Abstract:
A helmet clip captures a goggle loop and lanyard and provides a mounting mechanism for a helmet accessory. The helmet clip uses a snap mechanism to selectively capture and release the lanyard or goggle loop without removing the accessory.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of provisional application 61/221,833 filed Jun. 30, 2009. The 61/221,833 application is incorporated by reference herein, in its entirety, for all purposes. 
     
    
     GOVERNMENT RIGHTS 
       [0002]    This invention was made with Government support under contract U.S. Navy Contract N68335-08-C-0292 awarded by the Department of the Navy. The Government has certain rights in this invention. The U.S. Government has a paid-up license in this invention and the right in limited circumstances to require the patent owner to license others on reasonable terms as provided by the terms of contract N68335-08-C-0292 awarded by the Department of the Navy. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    While wearing a helmet in a variety of occupations, it may be necessary to also wear goggles or eyeglasses having a retaining strap or loop of fabric intended to keep the goggles or glasses on the wearer. However, the loop often needs to fit around and on top of the helmet to not interfere with hearing protection or to aid in donning a multifunctional helmet system with goggles and other accessories. A goggle loop is therefore required to retain the goggle strap as it traverses the back of the helmet to ensure that the goggles remain positioned during occupational activities. Furthermore, it is often necessary to ensure that the goggles will remain attached to the helmet even when they are not in use. Finally, there is often a need for attaching accessories to a helmet that may have a smooth surface and that may be functionally compromised if penetrated by drilling a large number of holes. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Embodiments herein provide a multi-functional helmet or hardhat clip that may integrate with a variety of different helmet designs and provide multiple functions including prevention of foreign object debris (FOD), component attachment, goggle loop retainer, and lanyard retainer. Embodiments also provide means by which various accessories may be attached to a helmet with minimal modification. 
         [0005]    In an embodiment, a helmet clip is shaped to optimally mate with the curvature of a particular helmet design. The clip is also shaped to mate with the back surface of the helmet in a way that also permits retention of a strap, such as straps used to retain eye protectors (goggles, glasses, etc.) without interfering with the fitment of the helmet, hearing protection devices, or other helmet accessories. 
         [0006]    In another embodiment, a helmet clip positions a strap on top of the helmet while being retained on the helmet. A snap closure mechanism provides a semi-permanent means by which the strap cannot become separated from the helmet, even if the eye protection is removed from the face. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, a feature of the helmet clip permits attachment of an extra component or accessory to the clip without interfering with or being interfered by a strap. By way of illustration and not by way of limitation, components may include a radio, a control box for hearing protection, or a battery pack that supports some other electronic component that is worn on the body, or on the front of the helmet. In such a scenario it may be required to place the accessory (e.g. battery pack), on the back of the helmet in order to provide a weight balance for the entire helmet on the head. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIGS. 1A , B, and C are mechanical drawings illustrating various elements of a helmet clip according to embodiments hereof. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0009]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A and 1C , in an embodiment, a helmet clip  1  is mounted to a helmet shell  10  at attachment points  12  and  14 . In an embodiment, attachment points  12  and  14  are configured to receive a screw or similar attachment devices. In another embodiment, the helmet clip  1  is mounted permanently with a bonding agent. A male snap  2  is mounted into the helmet shell  10 . In an embodiment, male snap  2  is mounted using a screw or similar attachment device. In another embodiment, male snap  2  is mounted permanently with a bonding agent. 
         [0010]    A female mating portion of the snap  3  is affixed or molded in to the helmet clip  1  as shown  FIGS. 1A , B, and C, where it is aligned with the male snap  2 . The snapping mechanism is adjustable by the user to be either in the open or closed position. When in the open position, the snapping mechanism allows a lanyard, goggle loop, glasses loop, a tethered assembly or other accessory (not illustrated) to be introduced between the helmet shell surface  10  and the helmet clip  1 . Closing the snapping mechanism causes the lanyard, goggle loop, a tethered assembly or other accessory (not illustrated) to be captured between the helmet shell surface  10  and the helmet clip  1 . In another embodiment, the male snap and the female snap positions are reversed. 
         [0011]    The attachment means illustrated in  FIGS. 1A , B, and C are presented as examples but may also be realized through a variety of other possible mechanisms. By way of illustration and not by way of limitation, the screws mounted on top of the helmet clip may be replaced by a single screw, or high-strength adhesive. By way of illustration and not by way of limitation, the snap may be replaced by a hook and loop connection, a magnetic connection, or some other variable attachment connection that allows the user to alternately attach or remove the connection. 
         [0012]    The outer surface of the helmet clip  1  may include a dovetail slot  4  ( FIG. 1C ) that may be used to accept a helmet accessory (not illustrated). By way of illustration and not by way of limitation, a helmet accessory may include a battery pack that can be used for hearing protection, communications, or to power other electrical devices that may also be mounted elsewhere on the helmet. The dovetail slot  4  may be designed to mate with a variety of commercially available components. The helmet clip  1  ensures that the accessory will not interfere with the goggle strap, lanyard, or helmet clip  1 , by allowing the accessory to be positioned off of the surface of the helmet at a minimal distance. This allows the lanyard, goggle loop, and accessory to coexist in the same physical area of the helmet. 
         [0013]    While  FIG. 1C  depicts a dovetail attachment on the outside of the helmet clip, it is not meant to be limiting. The accessory attachment is situated on the outside of the helmet clip in such a way as to prevent the accessory from interfering with the goggle loop that routes underneath the helmet clip. This attachment may be any other configuration of dovetail mating mechanism, snap, hook and loop, or other hardware mounting configuration that permits the accessory to mount on top of the clip above the goggle loop or lanyard that is secured between the outer surface of the helmet and under the helmet clip. 
         [0014]    In an embodiment, the dovetail attachment point on the outside of the helmet clip is secured to the helmet clip by way of rivets (not illustrated). In another embodiment, the helmet clip and dovetail attachment point may be molded into a single piece of plastic. The specific design will depend on the accessory mounting requirements. Alternative designs may include a screw-in attachment of the accessory which would then require a threaded insert in the outside of the clip that may be molded-in in such a way as to not interfere with the goggle loop or the helmet. 
         [0015]    In an embodiment, a helmet clip is constructed from a flexible thermoplastic material that allows the user to bend the clip to place the goggle loop underneath it. In this embodiment, the flexible area of the clip is located near the attachment point at the top of the clip, away from the accessory mounting point. This permits the user to connect and disconnect the snap to remove and insert the goggle strap, while the accessory is attached to the clip. In this way, the accessory does not interfere with the clips ability to retain a strap or the ability to remove the strap while the accessory is attached. 
         [0016]    A combined strap retainer and accessory attachment mechanism has been described. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed and that the examples and embodiments described herein are in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art of the present invention will recognize that other embodiments using the concepts described herein are also possible. Further, any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” or “the,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.