Abstract:
An improved helmet mounting device for an optical device, such as a night vision device, is provided. The mounting device herein includes sliding carriage arms and a pivot member for pivoting the viewing device up and away from the user&#39;s line of sight. In the depicted preferred embodiments, an optional reinforced mounting fastener system is provided. In another aspect, a movable sensor element may provided on the helmet mount for controlling operation of an attached vision device. In still further embodiments, a breakaway mechanism is provided which allows the user to select between a rigid attachment between the helmet and the optical device and a breakaway attachment wherein the optical device will break away from the helmet when an applied force exceeds a threshold amount of force.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/182,957 filed Jun. 1, 2009. The aforementioned provisional application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
       INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
       [0002]    Each of the aforementioned U.S. patents and patent applications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety: Ser. No. 61/168,789 filed Apr. 13, 2009; Ser. No. 12/259,010 filed Oct. 27, 2008; Ser. No. 60/982,533 filed Oct. 27, 2007; Ser. No. 12/117,704 filed May 08, 2008; Ser. No. 60/928,239 filed May 08, 2007; Ser. No. 11/804,813 filed May 21, 2007; Ser. No. 10/959,906 filed Oct. 6, 2004; U.S. Pat. No. 7,219,370 issued May 22, 2007; Ser. No. 60/509,136 filed Oct. 6, 2003; and Ser. No. 12/759,435 filed Apr. 13, 2010. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The present disclosure relates to an improved system for mounting an optical device to headgear such as a field helmet, and specifically, a mount with a pivot axis for flipping an attached optical device to a flipped or stowed position, which is elevated out of the user&#39;s line of sight when the optical device is not in use. The optical device may be, without limitation, a night vision device enabling viewing under nighttime or other low light conditions, such as night vision goggles (NVG) or electronic night vision goggles (eNVG), night vision binocular devices, night vision monocular devices, etc., with or without magnification. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    A mounting apparatus for mounting an optical device on a helmet includes a helmet interface assembly removably attachable to the helmet and generally vertically slidable relative to the helmet. A pair of struts extends generally horizontally from the helmet interface assembly and a carriage member is slidably attached to the pair of struts. A pivot arm assembly is pivotally attached to the carriage member, the pivot arm assembly pivotable about a generally horizontal axis which extends generally transversely relative to a user. The pivot arm assembly is pivotable between a first, operable position and a second, stowed position, wherein an attached optical device will be positioned before the eyes of a user when the pivot arm assembly is in the first position and out of a line of sight of the user when the pivot arm assembly is in the second position. An optical device mounting member is attached to the pivot arm assembly for removable attachment to an optical device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    The invention may take form in various components and arrangements of components, and in various steps and arrangements of steps. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view taken generally from the front and right side of an associated helmet carrying an associated optical device using a helmet mount system according to a first exemplary embodiment, wherein the optical device is in the deployed position. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the embodiment appearing in  FIG. 1 , wherein the optical device is pivoted about the pivot axis to a stowed position. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a partially exploded isometric view of the embodiment appearing in  FIG. 1 , illustrating a reinforced mounting mechanism in accordance with the depicted preferred embodiment. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is an exploded, isometric view of the helmet mounting assembly appearing in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged, fragmentary, isometric view of the helmet mount system of  FIG. 1  in the deployed position, taken generally from the front and left side. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged, fragmentary, isometric view of the helmet mount system of  FIG. 1  in the stowed position, taken generally from the front and right side. 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of an associated helmet carrying an associated optical device using a helmet mount system according to a second exemplary embodiment, wherein the optical device is in the deployed position. 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a partially exploded isometric view of the embodiment appearing in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is a partially exploded view of the helmet interface portion of the helmet mount embodiment appearing in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  is an enlarged, fragmentary, and exploded view of the sliding plate member and the vertical adjustment mechanism. 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view of the release and breakaway mechanisms of the helmet mount embodiment appearing in  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0017]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like or analogous components throughout the several views, with specific reference to  FIGS. 1-6 , there appears an exemplary helmet mounting system embodiment  100 , which includes a bracket  104  attached to the front portion of a helmet  108 . The exemplary bracket  104  is secured to the front of the helmet  108 , e.g., via a plurality of threaded fasteners  109 . It will be recognized that the illustrated mounting bracket is exemplary only and other mounting brackets may be employed as well, including the flush-mount, bayonet mounting bracket as described in the aforementioned U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/928,239 filed May 8, 2007, or the strap mounted bracket or the track mounted bracket shown in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 7,219,370. 
         [0018]    A breakaway base  112  is secured to the mounting bracket  104 . The breakaway base  112  includes a sliding plate  114  which slides vertically with respect to an interface plate  110  engaging the bracket  104 , e.g., via threaded fasteners  111 . Alternatively, a removable attachment mechanism may be employed, such as a bayonet-type mount, for example, a bayonet mount in which a male bayonet mount member on the breakaway base engages a complimentary bayonet plate on the bracket  104  as described in the aforementioned U.S. application Ser. No. 12/259,010. 
         [0019]    A depressible button  118  allows the sliding plate  114  to slide with respect to the interface plate  110  to provide a vertical adjustment of an attached optical device relative to the eyes of the user. The vertical adjustment mechanism may be of the gear rack/gear tooth type described in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 7,219,370. 
         [0020]    A breakaway cover piece  132  is secured to the breakaway base  112  in breakaway fashion. The breakaway mechanism may allow selective securing of the cover piece  132  in either breakaway or non-breakaway fashion as described in the aforementioned commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 7,219,370, incorporated herein by reference and as described in greater detail below. 
         [0021]    First and second carriage arms  140 ,  141  are slidingly received in apertures  136 ,  137 , respectively, in the breakaway cover  132  and extend in a direction generally parallel to the line of sight of the user. The proximal end of the carriage arm  140  is received in one of the openings  136  and retained therein with a threaded fastener  144  having an enlarged diameter head portion to prevent the arm  140  from sliding all the way out of the opening  136 . The distal end of the carriage arm  141  is received in the other opening  137  and retained therein with a threaded fastener  145  having an enlarged diameter head portion to prevent sliding removal of the arm  141  from the opening  137 . 
         [0022]    A transverse carriage member  152  includes a first opening  153  receiving the distal end of the carriage arm  140 . A threaded fastener  143  is received within an opening  142  in the distal end of the arm  140 . The transverse carriage member  152  also includes a second opening  154  receiving the distal end of the carriage arm  141 . The carriage arm  141  is secured within the opening  154  by a pin  155  received through an opening  156  in the transverse carriage member  152  and an opening  165  in the arm  141 . The carriage arm  140  is secured within the opening  153  by a threaded fastener engaging an opening  142  in the distal end of the arm  140  and a pin  156  extending through an opening  157  in the transverse carriage member  152  and an opening  164  in the carriage arm  140 . 
         [0023]    The transverse carriage member  152  includes a hinge piece  180  including openings  184  defining a pivot axis for receiving a pivot pin  172 . The hinge piece  180  includes a cavity or opening for receiving a spring member  188 , which is coaxially received about the hinge pin  172 . The hinge member  180  is secured to the transverse carriage member  152  via a pin  228  passing through openings  232  in the carriage member  152  and an opening  236  in the hinge piece  180 . A pin  161  extends through an opening  160  in the carriage member  152  and a corresponding aligned opening in the pin  228 . 
         [0024]    The night vision device  130  is removably attached to a pivot arm  168 , which includes a pair of hinge arms  169 ,  170  and openings  176 ,  177  aligned with the openings  184  for receiving the hinge pin  172 . A button  200  is secured to a first end of the hinge pin  172  via a threaded fastener  208 , which passes through an opening  202  in the button  200  and engages an opening  212  in the hinge pin first end. 
         [0025]    A retention disk  216  is secured to the opposite end of the hinge pin  172  via a threaded fastener  220 . Transverse locating pins  224  are secured within openings  217  in the end piece  216  and are slidably received within openings  218  in the hinge arm  169  when the pivot arm  168  is in the deployed position. A spring pin  192  is secured within an opening  196  in the hinge pin  172  and engages the spring  188 . 
         [0026]    In operation, when it is desired to move the goggles  130  from the deployed position to the stowed position, the button  200  is depressed and the pins  224  slidably disengage from the openings  218 , allowing the pivot member  168  to be pivoted to the stowed position. The spring pin  192  compresses the spring  188  when the button is depressed. When the goggles are returned to the deployed position, the bias of the spring  188  urges the button the locked position. 
         [0027]    A cam tilt adjustment member  240  includes a cam bearing surface  244  and an off-axis member  248 , which is off center with respect to the cam bearing surface  244 . The cam bearing surface is received within an opening  251  on the transverse carriage member  152  and the off-axis protrusion  248  is received within an opening  252  on the hinge member  180 . As the knob  240  is manually rotated, the cam surface  244  rotates in the opening  251  and the movement of the off-axis member  248  causes a pivoting movement of the hinge member  180  relative to the transverse carriage member  152 . In this manner, the rotation of the knob  240  allows the user to rotate the optical axis of the night vision device  130  to a desired alignment, e.g., into alignment with the optical axis of the viewer&#39;s eye. 
         [0028]    Fore and aft positioning of the viewing device  130  is controlled by a manually rotatable locking/unlocking lever  148  having a pair of aligned openings  151 , which slidingly receive the carriage arm  141  on opposite sides of the opening  137 . A pin  149  is received within an opening  150  in the cover piece  132  and runs along a bearing or cam surface  154  of the lever  148  as the lever  148  is rotated. A protrusion  153  on the lever  148  engages the pin  149  to act as a stop limiting the degree of rotation of the lever, the stop  153  abutting the pin  149  when the lever  148  is in the closed or locked position. 
         [0029]    The cam or eccentric profile of the bearing edge  154  is such that the openings  151  are urged to an off center position relative to the arm  141  by the pin  149 , thus creating tension to secure the carriage arm  141  at a desired position within the opening  137 . When the lever  148  is rotated to the open or unlocked position, the cam profile  154  allows the openings to align with the arm  141 , thus releasing the tension and allowing the carriage arms  140 ,  141  to slide freely with respect to the openings  136 ,  137 . The fore/aft position of the vision device  130  may thus be moved to a desired focal distance in front of the eyes of the user, and is infinitely adjustable within the range of travel. When the lever  148  is rotated to the locked position, the arm  141  is again secured at a fixed position within the opening  137 . 
         [0030]    In the depicted preferred embodiment, an optional pivoting member  260  includes a pair of openings  264  receiving the arm  140  and is pivotable between a downward position (see  FIG. 1 ) and an upward position (see  FIG. 2 ). The pivoting member carries a sensor element  262 , which is moved into proximity with a sensor  268  on the viewing device  130  when the member  260  is pivoted down and moved out of proximity with the sensor  268  when the member  260  is pivoted up. In the depicted preferred embodiment, the sensor element  262  is a magnet and the sensor  268  may be a sensor integral with the night vision device  130  that detects or changes state in the presence or absence of the magnet, such as a reed switch, Hall Effect sensor, etc., and which can control a function of the viewing device  130 , based thereon. For example, the viewing device  130  may be configured to automatically power on the viewing device when the sensor element  262  is moved into proximity with the sensor  268  and to automatically power off the viewing device when the sensor element  262  is moved out of proximity with the sensor  268 . 
         [0031]    As best seen in  FIG. 2 , when the attached optical device  130  is not in use, the device  130  may be moved to a the stowed position by pivoting the pivoting member  168  to the upward position, thereby elevating the optical device  130  above the line of sight of the user. In this manner, the optical device  130  may be selectively moved between the viewing position and a stowed position with a single action. The member  260  may be pivoted to the upward position when the goggle is stowed (see  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0032]    The optical device  130  may advantageously be a Lucie night vision device available from Thales Angénieux SA, of Saint-Héand, France. It will be recognized, however, that the present invention may be adapted for use with all manner of night vision or other optical devices, including those with varying profiles or dimensions. 
         [0033]    In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the breakaway mechanism includes a breakaway lever  127 , which is pivotable between a first, breakaway position and a second, non-breakaway position. When the breakaway lever  127  is in the breakaway position, the engagement between the breakaway base  112  and the breakaway cover  132  is removably detachable. That is, the breakaway cover  132  will detach from the breakaway base  112  upon the application of a predetermined force. When the lever  127  is moved to the non-breakaway position, the breakaway cover  132  is rigidly attached to the breakaway base  112 . The breakaway mechanism may be as described in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 7,219,370. 
         [0034]    In an exemplary embodiment, when the breakaway lever  127  is in the first, breakaway position, protrusions  131  (e.g., which may be ball bearings) captured within and extending through openings in a breakaway housing  133  on the breakaway base  112  are resiliently urged into aligned and complimentary openings or depressions  135  on the breakaway cover  132 . The resilient urging of the members  131  is caused by spring members (not shown) within the housing  133  and allows the breakaway cover  132  to become detached from the breakaway base  112  upon the application of a predetermined force. When the lever  127  is moved to the nonbreakaway position, a cam surface (not shown) on the lever  127  compresses the internal spring members to compress and stack the spring coils and maintain the members  131  nonresiliently in the openings  135 . 
         [0035]    In addition to the safety benefit of having a breakaway connection between the breakaway cover  132  and the breakaway base  112 , the breakaway connection also provides a quick connect/disconnect mechanism for removing the optical device  130  from the helmet  108 . It will be recognized, however, that in alternative embodiments (not shown), the breakaway mechanism may be omitted. For example, in certain embodiments, the sliding plate member  114  may be adapted to carry the carriage arm  140 ,  141  and the interface plate  110  may be adapted for a direct connection to the helmet or an interface member on the helmet, preferably via a bayonet-type connection as described above or other quick connect/disconnect mechanism. 
         [0036]    The pivoting member  168  also includes an optical device mounting shoe assembly  270 , which includes a mounting shoe  272 . The mounting shoe  272  is attached to the pivot member  168  via threaded fasteners  274 . The mounting shoe  272  includes a dovetail or like receptacle  276  for removably receiving a complimentary mating mounting foot member  278  of the optical device  130 . A retention member  280  is received within an opening  282  in the mounting shoe  272 . 
         [0037]    The retention member  280  includes a forward end  281  and a rearward end  284 . A pivot pin  286  is received within channels or grooves  288  on the mounting shoe  272  and extends transversely across the aperture  282  in the mounting shoe  272 . The retention member  280  includes a groove  290  receiving the pin  286  to pivotally secure the retention member  280  in the opening  282 . 
         [0038]    A spring  292  includes a first end received within an opening  294  in the rearward end  284  of the retention member  280 . A second end of the spring  292  bears against the pivoting member  168 . In operation, the spring  292  urges the rearward end  284  into a complimentary depression or opening  296  on the mounting foot  278 . A release button  298  is slidably received between the mounting shoe  278  and the pivoting member  168 . A pair of springs  300  urges the button  298  to the locked position. 
         [0039]    In operation, to remove the optical device  130  from the mounting shoe assembly  270 , the button  298  is manually pressed inwardly. A ramped or inclined surface  302  slidingly engages the forward surface  281  of the retention member  280 , urging it downward as the button  298  is depressed inward. As the retention member  280  pivots about the pin  286 , the rearward end  284  moves upward against the bias of the spring  292 , thereby disengaging the complimentary receptacle  296  on the mounting foot  278 , allowing the optical unit  130  to be removed. 
         [0040]    In the depicted preferred embodiment, the optical device  130  has an integral mounting shoe  304 , which receives a complimentary reinforcement foot  306 . The mounting foot  278  and the reinforcement foot  306  are rigidly secured to the integral shoe  304  of the optical device  130  via a threaded fastener  308 . The reinforcement foot  306  and mounting foot  278  may be formed of a plastic material, or more preferably, a metal or metal alloy for greater strength. It will be recognized, however, that the reinforcement foot  306  and mounting foot  278  could be omitted and that the mounting shoe assembly  270  could be adapted to attach directly to an attachment member  304  that is integral to the device  130 . 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIGS. 7-11 , there appears a second exemplary embodiment helmet mounting system  400 , which includes a bracket  404  attached to the front portion of a helmet  108 . The exemplary bracket  404  is secured to the front of the helmet  108 , e.g., via a plurality of threaded fasteners  409 . Again, the illustrated mounting bracket is exemplary only and other mounting brackets are also contemplated as described above. 
         [0042]    A breakaway base  412  is secured to the mounting bracket  404 . The breakaway base  412  includes a sliding plate  414  which slides vertically with respect to an interface plate  410  engaging the breakaway base  412 , e.g., via threaded fasteners  411 . 
         [0043]    As best seen in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , a pivoting lever  418  allows the sliding plate  414  to slide with respect to the interface plate  410  to provide a vertical adjustment of an attached optical device relative to the eyes of the user. The lever  418  rotates between a locked position, wherein the sliding plate  414  is fixed relative to the interface plate  410 , and an unlocked position, wherein the sliding plate  414  is free to travel up and down vertically relative to the interface plate  410 . 
         [0044]    The lever  418  is connected to a lock  502  having a T-shaped cross-sectional shape via a threaded fastener  504 . The lock  502  engages and disengages from a slot or track  506  when the lever  418  is pivoted between the locked and unlocked positions, respectively. A wave spring  508 , preferably a heavy-duty wave spring, is located under the lever  418 , which applies enough pressure to keep the sliding plate  414  locked in a fixed vertical position when the lever  418  is in the locked position. The T-shaped lock  502  has ramps on the leading edges so that when the lever  418  is rotated, the ramps engage the T-track  506  first and compress the wave spring  508  as the lever  418  is rotated to the locked position. The ramps disengage from the track  506  when the lever  418  is rotated to the unlocked position. The track  506  is defined by elongate track members  507  which, in turn, ride in a generally T-shaped channel  509  formed in the member  414 , the channel  509  being complimentary in size and shape to the track members  507 . 
         [0045]    A top plate  520  is secured to the sliding plate  414  via threaded fasteners  522  to capture the track  506  within the slot  509  and limit the downward of the sliding plate  414  relative to the interface plate  410 . A similar stop may likewise be provided at the lower end of the slot  509  to capture the protrusions  507  within the slot  509  and limit the upward extent of movement of the sliding plate member  414  relative to the interface plate  410 . 
         [0046]    As best seen in  FIG. 11 , the mounting apparatus  400  may be secured to the bracket  404  in breakaway fashion. The breakaway feature works by pressing the breakaway button  427  to the right (relative to the user) when the mount is installed on the helmet and the serrated release button  510  is pushed all the way to the right. The breakaway button includes an elongate, transverse opening  511  receiving pins  513 . The opening  511  includes a stepped profile  515  engaging a notch  517  in a locking tongue member  412 . 
         [0047]    By pushing the breakaway button  427  to the right, the stepped profile  515  raises the locking tongue  512  to a “half way” point and holds it there against the urging of a biasing spring  519 . By holding it at the half way point, the locking tongue  512  is now positioned so that a small inclined or ramped surface  514  is engaged on the locking lip or edge surface  413  (see  FIG. 8 ) surface of the bracket  404  instead of the flat surface portion  516  of the locking tongue  512  as is the case when the breakaway button  427  is moved to the left. With the ramp  514  engaged on the mating surface  413  of the bracket  404 , the mount can be broken away from the helmet by an impact or application of force in the generally upward direction. 
         [0048]    The release buttons  510  are adjoined by a slider  531  engaging a slot  541  in the tongue  512 . The slider  531  includes first and second elongate openings  533  and an angled elongate slot  535 . Pins  537  affixed to the base  412  run in the respective slots  533 . Pin  539  in the tongue  512  runs in the angled slot  535  to selectively raise and lower the tongue  512  when the slider  531  is moved side to side. To remove the mount  400  from the helmet  108 , the slider is moved to the left, which moves the tongue  512  upward to disengage the tongue  512  from the complimentary depression or receptacle (not shown) on the bracket  404 . 
         [0049]    Carriage arms  140 ,  141  extend from corresponding openings in the sliding plate member  414 . The remainder of the helmet mound embodiment  400  is otherwise as described above by way of reference to the first exemplary helmet mount embodiment  100 , including the carriage arms  140 ,  141 , the transverse carriage member  152 , the pivot arm  168 , the mounting shoe assembly  270 , mounting foot  278 , the reinforcement foot  306 , the optional magnetic sensor element, and so forth, the descriptions of which set forth above are likewise applicable and incorporated here. 
         [0050]    The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.