FR2732121A1 - Mounting for observation apparatus on military combat helmet - Google Patents

Abstract

The fastening consists of a strap (3) which goes round the outside of the helmet, a plate (2) which attaches to both ends of the strap, and a bracket (5) to support the observation apparatus, such as nightvision binoculars or a camera. The strap can be made, for example, from rubber or a synthetic material (plastic), and the plate and bracket, which can be made in one piece, can be of metal or a synthetic material. Both plate and strap can have a non-slip surface, e.g. of rubber, in contact with the helmet. Metal components are treated against corrosion or exterior chemical attack, are non-reflective and coloured - e.g. matt black for night use.

Description

DEVICE FOR FIXING OBSERVATION APPARATUSES
COMBAT HELMET
Field of the invention
The field of the invention relates to the fixing of devices
observation such as night vision binoculars, or others
vision devices (cameras) on a combat helmet such as by
example the F2 helmet in force in the French armies.

The purpose of fixtures for observation devices
is to allow the use "hands free".

There are several types:
- head support or mask attaching directly to the head
the user, under the helmet. Maintaining the observation device
is generally ensured by tightening straps, with supports
on one or more parts of the face (cheekbones; forehead)
or the head (neck) which bothers the user.

These devices are often inconvenient to use with the port
a helmet:
- due to the need to resume adjusting the straps and the
headset to take into account the additional volume occupied
by the head support.

- due to the multiplicity of straps and fasteners (support +
helmet)
- special helmet: in these cases the helmet has been designed with the
integrated fixing device. These devices are more
ergonomic but are specific to a given application.

- helmet mounting bracket: the mounting bracket is attached to the
helmet by fixed means. These devices often require
modification of helmets, such as drilling
fixation.

The device described in the invention is a fixing support
on the combat helmet requiring neither modifications of the
helmet, or modification of the helmet-specific settings. The
device according to the invention is held on the helmet by tightening
elastic. It is easily removable and does not require any
assembly or disassembly. It is adaptable to all types of helmets.

Figures 1 and 2 give a block diagram of
the assembly mounted on a helmet, FIG. 1 showing a view of
above, Figure 2 a side view.

Figure 3 shows an embodiment seen in perspective1
Figures 4a, 4b and 5a, 5b show a detailed view of the plate and
of the belt used in this example.

According to the description of the invention, the device consists of: - a curved front plate (2) so as to best fit the
helmet front shape (1).

- an elastic belt (3) connected to the plate (2) by a device
connection (4) of a support piece (5) fixing on the plate (2) and serving as an interface
with the vision device (6) - in another variant, the device according to the invention may also
have a length adjustment device (7) allowing
adapt the length of the set to the size of the helmet.

According to one embodiment - the curved front plate (2) and the support piece (5) can be
metal or a synthetic material (plastic) - the belt (3) can be made of rubber or synthetic material - the curved front plate (2) as well as the belt (3) can
have a coating on the contact surface with the helmet
non-slip (8) (rubber coating for example) the metal parts are treated against corrosion and
external chemical attack. Depending on the type of use, they will
anti-reflective and colored (matt black for vision
nocturnal for example)
By way of example, according to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the device for
connection may consist of two notches (9) in the
curved ends of the plate, into which slip on
in force the ends of the belt. Figure 5 gives an example
possible shape for the ends of the strap, allowing
blocking of the latter in the notches by means of a shoulder (10).

Another connection device can be constituted by
traditional fasteners such as snaps, staples, strap ends, Velcro-type tape, or any other known fastening device.

 According to another variant, the length adjustment device (7) can be integrated or intrinsic to the connection devices (4).

 The belt consists of one or more parts, at least one of which is elastic, connectable to each other by a known fastening device. This allows by adjustment of length, a better adjustment to the type and size of the helmet.

 - the interface piece (5) is fixed to the plate using screws or rivets. It is also possible to produce the plate and the interface part in a non-separable form, either by welding the parts, or in a single piece.

 The application is not limited to the attachment of observation devices. The device according to the invention can be used to fix optical sighting or measurement devices, lighting devices, glasses and masks for visual protection.

Claims (4)

CLAIMS 1- Device for attaching observation devices to combat helmet (1), comprising a strap (3), a plate (2) and an interface piece (5), allowing the use of the hands-free observation.  2- Device for attaching observation devices to helmet  combat according to claim i, characterized in that the plate (2)  comprises a device for attaching (4) the belt (3).  3- Device for attaching observation devices to helmet  combat according to claim 1, characterized in that the plate (2)  has a coating on its inner face in contact with the helmet  (8) of non-slip material.  4- Device for attaching observation devices to helmet  combat according to claim 1, characterized in that the belt (3)  includes a length adjusting device (7).  S Device for attaching observation devices to helmet  combat according to claim 1, characterized in that the part  interface is removable from the plate (2).  6- Device for attaching observation devices to helmet  combat according to claim 1, characterized in that the plate (2) and  the interface part (5) are inseparable in one piece.