Abstract: A helmet assembly comprising a helmet shell, a fit system detachably coupled to the helmet shell, and a retention system coupled to the helmet shell independent of the fit system. The fit system is configured to stabilize the helmet shell on the wearer's head. The retention system is configured to retain the helmet shell on the wearer's head and to stabilize the helmet shell on the wearer's head when the fit system is removed from the helmet shell. The retention system may include a stabilizer configured to extend in a circumferential direction about a rear portion of the wearer's head to stabilize the helmet shell on the wearer's head. The stabilizer may couple segments of the retention system together so as to restrict separation of the segments from each other.

Abstract: A helmet assembly is provided including a front mount configured to attach to the front of the helmet above a brim of the helmet, a mandible for protecting a portion of the user's face, a lower edge rim mounting portion such as a halo attached along the lower edge of the helmet for securing the mandible to a helmet and providing power and data conduits. The front mount provides a center top mounting arrangement that operatively connects a center top location of the face shield to a center front mount on the helmet. The mount provides frontal bracket portions for mounting accessories. The helmet assembly provides a helmet shell with a curved shape having a surrounding reinforcing ridge. A reeling system is provided for adjusting front and lower chin straps. Other improvements in helmet assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: An attachment system is provided which may include a cord, a fastener coupled to a first portion of the cord, a tensioner coupled to a second portion of the cord, and a first fitting arranged to couple either the fastener or the tensioner to the cord. The tensioner is configured to retain a third portion of the cord to maintain the tension in the cord. An attachment system may include a first working component configured to be coupled to the cord, and a first fitting arranged to couple the first working component to the cord. The first working component may have a cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the first fitting, and the first fitting may have an actively moveable element configured to retain the cord when the first fitting is positioned in the working component cavity.

Abstract: A helmet earpiece is provided which includes a body, a first feature configured to fit with a complimentary first feature associated with a helmet, and a second feature configured to fit with a complimentary second feature associated with the helmet. The first and second features on the body may be configured to fit with the respective complimentary first and second features associated with the helmet to mount the helmet earpiece to the helmet. The first feature may include an opening, and a lock adjacent the opening. The lock has an unlocked position and a locked position, where in the unlocked position, the opening may be configured to receive the complimentary first feature associated with the helmet, and in the locked position, the lock may be configured to retain the complimentary first feature in the opening.

Abstract: Helmet systems and their methods of use are described. In one embodiment, an opaque, ballistic rated visor is attached to a helmet such that the visor covers a wearer's eyes.

Abstract: A helmet assembly is provided including a front mount configured to attach to the front of the helmet above a brim of the helmet, a mandible for protecting a portion of the user's face, a lower edge rim mounting portion such as a halo attached along the lower edge of the helmet for securing the mandible to a helmet and providing power and data conduits. The front mount provides a center top mounting arrangement that operatively connects a center top location of the face shield to a center front mount on the helmet. The mount provides frontal bracket portions for mounting accessories. The helmet assembly provides a helmet shell with a curved shape having a surrounding reinforcing ridge. A reeling system is provided for adjusting front and lower chin straps. Other improvements in helmet assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: Suspension systems for helmet assemblies provide enhanced stability and adjustability for installation in helmets across different platforms. A suspension system may include an upward stabilizing member extending from a support portion of the suspension system and a pivotally attached downward stabilizing member. The pivotal attachment between upward and downward stabilizing members allows the suspension to be appropriately incorporated into helmets that are subject to manufacturing and specification variability, while still providing flexibility for fit adjustments to the suspension system.

Abstract: Suspension systems for helmet assemblies provide enhanced stability and adjustability for installation in helmets across different platforms. A suspension system may include an upward stabilizing member extending from a support portion of the suspension system and a pivotally attached downward stabilizing member. The pivotal attachment between upward and downward stabilizing members allows the suspension to be appropriately incorporated into helmets that are subject to manufacturing and specification variability, while still providing flexibility for fit adjustments to the suspension system.

Abstract: Methods for deploying a fastener to close an incision or wound involve exposing the inner surface of each opposing side of the incision and inserting down into the exposed inner surfaces from above the fastener.

Abstract: Helmet systems and their methods of use are described. In one embodiment, an opaque, ballistic rated visor is attached to a helmet such that the visor covers a wearer's eyes.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods relate to wearable armor plate assemblies having armor plate sections which are rigidly connected to one another. The resulting assembly may prevent undesired movement of one or more armor plates relative to the overall assembly. In some embodiments, carriers hold armor plates, and the carriers are rigidly connected to each other. The armor plate assembly may maintain a human torso shape, or other shape, when not being worn by virtue of the rigid connection of the armor plate sections. In some embodiments, the rigid connections allow for pivoting of the armor plate sections relative to each other. The armor plate assembly is supported by a belt in some embodiments.

Abstract: A helmet assembly including a mandible bracket configured to connect a mandible to a helmet, with at least one strap connected to the mandible bracket and configured to extend from the mandible bracket to a helmet. The assembly includes at least one strap guide having a strap engaging portion connected to the strap along a length of the strap for connecting the strap to a helmet. The strap guide is removably attachable to the helmet, and in some embodiments the strap guide may be attached and/or removed through movement along a lengthwise direction of the strap, including in a horizontal direction. The assembly may secure an accessory other than a mandible to the helmet, and sufficient force on the accessory may remove the strap guide from the helmet.

Abstract: A cord tensioning device has three modes of operation: a tightening mode, a release to loosen and then hold mode, and a release mode for relieving all tension in the cord. In the tightening mode, the shape of ratchet pawls and ratchet teeth allow a cord winding spool to rotate in only a tightening direction. In the release to loosen and then hold mode, an actuator associated with the knob releases the ratchet pawl from the ratchet teeth in a reverse direction, but upon release of the knob, the pawl re-engages the ratchet teeth to prevent further loosening. In this manner, the tension can be incrementally loosened. In the release mode, the pawls are disengaged from the ratchet teeth, even after release of the knob, and the spool can continue to rotate within the base when an external tension is applied to the cord.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided. The apparatus receives a first service and determines a potential upload time period including an aggregation time period. The potential upload time period is for uploading a reception report for the first service. The apparatus receives a second service before expiration of the aggregation time period. The apparatus determines whether to generate first reporting information for the received first service and second reporting information for the received second service. The apparatus aggregates the first reporting information and the second reporting information based upon the determination to generate both the first reporting information and the second reporting information.

Abstract: Suspension systems for helmet assemblies provide enhanced stability and adjustability for installation in helmets across different platforms. A suspension system may include an upward stabilizing member extending from a support portion of the suspension system and a pivotally attached downward stabilizing member. The pivotal attachment between upward and downward stabilizing members allows the suspension to be appropriately incorporated into helmets that are subject to manufacturing and specification variability, while still providing flexibility for fit adjustments to the suspension system.

Abstract: A tissue fastener includes a bridge section and two cannulated leg sections. The tissue fastener is a single piece of material, and the material can be a bioabsorbable material. Each of the two leg sections can include at least one barb for resisting dislodgement from tissue after the fastener is inserted into tissue. The bridge can be flexible, and the leg sections can receive needles to allow insertion of the fastener into tissue from above a surface of the tissue. Various insertion devices and mechanisms are possible to deploy the fastener into a wound in a patient's skin from above the surface of and generally perpendicular to the skin.