Patent ID: 8826463

Claim:
A helmet mount for an optical device, comprising: a track assembly configured to be removably attached to a helmet; the track assembly coupled to a ratchet assembly; a mounting plate slidably carried within said track assembly and movable between a forward position and a refracted position; a pivoting assembly attached to the mounting plate for alternatively positioning said optical device between a first, operational position in front of the user's eyes and a second, stowed position away from the user's eyes when the mounting plate is in the forward position; a first electrical connector on the ratchet assembly for attaching a power supply; a second electrical connector on the track assembly for attaching an electrically operated device; electrical conductors electrically coupling the first electrical connector to the second electrical connector for electrically coupling the power supply to said electrically operated device; said ratchet assembly including: at least one hook adapted to attach to a rear brim portion of a helmet; a strap having a first end attached to the track assembly for securing the track assembly to the helmet and a second end opposite the first end; a rotating ratchet mechanism attached to the second end of the strap for adjusting tension in said strap; a gear rack attached to said at least one hook and slidably retained in a housing; a spur gear engaging said gear rack; said spur gear manually rotatable by a user wherein rotation of said spur gear in a first direction retracts said gear rack to tighten said strap and rotation of said spur gear in a second direction opposite the first direction advances said spur gear to loosen said strap; a locking member normally engaging said spur gear to permit rotation of said spur gear in the first direction only; and a release lever for disengaging said locking member from said spur gear to permit rotation of the spur gear in the second direction and loosening of said strap.