 820 has a hook recess 872 (not shown for outer rail 820).
  • the extending hook tab 230 ( figure 19A ) of the side rails fit into and interlock with the hook recesses 872 of the outer back rails.
  • the center rear rail has U-shaped anchor slots 842, 844 (partially shown in figure 47 ).
  • the anchor slots 842, 844 correspond to outer anchor slots 812, 824, respectively of the first and second outer rear rails.
  • the anchor slots are at least partially alignable with the outer anchor slot for receiving anchor screws (not shown, but similar to the screws 390, 392) to secure the back rail system 852 to the helmet.
  • the U-shaped anchor slots may be oblong, circular, or oval shape.
  • the center back rail has an alignment point or line 836 for positioning the center rear rail at the front-back center line of a helmet.
  • the outer back rails are positioned over outer ends 838 (second outer end not shown) of the center back rail.
  • the outer end 838 has two engagement tabs 839a, 839b extending laterally from an end of the center rear rail for engaging and sliding within corresponding receiving channels 816, 818 of the outer back rail 810.
  • Each engagement tab 839a, 839b has a forwardly extending tab 839c, 839d, respectively.
  • the forwardly extending tabs correspond to forwardly extending recesses 816c, 818d of the receiving channels 816, 818, respectively.
  • the center back rail When fitting the back rail system to the side rails and a helmet, the center back rail is aligned with the helmet at the alignment point 836.
  • the side rails are attached to the outer rear rails.
  • the outer rear rails are placed over the outer ends of the center back rail 830, and the engagement tabs 839a, 839b mate with the receiving channels 816, 818. Screws are then placed through the outer anchor slots 812, 824 and through the anchor slots 842, 844 to secure the back rail system to the helmet.
  • the outer ends 936 (right outer end not shown) of the center back rail 930 has a plurality of locking teeth on the outward facing surface throughout a engagement portion 938 of the outer end 936.
  • the right outer end is mirror image identical to the left outer end 936 across a vertical centerline of the helmet.
  • the center back rail 930 is similar to the center back rail 830 except as described herein.
  • the outer end 936 has two engagement tabs 939a, 939b within the engagement portion 938.
  • the two tabs 939a, 939b form a U-shaped anchor slot 942 for receiving an anchor screw or fastener (not shown) to secure the back rail system to the helmet.
  • the outer back rails 910 have a corresponding toothed section 912 having locking teeth 914 on a rearward facing portion 916 of the outer back rail 910.
  • Locking teeth 935 of the center back rail 930 engage the locking teeth 914 of the outer back rail 910 when the outer back rail is placed over the outer end of the center back rail.
  • the toothed engagement between the center back rail and the outer back rails create a locked engagement when a screw or other fastener holds the outer back rail securely against the center back rail.
  • the outer back rails may be adjusted laterally to accommodate different sized helmets and/or accommodate the variation in helmet through hole location, which may arise for example during helmet mass production.
  • the tab engaging channel embodiment as shown in Figures 48-51
  • the toothed back rail embodiment as shown in Figures 52-57
  • outer ends 838 comprise a toothed engagement portion similar to the toothed engagement portion 938 while still having engagement tabs like those of 839a, 839b with forwardly extending tabs 839c, 839d
  • the outer back rail 810, 820 comprising a rearward facing portion having teeth similar to the rearward facing portion 916 while still having forwardly extending recesses like those of 816c, 818d.
  • the center back rail 930 has slots 950, 960 for holding goggle straps and securing goggles against a user's face or helmet.
  • the center back rail 930 includes slots 950, 960 configured to receive buckle members 970.
  • the buckle member 970 includes a resilient latch 972 that is depressed inwardly as the buckle member 970 is forced in the direction F of figure 55 into the slot 960 of the back rail 930, or direction E for the case of engaging slot 950.
  • the buckle as shown in figure 58 , also has flanking supports 944a, 974b that are spaced apart in the lateral direction from the latch 972.
  • the latch 976 has a first raised area 977, and a second raised area 978 separated by a recessed area 979.
  • the slots have a first raised portion 961 with lateral guiding segments 962a, 962b on each lateral side.
  • a gap 963 separates the first raised portion from a main guide portion 962.
  • Extending longitudinally inward of the slot from the first raised portion 961 is a second raised portion 964.
  • the second raised portion 964 slopes upwards in a longitudinal direction outward of the slot as it approaches the first raised portion to form a receiving area for receiving the second raised area 978 of the latch 976.
  • the buckle locks into the slot by the second raised area 978 of the latch engaging the second raised portion 964 of the slot and the recessed area 979 of the latch engaging the first raised portion 961 of the slot, and the first raised area 977 of the latch engaged with an outward facing surface 961a of the first raised portion 961.
  • the flanking supports 974a, 974b are guided by the lateral guiding segments 962a, 962b of the slot on one side and the main guide portion 962 on the other when the buckle member enters and leaves the slot.
  • the buckle member has a strap slot 972 for holding a strap at one end where the strap maybe connected to a goggle at the other end.
  • the back rail 52 or back rail 830 may comprise slots such as slot 950, 960 of the back rail 930, which are configured to receive buckle members 970.
  • Figures 24A-24H illustrate multiple variations of the mandible attached to the helmet.
  • Figure 24A illustrates the mandible 36 previously described mounted to the helmet 34.
  • Figure 24B illustrates a rigid guard 502 mounted to the helmet 34. The guard has a shorter profile than the rigid mandible.
  • Figure 24C illustrates a rigid guard 502 mounted to the helmet 34 and carrying a removable ballistic resistant fabric 504 to extend protection below the guard.
  • Figure 24D illustrates a rigid guard and an integrated non-removable ballistic resistant fabric 508 mounted to the helmet 34.
  • Figure 24E illustrates a rigid wireframe guard 180 mounted to the helmet 34.
  • Figure 24F illustrates the wireframe guard 180 (not visible) having a ballistic resistant fabric 510 applied over the guard.
  • Figure 24G illustrates a lower semi-flexible frame 512.
  • Figure 24H illustrates the lower semi-flexible frame 512 with a ballistic resistant fabric 516 to extend protection below the frame.
  • Semi flexible frame mandibles or guards provide the benefit of conforming to a weapon when the wearer is aiming with a stock of the weapon proximate the cheek.
  • Figures 37-39 illustrate an alternate mandible attachment system that includes revised attachment bases 662, 664, constructed in mirror image fashion across a vertical centerplane of the helmet.
  • the bases 662, 664 include revised base plates 630, which are similar to the baseplates 230 ( Figures 33-34 ) except as described herein, and a revised helmet mount 644 compared to the mount 44.
  • the attachment base 662 comprises a base plate 630, and an overlying body block 632 (the block 632 is missing in the attachment base 662 in Figure 37 in order to see underlying features) similar in construction and attachment as the body block 232 shown in Figure 32 .
  • the block 632 can include a surface 632a which can support ends of the face shield frame 95 as shown in Figure 1 .
  • the base plate 630 includes a hook 234 that engage a lower front edge 239 of a brim gasket 240 of the helmet 34 as previously described.
  • the base plate 630 also includes an upstanding hook 636 having hook concavities 636a open forwardly.
  • the base plate 630 also includes two threaded bosses (or bosses terminating in captured nuts) 242, 244 that fit into holes 260, 262 ( Figures 19 , 20 and 21 ) through the mandible 36 or frame 180 and receive screws 71, 72 that fasten together the mandible 36 (or frame 180), the base plate 630 and the body block 632, as previously described.
  • the mandible provides holes 260, 262 that receive the bosses 242, 244 and screws 71, 72 as previously described ( Figure 20 ).
  • the body block 232 includes a slot 263 that is engaged by the strap loop 85 of the strap assembly 76.
  • the mount 644 includes a concave area 644a at each end thereof to form a shaped void 644b between the mount 644 and the helmet 34, having an open receiving slot 644d.
  • the shaped void is partly defined by a hook- shaped support 644c that has a concavity open upwardly and rearward.
  • each void 644b receives the hook concavity 636a in mutual engagement with the hook-shaped support 644c.
  • the mandible or frame and attachment bases are then rotated down and back from the orientation shown in Figure 38 to the orientation shown in Figure 39 .
  • the hooks 234 of the attachment bases 662, 664 will then be oriented to brace against the rim gasket 240 as the strap assemblies 76, 78 are strapped to the back rail 52 by the buckle members 87 as previously described.
  • the buckle members 87 are released and the mandible can be rotated forward.
  • the degree of engagement of the hooks 636 and the supports 644c can be designed that the mandible or frame can be rotated sufficiently to hydrate without separating from the helmet.
  • Both the mandible hooks and the face shield frame supports rest against the helmet brim in the same area; should there be an impact, the load should be absorbed by the helmet.
  • Figures 40-44 illustrate an alternative embodiment having a mandible adjustment system that includes revised attachment bases 762, 764, constructed in mirror image fashion across a vertical centerline of the helmet.
  • the second alternate adjustable mandible attachment system provides the ability to move the mandible between an upper limit position, as for example shown in Figures 43 and 44 , and a lower limit position, as for example shown in Figures 41 and 43 , to ensure optimal interface between the bottom portion of the visor 94 and the mandible 36.
  • the adjustable mandible attachment system is adjustable to positions within a continuously variable range between the upper limit position and the lower limit position.
  • the bases 762, 764 include revised base plates 730 as shown in figure 40B .
  • the base plate 730 includes a fixed, headed pin or rivet 780.
  • the body block 732 includes a slot 763 that is engaged by the strap loop 85 of the strap assembly 76.
  • the base plate includes a corresponding slot 763a for engaging the strap loop 85.
  • the base plate 730 also includes two threaded bosses (or bosses terminating in captured nuts) 742, 744 that fit into holes 260, 262 ( Figures 19 , 20 and 21 ) through the mandible 36 or frame 180 and receive screws (not shown) that fasten together the mandible 36 (or frame 180), the base plate 730 and the body block 732.
  • Figure 40B also shows an inner plate 737 that mates with an inner side of the mandible to secure the mandible between the inner plate and the base plate.
  • the inner plate has two fastener holes 733a, 733b that correspond to the threaded bosses 742, 744.
  • the inner plate has a retainer 736 that engages the lower edge 239 of the brim gasket 240 of the helmet 34 (see Figure 19 ).
  • the base plate 730 has a standoff mechanism 791.
  • the standoff mechanism 791 has a contact plate 793, a base nut 795 and a set screw 797.
  • the contact plate is flexible and is positioned between the lower edge 239 of the brim gasket 240 of the helmet 34 (see Figure 19 ) or a lower edge 734 of the helmet 34 and the set screw 797, as shown in Figure 42 .
  • the base nut 795 is fixed to the inside surface of the base plate 730. In one embodiment, the base nut 795 is located at a rearward position on the base plate 730 near the slot 763.
  • the contact plate prevents the set screw from wearing on the lower edge of the helmet.
  • the base nut is threaded to receive threads of the set screw 797.
  • the set screw has an Allen key (not shown) at the bottom 799 of the set screw, which is configured to receive an Allen wrench for turning the set screw. Other turning mechanisms may also be employed.
  • the contact plate 793 has a T-shaped end 793a.
  • the opposite lateral ends of the T-shaped portion engage a contact plate slot 731 of the base plate on one side and a contact plate slot 736c of the inner plate on the other side.
  • the T-shaped portion holds the T-shaped portion of the contact plate in position between the base plate and the inner plate and the contact plate flexes from this location.
  • the set screw When the standoff mechanism is in the lowered position, as shown in Figures 41 and 42 , the set screw is in a lowered position with respect to the base nut.
  • the base plate may rest against the top of the base nut, when the standoff mechanism is in the lowered position.
  • the standoff mechanism When the standoff mechanism is in the lowered positioned the mandible is in a lowered position as shown in figure 41 .
  • To move the mandible upward the set screw is turned to raise the set screw relative to the base nut. As the set screw rises, it engages the contact plate 793 which puts pressure on the lower edge of the helmet.
  • the base plate 730 pivots about the rivet 780 that is within the side channel 44a, and thereby raises the mandible closer to the front bottom edge of the helmet.
  • the rear portion of the base plate is driven downward as the set screw is moved upward relative to the base nut. This causes the contact plate to flex, remaining connected to the base plate at one end and positioned between the set screw and the bottom edge of the helmet at an opposite end of the contact plate.
  • the upper and lower limit positions are determined, at least in part, by the length of the set screw.
  • the helmet system may include a protective head cap 1300.
  • the cap has a front opening 1306 that corresponds to the top front formation or central accessory mount 144.
  • the central accessory mount may also be a mount for receiving the visor mounting arrangement 42.
  • the front opening allows the accessory mount 144 to be received there through.
  • the cap includes side rail engagement members 1304 (not shown for right side).
  • the left side rail engagement member 1302 mirror image identical across the vertical midplate extending front to back of the helmet system.
  • a second embodiment of the side rail 1310 is shown in figure 70 .
  • the side raid is identical to the side rail 46 except as described.
  • the rail 1310 includes two raised portions 1314, 1316 and a recessed portion 1312 therebetween.
  • the raised portions have a plurality of first accessory engagement recesses 1308, 1309.
  • Similar first accessory engagement recesses 46f, 46g are shown in rail 46 in Figure 6 .
  • the recessed portion contains a plurality of second accessory engagement recesses.
  • the second engagement recesses are larger than the first engagement recessed.
  • the engagement recesses can be used to secure accessories to the side rail.
  • the side rail engagement members 1302 contain an attachment mechanism for securing the protective cap to the side rails of the helmet system as shown in Figure 69 .
  • the attachment mechanisms may comprise flexible protrusion on the underside of the side rail 1302 or a upper portion of the side rail 1304.
  • the flexible protrusions engage one or more of corresponding second or first engagement recesses 1311, 1308 of the rail 1310.
  • the flexible protrusion secure the cap 1300 to the side rails until a predetermined amount of force is applied in the H direction, as shown in Figure 69 , to remove the cap from the side rails.
  • the cap 1300 may have an attachment mechanism having engagement members that are manually releasable by a mechanical locking mechanism.
  • the engagement member engages the second or first engagement recesses 1311, 1308.
  • the cap is removable by releasing the mechanical locking mechanism.
  • the attachment mechanism may provide a sliding one-way lock engagement that allows the cap to be slid on in the direction F as shown in Figure 68 , but not removed without the release of the lock mechanism.
  • the lock mechanisms by be electronically controlled.
  • the cap 1300 may be made of composite material such as KEVLAR and thermoplastic or High-density polyethylene and thermoplastic.
  • Exemplary materials of construction for the helmet assembly include:
  • the presently described embodiment provides flexibility in outfitting a military helmet.
  • the back rail can be used without the side rails.
  • a top rail is optional.
  • the mandible or frame is optional, and when used, can be used without the side rails. Other permutations are possible with some minor modifications.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Helmets And Other Head Coverings (AREA)

Claims (13)

  1. Visier (38) und eine Visierbefestigungsmontage für einen Helm (34), umfassend:
    eine Helmhalterung (44), die für eine Anordnung an einem seitlichen Mittelabschnitt des Helms konfiguriert ist;
    eine Visierhalterung (42), die für eine Kopplung an das Visier konfiguriert ist, wobei das Visier so konfiguriert und dimensioniert ist, dass es in einer Einsatzposition vor dem Gesicht eines Trägers positioniert ist;
    ein Anpassungsmechanismus für die Visierposition, die an die Helmhalterung angeschlossen und an der Visierhaltung zu betätigen ist;
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
    der Anpassungsmechanismus für die Visierposition eine Führungsbahn für die Visierhalterung für das Führen der Visierhalterung zwischen der Einsatzposition und der Standby-Position umfasst, wobei die Führungsbahn im Wesentlichen vertikal ist, um so die Visierhalterung zwischen der Einsatzposition, die der Einsatzposition des Visiers entspricht, und einer Standby-Position zu führen, die im Wesentlichen vertikal über der Einsatzposition liegt und einer Position der von der Einsatzposition des Visiers hochgehobenen Position des Visiers entspricht.
  2. Anordnung nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Anpassungsmechanismus für die Position eine Lüftungsposition hat, die sich zwischen der Einsatzposition und der Standby-Position befindet, und der Anpassungsmechanismus für die Visierposition so konfiguriert ist, dass er das Visier in der Position sichert.
  3. Anordnung nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Anpassungsmechanismus für die Position einen Rastmechanismus (127) umfasst, die so konfiguriert ist, dass sie die Visiermontage stabil in mindestens einer vordefinierten Position hält.
  4. Anordnung nach Anspruch 3, wobei der Rastmechanismus eine Kugel mit Federvorspannung (127c) umfasst, die in Richtung eines drehbaren Zapfens (107) forciert wird, wobei der Zapfen mindestens eine Aussparung (126a, 126b) hat, die so konfiguriert ist, dass sie die Kugel in einer vordefinierten Position des Anpassungsmechanismus aufnimmt und dass sie die Visierhalterung stabil in der Position hält.
  5. Anordnung nach Anspruch 3, wobei der Rastmechanismus eine Kugel mit Federvorspannung umfasst, die in Richtung eines drehbaren Zapfens forciert wird, wobei der Zapfen eine Standby-Aussparung und eine Einsatzaussparung um den Umfang des Zapfens hat, wobei die Kugel in der Standby-Aussparung einrastet, wenn sich die Visierhalterung in der Standby-Position befindet, und die Kugel in der Einsatzaussparung einrastet, wenn sich die Visierhalterung in der Einsatzposition befindet.
  6. Anordnung nach Anspruch 4, wobei mindestens eine Aussparung eine Kontaktfläche hat, die so konfiguriert ist, dass sie die Oberfläche der Kugel festhält.
  7. Anordnung nach Anspruch 4, wobei die Aussparung einen Anfangspunkt und einen Endpunkt hat, wobei die Aussparung so geformt ist, dass die Kugel den Kontakt mit der Aussparung an weniger als der gesamten Länge der Aussparung zwischen dem Anfangspunkt und dem Endpunkt beibehält.
  8. Anordnung nach Anspruch 5, wobei die mindestens eine Aussparung mindestens einen geraden Abschnitt und mindestens einen gebogenen Abschnitt umfasst.
  9. Anordnung nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Anpassungsmechanismus für die Position einen Hakenverschlussmechanismus (122) umfasst, der so konfiguriert ist, dass er die Visierhalterung in mindestens einer Position sichert, wobei der Hakenverschlussmechanismus einen beweglichen Haken umfasst, der in eine Ausgangsposition gelenkt wird, und mindestens eine Eingreiffläche für die Aufnahme des Hakens und die Sicherung der Visierhalterung in einer Position.
  10. Anordnung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Visierhalterung sich seitlich erstreckt, um eine gesamte obere Kante des Visiers aufzunehmen.
  11. Anordnung nach Anspruch 1, weiter umfassend:
    zwei Seitenschienen (46, 48), die so konfiguriert sind, dass sie an gegenüberliegenden Seiten des Helms montiert werden, wobei jede Seitenschiene ein erstes Ende und ein zweites Ende hat;
    mindestens eine hintere Schiene, die so konfiguriert ist, dass sie an der Rückseite des Helms montiert wird;
    wobei die Helmhalterung eine Vorderschiene umfasst;
    das erste Ende der Seitenschiene mit der Vorderschiene verbunden ist; und
    das zweite Ende der Seitenschiene mit der hinteren Schiene verbunden ist.
  12. Anordnung nach Anspruch 11, umfassend einen Kinnabschnitt (36), der schwenkbar mit der Vorderschiene oder den Seitenschienen verbunden ist, wobei der Kinnabschnitt zwei Befestigungsösen (76, 78) auf der gegenüberliegenden seitlichen Seite hat, um einen Riemen aufzunehmen, der mit der hinteren Schiene verbunden ist, um den Kinnabschnitt am Helm zu sichern.
  13. Anordnung nach Anspruch 1, weiter umfassend:
    Zwei Seitenschienen, die so konfiguriert sind, dass sie an gegenüberliegenden Seiten eines Helms montiert werden, wobei jede Seitenschiene ein erstes Ende und ein zweites Ende hat;
    wobei die Helmhalterung eine Vorderschiene umfasst; das erste Ende jeder Seitenschiene mit der Vorderschiene verbunden ist; und jede Seitenschiene eine elastische Kordel (47b) für das Verbinden mit Zubehör enthält.
EP10814535.0A 2009-09-03 2010-09-02 Einschuss- und einschlagschutz-visorsystem für eine militärische helmanordnung Active EP2473075B1 (de)

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US23973309P 2009-09-03 2009-09-03
US24670109P 2009-09-29 2009-09-29
PCT/US2010/047757 WO2011028966A2 (en) 2009-09-03 2010-09-02 Ballistic and impact protective visor system for military helmet assembly

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EP2473075A2 EP2473075A2 (de) 2012-07-11
EP2473075A4 EP2473075A4 (de) 2015-03-18
EP2473075B1 true EP2473075B1 (de) 2017-11-08

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EP2473075A2 (de) 2012-07-11
DK2473075T3 (en) 2018-02-12
WO2011028966A2 (en) 2011-03-10
WO2011028966A3 (en) 2011-06-30
NO2473075T3 (de) 2018-04-07
EP2473075A4 (de) 2015-03-18

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