Patent Publication Number: US-11659881-B2

Title: Helmet cover assembly having at least one mounting device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/238,493 filed on Feb. 12, 2014, which is a U.S. National Stage filing of International Patent Application No. PCT/US13/46081 filed on Jun. 17, 2013 entitled “Helmet Cover Assembly Having At Least One Mounting Device”, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/660,926 filed Jun. 18, 2012 entitled “Helmet Cover Assembly Having At Least One Mounting Device”, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to a helmet cover assembly having at least one mounting device. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment there is a helmet cover assembly comprising a cover configured to extend over a helmet and at least one mounting device attached to the cover. In a further embodiment, the helmet cover includes a backing plate coupled to the at least one mounting device. In one embodiment, the cover is sandwiched between the backing plate and the at least one mounting device. In one embodiment, the backing plate is coupled to two or more of the at least one mounting device. In one embodiment, an outer periphery of the backing plate extends past an outer periphery of at least one of the at least one mounting device. In one embodiment, the backing plate has a contour that matches a corresponding contour of the helmet. In one embodiment, the cover couples the backing plate and at least one mounting device to the helmet. In one embodiment, the backing plate extends at least half way around a periphery of the helmet. 
     In one embodiment, the cover is coupled to the helmet by one or more fasteners. In one embodiment, the one or more fasteners includes one or more hook and pile fasteners configured to attach to an inside surface of the helmet. In one embodiment, the at least one mount includes a night vision goggle mount. In one embodiment, the at least one mount includes at least one side rail mount. In one embodiment, the at least one mount includes a night vision goggle mount and two side rail mounts. In one embodiment, the cover extends over an entire outer surface of the helmet. In one embodiment, the cover extends over a bottom edge of the helmet and is releasably coupled to an inside surface of the helmet. In one embodiment, the cover is attachable to the helmet using only hook and pile fasteners. In one embodiment, the cover is comprised of a non-elastic material. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following detailed description of embodiments of the helmet cover assembly, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings of an exemplary embodiment. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG.  1    is a side perspective view of a prior art helmet; 
         FIG.  2    is a front view of a helmet cover assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown on a helmet; 
         FIG.  3    is a side view of the helmet cover shown in  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  4    is a bottom view of the helmet cover shown in  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of the helmet cover shown in  FIG.  2    removed from the helmet and without the cover; and 
         FIG.  6    is a partial bottom view of the helmet cover shown in  FIG.  2    removed from the helmet. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in  FIGS.  2 - 8    a helmet cover assembly, generally designated  16 , in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     Helmets for head protection are worn in a variety of environments and for various purposes including adventure, sporting, police and military purposes. An exemplary ballistic helmet used in the military is shown in  FIG.  1   . Accessories may be added or attached to the helmet according to the needs of the wearer and the demands of the environment in which the helmet is to be used. Accessories may include night vision goggles, lights, strobe lights, face shields, neck protection, headsets, video cameras, sunglasses, goggles, oxygen masks and other devices. The method of attaching accessories may include attaching a mount to the helmet shell. The accessory may be releasably coupled to the mount so the accessory can be removed from the helmet when not in use. Mounts are typically attached to helmet shell  10  by using screws or snaps requiring holes to be drilled in the shell or straps that are clamped or clipped to an edge  10   b  of helmet shell  10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  2  and  3   , in one embodiment, helmet cover assembly  16  includes one or more mounting devices  20 ,  22  that are secured to a cover  18  for attachment of accessory components  26 . Referring to  FIGS.  5  and  6   , in some embodiments, one or more mounting devices  20 ,  22  are attached to cover  18  through the use of fasteners  24  and one or more backing plates  30  with cover  18  sandwiched in between mounting devices  20 ,  22  and backing plates  30 . Referring to  FIGS.  2  and  4   , in some embodiments, cover  18  extends over an exterior  10   a  (see  FIG.  1   ) of a helmet shell  10  and attaches via one or more cover fasteners  28  on the inside surface of helmet shell  10 . Cover  18  may be sized and shaped to be snug or otherwise secured to exterior  10   a  of helmet shell  10  to minimize the movement of mounting devices  20 ,  22  relative to helmet shell  10  during use. 
     In some embodiments, attaching mounting devices  20 ,  22  to helmet cover assembly  16  rather than directly to helmet shell  10  eliminates or at least reduces the need to drill mounting holes in helmet shell  10  that may affect the performance properties of helmet shell  10 . In some embodiments, attaching mounting devices  20 ,  22  to helmet cover assembly  16  rather than directly to helmet shell  10  allows a user to more quickly mount and remove mounting devices  20 ,  22  to and from helmet shell  10 . In some embodiments, attaching mounting devices  20 ,  22  to helmet cover assembly  16  rather than directly to helmet shell  10  allows a user to more quickly exchange a mounting configuration for a different mounting configuration. In some embodiments, attaching mounting devices  20 ,  22  to helmet cover assembly  16  rather than directly to helmet shell  10  allows a user to quickly install all of the necessary mounting device  20 ,  22  at once rather than attach each mounting device  20 ,  22  individually. In some embodiments, attaching mounting devices  20 ,  22  to helmet cover assembly  16  rather than directly to helmet shell  10  allows a user to attach one or more mounting devices to helmet shell  10  without the use of tools. In some embodiments, attaching mounting devices  20 ,  22  to helmet cover assembly  16  rather than directly to helmet shell  10  allows a user to incorporate the appropriate camouflage pattern or color to helmet shell  10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  2  and  3   , in one embodiment, the material used for cover  18  is configured to provide a stable base for attaching mounting devices  20 ,  22  to helmet shell  10 . Cover  18  may extend over the entire exterior surface  10   a  of helmet shell  10 . In one embodiment, cover  18  extends substantially over the entire exterior surface  10   a  of helmet shell  10 . In other embodiments, cover  18  includes one or more openings to expose one or more portions of exterior surface  10   a  of helmet shell  10 . Cover  18  may be resistant to tearing, ripping and stretching. In one embodiment, cover  18  is non-elastic. In one embodiment, cover  18  is flexible. In one embodiment, cover  18  is comprised of a textile. In one embodiment, cover  18  is comprised of a fabric. In one embodiment, cover  18  is comprised of canvas. In one embodiment, cover  18  is comprised of ripstop. In one embodiment, cover  18  is comprised of twill. Cover  18  may include a pattern or image. In one embodiment, cover  18  is camouflage patterned. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  5  and  6   , in some embodiments, one or more backing plates  30  are used to attach the mounting devices  20 ,  22  to cover  18 . Cover  18  may be sandwiched between backing plate  30  and mounting devices  20 ,  22 . In one such embodiment, outer surface  30   b  of backing plate  30  contacts mounting devices  20 ,  22  and inner surface  30   a  of backing plate  30  contacts exterior surface  10   a  of helmet shell  10 . Alternatively, backing plate  30  may be positioned in between layers of cover  18  such that the entire thickness of cover  18  is only partially sandwiched between backing plate  30  and mounting devices  20 ,  22 . In one such embodiment, only cover  18  contacts exterior surface  10   a  of helmet shell  10 . Backing plate  30  may be provided to help secure mounting devices  20 ,  22  to cover  18 . Backing plate  30  may be provided to stabilize mounting devices  20 ,  22  relative to helmet shell  10 . In one embodiment, backing plate  30  is stiffer than cover  18 . In one embodiment, backing plate  30  is flexible enough to generally conform to the shape of helmet shell  10  while strong enough to prevent mounting devices  20 ,  22  from detaching from cover  18 . In some embodiments, backing plate  30  is substantially rigid. In some embodiments, backing plate  30  is pre-shaped to match the contour of helmet shell  10 . 
     In one embodiment, backing plate  30  is comprised of a thermoset plastic. In one embodiment, backing plate  30  is comprised of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. In one embodiment, backing plate  30  is comprised of polyethylene. In one embodiment, backing plate  30  is comprised of KYDEX®, or acrylic-polyvinyl chloride materials. In one embodiment, backing plate  30  is comprised of 0.030 inch thick, grade  1 , class M polyethylene. In one embodiment, backing plate  30  is comprised of 0.040 inch thick, grade  1 , class L polyethylene. In one embodiment, backing plate  30  is comprised of 0.032 inch thick virgin acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, spectrum #250, type B210 B33420 such as ROYALITE®. In some embodiments, backing plate  30  is comprised of metal. In some embodiments, backing plate  30  is comprised of aluminum. In one embodiment, backing plate  30  is approximately 0.060 inches thick. 
     Backing plate  30  may be a single component that is secured to two or more mounting devices  20 ,  22 . The footprint of backing plate  30  may be larger than the footprint of mounting devices  20 ,  22 . In one embodiment, backing plate  30  extends more than half way around the periphery of helmet shell  10 . In one embodiment, backing plate  30  extends around the entire periphery of helmet shell  10 . In one embodiment, backing plate  30  extends approximately three quarters of the way around the periphery of helmet shell  10 . In one embodiment, backing plate  30  generally matches the outer perimeter of mounting devices  20 ,  22 . In one embodiment, backing plate  30  generally matches the outer contour of mounting devices  20 ,  22  and extends between mounting devices  20 ,  22  in order to connect mounting devices  20 ,  22  to one another. In one embodiment, mounting devices  20 ,  22  are attached to backing plate  30  and then the backing plate  30  is trimmed to generally match the outer contour of mounting devices  20 ,  22 . Attaching mounting devices  20 ,  22  relative to one another through backing plate  30  may help to minimize movement of cover  18  and make the backing plate  30  stronger. 
     In other embodiments, each mounting device  20 ,  22  has a separate backing plate  30 . In some embodiments, separate backing plates  30  are attached to one another to form a single base. In one embodiment, adjacent backing plates  30  are coupled to one another at an adjustable length. Providing an adjustable length between backing plates  30  may allow for use with different sized helmet shells  10 . In one embodiment, adjacent backing plates  30  are coupled to one another using overlapping hook and pile portions. In one embodiment, adjacent backing plates  30  are coupled to one another using a strap having one or more adjustment slides. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  2 ,  5  and  6   , in one embodiment, mounting devices  20 ,  22  are attached to backing plate  30  using one or more fasteners  24 . In one embodiment, backing plate  30  includes one or more holes for accepting fasteners  24 . In one embodiment, at least a portion of cover  18  is positioned between backing plate  18  and mounting device  20 ,  22  and one or more fasteners is added to secure the assembly together. In one embodiment, fasteners  24  include a nut or plate  24   a  configured to secure fastener  24  to backing plate  30 . In one embodiment, plate  24   a  is generally flush with backing plate  30 . In one embodiment, plate  24   a  is at least twice as wide as the diameter of hole through which fastener  24  extends through. Plate  24   a  may be configured to prevent fastener  24  from being pulled through backing plate  30 . In one embodiment, fasteners  24  are rivets. In one embodiment, fasteners  24  include a screw. In one embodiment, fasteners  24  are grommets. In one embodiment, fasteners  24  include a fastener used to secure a mounting device  20 ,  22  directly to helmet shell  10 . In one embodiment, fasteners  24  include a projection from backing plate  30  or mounting device  20 ,  22  that is heat welded to fasten backing plate  30  and mounting device  20 ,  22  together. 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , in some embodiments, cover  18  may include one or more prefabricated slots or holes for receiving fasteners  24 . Such openings may have a sewn edge or are seared to prevent fraying of cover  18  around the periphery of the opening. In other embodiments, no pre-existing holes are provided in cover  18  and fasteners  24  are forced through cover  18 . In some embodiments, backing plate  30  is secured to cover  18 . In one embodiment, backing plate  30  is sewn to cover  18 . In one embodiment, backing plate  30  is glued to cover  18 . In one embodiment, fasteners in addition to fasteners  24  are used to secure backing plate  30  to cover  18 . Cover  18  may include one or more pockets for retraining at least a portion of backing plate  30 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  4   , in one embodiment, cover  18  attaches helmet cover assembly  16  to helmet shell  10 . In one embodiment, only cover  18  couples mounting devices  20 ,  22  to helmet shell  10 . In one embodiment, cover  18  wraps around bottom edge  10   b  of helmet shell  10 . In one embodiment, cover  18  wraps around the entire bottom edge  10   b  of helmet shell  10 . In one embodiment, helmet cover assembly  16  includes one or more cover fasteners  28  to secure cover  18  to helmet shell  10 . In one embodiment, cover  18  and cover fasteners  28  are configured to substantially prevent movement of cover  18  relative to helmet shell  10 . In one embodiment, cover  18  is pulled into a snug relationship with helmet shell  10  before attaching cover  18  to helmet shell  10  with cover fasteners  28 . In one embodiment, cover  18  is shaped such that once cover  18  is in place on helmet shell  10 , cover  18  snuggly fits onto helmet shell  10 . 
     In one embodiment, cover fasteners  28  include one or more hook and pile strips attached proximate to edge  18   a  of cover  18 . In one embodiment, cover  18  includes a plurality of cover fasteners  28  spaced around edge  18   a . In one embodiment, cover fasteners  28  include corresponding fasteners mounted to the inside surface of helmet shell  10  proximate a bottom edge  10   b . The corresponding fasteners mounted to the inside surface of helmet shell  10  may include preexisting fasteners such as those used to retain padding 32. In other embodiments, additional corresponding fasteners are provided. In other embodiments, cover  18  may include a strap or elastic band to retain cover  18  to helmet shell  10 . In one embodiment, cover  18  includes one or more clips to secure cover  18  to edge  10   b  of the helmet shell  10 . 
     In one embodiment, cover  18  retains helmet cover assembly  16  to helmet shell  10  without any fasteners extending into helmet shell  10 . In one embodiment, cover assembly  16  is mountable onto helmet shell  10  without the use of tools. In one embodiment, cover  18  retains helmet cover assembly  16  to helmet shell  10  without having to modify the original helmet. In one embodiment, cover  18  retains helmet cover assembly  16  to helmet shell  10  without having to drill additional holes into helmet shell  10 . In one embodiments, one or more pre-existing fasteners  12  (See  FIG.  1   ) or a fastener configured to use the pre-existing helmet holes, may be configured to extend through backing plate  30  to further secure helmet cover assembly  16  to helmet shell  10 . For example, pre-existing fasteners  12  used to secure chinstrap  14  to helmet shell  10  may be replaced with longer fasteners configured to extend through mounting device  22 , cover  18 , and backing plate  30  to further secure helmet cover assembly  16  to helmet shell  10 . 
     Helmet cover assembly  16  may be configured such that it can substantially support the weight of and forces exerted on the accessories as if mounting devices  20 ,  22  were attached directly to helmet shell  10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  2  and  3   , in some embodiments, mounting devices  20 ,  22  may include but are not limited to one or more mounting devices such as rails (e.g., an ARC or Picatinny rail) and/or night vision goggle (“NVG”) mounts (e.g. a shroud mount).  FIG.  2    shows an exemplary embodiment having one NVG mount (e.g., mounting device  20 ), secured by shroud mount fasteners, (e.g. fasteners  24  attached to mounting device  20 ), and two side ARC rails. In one embodiment, one or more additional helmet cover assemblies  16  may be provided in order to attach different mounting mechanisms  20 ,  22  and/or a different color or patterned cover  18  and/or mounting devices  20 ,  22 . Since mounting devices  20 ,  22  are typically attached directly to helmet shell  10  or other platform surface, they may be contoured to match exterior surface  10   a  of helmet shell  10 . In some embodiments, matching the contour of helmet shell  10  is not necessary as backing plate  30  can be configured to match exterior surface  10   a  of helmet shell  10  while attaching to whatever contour the mounting device may have. 
     In one embodiment, cover  18  is configured to make mounting devices  20 ,  22  more flush with the helmet as compared to attaching the same mounting devices  20 ,  22  directly to helmet shell  10 . In one embodiment, cover  18  is configured to cover or reduce the distance that an edge or projection on mounting devices  20 ,  22  extend from helmet shell  10  and could catch on something such as a parachute shroud line when mounting device  20 ,  22  is not attached with an accessory. 
     In addition to mounting devices  20 ,  22 , in some embodiments, cover  18  also includes pile tape, goggle retaining straps, IR patches, battery pouch or other items to support user requirements. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the exemplary embodiments shown and described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown and described, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. For example, specific features of the exemplary embodiments may or may not be part of the claimed invention and features of the disclosed embodiments may be combined. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a”, “an” and “the” are not limited to one element but instead should be read as meaning “at least one”. 
     It is to be understood that at least some of the figures and descriptions of the invention have been simplified to focus on elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, other elements that those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate may also comprise a portion of the invention. However, because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do not necessarily facilitate a better understanding of the invention, a description of such elements is not provided herein.