Patent Description:
According to a first apect, the present invention relates to a helmet accessory mount system comprising: a shroud configured to be coupled to a helmet; an arm assembly including a first arm configured to rotatably couple to the shroud; and an accessory interface configured to couple to an accessory and configured to engage the arm assembly, wherein the arm assembly is configured to move from a deployed position to at least one storage position, wherein the accessory is configured to be positioned between the accessory interface and the helmet when the arm assembly is in the at least one storage position; and wherein the arm assembly is configured to position the accessory proximate a top of the helmet closest to an uppermost portion of a user's head such that the centre of gravity of the accessory is above the head of the user, when the arm assembly is in the at least one storage position.

The arm assembly may include a second arm configured to rotatably couple to the first arm and configured to rotatably couple to the accessory interface. The accessory interface may be configured to be positioned between the accessory and the helmet when the arm assembly is in a second storage position. The accessory interface may be configured to be positioned between the accessory and the helmet when the arm assembly is in a second storage position. The first arm may be rotationally fixed relative to the shroud as the arm assembly moves from the deployed position to the second storage position.

The second arm may rotate relative to the first arm as the arm assembly moves from the deployed position to the second storage position. The second arm may flip from the deployed position to the second storage position.

In a further embodiment, the first arm may be configured to be positioned within a recess of the accessory when the arm assembly is in one of the plurality of storage positions. In a further embodiment, the accessory mount system includes an accessory coupled to the accessory interface and the accessory may be within <NUM> millimeters of a surface of a helmet when the accessory is in the at least storage position. The shroud may include a ledge, the arm assembly may include a receiving area, and the ledge may be within the receiving area when the arm assembly is in the deployed position.

The shroud may include an opening, and the second arm may include a locking element at least partially within the opening of the shroud when the arm assembly is in the deployed position. The first arm may include a track and the locking element may be within the track when the arm assembly is in the at least one storage position. The first arm may rotate relative to the shroud and the second arm may rotate relative to the first arm when the arm assembly moves from the deployed position to the at least one storage position. The first arm and the second arm may rotate simultaneously. The helmet may include an outer surface, the accessory may include an accessory surface, and a distance from the outer surface to the accessory surface may be less than <NUM> (one inch) when the arm assembly in the at least one storage position. The second arm may be adjacent opposing sides of the first arm when the arm assembly is in the at least one storage position.

The following detailed description of embodiments of the helmet accessory mount system will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings of an exemplary embodiment. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. For example, although not expressly stated herein, features of one or more various disclosed embodiments may be incorporated into other of the disclosed embodiments, but the scope of protection is defined by the claims.

Helmet systems are used by individuals operating in a variety of high-performance environments including defense forces, emergency responders, and industrial personnel. Some existing helmet systems include a mount or shroud for attaching accessories, such as night vision goggles (NVG), to helmet and allow the accessory to move between a stowed or storage position and a use position. Existing accessory mounts extend the accessory a distance from the helmet surface when the accessory is in the storage position. Such a configuration, particularly for relatively heavy accessories such as NVGs, positions the center of gravity of the helmet system away from the top of a user's head, thereby increasing strain on the user's neck as the user must counteract the resultant moment force. Existing accessory mount systems may also have a large profile that causes inadvertent collisions between the accessory and objects around a user. The ability for the user to move his or her head around accurately and quickly while wearing the helmet system with reduced effort and fatigue is particularly important in high performance environments.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in <FIG> an improved accessory mount, generally designated <NUM>, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As discussed in further detail below, the accessory mount allows for the accessory to be positioned relative to the user during use (e.g., in front of the user's eyes) and then moved to one or more compact storage configurations when not in use. The accessory mount allows for the accessory to be positioned in a storage position held close to the outer surface of the helmet when temporarily not in use. In one embodiment, the accessory is proximate the user's forehead in a first storage position. In some embodiments, the accessory mount allows for a second storage position where the accessory is flipped up away from the user's eyes proximate the user's forehead when temporarily not in use and where speed of deployment of the accessory may be more important than comfort, due to the location of the center of gravity of the helmet system. According to the claimed invention, the accessory mount allows for a third storage position where the accessory is positioned on top of the helmet proximate the top of the user's head for maximum comfort but where speed of deployment of the accessory may not be as important.

Referring to <FIG>, the accessory mount <NUM> is configured to couple an accessory <NUM> to a helmet <NUM>. In one embodiment and as shown in the drawings, the accessory is a night vision optical device enabling viewing under nighttime or other low light conditions, such as night vision goggles (NVG), electronic night vision goggles (eNVG), night vision binoculars, or night vision monocular devices (e.g., L3 GPNVG (Ground Panoramic Night Vision Goggle). However, in other embodiments, the accessory <NUM> may be, but is not limited to, a light, a camera, a visor, a goggle, a communication system, a gas supply mask, and/or a face shield. The accessory <NUM> may be moveable from an in-use or deployed position (<FIG>) to one or more storage positions (e.g., <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>). In some embodiments, the accessory <NUM> can be moved from each of the first storage position (<FIG>), second storage position (<FIG>), and third storage position (<FIG>) directly to the deployed position (<FIG>). The accessory <NUM> can be stored in a position such that the center of gravity of the accessory is above the head of the user. The accessory <NUM> can be stored in a position such that the center of gravity of the helmet system is higher or closer to the top of a wearer's head than existing systems. The accessory mount <NUM> can allow a user to move the accessory <NUM> between the deployed position and a plurality of storage positions manually (e.g., with one hand). In some embodiments, the accessory can be moved from one of the storage positions to another of the storage positions without moving the accessory to the deployed position.

Referring to <FIG>, some embodiments of the accessory mount <NUM> include a shroud <NUM> coupled to the helmet <NUM>. In other embodiments, the accessory mount <NUM> includes a plate (not shown) configured to engage (e.g., detachably couple to) an existing shroud. The shroud <NUM> may be coupled to the helmet <NUM> (e.g., by threaded fasteners, weld, or adhesive). The shroud <NUM> may include a hole pattern configured to match an existing hole pattern on the helmet <NUM>. In some embodiments, the shroud <NUM> may be retrofitted onto a helmet to replace an existing shroud without drilling additional holes in the helmet. In some embodiments, the shroud <NUM> may have a hole pattern that requires holes to be drilled into the helmet <NUM>. In some embodiments, the shroud <NUM> is permanently fixed to the helmet <NUM>. In other embodiments, the shroud <NUM> is detachably coupled to the helmet <NUM>. The shroud may include padding (e.g., rubber or a soft material) such that the accessory <NUM> is prevented from scraping against the shroud <NUM> or helmet <NUM> in the storage positions.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the accessory mount <NUM> may include one or more articulable arms to position the accessory <NUM> relative to the helmet <NUM>. In one embodiment, the accessory mount <NUM> includes a first arm <NUM> having a first end <NUM> coupled to the shroud <NUM>. The first arm <NUM> may be movably coupled to the shroud <NUM>. The shroud <NUM> may include bearings <NUM> configured to receive an axle <NUM> coupling the first arm <NUM> to the shroud <NUM> such that the first arm <NUM> is rotatable relative to the shroud <NUM> about axis a<NUM> as the accessory <NUM> is moved between the deployed position (<FIG>) and the first storage position (<FIG>) or third storage position (<FIG>). The accessory <NUM> may be moved from the deployed position (<FIG>) to the first storage position (<FIG>), for example, as shown in the sequence of <FIG>. The accessory <NUM> may be moved from the deployed position (<FIG>) to the second storage position (<FIG>), for example, as shown in the sequence of <FIG>. The accessory <NUM> may be moved from the first storage position (<FIG>) to the third storage position (<FIG>), for example, as shown in the sequence of <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>. The second arm <NUM> may rotate relative to the first arm <NUM> in a first direction as the accessory <NUM> moves from the deployed position to the first storage position or third storage position. The second arm <NUM> may rotate relative to the first arm <NUM> in a second direction, opposite the first direction, as the accessory <NUM> moves from the deployed position to the second storage position.

The first arm <NUM> may have width w<NUM> (<FIG>) which may be thinner than arms of existing accessory mount systems. In some embodiments, the width w<NUM> is about <NUM>, about <NUM>, about <NUM>, about <NUM>, about <NUM>, about <NUM>, about <NUM>, about <NUM>, about <NUM>, about <NUM>, less than about <NUM>, less than about <NUM>, or less than about <NUM>. The first arm <NUM> may be sized and dimensioned to fit in a recess <NUM> of the accessory (e.g., between the optical tubes of NVG even when set to its lowest or minimal interpupillary distance) when the accessory <NUM> is in the second storage position (<FIG>) or third storage position (<FIG>). The recess <NUM> may have a width w<NUM> of about <NUM>, about <NUM>, about <NUM>, about <NUM>, about <NUM>, about <NUM>, about <NUM>, about <NUM>, about <NUM>, about <NUM>, less than about <NUM>, less than about <NUM>, or less than about <NUM>. The first arm <NUM> or bearings <NUM> may include a lock feature (e.g., a snap, detent, spring ball plunger, spring loaded lock button) to lock or retain the first arm <NUM> in the selected storage position.

Referring to <FIG>, a second end <NUM> of the first arm <NUM> may be coupled to a first end <NUM> of a second arm <NUM>. The first arm <NUM> may be movable relative to the second arm <NUM>. An axle <NUM> may couple the second arm <NUM> to the first arm <NUM> such that the second arm <NUM> can rotate relative to the first arm <NUM> about axis a<NUM> (axis a<NUM> shown in <FIG>). The first end <NUM> of the second arm <NUM> may include a channel <NUM> to receive the second end <NUM> of the first arm <NUM> (<FIG>). In some embodiments, the shroud <NUM> and the second arm <NUM> are each coupled to both sides of the first arm <NUM>. A shroud <NUM> or second arm <NUM> coupled to both sides of the first arm <NUM> may provide additional resistance to torsion compared to a shroud or second arm that is coupled to only one side of the first arm. In other embodiments, the first arm <NUM> is coupled to both sides of the shroud <NUM> and the second arm <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the accessory mount <NUM> includes an accessory interface <NUM>. In some embodiments, the accessory interface <NUM> is adapted to couple to a selected accessory <NUM> and the second arm <NUM>. In other embodiments, the accessory interface <NUM> is integrally formed with the accessory <NUM>. The accessory <NUM> may be detachably coupled to the accessory interface <NUM>. In some embodiments, the second arm <NUM> is adapted to receive a plurality of different accessory interfaces. Referring to <FIG>, the second arm <NUM> may include an engagement feature <NUM> (e.g., a threaded opening, part of a hook and loop fastener, or a magnet) that couples the accessory interface <NUM> to the second arm <NUM>. In some embodiments, the accessory <NUM> may be swapped for a second accessory without removing the accessory mount <NUM> from the helmet <NUM>. The accessory interface <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to the second arm <NUM>. The second arm <NUM> may be independently rotatable relative to each of the first arm <NUM> and the accessory interface <NUM>. The accessory interface <NUM> may include for-aft adjustment (e.g., via a sliding member engagement) between the accessory interface <NUM> and the second arm <NUM>. The accessory interface <NUM> may be configured to allow for angle adjustment (e.g., rotation about an axis parallel to axle <NUM>(<FIG>), rotation about an axis transverse to axle <NUM>). In some embodiments, the accessory interface <NUM> is vertically adjustable relative to the second arm <NUM>. In some embodiments, the accessory interface <NUM> is vertically, horizontally, and/or rotationally adjustable relative to the second arm <NUM>. A rear portion of the second arm may couple to (e.g., snap fit) a lower portion of the shroud <NUM> when the accessory is in the deployed position.

Referring to <FIG>, the second arm <NUM> may include a first opening <NUM> configured to receive axle <NUM> that couples the second arm <NUM> to the first arm <NUM>. The second arm <NUM> may include a second opening <NUM> configured to receive a locking element <NUM> (e.g., a spring loaded plunger as shown in <FIG>) that at least partially retains the position of the second arm <NUM> relative to the shroud <NUM> when the accessory <NUM> is in the deployed position (<FIG>). The shroud <NUM> may include an opening <NUM> configured to receive the locking element <NUM>. The first arm <NUM> may include a track <NUM> configured to receive the locking element as the accessory <NUM> moves from the deployed position (<FIG>) to the third storage position (<FIG>). A well <NUM> may be formed at the end of the track <NUM> to help retain the accessory <NUM> in the third storage position when the locking element <NUM> is in the well <NUM>. The well <NUM> may be deeper than the track <NUM>.

Still referring to <FIG>, the shroud <NUM> may include a ledge <NUM> configured to be positioned in the receiving area <NUM> of the second arm <NUM> when the accessory <NUM> is in the deployed position (<FIG>). The ledge <NUM> may contact a sidewall of the receiving area <NUM> to at least partially take on some of the weight of the accessory <NUM> in the deployed position.

Referring to <FIG>, the accessory mount <NUM> may include a flexible connector <NUM> (e.g., a bungee, rope, chain) having a first end coupled to one or more of the accessory <NUM>, the accessory interface <NUM>, or the second arm <NUM>. A rail <NUM> may be coupled to the helmet <NUM>. Some examples of rails contemplated for use with the present invention are described in international patent application <CIT> and <CIT>. A second end of the flexible connector <NUM> may include a second end coupled to the rail <NUM>, shroud <NUM>, or the helmet <NUM>. The flexible connector <NUM> may laterally stabilize the accessary <NUM> and help retain the accessory <NUM> in each of the deployed and storage positions. The rail <NUM> may include a shim and the rail or shim may include a recess between a front surface of the rail <NUM> and the helmet <NUM> wherein the recess receives the flexible connector <NUM>. The accessory mount <NUM> may include a switch or position sensor to automatically turn the accessory <NUM> off when the accessory is moved to one of the storage positions.

Referring to <FIG>, the accessory <NUM> may be below the accessory interface <NUM> when the accessory is in the deployed position. The accessory <NUM> may be above the accessory interface <NUM> when the accessory is in the second storage position (<FIG>). The accessory interface <NUM> may be between the accessory <NUM> and the helmet <NUM> when the accessory is in the second storage position (<FIG>). In one embodiment, the accessory <NUM> extends the furthest from the helmet <NUM> in the second storage position.

The accessory <NUM> may be sandwiched between the surface of the helmet <NUM> and the accessory interface <NUM> when the accessory is in the first storage position (<FIG>) or third storage position (<FIG>). In one embodiment, the accessory interface <NUM> extends the furthest from the helmet <NUM> in the first and third storage positions. The accessory <NUM> may include a first end <NUM> (<FIG>) that faces a first direction (e.g., frontward facing) when the accessory <NUM> is in the deployed position. The first end <NUM> may face a second direction (e.g., rearward facing) when the accessory <NUM> is in the second storage position. The first end <NUM> may face the first direction or a third direction (e.g., forward and downwardly facing) when the accessory <NUM> is in the first storage position or third storage position.

The accessory <NUM> may be raised relative to the helmet <NUM> and rotated toward the helmet <NUM> to tuck the accessory <NUM> in close to the helmet. In order to reposition the accessory <NUM> relative to the helmet <NUM>, the first arm <NUM> may rotate relative to the shroud <NUM>, the second arm <NUM> may rotate relative to the first arm <NUM>, and the accessory interface <NUM> may rotate relative to the second arm <NUM> as the accessory is moved from the deployed position to the first storage position (<FIG>) or the third storage position (<FIG>). The accessory <NUM> may be closer to a surface of the helmet <NUM> (e.g., the surface of the helmet closest to the accessory) when the accessory <NUM> is in the first storage position than when the accessory <NUM> is in the second storage position.

A distance d<NUM> (<FIG>) from the surface of the helmet <NUM> to the outer surface of the accessory <NUM> may be about <NUM> (<NUM> inches), about <NUM> (<NUM> inches), about <NUM> (<NUM> inches), about <NUM> (<NUM> inches), about <NUM> (<NUM> inches), less than <NUM> (<NUM> inches), less than <NUM> (<NUM> inches), about <NUM>-<NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> inches), about <NUM>-<NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> inches), or about <NUM>-<NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> inches). An inner surface of the accessory <NUM> may contact the surface of the helmet when the accessory is in the first storage position. The accessory interface <NUM> may be above the accessory <NUM> when the accessory <NUM> is in the first storage position. The center of gravity of the accessory <NUM> may be closer to the surface of the helmet <NUM> when the accessory is in the first storage position (<FIG>) than when the accessory <NUM> is in the second storage position (<FIG>).

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the second arm <NUM> may rotate relative to the first arm <NUM> as the accessory moves between the deployed position (<FIG>) and the second storage position (<FIG>). In some embodiments, the first arm <NUM> is rotationally fixed relative to the shroud <NUM>, and the accessory interface <NUM> is fixed relative to the second arm <NUM>, as the accessory <NUM> is moved between the deployed position (<FIG>) and the second storage position (<FIG>). In other embodiments, the first arm <NUM> rotates relative to the shroud <NUM> as the accessory moves from the deployed position to the second storage position. A distance d<NUM> between a surface of the accessory <NUM> (e.g., a surface furthest from the helmet) and a surface of the helmet (e.g., the surface closest to the accessory) may be about <NUM> (<NUM> inches), about <NUM> (<NUM> inches), about <NUM> (<NUM> inches), about <NUM> (<NUM> inches), or about <NUM> (<NUM> inches) when the accessory <NUM> is in the second storage position (<FIG>). A distance d<NUM> between a surface of the helmet and the accessory interface <NUM> may be about <NUM> (<NUM> inches), about <NUM> (<NUM> inch), about <NUM> (<NUM> inches), about <NUM> (<NUM> inches), about <NUM> (<NUM> inches), about <NUM> (<NUM> inches), about <NUM> (<NUM> inches), about <NUM> (<NUM> inches), about <NUM> to <NUM> (<NUM> to <NUM> inches), about <NUM> to <NUM> (<NUM> to <NUM> inches), about <NUM> to <NUM> (<NUM> to <NUM> inches), about <NUM> to <NUM> (<NUM> to <NUM> inches) or less than about <NUM> (<NUM> inches) when the accessory <NUM> is in the first storage position. The accessory <NUM> may be moved from the deployed position to the second storage position relatively quickly with a flip up motion.

Referring to <FIG>, the accessory <NUM> may be moved to the third storage position in accordance with the claimed invention. A user may place the accessory <NUM> in the third storage position for extended storage. The strain on a user's neck from the weight or moment force created by the weight of the accessory <NUM> may be less when the accessory <NUM> is in the third storage position than in the second storage position, first storage position, or deployed position. The center of gravity of the accessory <NUM> may be above a user's head when the accessory is in the third storage position. The shroud <NUM> may be coupled to a front of the helmet <NUM> and the accessory <NUM> may be at least partially behind the shroud <NUM> when the accessory <NUM> is in the third storage position. The center of gravity of the accessory <NUM> is higher in the third storage position than in any of the second storage position, first storage position, or deployed position.

To move the accessory <NUM> to the third storage position, the user may move the accessory <NUM> such that the first arm <NUM> rotates relative to the shroud <NUM> about axis a<NUM>. The second arm <NUM> may rotate relative to the first arm <NUM> as the accessory <NUM> is moved toward a top or crown of the helmet <NUM>. The first arm <NUM> may rotate relative to the shroud <NUM> when moving to the third storage position further than when moving to the first storage position. The accessory <NUM> may be moved relative to the shroud <NUM> until the locking element <NUM> is within the track <NUM> or well <NUM> (<FIG>). At least a portion of the accessory <NUM> may be behind the shroud <NUM> when the accessory <NUM> is in the third storage position. In some embodiments, the second arm <NUM> may slide relative to the first arm <NUM> and/or the first arm may slide relative to the shroud <NUM> to move the accessory between the one or more the deployed position, the first storage position, the second storage position, and the thrids storage position.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, an edge <NUM> of the accessory <NUM> (e.g., the edge that is distal from a user's face when the accessory is in the deployed position) may be spaced at a distance d<NUM> of about <NUM> to about <NUM> or about <NUM> from a rim <NUM> of the helmet <NUM> when the accessory <NUM> is in the second storage position (<FIG>). The distance d<NUM> between the rim <NUM> and the edge <NUM> may be about <NUM> (<NUM> inches), about <NUM> (<NUM> inches), about <NUM> (<NUM> inches), about <NUM> (<NUM> inches), less than <NUM> (<NUM> inches), less than <NUM> (<NUM> inches), or less than <NUM> (<NUM> inches) when the accessory <NUM> is in the first storage position (<FIG>). The distance d<NUM> between the rim <NUM> and the edge <NUM> may be about <NUM> (<NUM> inches), about <NUM> (<NUM> inches), about <NUM> (<NUM> inches), about <NUM> (<NUM> inches), less than <NUM> (<NUM> inches), less than <NUM> (<NUM> inches), or less than <NUM> (<NUM> inches) when the accessory <NUM> is in the third storage position (<FIG>).

A method of coupling the accessory mount <NUM> to the helmet <NUM> may include coupling the shroud <NUM> to the helmet by placing anchors into existing bolt holes in the helmet. The shroud <NUM> may be retrofit onto existing helmets by removing the existing shroud and coupling shroud <NUM> to the helmet. The method may include moving the accessory <NUM> from the deployed position to one of the first storage position, the second storage position, and the third storage position. The method may include raising the accessory <NUM> relative to the helmet and flipping the accessory (e.g., rotating about <NUM> °). The method may include tucking the accessory <NUM> close to the helmet <NUM> by raising the accessory <NUM> and moving the accessory <NUM> into the first storage position without flipping (e.g., rotating less than about <NUM> °) the orientation of the accessory <NUM> relative to the helmet <NUM>. The method may include moving the accessory from one of the first storage position, the second storage position, and the third storage position directly to another of the first storage position, the second storage position, and the third storage position without first moving the accessory <NUM> to the deployed position.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the exemplary embodiments shown and described above without departing from the broad inventive concepts thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown and described, but it is intended to cover modifications within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. For example, specific features of the exemplary embodiments may or may not be part of the claimed invention and various features of the disclosed embodiments may be combined. The words "right", "left", "lower" and "upper" designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms "a", "an" and "the" are not limited to one element but instead should be read as meaning "at least one".

It is to be understood that at least some of the figures and descriptions of the invention have been simplified to focus on elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, other elements that those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate may also comprise a portion of the invention. However, because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do not necessarily facilitate a better understanding of the invention, a description of such elements is not provided herein.

Claim 1:
A helmet accessory mount system (<NUM>) comprising:
a shroud (<NUM>) configured to be coupled to a helmet (<NUM>);
an arm assembly including a first arm (<NUM>) configured to rotatably couple to the shroud (<NUM>); and
an accessory interface (<NUM>) configured to couple to an accessory (<NUM>) and configured to engage the arm assembly,
wherein the arm assembly is configured to move from a deployed position to at least one storage position,
wherein the accessory is configured to be positioned between the accessory interface (<NUM>) and the helmet (<NUM>) when the arm assembly is in the at least one storage position; and
characterized in that the arm assembly is configured to position the accessory (<NUM>) proximate a top of the helmet (<NUM>) closest to an uppermost portion of a user's head such that the centre of gravity of the accessory is above the head of the user, when the arm assembly is in the at least one storage position.