Abstract: A flip-up mount is provided for a night vision system. The mount comprises a carriage which is configured to engage a coupling device provided on the night vision system and secure the system in place. A pivotal armature is attached to the carriage and extends from a pivot point. The armature pivots between a first operational position enabling an operator to use the system, and a second stowed position. An anchor secures the pivot point to a helmet worn by the operator of the system. The pivot point further comprises a brace having an axle shaft, a sleeve integral to the armature and rotatable about the shaft, and a spring biased locking member securing the sleeve in a selected one of the first and the second positions. A supplemental chin strap is provided to prevent unwanted movement of the helmet when the night vision system is in the stowed position. Alternatively, the flip-up mount can be used in conjunction with a face mask worn by the operator.

Abstract: A night vision device with improved user safety includes a head gear support structure which suspends a night vision viewer relative to the head and eyes of the user. The head gear includes a flip up mount allowing the user to flip the night vision viewer up and out of the user's line of sight for an unobstructed natural view of the environment. In order both to save battery power, and to prevent the user from inadvertently revealing his position by forgetting to turn off the night vision viewer before flipping it up, the support structure includes a magnetic flux source cooperable with a magnetically-responsive switch of the night vision viewer to maintain the viewer turned on only when the viewer is in its use position. When the viewer is flipped toward its upward position, the switch of the viewer is carried out of magnetic association with the flux source so that the viewer shuts off.

Abstract: An adapter is provided for enabling the use of night vision goggle having a plug-type mounting connector and a spring biased latch, with a head mounting assembly having a plate-type receiving carriage. The adapter comprises a housing having a plug-type receptacle which is configured to receive the plug-type mounting connector and a bar capable of engaging the latch. The adapter also comprises a mounting plate which is integrally formed to the hosing and configured to engage the plate-type receiving carriage. The plug-type mounting connector is secured within the plug-type receptacle by an engagement between the latch and the bar. The plug-type mounting connector is capable of selective disengagement from the plug-type receptacle by manual manipulation of the latch.

Abstract: A night vision system usable as either a helmet mounted or face mask mounted monocular, or as a pocketscope, comprising an optical portion having an objective lens, an eyepiece, and an image intensification apparatus for intensifying a received image intermediate the objective lens and the eyepiece, a control housing affixed to the optical portion and having internal circuitry for powering the optical portion, and an apparatus for selectively mounting the monocular in an operational position adjacent to a desired one of an operator's eye and being rapidly switchable between the eyes.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for a night vision system is provided which allows the night vision system to be easily and rapidly switched from one eye to the next. The night vision system has an optical portion, and a control housing affixed to the optical portion. The control housing has a first and a second mounting plate. The mounting assembly has a first and a second carriage, and each of the carriages are configured to receive a selected one of the mounting plates. The mounting assembly can then be secured to either a face mask worn by the operator, or a helmet worn by the operator. The position of the carriages can be adjusted to compensate for the inter-pupillary distance and elevation relative a normal line of sight of an operator's eyes. The carriages are carried by a threaded rod having two portions threaded in opposite directions, so that rotation of the knob moves the carriages either closer together or further apart, as desired.

Abstract: The improved day/night weapon sight comprises a red dot aiming portion having a light emitting diode, a combining mirror, and an apparatus for mounting the LED and the mirror on a weapon to produce a virtual image of the LED at an infinite distance in alignment with the bore sight of the weapon, and a removable night vision portion having an objective lens, an eyepiece, and an image intensification tube for intensifying a received image intermediate the objective lens and the eyepiece, wherein the virtual image is visible to the operator at night through the eyepiece, and the night vision portion is removed for use of the red dot aiming portion during the day.