Patent Publication Number: US-2017356723-A1

Title: Ballistic and impact protective military helmet assembly

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of and is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/419,038, filed on Mar. 13, 2012, and entitled, “Ballistic and Impact Protective Military Helmet Assembly”, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61/452,462, filed Mar. 14, 2011, each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     REFERENCE TO GOVERNMENT FUNDING 
     This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. W911QY-10-C-0121, awarded by the U.S. Army Material Command, a division of the United States Department of Defense. The Government has certain rights in this invention. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to helmet assemblies having multiple components such as face shields, mandibles, or mouth guards and accessories. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A number of protective and military helmets are known, such as the helmet known as the Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH), which was a successor to the Personnel Armor System Ground Troops (PASGT) such as shown in US Patent Des. 242,088. Further, military and law-enforcement helmets with face shields are known such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,901,369 and 4,536,892. These face shields provide pivot arrangements on opposite lateral sides of the face shield to allow the face shield to be pivoted upward away from the user&#39;s face when the face shield is not deployed. The face shield is held in a deployed position in front of the user&#39;s face by locking of the pivot arrangements. 
     The present inventors recognize a need for a helmet with increased coverage, improved ballistic performance, improved impact performance, and improved freedom of movement. The inventors recognize a need for a helmet that has a closer conformity with the user&#39;s head and is lighter with improved equipment compatibility. The inventors further recognize a need for a redesign communication system to fit within their revised helmet having a closer conformity with a user&#39;s head. 
     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, heads-up displays, GPS units, batteries, communication systems, and other accessories. 
     The present inventors also recognize 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 the lower edge of the helmet to carry power and/or data over one or more conduits. 
     The present inventors recognize a need for a helmet with anchor mounts formed in the helmet shell and thereby eliminate the need for through holes that are generally found in certain prior art helmets for mounting accessories. 
     Some prior art helmet strap systems have as many as five buckles or points of adjustment for adjusting the various straps used to secure the helmet to a user&#39;s head. The inventors recognized a need to eliminate the several buckle strap adjustments of the prior helmet strap systems. The present inventors recognize a need for improved helmet retention system that reduces complexity and one in which a user may operate with only one hand. 
     The present inventors further recognize a need for a face guard or mandible that provides access to a user&#39;s mouth. Further, the present inventors recognize a need for a mandible that is removable with one hand by a centrally located release mechanism. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a helmet assembly including a front mount configured to attached to the front of the helmet above a brim of the helmet, a mandible for protecting a portion of the user&#39;s face, an accessory-mounting rim portion, such as a “halo”, attached along the lower edge of the helmet for securing the mandible to a helmet and providing power and data conduits, and attachment location for other accessories. 
     In one embodiment, the helmet assembly includes a face shield and the front mount provides a 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. 
     In one embodiment, the front mount includes left and right bracket portions that extend laterally across a portion of the front of the helmet adjacent to the brim. The bracket portions have edge lips on sides of the bracket portion for retaining an accessory. The edge lips can be upper and lower edge lips that extend vertically toward each other. Each bracket portion has a rearward extending lateral accessory engagement portion for attachment of accessories, such as an LED. 
     In one embodiment, the helmet assembly has a helmet that includes a right and left ear coverage areas, an upper portion, a stiffening ridge, a rear portion, and a bottom edge. The rear coverage areas are connected to the upper portion on opposite lateral sides. The rear portion is connected to the upper portion at the rear of the helmet shell. The stiffening ridge joins the each ear coverage area with the upper portion. The stiffening ridge also joins the rear portion with the upper portion. 
     The stiffening ridge offsets the upper portion from the left ear coverage area, the right ear coverage area, and the rear portion. The offset between the upper portion and rear portion is less than the offset between the upper portion and each of the ear coverage areas. The helmet can comprise at least two steps along the lower edge. The lower most portion of the rear portion is below the lower most portions of the ear coverage areas to provide increase head and neck protection in the rear. The helmet shell comprises an upper brim edge and the stiffening ridge bridges between the upper brim edge and the ear coverage areas at a front of the helmet. The stiffening ridge extends from the brim edge on a first side of the helmet continuously around the helmet to the brim edge on a second side of the helmet. 
     The helmet can have a center anchor, opposite lateral front anchors, and a rear anchor. Each anchor is formed on the outside surface of the helmet shell, therefore all helmet through-holes are eliminated. The center anchor and the rear anchor can be centered on the front-to-back midplane of the helmet. 
     The accessory-mounting rim portion, such as a halo, has at least two steps as shown from a side view that match the two steps of the lower helmet edge. Therefore, the accessory-mounting rim portion has a form the matches the continuous edge of the helmet along its circumference around the helmet. 
     In one embodiment, the accessory-mounting rim portion comprises a hook receiver and a locking pin recess for securing the mandible to the accessory-mounting rim portion. The hook receiver is located ahead of the locking pin recess. The accessory-mounting rim portion has a strike plate adjacent to the locking pin recess for buffering or absorbing contact between a pin of the mandible and the accessory-mounting rim portion before the pin engages the recess. 
     In one embodiment, the accessory-mounting rim portion comprises a power conduit, a computer data conduit, or both. The accessory-mounting rim portion may have a rear port for receiving a cable connection where the cable connection may be capable of carrying power or data or both. 
     In one embodiment, the helmet assembly has a battery configured to attach to the rear of the accessory-mounting rim portion and extend upward along the rear of the helmet. The battery may be in communication with the conduits of the accessory-mounting rim portion for powering accessories attached to the helmet. 
     In one embodiment, the helmet assembly has a GPS holder attached to the rear anchor. 
     In one embodiment, the mandible comprises right and left cheek protecting portions connected at the front by a mouth protecting portion and the mouth protecting portion has a front cover that is openable by a pivotal connection with the mouth protecting portion. The cover has a closed position for protecting a user, an open position for permitting access to a user&#39;s mouth, and a release position that actuates a release mechanism for releasing the mandible from connection to the lower edge accessory-mounting rim portion. 
     A mounting mechanism of the mandible has a hook and a sliding pin at the rear of each of the left and right cheek protecting portions. The hook is configured to pivotally engage a hook receiver such as a hook engaging element, a hole or a bar on the accessory-mounting rim portion and the pin is configured to engage a locking pin recess on the accessory-mounting rim portion. This arrangement provides a pivotal one hand attachment and detachment of the mandible from the accessory-mounting rim portion. 
     In one embodiment, the helmet assembly includes a heads-up display releasably securable to the bracket portion of the front mount. The heads-up-display may have a retractable display screen that is positioned inside the visor. The heads-up display may receive power and data from the conduit(s) of the accessory-mounting rim portion. 
     In one embodiment, the helmet assembly has a communications system with a pair of ear cups in signal communication with the accessory-mounting rim portion. The ear cups have a speaker and padding for providing a predefined level of ear protection from external sound sources. The ear cups have a reduced depth to be configured to fit between the conformal helmet shell and a user. 
     In one embodiment, the helmet assembly has a helmet retention system for securing the helmet to a user&#39;s head. The helmet retention system is adjustable by one hand. The retention system has a front chin contact strap for crossing the front of a user&#39;s chin, a lower chin contact strap for extending under a user&#39;s chin, a first reel rotatable to tighten or loosen the front chin contact strap, a second reel rotatable to tighten or loosen the lower chin contact strap. A first reeling strap connects the ends of the lower chin contact strap to the first reel, and a second reeling strap connects the ends of the front chin contact strap to the second reel. The first and second reels may be located on the accessory-mounting rim portion at the rear of the accessory-mounting rim portion. 
     In one embodiment, the helmet assembly has a goggle clip receiver mount attached to the rear of the accessory-mounting rim portion. A pair of goggle clips are connectable with securing straps of a goggle and the goggle clips are releasably securable within the goggle clip receivers to secure goggle straps around to the rear of the helmet. The goggle clip receiver mount may include a battery that is signal connected with the accessory-mounting rim portion. 
     In one embodiment, the helmet assembly has a night vision enhancing device releasably attached to the front mount. In one embodiment, the front mount has a center vent. 
     In one embodiment, the helmet assembly has a mask positionable under the helmet for covering a user&#39;s face to provide protection against chemical, biological, nuclear, or radiological exposure. The mask may be used with or without a balaclava positionable under the helmet. 
     Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, and from the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the helmet assembly of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the helmet assembly a  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a left side view of the helmet assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a rear view of the helmet assembly at  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a helmet. 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of the helmet of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a left side view of the helmet of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8  is a rear view of the helmet of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8A  is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view taken from  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of the helmet of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 10  is a bottom view of the helmet of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 10A  is an alternate perspective view of the helmet  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 10B  is a front sectional view of the helmet of  FIG. 5  taken along the line  10 B- 10 B of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 10C  is an exploded partial front sectional view of the helmet taken from  FIG. 10B . 
         FIG. 10D  is a left side perspective view of the helmet of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 10E  is a bottom view of the helmet of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 1OF  is a left perspective view of the helmet of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 10G  is an exploded transparent bottom view of the rear of the helmet of  FIG. 5  at the midplane with the transparent image of the rear mount removed for clarity. 
         FIG. 10H  is a perspective view of a padding for a helmet. 
         FIG. 11A  is a right side perspective view of a prior art helmet. 
         FIG. 11B  is a front sectional view of the helmet of  FIG. 11A . 
         FIG. 11C  is an exploded partial front sectional view of the helmet taken from  FIG. 11B . 
         FIG. 11D  is a left side perspective view of the helmet of  FIG. 11A . 
         FIG. 11E  is a bottom view of the helmet of  FIG. 11  A. 
         FIG. 11F  is a left side perspective view of the helmet of  FIG. 11A . 
         FIG. 12  is a right perspective view of the front mount. 
         FIG. 12A  is a right perspective view of the helmet assembly of  FIG. 1  with elements removed and an accessory attached. 
         FIG. 12B  is a schematic sectional view taken generally along line  12 B- 12 B of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 13  is a lower perspective of the accessory-mounting rim portion with a rear tower attached. 
         FIG. 14  is an upper perspective view of the accessory-mounting rim portion of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 14A  is a rear perspective view of the helmet assembly showing the helmet, the accessory-mounting rim portion and the rear battery. 
         FIG. 14B  is the helmet assembly showing the helmet, the accessory-mounting rim portion, and the rear mounted accessory. 
         FIG. 14C  is an inside perspective view of the connection between the accessory-mounting rim portion and a battery. 
         FIG. 15  is a left perspective view with a mandible having a cover in an open position. 
         FIG. 15A  is a transparent perspective view of the inside surface of the cover of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 16  is a transparent left side view of the mandible of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 17  is an enlarged transparent fragmentary view of a portion of the mandible mounting system taken from  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 18  is a fragmentary left side perspective view of the attachment of a mandible the lower edge halo. 
         FIG. 19  is a left side view showing the attachment of an alternative mandible to the lower edge halo. 
         FIG. 20  is a left side view of the mandible shown in  FIG. 19 , with the mandible in the fully attached position. 
         FIG. 21  is a front perspective view of the helmet assembly of  FIG. 1  with a heads-up display attached. 
         FIG. 22  is a rear perspective view of the heads-up display shown in  FIG. 21 . 
         FIG. 22A  is a rear transparent view of the heads-up display shown in  FIG. 22  with internal components shown. 
         FIG. 22B  is a side transparent view of the heads-up display shown in  FIG. 22  with internal components shown. 
         FIG. 23  is a front perspective view of the helmet assembly of  FIG. 1  with an external heads up display attached. 
         FIG. 23A  is an enlarged perspective view of the external heads up display of  FIG. 23 . 
         FIG. 23B  is an enlarged perspective view of mount components of the external heads up display of  FIG. 23 . 
         FIG. 24  is a right side perspective view of the helmet assembly of  FIG. 1  with a communication system attached, and other parts removed. 
         FIG. 25  is a right side schematic view of a helmet retention system. 
         FIG. 26  is a rear view of a reel housing of the helmet retention system of  FIG. 25 . 
         FIG. 26A  is a perspective, schematic view of a reel of the helmet retention system. 
         FIG. 26B  is a front fragmentary schematic view of a contact strap, loop and reeling straps of the helmet retention system. 
         FIG. 27  is a perspective left side view of one embodiment of the helmet retention system. 
         FIG. 28  is a left side view of the helmet assembly of  FIG. 1  with a night vision enhancing apparatus attached and other parts removed. 
         FIG. 29  shows a portion of the helmet assembly of  FIG. 1 , with the helmet retention system, a mask, a balaclava, and other parts removed. 
         FIG. 30  is a rear perspective view of the helmet assembly with the goggle attachment system, with some parts not shown. 
         FIG. 31A  is a front perspective view of the helmet assembly used with goggles and other parts removed. 
         FIG. 31B  is a rear perspective view of a goggle attachment system of  FIG. 30 . 
         FIG. 31C  is a front view of the goggle attachment system of  FIG. 31B . 
         FIG. 31D  is a perspective rear view of a clip of the goggle attachment system of  FIG. 31B . 
         FIG. 32  is a left side perspective view of the helmet assembly of  FIG. 1  with the face shield and the mounting arrangement in the standby raised position. 
         FIG. 33  is a front view of a mounting arrangement attached to an alternate front mount. 
         FIG. 34  is a rear perspective view of a face shield portion of a portion of the mounting arrangement shown in  FIG. 33 . 
         FIG. 35  is an enlarged, fragmentary front perspective view of an alternate front mount on an alternate helmet. 
         FIG. 36  is a front perspective view of the mounting arrangement attached to an alternate front mount. 
         FIG. 37  is a sectional view taken generally along line  37 - 37  of  FIG. 36 . 
         FIG. 38  is a front perspective view of the mounting arrangement shown in  FIG. 36  with portions removed for explanation of underlying features. 
         FIG. 38A  is a perspective view of a portion of a mounting arrangement baseplate. 
         FIG. 38B  is a perspective view of the mounting arrangement with portions removed for explanation of underlying features. 
         FIG. 38C  is a perspective view of the mounting arrangement with portions removed for explanation of underlying features. 
         FIG. 39  is a rear perspective view of a face shield assembly shown in  FIG. 1  with portions removed for explanation of underlying features. 
         FIG. 40  is a perspective view of the face shield and mounting arrangement in a lowered, use position, but slightly open for ventilation. 
         FIG. 41  is a sectional view taken generally along line  41 - 41  shown in  FIG. 40 . 
         FIG. 42  is a perspective view of the face shield and mounting arrangement shown in a raised, non-use position, such as shown in  FIG. 32 . 
         FIG. 43  is a sectional view taken generally along line  43 - 43  shown in  FIG. 42 . 
         FIG. 44  is an enlarged, front perspective view of the lever for raising the face shield, shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 45  is a rear perspective view of the lever shown in  FIG. 44 . 
         FIG. 46  is a rear view of the lever shown in  FIG. 45 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
     For ease of description, the helmet assembly and associated apparatuses herein will be described generally according to an orientation where a wearer is wearing the helmet and facing in a forward direction. Thus, the helmet has a front and forward direction corresponding to the forward direction, a rear or back spaced from the front in an opposite rearward direction, opposite sides laterally spaced apart on a left and right of the front, an upper or top corresponding generally to a direction directed toward the sky and lower or bottom generally corresponding to a downward direction directed toward the ground. 
     It should be noted that the helmet assembly described herein is symmetrical across a vertical, front-to-back midplane  167  ( FIG. 2 ) 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. 1-4  illustrate a helmet assembly  100  to be worn by a user or wearer  31  ( FIG. 7 ) according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The helmet assembly includes a helmet  134 , an accessory-mounting rim portion  200 , such as a halo, attached to the lower edge of the helmet, a mandible operatively connected to the helmet by the accessory-mounting rim portion  200 . A protective face shield, such as a transparent visor or transparent face shield  138  is also operatively connected to the helmet, substantially between a front of the helmet  134  and the mandible  300 . A mounting arrangement  142  is operatively connected to the helmet  134  and to the face shield  138  which allows movement of the face shield  138  with respect to the helmet. The mounting arrangement  142  includes a shield mount  142   e  and a front helmet mount  144 . 
     Helmet 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5-10H , the helmet  134  has a conformal shell that more closely matches the shape of a user&#39;s head as compared with prior art helmet  10 , such as the traditional bell shaped helmets, including the ACH. A prior art helmet  10  is shown in  FIGS. 11A-F . The bell shaped helmets get wider, as shown by directional arrows B in  FIG. 11B , at the bottom with increased helmet size. This is in contrast to conformal shells of the helmet  134  which do not get wider at the bottom as the size of the helmet increases. 
     One reason why bell shaped helmets exist is that they are formed with a matching die set in a mold arrangement. The matching die set includes a male part and a female part, where the helmet is formed their between. A bell shaped helmet is required in such a mold otherwise the helmet could not be removed from the female shaped part of the mold—without great difficulty, if at all—because the conformal shape of the helmet was adhere to the female mold portion. However the conformal shell helmet  134  may be manufactured using a flexible bladder on at least one side of the mold so that the bladder may be collapsed after molding is complete and apart removed without any adherence problems to a female portion of the mold such as exists with match die type molds. 
       FIG. 5-10  shows the helmet  134  having, right and left ear coverage areas  146 , an upper portion  147 , a stiffening ridge  140 , a lower rear portion  143 , a bottom edge, and a plurality of anchors or mounts  115 ,  116 ,  118 ,  119 . Although four mounts are shown, it is encompassed by the invention that one, two or three of the mounts are used. The ear coverage areas  146  and the lower rear portion  143  are contiguous with the upper portion  147  of the helmet via a stiffening ridge  140 . The stiffening ridge  140  comprises opposite side stiffening ridge portions  140   c  and a rear stiffening ridge portion  140   d . The rear stiffening ridge portion  140   d  extends between opposite rear stiffening ridge ends  146   b . The side stiffening ridge portions  140   c  are continuous with the rear stiffening ridge portion  140   d . The rear stiffening ridge  140   d  connects the lower rear portion  143  with the upper portion  147 , as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
     The ear coverage areas provide addition space within the helmet to accommodate a user&#39;s ear and communication equipment that may be needed in the ear area. As shown in  FIGS. 9, 10C, and 10G , an outside lateral offset  140   e  between an outside surface of the upper portion  147  and an outside surface of the ear coverage areas  146  is greater than a rear outside offset  142   a  between an outside surface of the upper portion  147  and an outside surface of the lower rear portion  143 . Similarly, the inside lateral offset  140   f  between inside surface of an upper portion  147  and inside surface of the ear coverage areas  146  is greater than rear inside offset  142   b  between the inside surface of the upper portion  147  and the inside surface of the lower rear portion  143 . 
     The outside lateral offset  140   e  increases from the ends  146   b  toward the front of the helmet along the ear coverage areas to a max point in the ear coverage areas. The stiffening strength of the stiffening ridge  140  is enhanced by the fact that the side stiffening ridges  140   c  are contiguous and/or joined with the rear stiffening ridge  140   d . The stiffening is achieved by the offset of the ear coverage areas  146  and the lower rear portion  143  from the upper portion  147 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the bottom edge of the helmet comprises a top eyewear area edge or upper brim edge  166 , opposite eyewear area edges  163 , opposite ear area lower recessed edges  164 , opposite ear area to lower back edge transitions  165 , and a lower back edge  162 . The top eyewear area edge  166  is contiguous with the respective opposite eyewear area edges  163 . The opposite eyewear area edges  163  are contiguous with the respective ear area lower recessed edges  164 . The lower ear area to lower back edge transitions  165  are contiguous to the areas  164  and are contiguous with the lower back edge  162 .  FIG. 7  shows that his configuration results in the helmet having a two-step side profile created by the ear area lower recessed edges  164  and the lower back edge  162 . Also, the stiffening ridge  140  has an upward slope from a top eyewear area edge  166  to the midplane  167  at the back of the helmet. 
     The side eyewear area edges  163  are recessed at a height and depth relative to the helmet to create compatibility with eyewear, such as goggles and visors, and to provide substantially an unobstructed view for the user. The maximum distance between the inside surface of the right ear coverage area  146  and the corresponding left ear coverage area  146  is less than the prior art ACH military helmet, improving conformity with a users head. 
     The helmet comprises an eyewear recessed area  160  and an under-ear recessed area  161 . The eyewear recessed area  160  extends from the top eyewear area edge  166  to the bottom edge of the ear area lower edges  164 . It will be understood that eyewear or visors may extend below the eyewear recessed area  160  when mounted to the helmet. The under-ear recessed area  161  extends from the ear area lower edge  164  to the lower back edge  162 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6-8 , the top eyewear area edge  166  slopes upward from the opposite stiffening ridges  140   c  to the center  166   a  of the top eyewear area edge  166  at the midplane  167 . The lower back edge  162  slopes downward from the ends  162   c ,  162   e  of the lower back edge transitions downward toward a center  162   b  of the lower back edge at the midplane  167 . The center  162   b  is the vertically lowest point of the helmet when upright standard position. A span  168  exists between the ends  162   c ,  162   e  and the center  162   b . The distance between the ends  162   c  and  162   e  is greater than the distance between the opposite ends  146   b  of the rear stiffening ridge portion  140   d.    
     As shown in  FIGS. 5, 7, 8, and 10F , the rear portion  143  of the helmet has a bottom band or portion  170  extending across the back of the helmet that corresponds to the under-ear recessed area  161 . The bottom portion  170  is the portion of the rear portion  143  that extends below the ear area lower recessed edge  164 . The bottom portion  170  provides addition rear head and neck protection. 
     As shown in comparison  FIGS. 1OF and 11F , the helmet  134  extends further down the neck of the wearer with the bottom portion  170  than the depicted prior art helmet. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7, 10, and 10G , the rear portion  143  has an inward curve toward the user in the direction I as the rear portion  143  extends downward from the rear stiffening ridge portion  140   d  to an inner back face  162   a  at the lower back edge  162 . The inward curve provides for an offset  143   a  between the stiffening ridge and the inner back face  162   a  of the lower back edge  162 . 
     The arc of the upper portion  147  meets the arc of the rear portion  143  in the rear stiffening ridge portion  140   d  at the rear most point  142   c . The rear most point  142   c  of the helmet, when in the upright standard position, is located at the rear of the helmet in the stiffening ridge  140   d . The rear most point  142   c  is located above the top eyewear area edge  166  when the helmet is in the upright standard position, as shown in  FIG. 7 . The rear stiffening ridge  140   d  at the midplane  167  is located above the top eyewear area edge  166  when the helmet is in the upright standard position. Therefore the rear portion  143  extends vertically from above top eyewear area edge  166  downward. 
     The location of the user ear recessed area is provided to allow situational awareness. The situational awareness is achieved by a closer conformity of the helmet  134  to the user&#39;s head as well as the extent to which the ear coverage areas  146  extend downward. Each of these attributes allows a user to detect activity in the peripheral part of their vision where that vision is not blocked by the helmet. The bottom portion  170  extends below the ear area lower edges  164  and provides additional protection to the head and neck area, while maintaining the needed amount of freedom of movement with respect the user&#39;s head. The bottom portion  170  extends laterally from the midplane  167  to the point where the ear area-to-lower back edge transitions  165  begin. Therefore, the bottom portion  170  extends around a user&#39;s neck to include a portion of the side of the user&#39;s neck as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 10D , the rear portion  143  of helmet has a vertical radius  150  of about 19.7 inches. The slope of the rear portion has an inward trajectory with respect to the center of the helmet  134 . As shown in  FIG. 11D , at least one version of a prior art helmet has a rear portion with a vertical radius of about 25.9 inches. The slope of the rear portion has an outward trajectory with respect to the center of the helmet  10 . 
     In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 10E , the lower back edge  162  of the helmet  134  has a horizontal radius  148  of 4.1 inches. At least one version of the prior art helmet  10  has a lower edge with a horizontal radius of 4.7 inches. 
     In one embodiment, the area between the inside surface of the helmet  134  and an exemplary user&#39;s head is 0.162 square feet, whereas the area between the same exemplary user&#39;s head and the inside surface of the helmet  10  is 0.200 square feet. 
     The inside surface of the helmet  134  is offset from a users head by about 0.75 inches. A padding  740 , shown in  FIG. 10H , provided on the inside of the helmet  134  creates the offset between the user&#39;s head and the inside surface of the hard portion of the helmet  134  when worn by a user. The padding may comprise an energy absorbing material  741 ,  743 ,  745 ,  747 ,  751 ,  761  and a comfort enhancing material  742 ,  744 ,  746 ,  748 ,  750 ,  760  such as a closed cell foam. In one embodiment, the energy absorbing material comprises one half inch in thickness, and the comfort enhancing material comprises a one fourth inch in thickness. The energy of absorbing material is attached to a carrier base  764  creating a one piece design that can be efficiently manufactured and installed. The carrier based may comprise fabric. The comfort enhancing material is mounted on, such as being adhered to, a top of the energy absorbing material. 
     Padding is provided in a forehead contact region  741 ,  742 , two lateral side contact regions  744 ,  743 ,  746 ,  745 , and two rear contact regions  748 ,  747 ,  750 ,  751 . The lateral side contact regions are smaller than the forehead contact region as well as the rear contact regions. A top head central contact region  760 ,  761  is positioned substantially centrally with respect to the forehead contact region, the lateral side contact regions, and the rear contact regions. However, it is not required that the top head contact region may be located centrally. A forward intermediate region  752  is located on the carrier base  764  between the forehead region and the top contract region. Side intermediate regions  753 , 754  are located on the carrier base  764  between the opposite lateral side regions  744 ,  746  and the central region  760 , respectively. Rear intermediate regions  755 ,  756  are located on the carrier base  764  between the two rear contact regions  748 , 750  and the central region  760 , respectively. 
     The padding  740  forms a substantially star shape when laid flat. The carrier base material  764  of the padding  740  is flexible to conform the padding to the inside surfaces of the helmet when the padding is installed. The backside of the base material  764  may include an adhesive to secure the padding to the inside surface of the helmet  134 . 
     The offset provided by the padding between the helmet and the user&#39;s head improves blunt force impact performance of the helmet as well as the backface deformation performance of the helmet. Backface deformation may be understood as the effect of a non-penetrating projectile on the rear face of a strike plate or surface being struck by the projectile. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5-10 , the helmet has a plurality of anchors or mounts  115 ,  116 ,  118 ,  119 , including an upper center anchor  116 , rear anchor  115 , and a font left anchor  118  and an opposite front right anchor  119 . The anchors may be used to connect brackets, or accessories to the helmet. The anchors are formed into the helmet during manufacture and are permanently affixed to the helmet. This formation process eliminates the necessity of any through-holes through the shell of the helmet  134 . The center anchor  116  has a base  116   a  and a T-projection  116   b  extending from the base. The T-projection  116   b  having left and right overhangs  116   c ,  116   d . The right and left anchors are mirror image identical so only one will be described in detail. The left anchor  118  has a base  118   a  and a circular raised formation  118   b  having a top surface with a hole  118   c . The hole may be threaded to receive a screw or bolt. In another embodiment, the anchors may comprise any type of connector, such as a snap connector, a rivet connection, an eyelet connection, a hook connection, etc. The rear anchor  115  is shown more clearly in  FIG. 8A . The rear anchor  115  is located above the rear stiffening ridge  140   d  and is centered about the midplane  167 . Anchor  115  comprises a recess center channel  115   c  with an open top and bottom, adjacent opposite resilient right and left side claws  115   a ,  115   b  for retaining accessories to the anchor. Accessories can either be slid underneath the overhang portions  115   m  of the claws from above or below wherein the claws would overlying portions of the accessory with the overhang portions  115   m , or the claws can be configured to resiliently separate from each other while an accessory is pressed forwardly onto the mount  115  wherein the claws would then snap back with the overhang portions  115   m  overlying portions of the accessory. 
     Prior art helmet  10  is shown in  FIGS. 11A through 11F . The ACH helmet  10  has right and left ear bulges  16  that join with the main helmet shell portion  19 . The helmet has a transition  15  that runs along the intersection of the ear bulge  16  and the main helmet shell portion  19 . In  FIGS. 11B and 11C , a cross-section view is provided of the transition  15 . The outer ear bulge has a substantially continuous curve towards the main helmet shell portion  19  through a first curve area  16   a . The transition  15  extends about the ear bulge  16  in a back portion  15   a , in a top portion  15   b , and in a front portion  15   c  as shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11C . 
     As shown in  FIG. 11A , the ear bulges  16  of the helmet  10  terminate before reaching the front edge of the helmet at an upper front area  18   a . Therefore the front portion  15   c  of the transition  15  has a downward curve leaving the upper front area  18   a  to join the ear bulge to the front upper edge  22 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10C , the helmet  134  has two angled transition areas  140   a ,  140   b  between the ear coverage areas  146  and the upper portion  147  of the helmet. The stiffening ridge  140  is a band that can have a substantially consistent width W between the two transition areas  140   a ,  140   b . The transition area  140   b  enables the ear coverage areas to achieve a closer conformity with the use&#39;s head. Further, the stiffening ridge  140  extends to intersect the front top eyewear area edge  166  and the ear coverage areas. At the place of intersection between the stiffening ridge  140  and the front top eyewear area edge  166 , the stiffening ridge face  140   g  of the stiffening ridge forms a portion of the front top eyewear area edge  166  ( FIG. 10A ). The stiffening ridge face  140   g  comprises a transition between the front top eyewear area edge  166  and the side eyewear area edges  163 . 
     Front Mount 
     The helmet assembly  100  comprises a front helmet mount  144 . In one embodiment, the mounting arrangement  142  and the face shield  138  is the mounting arrangement and visors disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/875,106, filed Sep. 2, 2010, which is herein incorporated by reference to the extent not inconsistent with the present description. The helmet mount  144  secures the face shield  138  to the helmet  134  via mounting arrangement  142  to the helmet. Alternatively, the helmet mount  144  can attach a night vision unit  670  ( FIG. 28 ) to the helmet 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 and 12 , the front helmet mount  144  extends across at least a partial width of the helmet and may be contiguous on the right and left sides of the helmet with a left side rail and a right side rail (not shown). The helmet mount  144  includes left and right rail portions or bracket portions  180 ,  181  connected by a center portion  182 . The left and right bracket portions  180 ,  181  are mirror image identical across the midplane  167  ( FIG. 2 ). The left and right bracket portions are substantially rectangular when viewed from the front of the helmet. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 12 and 12B , the right bracket portion  181  has a recess portion  186  surrounded on its sides by bracket edges defining the area of the recess portion, at least in part. The bracket edges for each bracket portion  180 ,  181  have a bottom inside wall  185 , an end inside wall  189 , and a top inside wall  183  extending forward from the recess portion  186  (top inside wall not shown in  FIG. 12 ), and a bottom lip  184  extending at a right angle from the bottom inside wall  185 , a top lip  187  extending at a right angle from the top inside wall  183 , and an end lip  188  extending at a right angle from the end inside wall  189 . The lips extend inward from the respective inside walls slightly overlying the recess portion  186 . In effect, the bottom lip  184  extends vertically toward the top lip  187 , the top lip  187  extends vertically toward the bottom lip  184 , and the end lip  188  extends towards a center of the mount, to create an accessory engaging configuration whereby an attachment member of an accessory can be captured and secured between the lips, the inside walls, and the recess portion. The recess portion of the right bracket portion is enclosed at the right end by the inside wall  189  and the corresponding lip  188 . The right and left bracket portions  181 ,  180  may have stops  180   a ,  180   b  ( FIG. 3 ) that block at least part of the passage between the recessed portion of the left or right bracket portions and the center portion  182 . 
     The center portion  182  has a substantially vertical height which is narrower than of the recessed portion of the right and left bracket portions. The center portion  182  has top and bottom walls with top and bottom lips  182   c ,  182   d . At the lateral ends of the left and right bracket portions is a mounting hole  190  within a recess  191  for receiving the head of a screw, bolt, rivet or other fastener. The mounting holes  190  are configured to align with the left and right anchors  118 ,  119  of the helmet for securing the mount  144  to the helmet. Additionally the mount  144  and center upper portion  192  has a T-shaped receiving area for engaging with the upper center anchor  116 . The T-shaped receiving area engages the top upper center anchor  116 , particularly portions of the overhangs  116   c ,  116   d  of the T-projection  116   b.    
     Extending from the right and left bracket portions  181 ,  180  are corresponding lateral accessory engagement portions  195 . The lateral accessory engagement portions  195  can be formed in unitary fashion with the rest of the mount or can be engaged or fastened to the bracket portions  180 ,  181 . The edges for each lateral accessory engagement portion  195  define a recess portion  194  and include a bottom inside wall  195   a , a front inside wall  195   c , and a top inside wall  195   b  extending laterally from the recess portion  194 , and a lower lip  196  extending at a right angle from the bottom inside wall  195   a , an upper lip  197  extending at a right angle from the top inside wall  195   b , and a front lip  198  extending at a right angle from the front inside wall  195   c . The lips  196 ,  197 ,  198  extend inward from the respective inside walls slightly overlying the recess portion  194 . In effect, the lower lip  196  extends vertically toward the upper lip  197 , the upper lip  197  extends vertically toward the lower lip  196 , and the front lip  198  extends towards a rear of the helmet, to create an accessory engaging configuration whereby an attachment member of an accessory can be captured and secured between the lips, the inside walls, and the recess portion. The lateral end or rearward extending area  199  of each lateral accessory engagement portions is open to receive and secure accessories or side rails. 
     The cross-sections of the engagement portions  180 ,  181  and the lateral engagement portions  195  are shown in  FIG. 12B . 
     As shown in  FIG. 12A , a tactical LED  201  array may be mounted to either of the lateral accessory engagement portions  195 . The lateral accessory engagement portions  195  may also receive a camera, strobe light, or other accessory. The accessories mounted to the lateral accessory engagement portion lips  196 ,  197  may connect with power and data conduits provided on or in the accessory-mounting rim portion as for powering or receiving data therethrough. Power and data ports (not shown) may be provided in the recess  194 , the lips  196  or other areas of the lateral accessory engagement portions for transmitting power or data to and/or from the accessory. 
     Each of the right and left bracket portions  180 ,  181  may comprise recess grooves  182   a ,  182   b , in the respective recess portions  186 , along the respective bottom bracket inside wall  185  and top bracket inside wall  183 . The recess grooves  182   a ,  182   b  may be used to secure an accessory to the left or right bracket portion  180 ,  181 . 
     Each of the lateral engagement portions  195  may comprise recess grooves  194   b ,  194   a , in the respective recess portions  194 , along the respective bottom inside wall  195   a  and top inside wall  195   b  (see  FIGS. 12, 12B, 20 and 21 ) . The recess grooves  194   b ,  194   a  may be used to secure an accessory to the lateral engagement portion  195 . 
     The front mount  144  may comprise electrical and computer data conduits. The conduits are for transferring power and or computer or electronic data from an accessory through the accessory-mounting rim portion  200  to a power source and/or auxiliary computing or storage device. Each of the left and right bracket portions may comprise electrical and computer data conduit connector pad for providing a connection between one or more conduits contained within the mount  144  and an accessory and for facilitating the transfer of power or data therebetween. Further, the mount  144  may contain any connector known to provide a detachable connection between a conduit and an accessory or a conduit and another conduit. 
     In one embodiment, the helmet mount may have a vent member  450  with two vents  451 , 452 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The vent member attaches to the center portion  182  and extends laterally to position the vents  451 ,  452  in the left and right bracket portions  180 , 181  of the mount. The vent is configured to draw air in the direction F up through the inside of the helmet assembly and out the vents  451 ,  452 . The vents are in flow channel communication through a passage (not shown), with the area inside of the face shield, i.e., between the face shield and the helmet. 
     Accessory-Mounting Rim Portion 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3, 13, and 14 , the helmet assembly  100  comprises an accessory-mounting rim portion  200 , such as a halo, that can be configured to conform to the bottom edge of the helmet  134 . The lower edge or bottom wall has a top eyewear area edge or wall  266 , side eyewear area edges or walls  263 , ear area lower edges or walls  264 , ear area-to-lower back edge transitions or walls  265 , and a lower back edge or wall  262  all of which are configured to be fit over the corresponding portions of the bottom edge  166 ,  163 ,  164 ,  165 ,  162  of the helmet  134 . The top side of the accessory-mounting rim portion  200  has an inner channel  220  surrounded by an outer wall  207  and an inner wall  205 , and the bottom wall of the accessory-mounting rim portion. The inner wall comprises a number of lips  210 ,  211 ,  212  that can be used for positioning the accessory-mounting rim portion to the helmet. In one embodiment, the accessory-mounting rim portion is affixed to the lower edge of the helmet with a glue or adhesive. 
     The accessory-mounting rim portion comprises hook anchor holes  263   a  at the intersection of the side eyewear area edges  263  and the ear area lower edges  264 . The hook anchor holes are configured to receive anchor hooks  340  to secure the mandible  300 ,  400  in a pivotal manner to the accessory-mounting rim portion. The accessory-mounting rim portion also comprises locking pin holes  265   b  located on the ear area to lower back edge transitions  265 . The locking pin holes  265   b  are located on a pin strike plate  265   a.    
     The accessory-mounting rim portion  200  has electrical power and/or computer data conduits  221 . While the conduits are shown as a single dashed line  221 , it is understood the conduits  221  can represent multiple wires or conduits each carrying electrical power, or data, or both. The conduits are designed to transport data and power to and from the rear of the accessory-mounting rim portion to the front and/or sides of the accessory-mounting rim portion. The conduits may comprise wires that are integral in the accessory-mounting rim portion positioned between the upper and lower surfaces of the accessory-mounting rim portion. Alternatively, wires could be run in the channel  220 . In another embodiment, the materials which comprise the accessory-mounting rim portion may be suitable for conducting electricity and/or transferring power and/or data. The accessory-mounting rim portion may comprise one or more power contact pads  222  and one or more data contact pads  224  for connecting with a front or side mounted, which may include the front mount  144 . While the contact pads  222 ,  224  are shown on the front right portion of the accessory-mounting rim portion, they may be placed elsewhere on the accessory-mounting rim portion where it is desired to provide a power or data connection. It is recognized that accessories like a night vision unit may be attached to the mount  144  and that the mount  144  may comprise conduits which carry power and data through the mount from the accessory-mounting rim portion to the accessory. The mount may comprise contact pads (not shown) that contact the surface of the accessory-mounting rim portion  200  at the contact pads  222 ,  224 . Further the accessory-mounting rim portion may comprise any connector known for connecting power conduits for data conduits. The connector may be utilized at the front of the accessory-mounting rim portion, at the side of the accessory-mounting rim portion, or any other position along the accessory-mounting rim portion where it is desired to utilize data or power for an accessory. 
     In one embodiment, a rear tower  303  is attached to the rear of the accessory-mounting rim portion  200 , as shown in  FIGS. 13-14C . The tower may comprise a battery or battery pack  305  as shown in  FIGS. 4, 13, 14, and 14C , and a securing tab, hook or other connection  302 , and an accessory compartment  309 . The securing connection  302  allows connection between the rear tower  303  and the accessory-mounting rim portion by fitting between the helmet and a front edge (closest to the helmet) of the accessory-mounting rim portion or by fitting into a top hole in the accessory-mounting rim portion. The accessory compartment  309  may comprise a GPS unit which may be capable of working with a global positioning system (GPS) block IIF satellite system or other global positioning system protocols. The battery  305  may be detachable from the tower  303  or may be integrated therewith. The battery may have a snap in connection with the accessory-mounting rim portion  200  which may be releasable by pressing the button  301  near the base of the tower. The battery is signal connection with the conduit  221  of the accessory-mounting rim portion when the battery is connected to the accessory-mounting rim portion. The battery may also be signal connected with the port  230  in the back of the accessory-mounting rim portion. The battery and the tower are configured to conform to the shape of the rear portion of the helmet  134 . Therefore the battery in the tower will be positioned against the helmet or closely in relation thereto to support the tower and the battery. In addition, the tower  303  has a catch strip  304  that is configured to lay in the recess center channel  115   c  of the rear anchor  115  and be retained by the right and left side claws  115   a ,  115   b  of the rear anchor. Thus, the tower is captured at its lowest end by the tab  302  into the accessory-mounting rim portion and prevented from vertical dislodgement by the catch strip  304  being held horizontally by the claws  115   a ,  115   b  of the top mount  115  and prevented from vertical movement by the shoulders  303   a  of the tower abutting a bottom of the mount  115 . 
       FIG. 14A  shows an alternative arrangement utilizing a larger extended life battery  315 . The battery has lateral wings  315   a ,  315   b  that extend laterally from the tower and conform to the contour of the helmet.  FIG. 14B  shows a further alternative embodiment where the battery is not used with the tower but instead a power cable  316  is connectable to the port  230  of the accessory-mounting rim portion with the connector  317 , which is attached to the cable  316 . Alternative power may be provided from an external power source and conveyed through the cable  316 . An alternative embodiment, the cable  316  may carry data from an external data source such as a computer data storage or computing unit. When data is conveyed via the port  230 , it may be transferred via the data conduit  221  to and from an accessory via the accessory-mounting rim portion. The cable may be used to charge the batteries  305 ,  315  when they are attached to the accessory-mounting rim portion. 
     Mandible 
     The helmet assembly  100  may include a mandible, such as mandible  300 ,  400 . The mandible  300  is that shown in  FIGS. 1-4, and 15-17 . The mandible  300  has left and right opposite side portions  330 ,  331  connected by a center portion  310 . The center portion  310  is configured to cover the mouth area of a user when mounted to a helmet. The center portion may also cover a portion of the nose of a user when the mandible is mounted to a helmet. The center portion  310  extends vertically higher than the side portions  330 ,  331 . The side portions  330 ,  331  are configured to cover a cheek area of the user. The side portions  330 ,  331  are configured to be positioned below the eyes of a user and may extend below the jaw line of user when the mandible is attached to a helmet worn by user. The side portions  330 ,  331  each comprise scooped lower edges  333 ,  337  in order to provide maneuverability to a user and compatibility with weapons that may be shoulder mounted. The compatibility with shoulder mounted weapons, such as a rifle enables the user to aim the weapon while at the same time wearing the mandible. 
     The scooped lower edges  333 ,  337  are higher or raised as compared with the lower front edges  339 . The left and right portions  330 ,  331  comprise an upper portion  334  and a lower portion  332 . The upper portion  334  tapers from a side ridge  336  inward as it extends to an upper edge  338 . The lower portion  332  tapers from the side ridge  336  inward as it extends to the bottom including the scooped lower edge  333  and the lower front edges  339 . The upper edge  338  and the upper surface of the center portion  310  may be configured to engage the face shield  138  as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . A gasket may be provided on the upper edge  338  and the upper surface of the center portion  310  for a sealing engagement with the face shield  138  or a lens carrier or frame, when the lens is in the deployed position as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     The cover  320  is pivotally connected to the center portion  310  and configured to cover the front of the mandible to provide protection to a user&#39;s mouth and chin areas. The cover has a least three positions, a closed position  320   c  such as shown in  FIG. 3 , and open position  320   b  such as shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , and a mandible start-to-release position  320   a  shown in  FIG. 16  where the cover is moved to a higher position than is shown in  FIG. 15 . In one embodiment, the cover is continuously movable and positionable between the closed position and a maximum open position. The cover  320  has a pivot bar  322 . The bar  322  extends horizontally from the vertical face of the cover in the closed position. The bar  322  pivots about pin  324  as shown in  FIG. 16 . The bar  322  is positioned within a recess  302   a  and extends from opposite sides  304  of the recess  302   a.    
     The center portion  310  has a front surface  312  with ridges  314   a ,  314   b ,  318 , which may be continuous. The ridges extend about a least three sides of the front surface  312 . A cover  320  has recesses  321 ,  323 , which may be continuous, which corresponds to the ridges  314   a ,  314   b ,  318  whereby the ridges engage the recesses of the cover when the cover is in the closed position. The ridges engagement with the recesses secures the cover against lateral movement in the direction C shown in  FIG. 15  when the cover is in the closed position. A gasket may be provided on the front surface  312 , the ridge, or on the front cover to seal the connection between the cover and the mandible when the cover is in the closed position. 
     The upper edge  338  of the side portions  330 ,  331  extends inward until a breakpoint or inflection  341 . The inflection  341  is the point at or after which the mandible is configured to contact with the accessory-mounting rim portion  200  or a helmet edge. A mounting contact surface  335   a ,  335   b  extends from the inflection  341  rearward and downwards to a side ridge  336 . The upper mounting contact surface  335   a  is configured to contact the ear area lower edges  264  of the accessory-mounting rim portion  200  and the lower mounting contact surface  335   b  is configured to contact the ear area to lower back edge transitions  265  of the accessory-mounting rim portion  200 . Below the side ridge  336  the rear of the mandible has a forward sloping section  332   a  which connects the side edge  336  to the scooped lower edges  333 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 15-19 , the mandible comprises a mandible mounting system  370 . Only one side of the mandible mounting system  370  will be described with the understanding that an identical configuration would be present on the opposite side of the helmet and mandible, i.e., there would be two pins, two hooks, two cords, etc. The mounting system  370  comprises an anchoring hook  340  and pin engagement system  365 , and the cover  320 . The pin engagement system  365  comprises a pin  360 . The pin  360  comprises an engagement portion  361 , a recess portion  362 , and an anchor portion  363 . The recess portion  362  connects the engagement portion  361  to the anchor portion  363 . 
     Engagement portion  361  and the recess portion  362  are configured to operate in the pin channel  374  of the mandible. The pin channel  374  extends to the rear of the mandible to exit holes in mounting contact surfaces  335   b  so that the pin can engage locking pin holes  265   b  of the accessory-mounting rim portion  200 . The pin channel  374  is open to a reduced diameter channel portion  379   a  through an opening in a base end wall  379  opposite to the exit holes. The reduced diameter channel portion  379   a  opens into a slide channel  372 . The slide channel  372  allows the anchor  363  of the pin to move longitudinally within this slide channel as shown by the arrow D, in  FIG. 17 . The slide channel limits the movement of the anchor  363  and thereby limits the travel of the pin  360 . 
     The pin engagement system  365  comprises a spring  362   a  (shown schematically). The spring is fit around the recess portion  362  of the pin within the pin channel  374  braced between a wall  361   a  of the engagement portion  361  of the pin and the base end wall  379  of the channel. The slide channel extends between a rear end  373  and a front end  375  of the slide channel. The rear end  373  is open to the reduced diameter channel portion  379   a  to receive the recess portion  362  of the pin therethrough. The spring  362   a , by being compressed, pushes between the base end wall  379  and the wall  361   a  of the engagement portion  361  to draw the anchor  363  against the rear end  373  of the slide channel  372 . The anchor  363  is attached to a cable element, such as a cord  351  of the cable  350 . The cable element  351  may be attached around the anchor  363  or may be attached to a front surface of the anchor  363 . The cable element  351  is movable within the cable  350 . 
     The cable element is moved within the cable  350  by the cover  320 . In one embodiment shown in  FIG. 16 , the cable element  351   a  extends between the front surface  312  and the inside surface of the cover  320 . The cable element may have a slack portion at an end opposite the pin. The cover may house the slack portion. The slack portion has an end with an anchor. The anchor is retained within a container portion of the cover when the cover is in a closed position. The slack portion reels from the cover as a cover moves upwards towards an open position. When the cover reaches a predefined release position  320   a , the anchor of the slack portion engages an anchor stop of the cover  320  and the cable element  351  is drawn through the cable  350  to draw the pin  360  forward. Once the cover is moved past the release position, the cable element begins to be drawn forward which draws the pin  360  forward releasing it from engagement with the locking pin holes  265   b  of the accessory-mounting rim portion. When the pin is released, the mandible may be pivoted about the hooks  340  temporarily and then moved back down to re-engage the pins  360  with the locking pin holes  265   b  of the accessory-mounting rim portion. Alternatively the hooks may be disengaged with the hook anchors  263   b  and the mandible may be removed from the accessory-mounting rim portion. 
     A user is allowed to open the cover and permit hydration or access to the mouth without releasing the mandible from the accessory-mounting rim portion by moving the cover anywhere between the closed position and a full release position  320   e . Because the cover operates to release the pin engagement system  365 , a user may remove the mandible by using only one hand. This is accomplished by the user lifting the front cover from the start-to-release position  320   a  to the full release position  320   e , where the pins disengage with the locking pin holes and then user continues lifting the cover or other part of the mandible to release the hooks from the hook anchors  263   b.    
     In another embodiment, the cable  351   b  runs up the center portion  310  and connects to a winding mechanism that is attached to the pin  324 . The winding mechanism pulls the cable element towards the front of the mandible when a user draws the cover  320  between the release position  320   a  and the full release position  320   e . And this draws the anchor portion  363  forward in the slide channel  372  to draw the pin  360  forward. In one embodiment, the winding mechanism has a detent mechanism. The detent mechanism prevents the cable element from being pulled through the cable  350  until the cover reaches the release position  320   a . Once the cover is moved past a predefined released position, the cable element begins to be drawn forward which draws the engagement portion of the pin  360  forward releasing it from engagement with the accessory-mounting rim portion. 
     Referring to  FIG. 18 , to attach the mandible to the accessory-mounting rim portion  200 , the front of the mandible is raised up toward the top eyewear area edge  266  of the accessory-mounting rim portion and the anchor hooks  340  engage the hook anchor holes  263   a  of the accessory-mounting rim portion. Then the front of the mandible is pivoted down away from the top eyewear area edge  266  and at the same time the rear of the mandible is pivoted up about the anchor hook  340  in the direction E shown in  FIG. 18  until the pin  360  engages the locking pin holes  265   b  and the mounting contact surface  335   a ,  335   b  contact or are in close proximity to the ear area lower cut edges  264  and ear area to lower back edge transitions  265  of the accessory-mounting rim portion, correspondingly. Before the pins  360  engages the locking pin holes  265   b  the pins contact the strike plate  265   a  there the movement of the mandible relative to the accessory-mounting rim portion compresses the pin inwards towards the mandible until the pin is in line with the locking pin holes  265   b . When the pins engage the locking pinholes and springs into the pinholes under the force of the spring, the mandible is secured against the accessory-mounting rim portion between the hook anchor and the pin. 
       FIGS. 19 and 20  show an alternate shorter profile mandible  400  which is similar to mandible  300  except as described and shown. The alternate mandible  400  is similar to the first full mandible  300  except that the alternate mandible  400  does not have the lower portion  332  found on the first mandible  300 . The shorter profile of the mandible  400  allows increased compatibility with shoulder mounted weapons. Further, it provides additional freedom of movement to the user. The upper portion  434  of the mandible  400  is similar to the upper portion  334  of the mandible  300 . Correspondingly, the center portion  310  of the mandible  300  is similar to the center portion  410  of the mandible  400 . The cover  420  of the mandible  400  is configured and operates in the same manner to the cover  320  of the mandible  300 . The mandible  400  has the same mounting system as the mandible mounting system  370  of the mandible  300 . The mandible provides ballistic resistance, impact resistance, and blast resistance to the user&#39;s cheek, mandible, and partial neck regions. 
     The mandible may be made of a rigid material and or may carry a removable ballistic fabric that is carried around a frame structure. In other embodiments the mandible may comprise a wireframe guard without any ballistic protective material surrounding it. In one embodiment the lower portion  332  comprises they semi-flexible frame or material. 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 of a user to enhance the user&#39;s ability to use citing functions of weapons. In one embodiment, the mandible extends downward to cover a least a portion of the user&#39;s neck. 
     In one embodiment, the mandible is any of the mandibles disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/875,106, filed Sep. 2, 2010, which is herein incorporated by reference to the extent not inconsistent with the present description. 
     Head&#39;s Up Display 
     The helmet assembly  100  may comprise a heads-up display usable with the front mount  144  as shown in  FIGS. 21, 22, 22A, 22B .  FIGS. 22A and 22B  show the heads-up display transparently so that some internal components are visible. The heads-up display  500  has a recessed area  515  with an upper engagement rail  510  and a lower engagement rail  511  for engaging the right or left bracket portions  180 ,  181  of the front mount  144 . The heads-up display  500  has a display screen  502 . The display screen  502  has a deployed position as shown in  FIGS. 21 and 22  and a retracted standby position (not shown) where the display screen  502  is retracted upward in the direction G as shown in  FIG. 52  to withdraw the screen from the user&#39;s view and to withdraw the screen within a heads-up display  500  or within a slotted or recessed area (not shown) in the front mount  144 , such as in the side bracket portion  180  or  181 . 
     An upper portion of the upper engagement rail  510  comprises an upper rail lip  512  and a lower portion of the lower engagement rail  511  comprises a lower rail lip  513 . The upper rail lip  512  engages the inside surface of lip  187  of the front bracket and the lower bracket lip  513  engages the inside surface of lip  184  of the front bracket portion to secure the heads-up display  500  to one of the left or right bracket portions  180 ,  181 . A heads-up display has a release mechanism which when the release mechanism is activated, for example via button  503 , the upper engagement rail  510  and the lower engagement rail  511  draw closer to each other in the gap area  514  to release the lips  512 ,  513  from the lips  184  and  187  of the front bracket portion. 
     In some embodiments, the release mechanism is that shown in  FIGS. 22A and 22B . The release mechanism comprises the button  503  that is connected to a guide plate  504  by a protruding connecting bar  504   a  that are securely connected in a recess of the button  503 . The guide plate has lower diagonal guide slots  505   a ,  505   b  and upper diagonal guide slots  505   c ,  505   d . The lower engagement rail has two lower guide rods  506   a ,  506   b  that are fixed to the lower engagement rail. The upper engagement rail has upper guide rods  506   c ,  506   d  that are fixed to the upper engagement rail. The guide rods extend transversely to the longitudinal orientation of the guide plate  504  and pass through the respective guide slots. When the button  503  is pushed in the direction H the guide plate  504  moves in direction H relative to the body  519  of heads-up display  500  and the lower guide rods  506   a ,  506   b  are driven upward in the direction J by the lower edge of each of the lower diagonal guide slots  505   a ,  505   b . Simultaneously, the upper guide rods are driven downward in the direction I by the upper edge of each of the upper diagonal guide slots  505   c ,  505   d . As the upper and lower guide rods are fixed to the upper and lower engagement rails, then likewise the upper engagement rail  510  is driven downward in the direction I and the lower engagement rail  511  is driven upward in the direction J by the movement of the guideplate relative to the guide pins. In this way the upper engagement rail  510  and the lower engagement rail  511  draw closer to each other in the gap area  514  to a contracted position to release the lips  512 ,  513  from the lips  184  and  187  of the front bracket portion. In some embodiments the upper and lower engagement rails contact each other in the gap area  514  when in the contracted position. In some embodiments there a spring  504   m  (shown schematically) that biases the button  503  and/or the guide plate  504  relative to the body  519  of heads-up display  500  in the direction opposite of direction H so that the upper engagement rail  510  and the lower engagement rail  511  are biased toward the expanded position as shown in  FIGS. 22, 22A , and  22 B. 
     The heads-up display  500  has data and power connections (not shown) that are connectable with power and data connections within the front mount or bracket portions  180 ,  181  which are in turn in communication with the accessory-mounting rim portion  200  and the power and data connections provided therethrough. 
     As is shown in  FIG. 21  the display screen  502  can be positioned behind the face shield  138  when the display screen is in the deployed position. The face shield or the frame or gasket thereof and/or the mount  144  are configured to have a gap or slot to allow the display screen to slide between the face shield or visor and the helmet. In this configuration, the visor, such as a visor with a tint, would not obscure the data or images being displayed on the display screen  502 . In addition, the visor will protect the screen from environmental hazards. In one embodiment the display screen  502  is a transparent so that the display screen does not create a blind spot in the field of view of the user. In this configuration the user may be able to see through the data and images displayed on the transparent display to maintain awareness of the user&#39;s environment. The heads-up display  500  may be amounted on either the right or left side bracket portions  180 ,  181  of the front mount  144 . Alternatively, the display screen can remain outside the face shield in the deployed position. 
     A recessed area  515  allows the heads-up display  500  to be a mounted in close conformity with the helmet in a low-profile design. Therefore the top portion  516  may be in close proximity or in contact with the helmet  134  and likewise the display screen support  517  positions the display screen  502  on the interior side of the face shield  138  and the visors support frame. In addition the center portion  518  has a curved profile so as to allow the upward movement of the visor. 
     An external heads-up display  520  is shown in  FIGS. 23, 23A . The external heads-up display  520  has a base unit  527  with a display screen  522 . A cable is connected to the base unit  526 . The cable is capable of carrying data and electrical power the unit. The cable may connect to the rear of the accessory-mounting rim portion or may connect to an external source. The base unit  527  is supported by a supporting mechanism which includes a first arm  524  having a first ball mount connection  525  to a first base  530  and a second ball mount connection  529  connected to the base unit  527 . Each ball mount comprises a ball  525   a ,  529   a , a ball support shaft  525   a ,  529   b  extending from each respective ball, and a ball receiving recess. Each ball is received in the respective ball recess on either the base unit  527  or the first base  530 . Each ball recess surrounds the ball  525   a ,  529   a  a sufficient amount to retain the ball  525   a ,  529   a  in the respective ball recess. The first arm  524  has the second ball mount connection  529  at an end opposite the first ball mount connection  525 . The second ball mount connection is received in the ball recess in the top surface  527   a  of the base unit  527 . Extending from the ball recess is an arm accommodation depression  527   b . The arm accommodation depression is recessed below the top surface  527   a  of the base unit  527 . The arm accommodation depression allows a greater range of movement of the base unit relative to the arm. 
     In some embodiments, the first arm  524  may comprise a hollow portion  524   a  that receives the ball support shafts  525   b ,  529   b  at opposite ends. The support shafts are of a lesser diameter than the hollow portion  524   a  to allow a greater range of motion at the first and second ball mounts. 
     The first base  530  has a thumbscrew  528 . The first base  530  connects to a connecting cylinder  532  which connects to an attachment base  537 . In some embodiments, the first base  520  is integrally formed with the connecting cylinder  532 . The first base  530  is pivotable about the axis of the cylinder  532 . The thumbscrew provides compression friction to secure the first base  530  in a user selected position about the axis of the cylinder after it&#39;s been manipulated into the desired position by the user between the thumbscrew and the attachment base  537 . The attachment base  537  has a lower attaching lip  534   a  and an upper attaching lip  534   b  at the bottom and top for engaging the lips  184 ,  187  of the front bracket portion to secure the external heads up display to the front bracket portion. In some embodiments the upper attaching lip is shorter than the lower attaching lip. 
     In some embodiments, the lower attaching lip  534   a  is drawn upward by pressing the button  535  so that lower attaching lip  543   a  comes out from behind lip  184  and the attachment base  537  can be removed from the front bracket portion. In some embodiments, the upper attaching lip  534   b  is drawn downward into the attachment base  537  by pressing the button  535  so that attaching lip  543   b  comes out from behind lip  187  and the attachment base  537  can be removed from the respective front bracket portion  180 ,  181 . In some embodiments, both the upper and lower attaching lips are drawn downward and upward respectively when the button  525  is pressed to release the attachment base  527  from the front mount. The movement of either or both of the lower and upper attachment lips  534   a ,  534   b  may be achieved with the button  535  attached to a mechanism (not show) similar or identical to that used in heads up display  500  for moving the upper and lower engagement rails  510 ,  511  relative to each other. 
     Communications System 
     The helmet assembly  100  may have a communications system  550  as shown in  FIGS. 24 and 31A . The communication system  550  has a pair of ear cups  560 ,  570  and power wires  582 ,  584 , data wires  583 ,  585 , and an optional microphone  561 . The power wires and data wires connect to power and data ports at the rear of the accessory-mounting rim portion. The wires are carried in the wiring conduit  580  that follows the lower back edge  262  of the accessory-mounting rim portion  200 . The wiring conduit  580  may be comprised of a rubber or other flexible material. In one embodiment power and data is carried over at a single wire. In another embodiment, ear cups are battery powered and communicate wirelessly with the data source. The power and or data ports  571 ,  571   a  are located on opposite lateral sides of the ear cups. The wires have connectors  582   a ,  584   a  that are connectable to the power and/or data ports. 
     The ear cups  560 ,  570  have a padded region  562  that defines a perimeter of the ear cups and surrounds a recess portion  564 . A padded region  562  may be configured to closely conform around a user&#39;s ear. The ear cups may be configured to provide ear protection against predefined decibel levels of audio sound originating outside the ear cups, such as might be created by machine operating noise, gunfire, or explosions. The recess portion  564  may comprise one or more speakers for delivering sound to a user&#39;s ear. The speakers may be connected to a communication device for communicating with other soldiers or a command center. 
     As the bulge of the ear coverage areas  146  is reduced in comparison with certain prior art helmets to achieve a closer conformity of the helmet with a user&#39;s head, the ear cups  560 ,  570  must have a lower profile in order to fit between the helmet and a user&#39;s head. Therefore the ear cups have a reduced thickness as compared with ear cups useable with certain prior art helmets. The thickness being the distance between the outermost surface of the padded region  562  and the outermost surface of the opposite side  563  of the ear cups. A microphone  561  may be mounted to one or more of the ear cups and extent a distance toward a user&#39;s mouth as shown in  FIG. 31A . Alternatively, a microphone may be mounted to an inside surface of the mandible or other convenient place. Microphone wiring may be routed through the mandible to communicate with the conduit of the accessory-mounting rim portion. 
     Helmet Retention System 
     A helmet retention system  600  may be used with helmet  134  as shown in  FIG. 29 , or other helmets, such as helmet  90  shown in  FIGS. 25-27 . The helmet retention system is substantially a mirror image identical across the midplane  167  of the helmet, therefore a description of one side will explain the other. The helmet retention system  600  comprises a front strap system  610  and a lower strap system  620 . The front strap system  610  has a first reeling strap  616 , a first contact strap  612 , and a first reel  631 . The lower strap system  620  has a second reeling strap  626 , a second contact strap  622 , and a second reel  632 . The first and second reels are housed in a reel housing  630 . The reel housing  630  is enclosed in a soft armor neck pad for contacting the rear of a user&#39;s neck and/or head. In another embodiment, the reel housing may comprise the accessory-mounting rim portion such as shown in  FIG. 4 , with a first real  633 , and a second reel  634 . 
     Referring to the front strap system  610 , the first reeling strap  616  is anchored at one end  618  to the helmet at a forward location adjacent a user&#39;s temple by a front anchor  643  at both sides of the helmet. In one embodiment, the front anchor is located on the accessory-mounting rim portion  200 . Whether located on the helmet or on the accessory-mounting rim portion the front anchor is generally located between a user&#39;s eye and a user&#39;s ear, such as shown in  FIG. 25 . A downward extending portion  616   a  extends downward and is fed through a loop  614  attached to the first contact strap  612  (see  FIG. 26B ). After the loop  614 , an upward extending portion  616   b  extends upward from the loop adjacent to, and in some versions substantially parallel to, the downward extending portion  616   a  until the first reeling strap reaches a first front system block  641 . The first reeling strap  616  slides over the first block  641  and thereafter the first reeling strap extends rearward along a rearward extending portion  616   c  toward the rear of the helmet on a slightly declining angle to second front system block  642 . The reeling strap  616  slides over the second block  642  and downward and forward to a third block  645  then rearward to the reel housing  630  and then to the first reel  631  with a reeling strap portion  616   d.    
     The reels  631 , 632  are substantially the same and an exemplary reel indicated  631 ,  632  is shown in  FIG. 26A . Both reels  631 ,  632  comprise a center hub  636  about which each reel spins. Both reels  631 ,  632  are circular and have a channel  635  defined by the outer disk walls  637 ,  638 . The channel is for reeling, holding, and releasing the respective reeling straps  616 ,  626 . 
     In one embodiment, the reel  631  may also include an anchor or fixation where a reeling strap is held at some place along a length of the reeling strap that is not an end of the reeling strap. The reeling strap  616  can be anchored at a midpoint along its length in the reel, where the length includes the reeling strap  616  on both sides of the helmet. Turning the reel  631  in a first direction draws both portions  616   d ,  616   e  of the reeling straps  616  located on opposite sides of the helmet into the reel and thereby increase the tension on the reeling strap  616  on both sides of the helmet and the associated contact straps  612 , by raising the loops  614  on both sides of the helmet. Turning the reel in a second direction, opposite of the first direction, will spool out the reeling strap portions  616   d ,  616   e  in both direction and thereby release tension on the reeling straps  616  on both sides of the helmet and release tension on the contact straps  612  by lowering the loops  614  on both sides of the helmet. 
     As the reeling strap enters the reel  631  with reeling strap portion  616   d , it can be anchored to the real as just described, and/or just wound around the reel a predetermined number of turns, and may be further/or lesser wound around the reel a number of times depending on the desired rotary position of the reel. The reeling strap portion  616   e  will extend out of the reel along to the opposite side of the helmet as shown in  FIG. 26A . The reeling strap portion  616   e  is wound on the reel  631  in similar fashion in a same rotary direction. On the opposite side of the helmet, the reeling strap  616  continues from the strap portion  616   e  in a configuration mirror image identical to that shown in  FIG. 25  and the reeling strap end is anchored in place in a mirror image identical location opposite that shown in  FIG. 25 . Therefore, opposite ends of the reeling strap  616  are anchored to the helmet in opposite front temple areas of the helmet or accessory-mounting rim portion. Likewise, the first contact strap  612  continues under a user&#39;s chin as shown in  FIG. 25  to engage the first reeling strap  616  at a loop  614  on the opposite side of the helmet. 
     The front strap system  610  is configured to increase or decrease the downward tension in a forward area between a helmet  10  and the user&#39;s head. Turning the first reel will move the reeling strap  616  and the position of the loops  614  to move up or down in the direction H shown in  FIG. 25  depending on the direction that the first reel  631  is turned. 
     The lower strap system  620  operates similar to that of the front strap system  610  but the lower strap system  620  is positioned differently than the front strap system. The second reeling strap  626  is anchored at one end  628  at a rear position of the helmet by a rear anchor  644 . The anchor  644  may be positioned on the helmet behind the rear of a user&#39;s head when viewed from the side as shown in  FIG. 25 . In one embodiment, the anchor  644  is located on the accessory-mounting rim portion in an area on or near the lower back edge  262 . The second reeling strap  626  extends from the anchor  644  downward along a downward extending portion  626   a  and forward to a first lower system block  646 . The first block may be on the helmet, on the accessory-mounting rim portion, on the reel housing. The second reeling strap  626  then extends forward toward a users ear, on a forward portion  626   b  to a loop  624  attached to the second contact strap  622 . The second reeling strap  626  loops back around loop  624  (see  FIG. 26B ) and extends rearward along rearward portions  626   c ,  626   d  to the second reel  632 . The rearward portion  626   c  travel adjacent, and some configurations, substantially parallel to the forward portion  626   b.    
     As the second reeling strap  626  enters the reel  632  with strap portion  626   d , it can be anchored or fixed to the reel at some place along its length, and/or just wound around the reel a predetermined number of turns, and may be further/or lesser wound around the reel a number of times depending on the desired position of the reel, and reeling strap portion  626   e  will extend out of the reel along to the opposite side of the helmet as shown in  FIG. 26A . On the opposite side of the helmet, the reeling strap  626  continues in a configuration mirror image identical to that shown in  FIG. 25  and the reeling strap end is anchored in place to an anchor  644  in a mirror image identical location opposite that shown in  FIG. 25 . The reeling strap portion  626   e  is wound on the reel  632  in similar fashion in a same rotary direction. On the opposite side of the helmet, the reeling strap  626  continues from the strap portion  626   e  in a configuration mirror image identical to that shown in  FIG. 25 . 
     Therefore, opposite ends of the reeling strap are anchored to the helmet in opposite rear areas of the helmet. Likewise the second contact strap  622  is configured to continue over the front of a user&#39;s chin as shown in  FIG. 25  to engage the second reeling strap  626  at a loop  624  on both, opposite sides of the helmet. The open area chin cup  621  configuration provided by the first contact strap  612  and the second contact strap  622  and the gap therebetween below the contact or cross point  611  secures the contact with the users chin while leaving an open area of the users chin for a more comfortable fit. Further, the open configuration in the chin area does not interfere with weapons sighting and is accessible with the visor deployed and/or the mandible deployed. 
     The lower strap system  620  is configured to increase or decrease the downward tension in a rear area between a helmet  90  and the user&#39;s head. 
     The reeling strap  626  can be anchored at a midpoint along its length in the reel  632 , where the length includes the reeling strap  626  on both sides of the helmet. Turning the reel  632  in a first direction draws both portions  626   d ,  626   e  of the reeling straps  626  located on opposite sides of the helmet into the reel  632  and thereby increase the tension on the reeling strap  626  on both sides of the helmet and the associated contact straps  622 , by moving rearward the loops  624  along the direction I on opposite sides of the helmet. Turning the reel in a second direction, opposite of the first direction, will spool out the reeling strap portions  626   d ,  626   e  in both direction and thereby release tension on the reeling straps  626  on both sides of the helmet and release tension on the contact straps  622  by moving forward the loops  624  along the direction I on both sides of the helmet. 
     Each of the front strap system  610  and the lower strap system  620  are adjustable by turning the corresponding reels  631 ,  632 . Therefore the helmet retention system  600  may be adjusted by a user using only one hand. This is an improvement over the prior art systems that require several buckles where the strap may be threaded and adjusted their through. Some prior art retention systems have as many as five buckles or points of adjustment for adjusting the various straps use to secure the helmet to a user&#39;s head. 
     In one embodiment, the contact straps  612 ,  622  may be divided as shown in  FIG. 27  to provide for a detachable chin contact portion  650 . In this arrangement portions of the contact straps may disconnect from one another on opposite lateral side of a user&#39;s face. The chin contact portion  650  has a lower chin contact strap  612   g  and a front chin contact strap  622   g . The lower strap  612   g  and the front strap  622   g  join at a first junction  653  the end of which has a loop that engaged a male portion  662  of a buckle. The male portion  662  is releasably engageable with a female portion  660  of the buckle. A lower left side portion  612   f  of the first contact strap  612  joins with a forward left side portion  622   f  of the second contact strap  622  at a second junction  664 . The second junction  664  attaches to the female portion  660  of the buckle. In one embodiment, a substantially mirror image identical buckle is used on the right side of the user&#39;s face, so that the chin contact portion  650  may be released from either side. In another embodiment, a buckle is only provided on one side and the contact straps extend to connect at the buckle and are joined thereby. 
     The connection of the reeling straps to the contact straps may be covered by sleeves  613 ,  623  as shown in  FIG. 27  to prevent chaffing or irritation of a user&#39;s skin by the movement of the reeling straps or the contact straps and the loop  614 ,  624 . Further, other portions of the reeling straps may be covered by a sleeve or may be contained in a conduit to prevent user contact with the reeling straps. 
     Mask 
     The helmet assembly  100  may be used with a mask  680  as shown in  FIG. 29 . The front inside surfaces of the helmet positively contact the top of the mask, providing stability. The inside surface contact may include contact with helmet padding. The open area chin cup  621  is compressed so that both the contact straps extend under the chin. The mask may have one or more lenses  682  allowing a user to see through. The mask extends rearward to a back edge  681 . The mask may protect against chemical, biological, nuclear, and/or radiological exposure or threats. Mask may be used with or without a balaclava  690  for covering the whole head of a user exposing only part of the face, which may be covered by a mask. The balaclava may protect against chemical, biological, nuclear, and/or radiological exposure or threats. 
     Goggle Attachment System 
     The helmet assembly  100  may have a goggle attachment system  700  shown in  FIGS. 30, 31A-31D  to secure protective goggles  695  with a protective lens  695   a  to a user&#39;s face. The goggles may be those made commercially available by Revision Military Ltd. of Vermont and known as DESERT LOCUST goggles, ASIAN LOCUST goggles, WOLFSPIDER goggles, or BULLET ANT goggles. The goggle attachment system  700  has an anchor tower  710  with goggle clip receivers  702 ,  704  on opposite lateral sides of the anchor tower. The goggle clip receivers  702 ,  704  each have a slot  701  to receiving a goggle clip  720 . The anchor tower  710  may include a battery such as contained in battery pack  305  and therefore the anchor tower may be used in place of battery pack  305 . The anchor tower  710  when used with the helmet and/or accessory-mounting rim portion will be positioned along the midplane  167  of the helmet at the rear as shown in  FIG. 31E . The anchor tower  710  includes the snap-in tab or securing connection  302  and the catch strip  304  as previously described for attaching the rear tower of  FIG. 14C . Thus, the tower is captured at its lowest end by the tab  302  into the accessory-mounting rim portion and prevented from vertical dislodgement by the catch strip  304  being held horizontally by the claws  115   a ,  115   b  of the top mount  115  and prevented from vertical movement by shoulders  710   a  of the tower abutting a bottom of the mount  115 . 
     The clip  720  has a peripheral edge  728  surrounding a flexing portion  723 . The flexing portion is connected to the peripheral edge by a bridge  729 . The peripheral edge has a step  728   c , an inset portion  728   a , and a raised portion  728   b . The raised portion  728   b  is closer to the strap loop opening  725  than the inset portion. The inset portion is adjacent the bridge  729 . The raised portion  728   b  connects to a loop bar  724  that defines a portion of the strap loop opening  725 . A goggle strap  696  or other eyewear or accessories strap may be secured around the strap loop opening  725 . The oppose end of the goggle strap may be attached to a goggle as shown in  FIG. 31A . There is a gap  721  on three sides of the flexing portion between the flexing portion and the peripheral edge. 
     The flexing portion  723  has a first portion  727  separated by a recess  726  from a second portion  722 . The boundary  726   a  between the recess  726  and the second portion  722  is substantially coplanar with the step  728   c . The first portion  727  rises or slopes rearward (out of the page of  FIG. 31D ) from the bridge  729  towards the recess  726 . The second portion  722  rises or slopes rearward (out of the page of  FIG. 31D ) from an end  722   a  opposite the bridge, toward the recess  726 . The first portion rises (out of the page of FIG.  31 D) more aggressively than the second portion. The second portion  722  rises to a more outward position (out of the page of  FIG. 31D ) than the most outward position (out of the page of  FIG. 31D ) of the first portion  727 . 
     The front face (with respect to the front direction of the helmet) of the clips  718  and anchor tower  710  are shown in  FIG. 31C . The front peripheral edge surface  730  is substantially flat. The front surface of the bridge portion  739  is substantially flat. A step  738  is located where the bridge portion connects with the flexing portion  723  on the front side of the clip. Therefore, the flexing portion  723  is positioned more rearward (into the page of  FIG. 31C , out of the page of  FIG. 31D ) than the bridge portion on the front side of the clip and the step  738  provides the connection. The flexing portion  723  has a default position which is more rearward (extending into the page of  FIG. 31C , out of the page of  FIG. 31D ) than the front peripheral edge surface  730 . This configuration allows the flexing portion  723  to flex forward (out of the page of  FIG. 31C , into the page of  FIGS. 31D and 31B ) as the clip is pressed into the clip receiver. 
     Only one of the goggle clip receivers  702 ,  704  will be described as they are mirror image identical across the midplane  167 . The slot  703  has peripheral engagement surface  707   a  continuous with an end engagement surface  707  and an entry raised portion  708 . The entry raised portion  708  extends forward from one side off the slot  703 . The entry raised portion  708  is sized and shaped to fit into the recess  726  of the clip  720 . It can be a rectangular block shape. The peripheral engagement surface  707   a , the end engagement surface  707 , and the side raised portion  708  surround a recessed portion  705 . The peripheral engagement surfaces  707   a  are configured to contact the inset peripheral edge portion  728   a  of the goggle clip. 
     As the clip is inserted into the slot of the clip receiver, the first portion  727  contacts the entry raised portion  708  of the clip receiver. As the clip is further inserted into the slot  703 , the entry raised portion  708  of the clip receiver forces the flexing portion  723  of the clip forward (into the page of  FIGS. 31B and 31D ) as the first portion  727  continues contact with the entry raised portion  708 . The flexing portion  723  of the clip continues to be pushed forward to the point where the recess  726  of the clip registers with the entry raised portion  708 . When this occurs, the entry raised portion  708  is received in the recess  726  and secures the clip in the clip receiver as this spring force of the flexing portion  723  pushes the recess  726  rearward (out of the page of  FIGS. 31B and 31D ) to capture the entry raised portion  708 . In this configuration, the entry raised portion is secure between the first portion  727  of the clip and the second portion  722  of the clip. In addition, when the clip is secured in the clip receiver, the entry raised portion  708  of the clip receiver is located in the recess  726 , the step  728   c  of the clip is engaged against, or in close proximity to a face  701   a  of clip receiver. 
     To release the clip from the clip receiver, the second portion  722  of the flexing portion of the clip is pressed forward (into the page  FIG. 31D ) by a user to release the entry raised portion  708  of the clip receiver from the recess  726  of the clip. The forward pressure continues until the rear most portion (out of the page  FIG. 31D ) of the first portion  727  is depressed forward (into the page  FIG. 31D ) of the entry raised portion  708  of the clip receiver. Once the first portion  727  is depressed forward of the side  709  of the entry raised portion  708  of the clip receiver, the clip can be withdrawn laterally from the clip receiver. 
     Face Shield and Mounting Arrangement 
     The details of the face shields  38 ,  138  and the mounting arrangement  142  are shown in  FIGS. 32-46 .  FIGS. 33, 35-38, and 38B  show the mounting arrangement  142  used on mount  44  which is attached or attachable to helmet  34  as provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/875,106, filed Sep. 2, 2010. However, mounting arrangement  142  is adapted to attach and readily attachable to the front mount  144 . Further,  FIGS. 33, 34, 36-38, 38B, 38C, and 40-43  show the mounting arrangement  142  used with face shield  38  having a frame  95  and a lens  94 . However, the face shield  38  can be replaced by face shield  138  having frame  101  and attached to the mounting arrangement  142  so that the frame may be held against or in close proximity to the front top brim of the accessory-mounting rim portion  200  and may hold the lens  102  adjacent thereto. The mounting arrangement  42  of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/875,106, filed Sep. 2, 2010, is substantially the same as mounting arrangement  142 . 
       FIG. 32  shows the mounting arrangement  142  and the lens  102  attached to front mount  144  and in a raised standby position above the user&#39;s eyes. The frame  101  for attaching with arms  1114   a ,  1114   b  is not shown. 
     In one embodiment, the face shield  38  comprises a lens  94  and a frame  95 . In another embodiment, the face shield  138  comprises lens  102  and frame  101  as shown in  FIG. 39 . The lens  94  fits within a groove  97  ( FIG. 34 ) in the frame  95  and is fixed to the frame by three screws  96  ( FIG. 33 ). 
     The lens  102  fits within a groove  1197  ( FIG. 39 ) in the frame  101  and is fixed to the frame by via three holes  1196  where screws (not shown) may be provided. For military use particularly, the face shield lens  94 ,  102  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  142  via the shield mount  43 . The shield mount  43  comprises parallel lugs  98   a ,  98   b  ( FIG. 38 ). The lugs  98   a ,  98   b  include holes  99   a ,  99   b  for receiving pins  99   c  (only one shown,  FIG. 38 ). Each pins  99   c  passes through a hole  1101  ( FIG. 37 ) formed through sides in a base portion  1102  ( FIG. 36 ) of a lever  1100 , and are held in place by the head of the pin and a circlip or lock washer  99   d . The lever  1100  includes a hole  1103  ( FIG. 36 ) through a distal end thereof. A pivot pin  1107  ( FIG. 37 ) is fit though the hole  1103  and is fixed to sidewalls  1110   a ,  1110   b  ( FIG. 38 ) which extend outward from a baseplate  1112 . L-shaped side links  1114   a ,  1114   b  are pinned at one end to the lugs  1110   a ,  1110   b  and at an opposite end to the lugs  98   a ,  98   b.    
     Face shield frame  101  is mounted to arrangement  142  via the shield mount  142   e  in a substantially similar manner to the configuration mounting the shield frame  95  to the mounting arrangement  142  via the shield mount  43 . The shield mount  142   e  comprises parallel lugs  98   a ,  98   b  ( FIG. 38 ). The lugs  1198   a ,  1198   b  include holes  1199   a ,  1199   b  for receiving pins  1199   c  (only one shown,  FIG. 38 ). Each pins  99   c  passes through a hole  1101  ( FIG. 37 ) formed through sides in a base portion  1102  ( FIG. 36 ) of a lever  1100 , and are held in place by the head of the pin and a circlip or lock washer  99   d.    
     The lever  1100  has a central recess  1116  ( FIGS. 36 and 37 ). An opening  1118  is provided within the central recess  1116 . A hook-shaped latch  1122  ( FIGS. 36, 37 and 38 ) has a base end pivotally attached to the sidewalls  1110   a ,  1110   b  by a through pin  1124  ( FIG. 37 ). The latch extends outwardly through the opening  1118 . The latch is biased to rotate upward to a latched position by a torsion spring  1130  ( FIG. 38 ). When the face shield is moved from the upward, non-use or standby position down to the deployed position as shown in  FIG. 1 , the lever slides over the angular face  1122   a  of the latch, which causes rotation of the latch downward as the hook end passes through the opening  1118 . Once the hook end of the latch is through the opening  1118 , the latch rebounds by the urging of the torsion spring to rotate upward and the hook end overlies a first recessed surface  1116   a  of the lever adjacent to the opening  1118 . The latch  1122  holds the lever  1100  and the face shield  38 ,  138  in the deployed position. The latch  1122  can also be made to overlie a second recessed surface  1116   b  to hold the face shield in a slightly open position with respect to the helmet and mandible. To move the face shield  38 ,  138  to the slightly open position or the tilted up, non-use position, the hook end  1122   a  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  1107  is fixed to the sidewalls  1110   a ,  1110   b  by use of a threaded screw  1123   a  and a spring pin  1123   b  on each end of the pivot pin  1107  for each sidewall  1110   a ,  1110   b . The spring pin  1123   b  is a pin having a portion that is larger than a hole in the pivot pin  1107  such that it must be resiliently or deformable forced into the hole to hold the pivot pin  1107  fixedly to the sidewalls  1110   a ,  1110   b . The use of a spring pin prevents unscrewing of the screw  1123   a  due to the repetitive raising and lowering of the face shield. 
     The pivot pin  1107  includes two recesses  1126   a ,  1126   b  at two spaced apart, circumferential positions. A detent mechanism  1127  is shown in  FIGS. 41 and 43 . The detent mechanism includes three spring mechanisms  1127   a  arranged in parallel. Each mechanism includes a compression spring  1127   b  that urges a ball  1127   c  toward the pivot pin  1107 . All the compression springs are braced by a backing through pin  1127   d . The compression spring  1127   b  and the ball  1127   c  are captured within a cylindrical passage  1100   a  formed in the lever  1100 , by the backing pin  1127   d  and the pivot pin  1107 . When installed, the springs  1127   b  are pre-compressed between the backing pin  1127   d  and the pivot pin  1107  to the degree necessary to allow the balls  1127   c  to be urged into the appropriate recess  1126   a ,  1126   b  when the recess presents itself to the balls  1127   c  upon rotation of the lever  1100  with respect to the pivot pin  1107 . The balls  1127   c  fit into the recess  1126   a  when the face shield is moved slightly away from the helmet and mandible to allow for increased ventilation, and fit into the recess  1126   b  when the face shield  38 ,  138  is pivoted into the raised, non-use position ( FIGS. 32 ). The engagement between the detent mechanism  1127  and either of the recesses  1126   a ,  1126   b  provides a resilient hold that can be overcome by force from the wearers hand to pivot the face shield. 
     The face shield is operable with one hand to raise and lower the face shield. One finger depresses the latch  1122  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. 
       FIG. 38B  shows the baseplate  1112  includes a main body portion  1132 , a backing plate  1133  ( FIG. 38A ), a spring  1134 , and a latching tongue  1136 . The main body portion  1132  includes an upper edge  1138  ( FIGS. 34 and 37 ). The spring  1134  biases the latching tongue  1136  in a direction away from the upper edge  1138 . A handle  1140  is connected to the latching tongue through a side clearance within the main body portion  1132 . 
     The backing plate  1133  is a metal piece and includes side walls  1133   a  having holes  1133   b  which allow resin of the main body portion  1132  to flow through the holes during overmolding to integrate the backing plate  1133  with the main body portion  1132 . The mount  144  includes a top front formation or central accessory mount  1144  ( FIG. 35 ) that includes an inverted U-shaped retainer portion  1148 , surface depressions  1150 ,  1152 ,  1154 ,  1156 ,  1158 , a top slot  1160  and a bottom slot  1162 . The surface depressions  1150 - 1158  are sized and shaped to receive protrusions  1163 ,  1164 ,  1165 ,  1166  ( FIG. 34 ) on a back of the baseplate  1112 . 
     The front mount  144  includes a top formation or central accessory mount  144   a  that includes an inverted U-shaped retainer portion  144   b . The top formation  144   a  may have surface depressions, a top slot, and a bottom slot (not shown) such as surface depressions  1150 - 1158 , a top slot  1160  and a bottom slot  1162  of mount  144 . The surface depressions may be sized and shaped to receive protrusions  1163 ,  1164 ,  1165 ,  1166  ( FIG. 34 ) on a back of the baseplate  1112 . The baseplate  1112  may be supported on ledge  144   c . In one embodiment the ledge  144   c  may be a latch that is resiliently biased upward to secure the base plate in the retainer portion  144   b . The ledge  144   c  may have a lip to prevent the forward movement of the base plate  1114 . 
     The front mount is also compatible to mount a night vision appliance or night vision goggle.The front mount or front bracket portions are mounted on a helmet  34  using screws  1360 ,  1362  and a center screw  1363  ( FIG. 35 ). 
     To mount the baseplate  1112  to and into the formation  1144 , the upper edge  1138  is fit into the top slot  1160 , the baseplate is fit snugly within the retainer portion  1148  and the tongue  1136  is retracted upwardly by force on the handle  1140  until the tongue can be fit into the bottom slot  1162 . 
     Similarly, to mount baseplate  1112  to and into front mount  144 , the upper edge  1138  into the top slot  144   d , the baseplate is fit snugly within the retainer portion  144   b  and the tongue  1136  is retracted upwardly by force on the handle  1140  until the tongue can be fit into the bottom slot, or secured on the ledge  144   c.    
     The face shield frame  95  can also incorporate a removable gasket to seal against the helmet brim to prevent ingress of fluids. 
       FIG. 34  shows the frame  95  includes frame supports  95   a  that brace against the helmet gasket  240  when the face shield is properly seated.  FIGS. 3 and 39  show a contact gasket  101   a  that seals the contact between the frame  101  and the accessory-mounting rim portion such as an accessory-mounting rim portion, such as a halo  200 . The gasket  101   a  has a first lip  101   b  that crosses a second lip  101   c  of the gasket at it approaches the lateral edges of the frame  101 . 
     From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred.