Abstract: A quick release coupling apparatus and method used to connect and quickly disengage a night vision assembly from a pilot's helmet. The quick release coupling apparatus includes a locking element disposed on a pilot's helmet. An aperture is disposed on the night vision assembly to be attached to the pilot's helmet. The locking element of the pilot's helmet is passed into the aperture of the night vision assembly wherein the locking element is engaged and retained by a collet. The collet is biased against the locking element by a wire that is wrapped around the collet. As such, the collet engages the locking element and prevents the locking element from being withdrawn out of the night vision assembly, thereby firmly joining the night vision assembly to the pilot's helmet.Springs or similar repelling elements are disposed between the night vision assembly and the pilot's helmet.

Abstract: A modular night vision device wherein either one or two night vision monocular assemblies can be joined to a common mount to selectively create either a monocular night vision apparatus or a binocular night vision apparatus. Electrical contacts are present on the night vision monocular assemblies that couple to the common mount. The electronic controls and power source needed to operate the night vision monocular assemblies are contained within the common mount. Accordingly, the night vision monocular assemblies automatically become disabled when detached from the common mount. The common mount provides interpupillary and distance-to-eye adjustments for the night vision monocular assemblies. Additionally, the common mount enables the night vision monocular assemblies to be flipped up to a stowed position out of the field of view of the person utilizing the night vision device.

Abstract: A helmet mounted night vision device for a pilot that is automatically propelled away from the pilot before the pilot ejects from an aircraft, thereby preventing injury to the pilot caused by the night vision device striking the ejecting pilot. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention night vision device is a binocular device, having a right optical assembly and a left optical assembly that are viewed by the right and left eyes of the pilot, respectively. The right and left optical assemblies are each attached to elongated arm members. Each of the arm members, supporting the optical assemblies, are pivotably coupled to a common mounting plate that is removably attachable to the helmet of the pilot. Prior to ejection, the left and right optical assemblies are joined in front of the eyes of the pilot, thereby forming the binocular device.

Abstract: The present invention is a mounting assembly for mounting a night vision apparatus onto a standard army issue helmet. The present invention includes a support member for retaining the night vision apparatus and a clamping assembly used to join the support member to the helmet. The clamping assembly is removably attachable to a standard army issue helmet above the eyes of the wearer. The support member is pivotably connected to the clamping assembly in a manner that enables the support member to be pivotably rotated about the clamping assembly between an operational position and a stowed position. At the operational position, the support member retains the night vision apparatus in front of the eyes of the wearer. At the stowed position, the night vision apparatus is "flipped up" to a position above the field of view of the wearer, where the night vision apparatus can be retained until again needed.