Abstract: Improved helmet mounting devices for an optical device are provided. The mounting devices herein include dual pivot axes providing multiple flip options for pivoting the viewing device and/or mount up and away from the user's line of sight. The dual pivot axes and multiple flip positions also allow the unit to be adapted for a variety of viewing devices.

Abstract: In one aspect, a shroud assembly for headgear includes a frame formed of a polymer material having a shape that matches a contour of the headgear. An insert is formed of metal or metal alloy and is attached to a front side of the frame. The insert is configured for removable attachment to a mounting assembly. The frame includes first and second spaced flexible walls disposed on the front side of the frame on opposite sides of the insert. The first and second flexible walls are spaced a sufficient distance apart to provide an interference fit between the mounting assembly and the first and second flexible walls. In another embodiment, the shroud assembly further includes a friction pad disposed on a rear surface of the frame for increasing friction between the shroud assembly and the headgear. In another aspect, a method for attaching a mounting assembly to headgear is provided.

Abstract: A modular mounting system for a night vision device includes one or more night vision monoculars, each night vision monocular having an imaging tube, a housing, and a first mounting shoe at a first position on the housing. A power supply has a first fastener thereon. A helmet mount at a first location on a helmet has a second fastener thereon. A power supply interface is located at a second location on the helmet and a second mounting shoe is provided on the power supply interface. The first mounting shoe is interchangeably and removably attachable to the first fastener and the second fastener, and, the first fastener interchangeably and removably attachable to the first mounting shoe and the second mounting shoe. In a further aspect, a firearm rail interface is provided to allow the night vision monocular to alternatively be positioned on a firearm accessory rail.

Abstract: A combined reflex and laser sighting device is provided. In one aspect, the reflex sight and one or more laser elements are coaligned, such that both the reflex sight and the laser sight can be sighted in or boresighted to a weapon together in a single operation. In another aspect, one or more laser elements are mounted within a laser bench and aligned with a reflex sight attached to the laser bench. In yet another aspect, a plurality of laser elements are provided within the laser bench and are coaligned with each other and the reflex sight. In another aspect, a mounting block with yielding vertical and horizontal webs is provided to allow windage and elevation adjustments to be made to the reflex sight and laser elements together.

Abstract: A helmet mount for attaching a viewing device to a helmet includes a helmet interface assembly removably attachable to the helmet. A pivot arm is attached to the helmet interface assembly and is pivotal about a horizontal, transverse axis. A carriage member is carried on the pivot arm and slidable between the distal end and the proximal end of the pivot arm. The carriage member includes a bridge member integral therewith, the bridge member including a first fastener configured to removably attach a first viewing device and a second fastener configured to attach a second viewing device.

Abstract: A communication system includes a headset including a microphone and an audio speaker installed on the headset, the headset including an RF transceiver configured to perform wireless communication with a two-way radio having a push-to-talk communication channel. The RF transceiver is further configured to perform wireless communication with an information handling system. The headset includes processing electronics configured to process an input signal from the microphone and output a first processed signal to the RF transceiver and to process an input signal from the RF transceiver and output a second processed signal to the speaker. A remote control unit is configured to perform wireless communication with the headset, the remote control unit including a remote control unit interface disposed thereon for selectively configuring the headset to function as an audio interface for the push-to-talk communication channel and an audio interface for the information handling system.

Abstract: An improved monocular/binocular bridge and helmet mounting device employing same for an optical device are provided. The mounting device herein includes a mount with a bridge attachment for providing multiple options for a monocular or binocular optical device and multiple options for moving the attached optical device to any of multiple stowed positions out of the user's line of sight when the optical device is not in use. The bridge attachment and multiple stow positions also allow the unit to be adapted for a variety of viewing devices.

Abstract: An improved helmet construction and method having a circuit carried within an edge trim member received over the unfinished edge of the helmet shell. A plurality of electrical connectors are provided at different locations on the helmet for providing power, data transmission, and/or signal transmission to one or more accessory devices on the helmet.

Abstract: A laser sighting system can be used in combination with a range finder for determining a distance to a target. An onboard ballistics computer processor in the laser sighting system calculates a trajectory and automatically rotates a pointing laser to the proper angle for causing the trajectory path of a fired projectile to intersect with the position of the target. The laser sighting system can also be used in a standalone mode wherein target distance information is input manually by the user.

Abstract: An improved weapon mount system for night vision system includes a cage-like structure receiving the body of a night vision system, such as a night vision monocular. A mounting shoe is attached to the base and cage halves secure the body of the night vision system. The mounting shoe of the present mount provides a lower profile than an integral mounting member on the night vision system that is used to attach the night vision system to a helmet/head worn mount. In one aspect, by lowering the weapon mounting height of the night vision device, the night vision system can be mounted at an appropriate height for use in front of an optical scope. In another aspect one aspect, lowering the weapon mounting height of the night vision device allows the night vision system to be mounted at an appropriate height for use on a helmet mounting system in a binocular system having a thermal camera or other type of viewing device.

Abstract: A battery box apparatus includes a main body defining a battery cavity for removably receiving one or more batteries, the main body having a mounting shoe attached to a first side of the main body for removably mounting the battery box. The battery box also includes a cover movable between a closed position and an open position hingedly connected to the main body to selectively close the battery cavity when the cover is in the closed position and to provide access to the battery cavity when the cover is in the open position. A locking mechanism secures the cover in the closed position. The battery box also includes a flex circuit received within the battery cavity, the flex circuit comprising a circuit structure carried on a flexible substrate electrically coupling a plurality of terminals within the battery cavity to a plurality of electrical contacts on the mounting shoe.

Abstract: In one aspect, a modular rocket system comprises a guidance module defining a nose, the guidance module including a guidance system for guiding the modular rocket system toward a target. A flight control module is removably attachable to the guidance module and includes a plurality of airfoils, the airfoils being moveable between a retracted state and an extended state. A munition module is removably attached to the flight control module and includes a hollow interior configured to carry a payload material. A rocket module is attached to the munition module and includes a rocket motor configured to propel the modular rocket system. In a further aspect, a modular rocket system having a plurality of interchangeable modules is provided.

Abstract: A combined range finding and sighting apparatus for a weapon includes a housing therein supporting one or more laser emitters, an optical detector for detecting an optical signal reflected from the target, and a processor. The one or more laser emitters includes a first laser emitter operable in a first mode for emitting an optical signal toward the target a second mode for projecting a first beam onto the target. The processor is coupled to a computer readable memory encoded with executable instructions and is configured, upon execution of the executable instructions, to calculate a distance to the target based on a time of flight of the optical signal. In a further aspect, a method of using a combined range finding and sighting apparatus is provided.

Abstract: In one aspect, a modular rocket system comprises a guidance module defining a nose, the guidance module including a guidance system for guiding the modular rocket system toward a target. A flight control module is removably attachable to the guidance module and includes a plurality of airfoils, the airfoils being moveable between a retracted state and an extended state. A munition module is removably attached to the flight control module and includes a hollow interior configured to carry a payload material. A rocket module is attached to the munition module and includes a rocket motor configured to propel the modular rocket system. In a further aspect, a modular rocket system having a plurality of interchangeable modules is provided.

Abstract: An improved monocular/binocular bridge and helmet mounting device employing same for an optical device are provided. The mounting device herein includes a mount with a bridge attachment for providing multiple options for a monocular or binocular optical device and multiple options for moving the attached optical device to any of multiple stowed positions out of the user's line of sight when the optical device is not in use. The bridge attachment and multiple stow positions also allow the unit to be adapted for a variety of viewing devices.

Abstract: A helmet- or head-mounted video recording system is provided for mounting on a piece of head gear such as a head-protective helmet. The system includes a camera module attachable to the head gear, including a first video camera integrated into the camera module for generating a video signal. A recording module is removably attachable to the head gear and is adapted to receive the video signal and store data representative of the video signal. A power supply module is removably attachable to the head gear and is electrically connectable to the camera module and the recording module.

Abstract: An improved helmet mounting device for an optical or other viewing device is provided. The helmet mount includes a mounting assembly removably attachable to the helmet and a pivoting assembly having a first end pivotally attached to the mounting assembly and a second end opposite the first end. A fore and aft adjustment assembly is attached to the second end of the pivoting assembly and a left and right adjustment assembly is rotatably attached to the fore and aft adjustment assembly. The left and right adjustment assembly is pivotal relative to the fore and aft adjustment assembly about a first generally vertical axis. An optical device mounting member is attached to the left and right adjustment assembly and the optical device mounting member is removably attachable to the optical device.

Abstract: A video display system for a weapon includes a removably attachable optical range finder for calculating a distance to a selected target. The optical range finder includes an optical emitter for sending an optical signal to a target and an optical detector for detecting the signal reflected from the target. A fire control system is removably attachable to the weapon and associated with the optical range finder. The fire control system includes a ballistics computer for calculating a ballistics solution based on the distance to the target. A portable electronic device associated with the fire control system has a display screen and is removably attachable to the weapon. The portable electronic device includes a processor and a memory storing program instructions, the program instructions configured to display the ballistics solution in human viewable form on the display screen. In another aspect, a weapon video display housing configuration is provided.

Abstract: A video display system for a weapon includes a removably attachable optical range finder for calculating a distance to a selected target. The optical range finder includes an optical emitter for sending an optical signal to a target and an optical detector for detecting the signal reflected from the target. A fire control system is removably attachable to the weapon and associated with the optical range finder. The fire control system includes a ballistics computer for calculating a ballistics solution based on the distance to the target. A portable electronic device associated with the fire control system has a display screen and is removably attachable to the weapon. The portable electronic device includes a processor and a memory storing program instructions, the program instructions configured to display the ballistics solution in human viewable form on the display screen. In another aspect, a weapon video display housing configuration is provided.

Abstract: A breathing apparatus is operable in self-contained and filtered modes of operation. In the self-contained mode of operation, a breathable gas is delivered to a user from a self-contained source of breathing gas. In a second, filtered mode of operation, a suction source draws ambient air through a filter removing contaminants and delivers filtered ambient air to the user. A method of delivering air to a subject is also provided.