BALLISTIC AND IMPACT PROTECTIVE SYSTEM FOR MILITARY HELMET ASSEMBLY

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.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/115,759, filed Nov. 5, 2013, and entitled “BALLISTIC AND IMPACT PROTECTIVE SYSTEM FOR MILITARY HELMET ASSEMBLY,” which is a national stage filing under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Patent Application No. PCT/US2012/036499, filed May 4, 2012, and entitled “BALLISTIC AND IMPACT PROTECTIVE SYSTEM FOR MILITARY HELMET ASSEMBLY,” which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/101,320, filed May 5, 2011, and entitled “BALLISTIC AND IMPACT PROTECTIVE SYSTEM FOR MILITARY HELMET ASSEMBLY,” which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 12/875,106, filed Sep. 2, 2010, and entitled “BALLISTIC AND IMPACT PROTECTIVE SYSTEM FOR MILITARY HELMET ASSEMBLY,” which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/334,923, filed May 14, 2010, and entitled “BALLISTIC AND IMPACT PROTECTIVE VISOR SYSTEM FOR MILITARY HELMET ASSEMBLY,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/265,707, filed Dec. 1, 2009, and entitled “MULTI-COMPONENT HELMET ASSEMBLY,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/246,701, filed Sep. 29, 2009, and entitled “HELMET ASSEMBLY HAVING MULTIPLE COMPONENTS,” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/239,733, filed Sep. 3, 2009, and entitled “MULTI-COMPONENT HELMET ASSEMBLY,” each of which is incorporated herein by reference its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to helmet assemblies having multiple components such as face shields, mandibles or mouth guards and accessories for use on helmets.

BACKGROUND

Military and law-enforcement helmets with face shields are known such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,901,369 and 4,536,892. These face shields provide pivot arrangements on opposite lateral sides of the face shield to allow the face shield to be pivoted upward away from the user's face when the face shield is not deployed. The face shield is held in a deployed position in front of the user's face by locking of the pivot arrangements.

SUMMARY

The present inventors have recognized that it is desirable to provide a helmet assembly with an improved attachment system for attaching a face shield, a mandible, goggles and other accessories.

The present inventors have also recognized that it is desirable to provide an attachment system that is quickly and easily installed onto, or removed from, a helmet.

The present inventors recognize the desirability of a mandible attachment system for a helmet that is deployable with or without a side and rear rail system.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a helmet assembly that includes 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 rear portion of 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, and a fastener engaging portion configured to connect to a fastener attached to a helmet.

In one embodiment, the assembly has first and second strap connectors configured to connect at a rear of a helmet. The assembly has first and second mandible brackets configured to connect the mandible to a helmet. The assembly has first and second straps. The first strap is connected to the first mandible bracket at a first end of the first strap, and is connected to the first strap connector at an opposite second end of the first strap. The second strap is connected to the second mandible bracket at a first end of the second strap and is connected to the second strap connector at an opposite second end of the second strap. The assembly has first and second strap guides. The first strap guide is connected to the first strap between the first mandible bracket and the first strap connector and is configured to be secured by a fastener to a rear portion of a helmet. The second strap guide is connected to the second strap between the second mandible bracket and the second strap connector and is configured to be secured by a fastener to a rear portion of a helmet.

In one embodiment the assembly includes a mandible and a mandible mount or front mount configured to be attached about a front opening of a helmet. The mandible brackets are attached to opposite sides of the mandible and connect the mandible to a helmet via the mount.

In one embodiment, the front mount comprises a mandible mounting channel. The mandible bracket has a pin configured to be received in the mounting channel to provide a pivotable connection of the mandible to the helmet.

In one embodiment, the mandible has a deployed position about the user's mandibular region and a raised standby position providing access to a user's mouth. The straps have a connected position where the first strap connector is attached to the second strap connector, and a released position. The straps, when in the connected position, secure the mandible in the deployed position.

In one embodiment, the fastener engaging portion of the strap guide has a first channel having an open end opposite a closed end; and the strap holding portion comprises at least two strap slots configured to receive a strap. The strap slots are located on opposite sides of the first channel.

In one embodiment, the fastener engaging portion of the strap guide comprises a first channel having an open end opposite a closed end.

In one embodiment, the first channel has at least one locking nub located along a length of the channel between the open end and the closed end to secure a portion of the fastener between the locking nub and the closed end.

In one embodiment, the fastener engaging portion of the strap guide has an upper second channel located adjacent to the first channel. The second channel has a width and length that is greater than the first channel. The second channel configured to receive the head of a fastener.

In one embodiment, the strap holding portion of the strap guide comprises at least two strap slots configured to receive the strap through the strap slots. The strap slots are located on opposite sides of the first channel. The first channel is configured to be located under a head of a fastener. The second channel is configured to engage at least a portion of the head of a fastener. The first and second channels are slide channels configured to slidably receive a fastener therein.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a method of securing a face protector, which maybe a mandible, to a helmet, comprising the steps of, connecting a face protector about a front portion of the helmet by face protector brackets, drawing straps from opposite sides of the face protector to the rear of the helmet, sliding at least one strap guide attached to each strap, on to a fastener attached to the helmet, connecting the straps together at a rear of the helmet.

In one embodiment, the step of connecting is performed before the step of sliding. In one embodiment, the step of sliding is performed before the step of connecting.

In one embodiment, the step of sliding comprises the step of sliding a channel of the strap guide between the head of the fastener and the surface of the helmet until the fastener is placed between at least one locking nub of the channel and the closed end of the channel.

In some embodiments, an accessory attachment assembly for a helmet includes at least one strap guide configured to connect a strap with a helmet, with the strap guide having one of a fastener and a fastener engaging portion for releasably receiving the other of a fastener and a fastener engaging portion secured to a portion of a helmet. The strap guide further has a strap holding portion configured to hold a strap relative to the guide.

In some embodiments, an accessory attachment assembly for a helmet is provided, with the assembly including at least one mandible bracket configured to connect a mandible to a helmet, and at least one strap connected to the mandible bracket and configured to extend from the mandible bracket to a rear portion of a helmet. The at least one strap guide has a strap engaging portion connected to the strap along a length of the strap, and a fastener or a fastener engaging portion configured to connect to the other of a fastener or a fastener engaging portion that is attached to a helmet.

In some embodiments, a method of securing a face protector to a helmet includes connecting a face protector about a front portion of the helmet by face protector brackets, bringing straps connected to the face protector from opposite sides of the face protector to the rear of the helmet, and sliding each of one or more strap guides onto a fastener or fastener engaging portion attached to the helmet. Each of the one or more strap guides is attached to one of the straps. The method also includes connecting the straps together, in some cases at a rear of the helmet.

According to some embodiments, a method includes disconnecting a connector which is connecting two strap portions of an accessory-securing strap that is arranged to be mounted to a helmet. The method further includes exerting a force on an accessory that is being secured by the strap arrangement, and, through the exertion of force on the accessory, disengaging at least one strap guide from the helmet, the strap guide holding a strap portion of the two strap portions.

According to some embodiments, an accessory attachment assembly for a helmet includes a strap to secure an accessory to a helmet, a first strap guide holding the strap relative to the first strap guide, the first strap guide including a first engaging portion to engage with a second engaging portion which is connected to the helmet. When the first strap guide is attached to the helmet through the engagement of the first and second engaging portions, the assembly is constructed and arranged such that a force on the strap along a lengthwise direction of the strap and more than a threshold force disengages the first engaging portion from the second engaging portion.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a helmet assembly that includes a face shield and the front mount is 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 face shield can be raised and lowered about a pivot axis provided in the mounting arrangement between a tilted up, non-use position and a lowered, deployed position. The mounting arrangement can include a detent and two recesses, wherein the detent engages a first recess at a slightly forwardly displaced position to allow ventilation between the helmet and mandible and the face shield and a second recess at the tilted up, non-use position. The recess and detent engagement can be overcome by an easy manual force acting on the face shield to reposition the face shield.

The exemplary embodiment provides a helmet attachment system that attaches other devices such as goggle straps, night vision devices, and other devices. The exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides an attachment system that is quickly and easily installed onto or removed from a helmet.

In one embodiment, the front mount or front rail may be substantially contiguous with side rails mounted to the helmet which extend rearward from side edges of the front mount. The rear edges of the side rails can be substantially contiguous with a back rail mounted on the helmet. The side rails are configured to provide attachment locations for further components, such as lights, electronics, communication equipment, etc.

The combination of a front mount, side rails and back rail form a substantially circumferential reinforcement of the helmet and provides front side and rear mounting platforms for accessories, electronics and other tools and devices according to the needs of the wearer.

The mandible brackets or attachment bases may be arranged on a side of the helmet near to an ear covering of the helmet. The attachment bases each include a metal base plate covered by an attached body block. Each attachment base provides provisions for attaching one or more devices to the attachment base, such as for attaching opposite ends of a mandible to the bases. The metal base plate includes hooks for engaging an edge of the helmet. A pair of strap assemblies is provided, each strap assembly connected to one attachment base. The mandible is screwed onto the attachment bases. The mandible is easily installed by insertion of a headed pin or rivet extending from each attachment base inward, through channels formed on the front mount or front rail and sliding the attachment bases with the mandible mounted thereto through the channel until the hooks engage the rim of the helmet. The straps are then drawn rearward and buckled.

The face shield mounting arrangement provides an effective, cost efficient mechanism for holding the face shield in either the downward deployed position or the upwardly tilted, non-use position. A wearer can raise and lower the face shield with only one hand in some embodiments. This attribute allows a soldier to raise or lower his face shield without putting down his rifle.

Advantageously, a front mount attached to the helmet can accommodate either the face shield mounting arrangement or a night vision appliance. Thus the mounting apparatus for a helmet is simplified and the number of parts and mounting complexities are reduced.

In one embodiment the face shield is a visor system that has a lens with optics that are designed to provide not only impact protection but also high energy ballistic protection while providing clarity by reduced refractive power, astigmatism, and prism in the horizontal direction as well as in the vertical direction. According to one embodiment the lens has a thickness defined between the inner and outer surfaces. The thickness is greatest at the centerpoint and tapers at a substantially constant rate toward the edges. The radius of curvature of the outer surface of the lens is longer and offset forwardly of the radius of curvature of the inner surface of the lens causing the lens surfaces to be eccentric.

Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will be become readily apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, and from the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a helmet assembly outfitted with the attachment system of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a left side view of the helmet assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is a side view showing the helmet assembly with a face shield in a slightly tilted up position;

FIG. 2C is a side view showing the helmet assembly with the face shield in a fully tilted up non-use position;

FIG. 2D is a perspective view showing the helmet assembly in a fully tilted up, non-use position;

FIG. 3 is a right side view of the helmet assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A is a rear view of the helmet assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4B is a rear view identical to FIG. 4A but with portions removed for explanation of underlying features;

FIG. 4C is a perspective view of the helmet assembly in an alternate configuration wherein the face shield is replaced by goggles;

FIG. 4D is a rear perspective view of the helmet assembly in an alternate configuration wherein a top rail is added;

FIG. 4E is a right side perspective view of the helmet assembly of FIG. 4D;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the helmet assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6A is a left side perspective view of the helmet assembly shown in FIG. 1 with portions removed for explanation of underlying features;

FIG. 6B is a left side vide of the helmet assembly shown in FIG. 1 with portions removed for explanation of underlying features;

FIG. 6C is a left side vide of the helmet assembly shown in FIG. 1 with portions removed for explanation of underlying features and with the shock cord 10 channel cover shown transparent;

FIG. 7 is a right side perspective view of portions of the helmet assembly shown in FIG. 1 with portions removed for explanation of underlying features;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the helmet assembly portions shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of a face shield portion of the portion of the helmet assembly shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10A is an enlarged, fragmentary front perspective view of the helmet assembly portion shown in FIG. 1 with portions removed for explanation of underlying features;

FIG. 10B is a perspective view of a cap;

FIG. 10C is an enlarged, fragmentary front perspective view of the helmet assembly portion with a second embodiment helmet mount;

FIG. 10D is a side view of the helmet assembly portion;

FIG. 10E is an enlarged, fragmentary front perspective view of the helmet assembly portion with a second embodiment helmet mount;

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of the face shield portion shown in FIG. 10A with portions of the face shield added;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken generally along line 12-12 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13A is a front perspective view of the helmet assembly shown in FIG. 11 with portions removed for explanation of underlying features;

FIG. 13B is a perspective view of a portion of a mounting arrangement baseplate;

FIG. 13C is a perspective view of the mounting arrangement with portions removed for explanation of underlying features;

FIG. 13D is a perspective view of the mounting arrangement with portions removed for explanation of underlying features;

FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view of a face shield assembly shown in FIG. 1 with portions removed for explanation of underlying features;

FIG. 15 is a front view of the face shield assembly shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a left, rear perspective view of the helmet assembly shown in FIG. 1 with portions removed for explanation of underlying features;

FIG. 17 is a left side view of the helmet assembly shown in FIG. 16 with portions removed for explanation of underlying features;

FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of the helmet assembly of FIG. 1 with portions removed for explanation of underlying features;

FIG. 19A is a front perspective view of the helmet assembly of FIG. 18 with further portions removed for explanation of underlying features;

FIG. 19B is a perspective outside view of a side rail;

FIG. 20 is a front perspective view taken from of FIG. 1 with portions removed for explanation of underlying features showing a mandible;

FIG. 21 is a front perspective view taken from of FIG. 20 with portions removed for explanation of underlying features showing an underlying tubular framework of the mandible;

FIG. 22 is a front perspective view taken from FIG. 1 with portions removed for explanation of underlying features showing a back rail;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a goggle strap clip shown in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24A is a perspective view of a helmet assembly with a mandible or lower jaw protection configuration;

FIG. 24B is a perspective view of a helmet assembly with a mandible or lower jaw protection configuration;

FIG. 24C is a perspective view of a helmet assembly with a mandible or lower jaw protection configuration;

FIG. 24D is a perspective view of a helmet assembly with a mandible or lower jaw protection configuration;

FIG. 24E is a perspective view of a helmet assembly with a mandible or lower jaw protection configuration;

FIG. 24F is a perspective view of a helmet assembly with a mandible or lower jaw protection configuration;

FIG. 24G is a perspective view of a helmet assembly with a mandible or lower jaw protection configuration;

FIG. 24H is a perspective view of a helmet assembly with a mandible or lower jaw protection configuration;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the face shield and mounting arrangement shown in FIG. 1, shown in a lowered, use position, but slightly open for ventilation, such as shown in FIG. 2B;

FIG. 26A is a sectional view taken generally along line 26-26 shown in FIG. 25;

FIG. 26B is a sectional view of a first embodiment of a pivot pin;

FIG. 26C is a sectional view of the first embodiment of a pivot pin with a ball;

FIG. 26D is a sectional view of a second embodiment of a pivot pin;

FIG. 26E is a sectional view of the second embodiment of a pivot pin with a ball;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the face shield and mounting arrangement shown in FIG. 1 but shown in a raised, non-use position, such as shown in FIG. 2C;

FIG. 28 is a sectional view taken generally along line 28-28 shown in FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is an enlarged, front perspective view of the lever for raising the face shield, shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 30 is a rear perspective view of the lever shown in FIG. 29;

FIG. 31 is a rear view of the lever shown in FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of an attachment base taken from FIG. 1;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the attachment base of FIG. 32 with portions removed for explanation of underlying features;

FIG. 34 is an inside perspective view of the attachment base shown in FIG. 33;

FIG. 35 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a left side of the 20 helmet assembly;

FIG. 36 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 36-36 of FIG. 6A with an added functional attachment;

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of an alternate mandible attachment system;

FIG. 38 is a fragmentary side view of a helmet with mandible using the alternate mandible attachment system of FIG. 37;

FIG. 39 is a fragmentary side view similar to FIG. 38 with portions removed to show underlying features;

FIG. 40A is a side view of the helmet assembly having a second alternate adjustable mandible attachment system;

FIG. 40B is a top view of the helmet assembly having a second alternate adjustable mandible attachment system;

FIG. 40C is an inside perspective view of the attachment base of the second alternate adjustable mandible attachment system;

FIG. 41 is a sectional side view taken along 41-41 from FIG. 40B with the standoff mechanism in a lowered position;

FIG. 42 is a detailed view from FIG. 41;

FIG. 43 is a sectional side view from FIG. 40B generally along line 41- 41, with the standoff mechanism in a raised position;

FIG. 44 is a detailed view from FIG. 43;

FIG. 45 is a rear view of the helmet assembly having an alternate adjustable back rail system;

FIG. 46 is a rear view of the helmet assembly having the alternate adjustable back rail system in a contracted position, where the helmet is not shown;

FIG. 47 is a rear view of the helmet assembly having the alternate adjustable back rail system in an expanded position, where the helmet is not shown;

FIG. 48 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the center back rail and an outer rear rail of the adjustable back rail system;

FIG. 49 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the center back rail of the adjustable back rail system;

FIG. 50 is a sectional view taken from FIG. 48 generally along line 50-50;

FIG. 51 is a section view taken from FIG. 48 generally along line 51-51;

FIG. 52 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the center back rail and an outer rear rail of an alternative toothed back rail embodiment of the adjustable back rail system;

FIG. 53 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the center back rail of the alternative toothed back rail embodiment of the adjustable back rail system;

FIG. 54 is a sectional view from taken from FIG. 52 generally along line 54-54;

FIG. 55 is a perspective front view of the center back rail of the toothed back rail embodiment of the adjustable back rail system;

FIG. 56 is a perspective rear view of the center back rail of the toothed back rail embodiment of the adjustable back rail system;

FIG. 57 is a second perspective front view of the center back rail of the toothed back rail embodiment of the adjustable back rail system;

FIG. 58 is a perspective view of a buckle member;

FIG. 59 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a lens of a visor system;

FIG. 60 is a front view of the lens of FIG. 59;

FIG. 61 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the lens taken along line 61-61 of FIG. 60 showing tapering thickness of the lens;

FIG. 62 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the lens taken along line 62- 62 of FIG. 60;

FIG. 63 is side view of the lens of FIG. 59;

FIG. 64 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a lens;

FIG. 65 is a front view of the lens of FIG. 64;

FIG. 66 is a top view of a lens positioned in front of a user; FIG. 67 is a side view of a lens positioned in front of a user;

FIG. 68 is a perspective view of a head cap;

FIG. 69 is a perspective view of the helmet assembly having the head cap;

FIG. 70 is fragmentary perspective view of a helmet with one embodiment of a side rail;

FIG. 71 is a front perspective view of the second embodiment of the 20 helmet mount;

FIG. 72 is an enlarged view of a portion of the second embodiment of the helmet mount;

FIG. 73 is a rear perspective view of one embodiment of the helmet assembly showing an alternate embodiment mandible strap attachment system;

FIG. 74 is a section view taken along line 74-74 of FIG. 73;

FIG. 75 is a perspective view of components of the alternate embodiment mandible strap attachment system of FIG. 73;

FIG. 76 is a side perspective view of components of the alternate embodiment mandible strap attachment system of FIG. 73;

FIG. 77 is a rear perspective view of the alternate embodiment mandible strap attachment system of FIG. 73;

FIG. 78 is a section view taken along the line 78-78 of FIG. 77;

FIG. 79 is a rear perspective view of the alternate embodiment mandible strap attachment system of FIG. 73;

FIG. 80 is a rear perspective view of a helmet having bolts and C-clips installed;

FIG. 81 is a side perspective view of bolts and c-clips;

FIG. 82 is a section view taken along line 82-82 of FIG. 80;

FIG. 83 is a rear perspective view of a helmet embodiment including one embodiment of a strap attachment system;

FIG. 84 is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of a strap attachment system shown in FIG. 83, with the strap guides attached to the helmet;

FIG. 85 is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of a strap attachment system shown in FIGS. 83 and 84, with the strap guides attached to the helmet and a connector engaged;

FIG. 86 is a top view of a strap guide according to one embodiment; and

FIG. 87 is a perspective view of the strap guide shown in FIG. 86.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.

It should be noted that the helmet assembly described herein is symmetrical across a vertical, front-to-back centerplane as evidenced by the figures and any description of a right side component will also describe the left side component as a minor image thereof.

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate a helmet assembly 30 to be worn by a wearer 31 (FIG. 3) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The helmet assembly includes a helmet, such as a military helmet 34. A mandible 36 is operatively connected to the helmet 34. A protective face shield, such as a transparent visor or transparent face shield 38 is also operatively connected to the helmet, substantially between a front of the helmet 34 and the mandible 36. A mounting arrangement 42 is operatively connected to the helmet 34 and to the face shield 38 which allows movement of the face shield 38 with respect to the helmet. The mounting arrangement 42 includes a shield mount 43 and a helmet mount 44.

The helmet mount 44 extends across at least a partial width of the helmet and is contiguous on the right and left sides of the helmet to a left side rail 46 and a right side rail 48 (left and right orientations mentioned herein are according to the helmet wearer's perspective). The side rails are minor image identical across a vertical, front-to-back center plane of the assembly 30. Rear portions of the rails 46, 48 are contiguous with a back rail 52. The mount 44, the side rails 46, 48 and the back rail 52 together substantially surround a perimeter of the helmet 34.

The helmet mount includes two side channels 44a, 44b used for mounting the mandible 36 as described below.

The helmet assembly can also be used with goggles 54 rather than the face shield 38, as shown in FIG. 4C. The goggles include straps 55a, 55b that are connected to goggle clips to the back rail 52, as described below. The back rail is design so that the back rail retains an unreleased goggle clip. In this way one the goggle clip and accompanying strap may be retained in the back rail even when the other goggle clip is released. This provides that a goggle may be quickly deployed by reattaching the released goggle a clip.

The mandible 36 is operatively mounted to the helmet 34 by left and right attachment bases 62, 64. For simplicity, only the left attachment base 62 will be describes as the right side attachment base is minor image identical across the vertical, front-to-back center plane of the assembly.

The mandible 36 is fastened to the attachment base by two screws 71, 72. The attachment base 62 engages the helmet as described below and is drawn rearward by a strap system 76. Only the left side strap system 76 will be described but it is to be understood that a right side strap system 78 would be mirror image identical across the vertical, front-to-back center plane of the assembly. The front rail or mount 44, side rails and the back or rear rail provide support as a system for the mandible.

The left side strap system includes a strap 82 that is connected by a loop 85 to the base 62 at one end and to a buckle member 87 at an opposite end. The buckle member 87 engages a buckle receiving slot 90 formed in the back rail 52.

Face Shield and Mounting Arrangement

The details of the face shield 38 and the mounting arrangement 42 are shown in FIGS. 7-15 and 25-31.

The face shield 38 comprises a lens 94 and a frame 95. The lens 94 fits within a groove 97 (FIG. 9) in the frame 95 and is fixed to the frame by three screws 96. For military use particularly, the face shield lens 94 should be ballistic impact resistant. It can be of a laminated construction and can feature a variable light transmission system. Such a variable light transmission system can incorporate an electronic control system to vary the light transmission according to the ambient light conditions.

The face shield frame 95 is mounted to the mounting arrangement 42 via the shield mount 43. The shield mount 43 comprises parallel lugs 98a, 98b (FIG. 14). The lugs 98a, 98b include holes 99a, 99b for receiving pins 99c (only one shown, FIG. 13A). Each pins 99c passes through a hole 101 (FIG. 12) formed through sides in a base portion 102 (FIG. 11) of a lever 100, and are held in place by the head of the pin and a circlip or lock washer 99d. The lever 100 includes a hole 103 (FIG. 11) through a distal end thereof. A pivot pin 107 (FIG. 12) is fit though the hole 103 and is fixed to sidewalls 110a, 110b (FIG. 13A) which extend outward from a baseplate 112. L-shaped side links 114a, 114b are pinned at one end to the lugs 110a, 110b and at an opposite end to the lugs 98a, 98b.

The lever 100 has a central recess 116 (FIGS. 11 and 12). An opening 118 is provided within the central recess 116. A hook-shaped latch 122 (FIGS. 11, 12 and 13A) has a base end pivotally attached to the sidewalls 110a, 110b by a through pin 124 (FIG. 12). The latch extends outwardly through the opening 118. The latch is biased to rotate upward to a latched position by a torsion spring 130 (FIG. 13A). When the face shield is moved from the upward, non-use position down to the deployed position as shown in FIG. 1, the lever slides over the angular face 122a of the latch, which causes rotation of the latch downward as the hook end passes through the opening 118. Once the hook end of the 10 latch is through the opening 118, the latch rebounds by the urging of the torsion spring to rotate upward and the hook end overlies a first recessed surface 116a of the lever adjacent to the opening 118. The latch 122 holds the lever 100 and the face shield 38 in the deployed position. The latch 122 can also be made to overlie a second recessed surface 116b to hold the face shield in a slightly open position with respect to the helmet and mandible. To move the face shield 38 to the slightly open position or the tilted up, non-use position, the hook end 122a of the latch are depressed downward by a finger to release the latch from the lever and the face shield can be pivoted upward.

The pivot pin 107 is fixed to the sidewalls 110a, 110b by use of a threaded screw 123a and a spring pin 123b on each end of the pivot pin 107 for each sidewall 110a, 110b. The spring pin 123b is a pin having a portion that is larger than a hole in the pivot pin 107 such that it is resiliently or deformable forced into the hole to hold the pivot pin 107 fixedly to the side walls 110a, 110b. The use of a spring pin prevents unscrewing of the screw 123a due to the repetitive raising and lowering of the face shield.

The pivot pin 107 includes two recesses 126a, 126b at two spaced apart, circumferential positions. A detent mechanism 127 is shown in FIGS. 26A and 28. The detent mechanism includes three spring mechanisms 127a arranged in parallel. Each mechanism includes a compression spring 127b that urges a ball 127c toward the pivot pin 107. All the compression springs are braced by a backing through pin 127d. The compression spring 127b and the ball 127c are captured within a cylindrical passage 100a formed in the lever 100, by the backing pin 127d and the pivot pin 107. When installed, the springs 127b are pre-compressed between the backing pin 127d and the pivot pin 107 to the degree necessary to allow the balls 127c to be urged into the appropriate recess 126a, 126b when the recess presents itself to the balls 127c upon rotation of the lever 100 with respect to the pivot pin 107. The balls 127c fit into the recess 126a when the face shield is moved slightly away from the helmet and mandible to allow for increased ventilation (FIG. 2B), and fit into the recess 126b when the face shield is pivoted into the raised, non-use position (FIGS. 2C and 20). The engagement between the detent mechanism 127 and either of the recesses 126a, 126b provides a resilient hold that can be overcome by force from the wearers hand to pivot the face shield.

FIGS. 26A-26C show the first embodiment of the pivot pin 107. FIGS. 26D-26E show the second embodiment of the pivot pin 108. The recesses 126a, 126b of the first embodiment have a recess wall 126c that has a constant radius of curvature along its arc length. The first recess 126a is identical geometrically to the second recess 126b. As shown in FIG. 26C, the constant radius of curvature allow the ball 127c to fully contact the recess along the entire recess wall.

The second embodiment of the pivot pin 108 provides a recess wall 108c, 108d, 108e that does not have a constant radius of curvature along its length. In this configuration the ball 127c does not make contact with the recess along the entire recess wall as shown in FIG. 26E. The first recess 108a is identical geometrically to the second recess 108b. Referring to recess 108b, the recess has two flat walls 108c, 108e are connected by a curved section 108d. At least a portion of the flat walls 108c, 108e contact the ball 127c when it engages the recess 108b. This leaves a gap 108h between the ball and at least a portion of the curved portion 108d of the recess wall. The recess has full contact areas 108g, 108f and a non-contact area 108k therebetween. The arrangement prevents full contact between the ball and the entire length of the recess wall to reduce force needed to overcome the spring pressure transferred to the ball. As less force is needed with the second embodiment of the pivot pin 108 as compared to the first embodiment of the pivot pin 107, it is easier for a user to move the mounting arrangement 42 between the deployed position and the standby position. In one embodiment, the contact area 108g corresponds to the flat wall 108e, and the contact area 108f corresponds to the flat wall 108c, and the non-contact area 108k corresponds to the curved section 108d.

The face shield is operable with one hand to raise and lower the face shield. One finger depresses the latch 122 as the rest of the hand lifts the face shield to a raised position. The face shield can be lowered with one hand and the latch is self-engaging.

FIG. 13C shows the baseplate 112 includes a main body portion 132, a backing plate 133 (FIG. 13B), a spring 134, and a latching tongue 136. The main body portion 132 includes an upper edge 138 (FIGS. 9 and 12). The spring 134 biases the latching tongue 136 in a direction away from the upper edge 138. A handle 140 is connected to the latching tongue through a side clearance within the main body portion 132.

The backing plate 133 is a metal piece and includes side walls 133a having holes 133b which allow resin of the main body portion 132 to flow through the holes during overmolding to integrate the backing plate 133 with the main body portion 132.

The mount 44 includes a top front formation or central accessory mount 144 (FIG. 10) that includes an inverted U-shaped retainer portion 148, surface depressions 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, a top slot 160 and a bottom slot 162. The surface depressions 150-158 are sized and shaped to receive protrusions 163, 164, 165, 166 (FIG. 9) on a back of the baseplate 112.

The front mount is also compatible to mount a night vision appliance or night vision goggle.

The front mount or front rail is mounted on the helmet using screws 360, 362 and a center screw 363 (FIG. 10).

To mount the baseplate 112 to and into the formation 144, the top edge 138 is fit into the top slot 160, the baseplate is fit snugly within the retainer portion 148 and the tongue 136 is retracted upwardly by force on the handle 140 until the tongue can be fit into the bottom slot 162.

The mount side channels 44a, 44b each include a wide mouth 44c and a narrow region 44d (FIG. 6A). The side channels are used to mount mandible attachment bases as described below.

The face shield frame 95 can also incorporate a removable gasket to seal against the helmet brim to prevent ingress of fluids.

FIG. 14 shows the frame 95 includes frame supports 95a that brace against the helmet gasket 240 when the face shield is properly seated.

A second embodiment of the mount or rail 1161 is shown in FIGS. 10B-10D. The mount 1161 includes a top front formation or central accessory mount 1164 (FIG. 10B-10D) that includes an inverted U-shaped retainer portion 1168, a surface depression 1166, lateral tabs 1168a, 1168b, a top slot 1160 and a bottom slot 1162. The U-shaped retainer portion 1168 has side walls 1168a, 1168b, 1168c. A recessed bottom edge 1168d is opposite the top side wall 1168b. The surface depression 1166 and lateral tabs 1168a, 1168b are sized and shaped to receive protrusions on a back of the accessory (not shown).

The helmet assembly may include a central accessory mount cap 45 as shown in FIG. 10B, 10D, and 10E. The cap forms a concavity on a back side. The concavity is defined by side walls 45g, 45h, 45i, 45j, top walls 45c, 45d, 45e, 45f, an upper tab 45a, and a lower tab. The upper tab is positioned along the top side wall 45h and the bottom tab is positioned along the bottom side wall 45i. Opposite the top walls is an open side. The open side faces the top front formation or central accessory mount and is received thereon. The upper tab 45a engages the top slot 1160 of the central accessory mount. After the top tab is in location the cap is rotated downward in the direction G shown in FIG. 100 so that the bottom tab engages the bottom slot 1162 of the central accessory mount. When the cap is secured over the central accessory mount a storage area is provided between the cap and the central accessory mount. The cap 45 may also be used on the central accessory mount 144 of the first embodiment of the 10 mount 44.

The second embodiment mount or rail 1161 is shown in FIG. 71. The rail includes two upper rail segments 1190, 1191 that flank the top front formation or central accessory mount 1164. The rail also includes the bottom rail portion 1192 that extends under the upper rail segments 1190, 1191 and under the top front formation or central accessory mount 1164. Mounting apertures 1186, 1187 are located at opposed end areas of the rail. The mounting apertures allow that mount 1161 to be connected to the front area of a helmet as shown in FIG. 10E. Also, mandible support slots 1188, 1189 are provided at the opposite ends of the rail and adjacent to the mounting apertures 1186 and 1187 respectively. Adjacent the mounting apertures on a side opposite the mandible support slots are anchor receivers 1170, 1180. The right anchor receiver 1180 is minor image identical to the left anchor receiver across the vertical front to back mid-plane of the helmet system as shown in FIG. 71.

The anchor receiver has a top recess, 1171, a bottom recess 1173, an anchor bar 1172, a vertical passage 1174, and a horizontal passage 1175. As shown in FIGS. 71 and 72, the anchor bar separates the top and bottom recesses. The recesses have a back wall 1171b, 1173b, a first side wall 1171a, 1173a, an opposite second side wall 1171c, 1173c. The vertical passage 1174 extends behind the anchor bar 1172 vertically through to connect the top and bottom recesses. The horizontal recess extends from the back side of the anchor bar 1172 out the back of the rail portion 1190.

A night vision device when mounted to the central accessory mount 1164 may be stabilized by connecting one or more shock or elastic cords from the night vision device to the anchor receivers 1170, 1180. The anchor receivers may be used to anchor a visor or any other accessory that is mounted to the central accessory mount 1164. The front anchor receivers are advantageous for, among other things, stabilizing the mounted accessory when the front mount 1161 is used alone on a helmet, and side and or back rails are not used.

Visor System

In one embodiment, the face shield 38 is a visor system 38. In one embodiment, the visor system comprises the lens 94 and a frame 95. In another embodiment, the visor system comprises the lens 94, the frame 95, the mounting arrangement 42, and a helmet mount 44.

Referring to FIGS. 59-63, in one embodiment the lens 94 has a top edge 1136 that slopes downward from a top center point to first right and left curve points 1134, 1133. At the first curve points the top edge begins to slope more aggressively toward second right and left curve points 1134a, 1133a, and more aggressively toward right and left side edge points 1132, 1131. On the left side, between the first curve point 1133 and second curve point 1133a is a top side beginning point 1133b. The left side of the lens extends from the side beginning point 1133b to the outermost point of the side edge 1131 to a bottom side beginning point 1141 (FIG. 63).

As is shown in FIG. 62, the plane of sight 1150 along the vertical extent of the lens is displaced above the plane 1151 intersecting the side edge points 1132, 1131. The plane of sight is the straight-ahead-view plane of sight when the line of view is normal to the internal surface of the lens. In one embodiment, the plane of sight 1150 is located at the vertical mid-point on a lens blank that has not been cut into a particular shape.

A portion of the bottom edge extends from the bottom side beginning point 1141 along an outer bottom edge 1153 of the lens to a nose cutout portion 1144. The bounds of the nose cutout portion 1144 are defined by opposite upward angled portions 1127a, 1129a that are connected by a top horizontal nose cutout portion 1121a. The upward angled portions 1127a, 1129a meet the outer bottom edge portions 1153, 1154 at bottom nose cutout corners 1127, 1129, respectively. The upward angled portions 1127a, 1129a meet the top horizontal nose cutout border 1121a at top nose cutout corners 1123, 1125, respectively. The nose cutout border 1121a has a midpoint 1121 that is coincident with the vertical midplane 120 of the lens 94.

The vertical midplane 120 intersects a mounting hole 1138 that is configured to receive screw 96. The mounting hole is at least partially located in a mounting protruding portion or tab 1140 of the lens. The mounting tab 1140 extends above the left and right top edges of the lens 1128, 1130. The mounting tab is configured to be received in the frame 95 and to securely engage the visor therewith. The lens 94 has a thickness defined between the inner surface 1204 and the outer surface 1202. In one embodiment, the lens is a tapering thickness lens. FIG. 61 shows a cross sectional view taken along line 61-61 of FIG. 60, at 10 the plane of sight. The outer surface 1202 is convex and the inner surface 1204 is concave. The outer surface 1202 has an outer surface radius of curvature RE originating at outer centerpoint of curvature CE. The inner surface 1204 has an inner surface radius of curvature RI originating at inner centerpoint of curvature CI. The surfaces 1202 and 1204 have different radii of curvatures where the centerpoints of those radii are shifted relative to each other. In this embodiment, the inner radius RI is shorter than the outer radius RE. The thickness of the lens tapers from a centerpoint 1226 towards opposite left and right endpoints 1225, 1227. The thickness of the lens is greatest at the midpoint to 1226. In one embodiment, the thickness of the lens is the smallest at the endpoints to 1225,1227. The thickness of the lens tapers at a constant rate from the midpoint 1226 towards opposite endpoints 1225, 1227.

The arc of the outer surface and the arc of the inner surface do not have a common centerpoint. In one embodiment, the maximum arc 1214 between a centerline 1205 and a reference ray 1216 extending from the inner centerpoint CI to the outer edge 1225 is 80 degrees. Therefore in that embodiment, the arc of the lens extends for 160 degrees about inner centerpoint CI. In one embodiment, the thickness of the lens at the midpoint 1226 is greater than the distance between the centers of curvature CI and CE.

According to one embodiment, the thickness of the lens tapers at a substantially constant rate from the thickest portion of the lens to the edges. The lens thickness may vary smoothly from the maximum thickness at the center to the minimum thickness at or near the edges. The radius RI may not be constant at the opposite left and right side ends of the lens, such as beyond 75 degrees from the center line 1205. This variation area provides a minimum thickness at the edge. Moreover, this variation from the constant radius RI at the edges is allowable in some cases. It may be less important that the radius of curvature be constant at these end areas because this area is in the detection area of view of a user and beyond the focusable field of view of the user. However, it is important to maintain a minimum thickness at the edges 1131, 1132 to provide sufficient ballistic protection and impact protection.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 61, the tapering thickness lens has the radii of the inner and outer surface offset from one another. The 20 centerpoint CE is offset forwardly from CI along the frontal direction along Z axis as shown in FIG. 59. Correspondingly RE is offset from RI in the frontal direction along Z axis. In one embodiment, CI and CE are not offset vertically along the Y axis and are not offset laterally in the horizontal plane along the X axis.

FIG. 61 shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of the tapering thickness lens that demonstrates a tapering lens thickness in the horizontal direction. The lens tapers similarly in the vertical direction. The lens has a vertical midpoint that comprises a maximum thickness and the lens tapers toward both a top edge 1136 and a bottom edge 1127 from the vertical midpoint.

According to one embodiment, the tapering thickness lens has an RI of about 104 mm, and an RE of about 106 mm, and the lens has a thickness at the midpoint 1226 of about 5 mm. The lens has a radius of curvature in the vertical direction along the inner surface of about 127 mm and a radius of curvature in the vertical direction along the outer surface of about 130 mm.

In another embodiment of the tapering thickness lens as shown in FIG. 65, the radius RI is about 109 mm and the radius RE is about 111 mm and the lens has a thickness at the midpoint 1226 of about 5 mm. The lens has a radius of curvature in the vertical direction along the inner surface of about 127 mm and a radius of curvature in the vertical direction along the outer surface of about 130 mm.

In one aspect, the lens has a minimum thickness of about 3 mm at the center 1226 in order to provide adequate impact protection and ballistic protection. In another aspect, it has been found that a vertical radius between 20 about 127 mm and about 130 mm with an about 5 mm center thickness provides optics that reduce aberrations when the eyes are looking upward and downward through the lens. Moreover the lens achieves improved vertical field of view desirable for life-threatening situations. Lenses having large vertical curvatures need to be taller, bigger, and/or heavier to make sure that the edges of the lens are not blocking the useful field of view in military operations. The lens according to certain embodiments of the invention avoids the problems of large vertical curvatures. Also, large vertical curvatures restrict the ability to use the lens with ballistic mandible or jaw protectors, such as mandible 36.

Tapering thickness lens with vertical curvatures in the range of about 127 mm to about 130 mm have a desirable low-profiled design. Such lens provides optics with low refractive power, low astigmatism, and low prism power in both the horizontal and the vertical direction. The type of lens is advantageous for soldier activities, such as inspecting the roof of buildings, crouching and looking upward to use a weapon, inspecting grounds and running. The tapering thickness lens provides optics in the primary viewing area where the optical aberrations need to be minimized for sharp precise vision. The primary viewing area extends up to about 40 degrees sideways of eye rotation from the straight 15 ahead viewing position in the horizontal direction and 40 degrees upward and downward vertically from the straight ahead viewing position, each of which is considered a limit where eye rotation stops and head rotation starts.

FIG. 66 demonstrates the horizontal extent of the primary viewing area of the lens. A lens 94 is shown positioned in front of a user's eyes 1401, 1402. The straight ahead line of sight 1403, 1404 from each eye is shown. Regarding the primary viewing area of the lens corresponding to the right eye 1401, the primary viewing area extends forty degrees to the right as shown by angle 1408 and forty degrees to the left as shown by angle 1410 Likewise, regarding the primary viewing area of the lens corresponding to the left eye 1402, the primary viewing area extends forty degrees to the right as shown by angle 1411 and forty degrees to the left as shown by angle 1409. Therefore the lens has a primary viewing area between the ray 1406 corresponding to forty degrees to the right of straight ahead view of the right eye 1401 and ray 1407 corresponding to forty degrees to the left of straight ahead view of the left eye 1402.

FIG. 67 demonstrates the vertical extent of the primary viewing area. The lens 94 is shown positioned in front of a user's eyes 1401, 1402. The straight ahead line of sight 1422 from for each eye is shown. The primary viewing area of the lens extends forty degrees upward as shown by the upward angle 1426. The primary viewing area of the lens extends downward forty degrees as shown by the downward angle 1425. Therefore the vertical extent of the primary viewing area extends 80 degrees between the lower bound ray 1423 and the upper bound ray 1424. FIGS. 66 and 67 show the extent of the primary viewing area when the lens is positioned a distance from the user's eye of about 50 mm to about 60 mm, as for example positioned by mounting the lens to the helmet assembly 30 and placing the lens in the deployed position in front of the user's eyes. In one embodiment, the lens is positioned a distance from the user's eye of about 55 mm. One skilled in the art will recognize that the forgoing demonstrates a primary viewing area having a rectangle or square shape, but that the actual primary viewing area defined by the limitations of a user's eye may be elliptical in shape as a user tends to roll the eye downward or upward somewhat from the maximum upward or downward position when the user turns the eye sideways while also looking up or down. Therefore, the actual primary viewing area of a user may be slightly smaller than the primary viewing area of the lens.

In one embodiment, the tapering thickness lens has the following arc lengths. The lens has a vertical arc length from bottom nose cutout corner 1127 following a vertical plane to a corresponding point 1124 on the top edge 1128 is about 98 mm along the inner surface 1204 and is about 103 mm along the outer surface 1202. The lens has a minimum center vertical arc length in the nose cutout portion from the top 1121 of the nose cutout portion 1144 to the top 1142 of the lens, excluding the mounting tab 1140, of about 68 mm along the internal surface and about 73 mm along the external surface. The lens has a maximum horizontal arc length from one side edge 1132 to the other 1131 of about 317 mm along the inner surface and about 331 mm along the outer surface. The nose cut out area has a maximum width from the first bottom nose cutout corner 1127 to 15 the second bottom nose cutout corner 1129 of about 70 mm. The nose cut out area has a minimum width at the top from 1123 to 1125 of about 35 mm. The lens has a top edge 1136 horizontal arc length from 1133b one side to the corresponding position on the other side of about 224 mm along the inner surface and about 236 mm along the outer surface. The lens has an arc length along the lower edge and across the nose cutout area of about 266 mm along the inner surface and about 278 mm along the outer surface. In one embodiment, the lens will have a minimum height arc length of about 68 mm and a maximum height or vertical arc length of about 103 mm. The lens will have a minimum width or horizontal arc length of about 224 mm and a maximum width arc length of about 331 mm.

FIGS. 64-65 show a tapering thickness lens 1301 of an alternative embodiment. The lens 1301 conforms to the properties provided of the lens described in FIG. 61. The lens 1301 has a smaller nose cutout area 1344 than that of lens 94. The lens 1301 may be used with a different mandible than the mandible 36. Alternatively, it may be use without a mandible.

In one embodiment, the tapering thickness lens of FIG. 64 has the following arc lengths. The arc length of the lens 1301 from bottom nose cutout corner 1327 following a vertical plane to a corresponding point 1324 on the top edge 1328 is about 78 mm along the inner surface and is about 80 mm along the outer surface. The lens has a minimum center vertical arc length in the nose cutout portion from the top 1321 of the nose cutout portion 1344 to the top 1342 of the lens, excluding the mounting tab 1340, of about 48 mm along the internal surface and about 51 along the external surface. The lens has a maximum horizontal arc length from one side edge 1332 to the other 1331 of about 315 mm along the inner surface and about 337 mm along the outer surface. The nose cut out area has a maximum width from the first bottom nose cutout corner 1327 to the second bottom nose cutout corner 1329 of about 38 mm. The nose cut out area has a minimum width at the top from 1323 to 1325 of about 35 mm. The lens has a top edge 1336 horizontal arc length from 1333b one side to the corresponding position on the other side 1333c of about 223 mm along the inner surface and about 241 mm along the outer surface. The lens has an arc length along the lower edge and across the nose cutout area of about 238 mm along the inner surface and about 266 mm along the outer surface. In one embodiment, the lens will have a minimum height arc length of about 48 mm and a maximum height or vertical arc length of about 80 mm. The lens will have a minimum width or horizontal arc length of about 223 mm and a maximum width arc length of about 337 mm.

While several arc length parameters are given, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to lenses of those arc lengths, but rather a tapering thickness lens having a horizontal radius of curvature in the range of 100 mm to 10 120 mm, a vertical radius of curvature in the range of 120 mm to 135 mm, and a maximum lens thickness in the range of about 5 mm to about 8 mm will accrue the advantages of embodiments of the invention including ballistic and impact protection while reducing refractive power, astigmatism and prism in the horizontal direction as well as in the vertical direction. Moreover, the lens may be used with or without a mandible or jaw protector. The lens may or may not have a nose cutout portion such as 1144.

Mandible and Attachment

For military applications particularly, the mandible should be ballistic impact resistant. The mandible could advantageously be used for motorcycle helmet, winter sport or auto racing applications. The mandible should have a high mass impact resistance.

FIG. 20-21 illustrates two embodiments of a mandible of the present invention. The mandible 36 shown in FIG. 20 is a unitary structure. The mandible includes an upstanding rim 259 that provides a surface against which the lens 94 can be supported when closed.

The mandible 180 shown in FIG. 21 comprises a rigid material mandible frame 180. The frame can be used alone to form a wire frame guard such as shown in FIG. 24E, or can be covered by a ballistic resistant fabric 182 as shown in FIG. 24F wherein the wire frame guard frame 180 is not visible. The mandible frame 180 is a tubular space frame or wire frame structure to reduce weight.

The fabric 182 is attached to an outside of the frame 180 such as by wrapping around the frame and secured in place by hook and loop fasteners (VELCRO). In this way the fabric is removable. The frame 180 includes two plates 183a, 183b which include holes for mounting the mandible frame 180 to the attachment bases 62, 64 as described below.

As illustrated in FIGS. 18, 19A and 32-34, the attachment base 62 comprises a base plate 230 and an overlying body block 232. The block 232 can include a surface 232a which can support ends of the face shield frame 95 as shown in FIG. 1. The base plate 230 includes hooks 234, 236 that engage a lower front edge 239 of a brim gasket 240 of the helmet 34. The base plate 230 also includes two threaded bosses (or bosses terminating in captured nuts) 242, 244 that fit into holes 260, 262 (FIGS. 19A, 20 and 21) through the mandible 36 or frame 180 and receive screws 71, 72 that fasten together the mandible 36 (or frame 180), the base plate 230 and the body block 232. The mandible provides holes 260, 262 that receive the bosses 242, 244 and screws 71, 72 (FIG. 20).

The body block 232 includes a slot 263 that is engaged by the strap loop 85 of the strap assembly 76.

As shown in FIG. 33, the base plate 230 also includes a fixed, headed pin or rivet 380 having a shaft 382 and a head 386.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the buckle member 87 includes a resilient latch 320 that is depressed inwardly as the buckle member 87 is forced into the slot 90 of the back rail 52. The buckle member 87 also includes a base 324 that fits against a front surface 328 of the back rail. The buckle member also includes a plug portion 330 that fits snugly into a socket formation 334 contiguous with the slot 90.

To don the mandible or guard, the wearer moves the heads 386 of the headed pins 380 of each attachment base 62, 64, with mandible 36 or frame 180 attached, into the wide mouth 44c of the two side channels 44a, 44b. As shown in FIG. 35, the wide mouth 44c is wide enough to receive the head 386 therein and the narrow region 44d is wide enough to allow sliding of the shaft 382 therethrough. Beneath the narrow regions 44d is a parallel passage 44e that is wide enough to allow sliding passage of the head 386. The attachment bases are slid downward until the headed pins are stopped within the narrow regions 44d. The mandible or frame and attachment bases are then rotated back and the hooks 234, 236 of the attachment bases will then be oriented to brace against the rim gasket 240 as the strap assemblies 76, 78 are strapped to the back rail 52 by the buckle members 87. To open the mandible for hydration (drinking), the buckle members 87 are released and the mandible can be rotated forward without separating from the helmet due to the headed pins 386.

Both the mandible hooks and the face shield frame supports rest against the helmet brim in the same area; should there be an impact, the load should be absorbed by the helmet.

Side Rails

The side rails 46, 48 are fastened to the helmet by screws 360, 362 (FIGS. 1-3) at front ends of the side rails and by being engaged to the back rail at rear sides thereof. The screws 360, 362 also serve to fasten the front mount 44 to the helmet as well.

The side rails include an extending hook tab 370 (FIG. 19B) that fits into and interlocks with a hook recess 872 formed on opposite ends of the back rail (FIG. 22). When the back rail 52 is attached to the helmet the rear ends of the side rails are fixedly clamped to the helmet via the hook tabs 370.

As shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, the side rails include integrated night vision goggle (NVG) shock cords 47b, one on each side which are used to stabilize and secure either the NVG or the face shield 38. Shock cords are elastic cords. FIG. 6C shows a shock cord channel where the shock cord channel cover is transparent or not shown. Each side rail 46 contains a shock cord channel 47a that extends along a length of the side rail. The shock cord is anchored with an anchor 47c that attaches the cord at one end of the channel 47a. The cord extends along the length of the channel to the outlet 47d. The outlet is widens beyond the width of the channel as shown in FIG. 6B and 6C. The widened outlet allow for a hook 47e attached to the end of the cord to reset within the widened outlet when the cord is in the retracted position as shown in FIG. 6C. When an accessory needs to be stabilized with the shock cords, the user pulls and stretches the shock cord to an extended condition, such as shown FIG. 6B, and attaches it the accessory (not shown in FIGS. 6B, 6C).

The side rails 46, 48 include mounting formations 376, 377 (FIG. 4A) for mounting an additional rail between the formations. FIG. 40A and 4E illustrate a top rail 378 that includes legs 378a, 378b connected to a top pod or housing 379.

The formations include a guide recess 376a and a slot 376c (FIG. 16). To mount the top rail 378, the legs are engaged to the mounting formations wherein narrow end portions of the legs are inserted through the slots 378c of each formation 376, 377. The distal end of each leg includes a hook latch 378c that retains the legs 378a, 378b engaged with the respective side rail 46, 48. The legs 378a, 378b can be articulated at the pod 379 to act as latch tighteners to securely draw the hook latches 378c tightly against the slots 376c.

Additionally, the slots 376c can be made dimensionally identical to the slots 90 on the back rail 52. Therefore, if the top rail is not used, the wearer has alternate locations to insert the buckles 87 or can use the slots 376c for mounting another component.

The pod 379 is thus held onto a top region of the helmet 34. The pod 379 can contain electronics, communication equipment, or other equipment or can contain a beacon or other signal generating device which helps to identify the wearer to others as “friend” instead of “foe”, or help in locating the wearer by friendly forces. The signal generated by the beacon can be a visual signal or radio signal or other signal. Where the signal indicator is an IR designator, since it is emitting IR signals, it will be seen at night by other soldiers in the back of the helmet wearer, when the other soldiers wear night vision goggles.

FIGS. 6A and 36 illustrate the side rails 46, 48 include attachment formations 46a that include an upper and lower row of depressions 46b and a dovetail slot 46c, between the rows of depressions. A component attachment base 46d includes a plurality of pins 46f that insert into a plurality of depressions. This insertion fixes the front-to-back position of the base 46d. The base 46d includes a reverse dovetail profile 46g that interlocks with the dovetail slot 46c. The dovetail profile 46g is slid into the dovetail slot and the pins 46f and/or the base 46d and/or the rail 46 has sufficient flexibility that the base can be forcibly positioned along the length of the rail until the desired position of the base, corresponding to registration of the pins 46f into the desired depressions 46b is reached.

The base 46d can be the mounting base for a camera, flashlight or other equipment.

Back Rail

Further details of the back rail 52 are illustrated in FIG. 22. The back rail 52 includes major openings 380, 382 having pie-shaped minor recesses 380a, 382a contiguous therewith. Also shown are goggle clips 386, 387 that engage recesses 380a, 382a by hook portions 386a, 387a. The pie-shape of the recesses allows for a range of angular movement of the goggle clips with respect to the back rail 52. The back rail is mounted to the helmet by two screws 390, 392 (FIG. 4B).

The hook portions 386a, 387a allow one side of the goggles, one hook portion, to be released from the back rail 52 while the other hook portion retains the goggles, hanging down, onto the back rail. This is advantageous for a wearer to disengage the goggles without separating the goggles from the remaining helmet equipment.

One clip 386 is shown in FIG. 23. The clip includes a body portion 386b having slots 386c, 386d for receiving a goggle strap end, and formed with the hook portion 386a.

The back rail can also be configured to hold a power source such as a battery pack.

Adjustable Rear Rail System

FIGS. 45-51 illustrate an alternate embodiment of an adjustable back rail 852 that includes a first outer back rail 810, an opposite second outer back rail 820, and a center back rail 830. The first and second outer back rails are constructed in minor image fashion across a vertical centerline of the helmet. The adjustable rear rail system allows the parts of the helmet assembly 30 excluding the helmet, to be used on different sized helmets and will accommodate the variation in helmet through hole location, which may arise for example during helmet mass production. The adjustable back rail system 852 is shown in an expanded position in FIG. 47 and a retracted position in FIG. 46 for accommodating different sized helmets. The adjustable back rail system 852 may have an adjustable range beyond that shown in FIGS. 46 and 47.

As shown in FIG. 50, each outer back rail 810, 820 has a hook recess 872 (not shown for outer rail 820). The extending hook tab 230 (FIG. 19B) of the side rails fit into and interlock with the hook recesses 872 of the outer back rails.

The center rear rail has U-shaped anchor slots 842, 844 (partially shown in FIG. 47). The anchor slots 842, 844 correspond to outer anchor slots 812, 824, respectively of the first and second outer rear rails. The anchor slots are at least partially alignable with the outer anchor slot for receiving anchor screws (not shown, but similar to the screws 390, 392) to secure the back rail system 852 to the helmet. In another embodiment the U-shaped anchor slots may be oblong, circular, or oval shape.

The center back rail has an alignment point or line 836 for positioning the center rear rail at the front-back center line of a helmet. The outer back rails are positioned over outer ends 838 (second outer end not shown) of the center back rail. The outer end 838 has two engagement tabs 839a, 839b extending laterally from an end of the center rear rail for engaging and sliding within corresponding receiving channels 816, 818 of the outer back rail 810. Each engagement tab 839a, 839b has a forwardly extending tab 839c, 839d, respectively. The forwardly extending tabs correspond to forwardly extending recesses 816c, 818d of the receiving channels 816, 818, respectively.

When fitting the back rail system to the side rails and a helmet, the center back rail is aligned with the helmet at the alignment point 836. The side rails are attached to the outer rear rails. The outer rear rails are placed over the outer ends of the center back rail 830, and the engagement tabs 839a, 839b mate with the receiving channels 816, 818. Screws are then placed through the outer anchor slots 812, 824 and through the anchor slots 842, 844 to secure the back rail system to the helmet.

In an alternative embodiment, toothed back rail embodiment of the adjustable back rail system, as shown in FIGS. 52-57, the outer ends 936 (right outer end not shown) of the center back rail 930 has a plurality of locking teeth on the outward facing surface throughout an engagement portion 938 of the outer end 936. The right outer end is minor image identical to the left outer end 936 across a vertical centerline of the helmet. The center back rail 930 is similar to the center back rail 830 except as described herein. The outer end 936 has two engagement tabs 939a, 939b within the engagement portion 938. The two tabs 939a, 939b form a U-shaped anchor slot 942 for receiving an anchor screw or fastener (not shown) to secure the back rail system to the helmet.

The outer back rails 910 have a corresponding toothed section 912 having locking teeth 914 on a rearward facing portion 916 of the outer back rail 910. Locking teeth 935 of the center back rail 930 engage the locking teeth 914 of the outer back rail 910 when the outer back rail is placed over the outer end of the center back rail. The toothed engagement between the center back rail and the outer back rails create a locked engagement when a screw or other fastener holds the outer back rail securely against the center back rail. When the a screw or fastener is loosed the outer back rails may be adjusted laterally to accommodate different sized helmets and/or accommodate the variation in helmet through hole location, which may arise for example during helmet mass production.

In another embodiment, the tab engaging channel embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 48-51, is combined with the toothed back rail embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 52-57, so that outer ends 838 comprise a toothed engagement portion similar to the toothed engagement portion 938 while still having engagement tabs like those of 839a, 839b with forwardly extending tabs 839c, 839d, and the outer back rail 810, 820 comprising a rearward facing portion having teeth similar to the rearward facing portion 916 while still having forwardly extending recesses like those of 816c, 818d.

As shown in FIGS. 55-57, the center back rail 930 has slots 950, 960 for holding goggle straps and securing goggles against a user's face or helmet. The center back rail 930 includes slots 950, 960 configured to receive buckle members 970. The buckle member 970 includes a resilient latch 972 that is depressed inwardly as the buckle member 970 is forced in the direction F of FIG. 55 into the slot 960 of the back rail 930, or direction E for the case of engaging slot 950. The buckle, as shown in FIG. 58, also has flanking supports 944a, 974b that are spaced apart in the lateral direction from the latch 972. The latch 976 has a first raised area 977, and a second raised area 978 separated by a recessed area 979.

The slots have a first raised portion 961 with lateral guiding segments 962a, 962b on each lateral side. A gap 963 separates the first raised portion from a main guide portion 962. Extending longitudinally inward of the slot from the first raised portion 961 is a second raised portion 964. The second raised portion 964 slopes upwards in a longitudinal direction outward of the slot as it approaches the first raised portion to form a receiving area for receiving the second raised area 978 of the latch 976. The buckle locks into the slot by the second raised area 978 of the latch engaging the second raised portion 964 of the slot and the recessed area 979 of the latch engaging the first raised portion 961 of the slot, and the first raised area 977 of the latch engaged with an outward facing surface 961a of the first raised portion 961. The flanking supports 974a, 974b are guided by the lateral guiding segments 962a, 962b of the slot on one side and the main guide portion 962 on the other when the buckle member enters and leaves the slot. The buckle member has a strap slot 972 for holding a strap at one end where the strap maybe connected to a goggle at the other end. It will be understood by one skilled in the art that in other embodiments, the back rail 52 or back rail 830 may comprise slots such as slot 950, 960 of the back rail 930, which are configured to receive buckle members 970.

Variations in Mandibles and Guards

FIGS. 24A-24H illustrate multiple variations of the mandible attached to the helmet. FIG. 24A illustrates the mandible 36 previously described mounted to the helmet 34. FIG. 24B illustrates a rigid guard 502 mounted to the helmet 34. The guard has a shorter profile than the rigid mandible. FIG. 240 illustrates a rigid guard 502 mounted to the helmet 34 and carrying a removable ballistic resistant fabric 504 to extend protection below the guard. FIG. 24D illustrates a rigid guard and an integrated non-removable ballistic resistant fabric 508 mounted to the helmet 34. FIG. 24E illustrates a rigid wireframe guard 180 mounted to the helmet 34. FIG. 24 F illustrates the wireframe guard 180 (not visible) having a ballistic resistant fabric 510 applied over the guard. FIG. 24G illustrates a lower semi-flexible frame 512. FIG. 24H illustrates the lower semi-flexible frame 512 with a ballistic resistant fabric 516 to extend protection below the frame.

Semi flexible frame mandibles or guards provide the benefit of conforming to a weapon when the wearer is aiming with a stock of the weapon proximate the cheek.

Alternate Mandible Attachment System

FIGS. 37-39 illustrate an alternate mandible attachment system that includes revised attachment bases 662, 664, constructed in minor image fashion across a vertical centerplane of the helmet. The bases 662, 664 include revised base plates 630, which are similar to the baseplates 230 (FIGS. 33-34) except as described herein, and a revised helmet mount 644 compared to the mount 44.

As illustrated in FIGS. 37-39, the attachment base 662 comprises a base plate 630, and an overlying body block 632 (the block 632 is missing in the attachment base 662 in FIG. 37 in order to see underlying features) similar in construction and attachment as the body block 232 shown in FIG. 32. The block 632 can include a surface 632a which can support ends of the face shield frame 95 as shown in FIG. 1.

The base plate 630 includes a hook 234 that engage a lower front edge 239 of a brim gasket 240 of the helmet 34 as previously described. The base plate 630 also includes an upstanding hook 636 having hook concavities 636a open forwardly.

The base plate 630 also includes two threaded bosses (or bosses terminating in captured nuts) 242, 244 that fit into holes 260, 262 (FIGS. 19A, 20 and 21) through the mandible 36 or frame 180 and receive screws 71, 72 that fasten together the mandible 36 (or frame 180), the base plate 630 and the body block 632, as previously described. The mandible provides holes 260, 262 that receive the bosses 242, 244 and screws 71, 72 as previously described (FIG. 20).

The body block 232 includes a slot 263 that is engaged by the strap loop 85 of the strap assembly 76.

The mount 644 includes a concave area 644a at each end thereof to form a shaped void 644b between the mount 644 and the helmet 34, having an open receiving slot 644d.

The shaped void is partly defined by a hook- shaped support 644c that has a concavity open upwardly and rearward.

To don the mandible or guard, the wearer moves the upstanding hooks 636 of each attachment base 662, 664, with mandible 36 or frame 180 attached, into the open receiving slots 644d of the two shaped voids 644b on opposite sides of the helmet. The relative position of the mandible or frame with respect to the helmet is shown in FIG. 38. As shown in FIG. 38-39, each void 644b receives the hook concavity 636a in mutual engagement with the hook-shaped support 644c. After the hooks 636 and the supports 644c are engaged, the mandible or frame and attachment bases are then rotated down and back from the orientation shown in FIG. 38 to the orientation shown in

FIG. 39. The hooks 234 of the attachment bases 662, 664 will then be oriented to brace against the rim gasket 240 as the strap assemblies 76, 78 are strapped to the back rail 52 by the buckle members 87 as previously described.

To open the mandible for hydration (drinking), the buckle members 87 are released and the mandible can be rotated forward. The degree of engagement of the hooks 636 and the supports 644c can be designed that the mandible or frame can be rotated sufficiently to hydrate without separating from the helmet.

Both the mandible hooks and the face shield frame supports rest against the helmet brim in the same area; should there be an impact, the load should be absorbed by the helmet.

Mandible Adjustment System

FIGS. 40A-44 illustrate an alternative embodiment having a mandible adjustment system that includes revised attachment bases 762, 764, constructed in minor image fashion across a vertical centerline of the helmet. The second alternate adjustable mandible attachment system provides the ability to move the mandible between an upper limit position, as for example shown in FIGS. 43 and 44, and a lower limit position, as for example shown in FIGS. 41 and 43, to ensure optimal interface between the bottom portion of the visor 94 and the mandible 36. The adjustable mandible attachment system is adjustable to positions within a continuously variable range between the upper limit position and the lower limit position.

The bases 762, 764 include revised base plates 730 as shown in FIG. 40C. The base plate 730 includes a fixed, headed pin or rivet 780. The body block 732 includes a slot 763 that is engaged by the strap loop 85 of the strap assembly 76. The base plate includes a corresponding slot 763a for engaging the strap loop 85. The base plate 730 also includes two threaded bosses (or bosses terminating in captured nuts) 742, 744 that fit into holes 260, 262 (FIGS. 19A, 20 and 21) through the mandible 36 or frame 180 and receive screws (not shown) that fasten together the mandible 36 (or frame 180), the base plate 730 and the body block 732.

FIG. 40C also shows an inner plate 737 that mates with an inner side of the mandible to secure the mandible between the inner plate and the base plate. The inner plate has two fastener holes 733a, 733b that correspond to the threaded bosses 742, 744. The inner plate has a retainer 736 that engages the lower edge 239 of the brim gasket 240 of the helmet 34 (see FIG. 19A).

The base plate 730 has a standoff mechanism 791. The standoff mechanism 791 has a contact plate 793, a base nut 795 and a set screw 797. The contact plate is flexible and is positioned between the lower edge 239 of the brim gasket 240 of the helmet 34 (see FIG. 19A) or a lower edge 734 of the helmet 34 and the set screw 797, as shown in FIG. 42. The base nut 795 is fixed to the inside surface of the base plate 730. In one embodiment, the base nut 795 is located at a rearward position on the base plate 730 near the slot 763. The contact plate prevents the set screw from wearing on the lower edge of the helmet. The base nut is threaded to receive threads of the set screw 797. The set screw has an Allen key (not shown) at the bottom 799 of the set screw, which is configured to receive an Allen wrench for turning the set screw. Other turning mechanisms may also be employed.

As shown in FIG. 40C, the contact plate 793 has a T-shaped end 793a. The opposite lateral ends of the T-shaped portion engage a contact plate slot 731 of the base plate on one side and a contact plate slot 736c of the inner plate on the other side. The T-shaped portion holds the T-shaped portion of the contact plate in position between the base plate and the inner plate and the contact plate flexes from this location.

When the standoff mechanism is in the lowered position, as shown in FIGS. 41 and 42, the set screw is in a lowered position with respect to the base nut. The base plate may rest against the top of the base nut, when the standoff mechanism is in the lowered position. When the standoff mechanism is in the lowered positioned the mandible is in a lowered position as shown in FIG. 41. To move the mandible upward the set screw is turned to raise the set screw relative to the base nut. As the set screw rises, it engages the contact plate 793 which puts pressure on the lower edge of the helmet. As the set screw is moved upward relative to the base nut, the base plate 730 pivots about the rivet 780 that is within the side channel 44a, and thereby raises the mandible closer to the front bottom edge of the helmet.

As shown in FIG. 44, the rear portion of the base plate is driven downward as the set screw is moved upward relative to the base nut. This causes the contact plate to flex, remaining connected to the base plate at one end and positioned between the set screw and the bottom edge of the helmet at an opposite end of the contact plate. The upper and lower limit positions are determined, at least in part, by the length of the set screw.

Protective Head Cap

As shown in FIGS. 68 and 69, the helmet system may include a protective head cap 1300. The cap has a front opening 1306 that corresponds to the top front formation or central accessory mount 144. The central accessory mount may also be a mount for receiving the visor mounting arrangement 42. The front opening allows the accessory mount 144 to be received there through. The cap includes side rail engagement members 1304 (not shown for right side). The left side rail engagement member 1302 mirror image identical across the vertical midplate extending front to back of the helmet system.

A second embodiment of the side rail 1310 is shown in FIG. 70. The side raid is identical to the side rail 46 except as described. The rail 1310 includes two raised portions 1314, 1316 and a recessed portion 1312 therebetween. The raised portions have a plurality of first accessory engagement recesses 1308, 1309 Similar first accessory engagement recesses 46f, 46g are shown in rail 46 in FIG. 6. The recessed portion contains a plurality of second accessory engagement recesses. The second engagement recesses are larger than the first engagement recessed. The engagement recesses can be used to secure accessories to the side rail.

The side rail engagement members 1302 contain an attachment mechanism for securing the protective cap to the side rails of the helmet system as shown in FIG. 69. The attachment mechanisms may comprise flexible protrusion on the underside of the side rail 1302 or an upper portion of the side rail 1304. The flexible protrusions engage one or more of corresponding second or first engagement recesses 1311, 1308 of the rail 1310. The flexible protrusion secure the cap 1300 to the side rails until a predetermined amount of force is applied in the H direction, as shown in FIG. 69, to remove the cap from the side rails.

Alternatively the cap 1300 may have an attachment mechanism having engagement members that are manually releasable by a mechanical locking mechanism. The engagement member engages the second or first engagement recesses 1311, 1308. The cap is removable by releasing the mechanical locking mechanism. The attachment mechanism may provide a sliding one-way lock engagement that allows the cap to be slid on in the direction F as shown in FIG. 68, but not removed without the release of the lock mechanism. In another embodiment, the lock mechanisms by be electronically controlled.

The cap 1300 may be made of composite material such as KEVLAR and thermoplastic or High-density polyethylene and thermoplastic.

Alternate Embodiment Mandible Strap Attachment System

FIGS. 73-82 show various components of an alternate embodiment mandible strap attachment system 1230. The alternate mandible strap attachment system 1230 allows a mandible to be used with the helmet assembly when a rear rail, such as rail 52 or 930 is not used. The alternate mandible strap attachment system 1230 also allows a mandible to be used when side rails 46, 48 and a rear rail 52, 930 are both not used, such as when mount 1164 is used.

The mandible strap attachment system 1230 comprises a left mandible strap 1240, a right mandible strap 1246, a left strap guide 1260, and right strap guide 1262, a female strap connector 1250, a male strap connector 1252, a left mounting bolt or fastener 1270, a right mounting bolt or fastener 1272, a C-clip 1280. Each of the left and right side straps 1240, 1246 have a mandible attachment end 1242 (not shown for right side) and an opposite connector end 1244, 1248 respectively. The body block 232 of the attachment base 62 includes the slot 263 that is engaged by the strap loop 1242 of the left mandible strap 1240. The right side strap connects to the attachment base 64 in a minor image identical fashion across the vertical, front-to-back center plane of the assembly. The connector end 1244 is attached to a strap bar 1250c of the female strap connector 1250. The female strap connector 1250 has an opening 1250d opposite the strap bar for receiving the male strap connector 1252. The female strap connector 1250 has upper and lower openings 1250a, 1250b for releasably receiving flexible expanding tongs 1252a, 1252b respectively of the male strap connector 1252. The connector end 1248 is attached to the strap bar 1250c of the male strap connector 1250.

Before the straps 1240, 1246 are connected to either the attachment base or the strap connector or both, the strap is fed through the corresponding left mandible guide or right mandible guide. The strap guides 1260, 1262 are shown in detail in FIGS. 75 and 78 Referring to strap guide 1260, the guide has a first strap slot 1263 opposite a second strap slot 1264. The strap slots extend vertically on opposite sides of the guide. The strap slots are sized large enough to receive the width of strap 1240. Between the strap slots are a head receiving U-shaped channel 1265 and lower U-shaped channel 1266. Both U-shaped channels create an open bottom so that the strap slots are held together at the top section 1267. The head receiving U-shaped channel 1265 is sized to receive a head 1273 of the bolts 1270, 1272. The lower U-shaped channel is sized to receive a transition region 1274, a washer 1279 located around a shaft 1275, or a shaft 1275 of the bolts 1270, 1272. In one embodiment, the lower U-shaped channel is sized to receive a transition region 1274 or the washer 1279 located around the shaft 1275. The width of the lower U-shaped channel 1266 is less than the width of the head receiving U-shaped channel 1265 so that the head is not allowed to pass below the lower U-shaped channel 1266.

Referring to FIG. 75, the lower U-shaped channel 1266 has opposite side walls 1266a, 1266b. Each side wall has locking nubs 1269 (not shown for right side wall) located along its length so that the transition region 1274, the washer 1279, or another part of the bolt 1270 may be secured in the channel between the locking nubs and the closed end wall 1266c. The locking nub not shown for the right side wall 1266b is positioned along the length of the channel 1266 the same distance from the open end 1266d of the channel as locking nub 1269 on the opposite side wall 1266a is located from the open end 1266d. The bolt may be moved further into the channel 1266 by sufficient hand-applied force to the strap guide to cause the channel 1266 to flex outward slightly to allow the bolt to move past the locking nub and to be held between the locking nub and the end 1266c of the channel. In one embodiment, the channel 1266 has a narrowing width along at least a portion of the channel between the open end 1266d and the closed end 1266c to provide an increasing friction engagement with the transition region 1274 or the washer 1279.

Referring to FIG. 78, the strap guide 1260 receives the bolt head in an at least partially recess fashion within the head receiving U-shaped channel 1265 relative to the strap slots so that the strap can be threaded through the strap slots 1263, 1264 and over the bolt head 1273. In this way, the strap guides direct the strap in close proximity to the helmet and guide them towards their connection at the rear of the helmet via the strap connectors 1250, 1252 above the lower edge of the helmet.

Referring to FIG. 76, the system may be used with at least two types of bolts 1270, 1276 for mounting the strap guides 1260, 1262. One bolt is a step bolt 1270, 1272.

The step bolt has a head 1273, and a transition region 1274 extending between the head and a shaft 1275 below the head. The step bolt has the transition region 1274 permanently connected adjacent the underside of the head 1273. Alternatively, a shaft only bolt 1276 may be used having a head 1277 connected to a shaft wherein a washer 1279 is fit over the shaft slid up against the bottom side of the bolt head and configured to engage the lower U-shaped channel 1266 of the guides 1260, 1262.

The mounting bolts 1270, 1272 may be located in helmet threaded holes located laterally in the helmet between the front to back midplane 34a at the rear and the ear cups 34b as shown in FIG. 73. FIG. 79 shows the strap attachment system in the engaged mode providing stabilizing force for the attachment bases.

When the strap guides 1260, 1262 are not in use, a c-clip 1280 may be used with the bolts 1270, 1272 to reduce the chance that anything is snagged on the head of the bolt as shown in FIGS. 80-82. A C-clip has an inside surface 1282 and a first angled surface 1381 that may contact the transition of the bolt or the washer. Extending out from the inside surface 1282 is the first substantially horizontal surface 1281 adjacent an opposite declining surface 1283.

Once the fasteners 1270, 1272 are set to a proper depth in the helmet, the strap guides 1260, 1262 may be engaged with the helmet by sliding the strap guides down in the direction 1290 shown in FIG. 73 until they are secured such as shown in FIG. 79 where the bolts are seated against the closed end 1266 of the channel or in close proximity to the closed end of the channel. Tension on the strap tends to keep the strap guides engaged and down against the bolts. The strap guides can be removed by moving them in the direction opposite of direction 1290 in FIG. 73.

The mandible 36 can be removed by unbuckling the straps 1240, 1246, removing the strap guides 1260, 1262 from the fasteners bolts, and sliding the headed pins of the attachment bases 62, 64 up out of the channels formed in the front mount or front rail 44, 1164.

According to further embodiments, a single or dual motion accessory removal method may be facilitated by a strap guide arrangement. Strap guides 1260, 1262 are shown engaging with bolts 1270, 1272 via movement in a vertical direction. In some embodiments, straps guides may be provided which attach to and detach from the helmet through movement in a direction other than vertical. For example, referring to FIGS. 83-87, in some embodiments one more strap guides 1560, 1562 may be engaged to, and/or disengaged from, bolts 1270, 1272 through horizontal movement.

Strap guides 1560, 1562 are shown in FIG. 83 unattached to bolts 1270, 1272. The strap guides are moved horizontally to engage with bolts 1270, 1272. For example, strap guide 1560 is moved to the right in the direction of arrow 1584 to engage with bolt 1270. Once each strap guide has been engaged with its respective bolt, female strap connector 1250 and male strap connector 1252 may be engaged as described above to secure an accessory, such as a mandible, to the helmet.

To remove the strap from the helmet, and consequently also remove the accessory from the helmet, straps guides 1560, 1562 may be arranged such that a horizontal force on the strap guides equal to or greater than a threshold force disengages the strap guides from the bolts or other fasteners. For example, a user may directly grip the strap guide(s) and push or pull the strap guide(s) horizontally to remove each strap guide from its respective bolt. Another manner of disengaging the strap guides includes the user pulling the mandible (or other accessory), which tensions the strap and pulls on the strap guide(s). The resulting force on the strap guides pulls the strap guides 1560, 1562 off of their bolts 1270, 1272. In this manner, the user can remove one or both strap guides with a single motion. In the particular arrangement shown in FIGS. 83-85, the single motion is a pulling motion of the accessory away from the face, but other motions could be used in other embodiments.

In this embodiment, the user can thus remove an accessory with only two actions, namely disconnecting a connector and pulling on the accessory, while still taking advantage of the utility of two strap guides. In other embodiments, the user can remove an accessory with two actions which may differ from the two actions of this embodiments. For example, after disconnecting a connector, instead of pulling on an accessory, the user may push on a portion of the accessory, which in turn through a lever action pulls on a strap. Of course, other embodiments may include accessory removal methods which include more than two actions.

One embodiment of strap guide 1562 is shown in FIGS. 86 and 87. Similar to the strap guide embodiment illustrated in FIG. 75, strap guide 1562 includes a head receiving U-shaped channel 1565 and a lower U-shaped channel 1566. Different from the embodiment shown in FIG. 75, however, is that strap guide 1562 is arranged such that the lengthwise direction of the strap travels in the direction of the U-shaped channels. In this manner, tension on the strap can pull strap guide 1562 off of a corresponding engaging portion, such as a bolt, that is affixed to the helmet.

Strap guide 1562 has a first strap slot 1563 and a second strap slot 1564. The strap slots are sized to receive the width of strap 1246. In some embodiments, the head receiving U-shaped channel 1565 is sized to receive an upper portion of a fastener. For example, referring to FIG. 78, head receiving U-shaped channel 1565 may be configured to receive a head 1273 of a bolt. The lower U-shaped channel 1566 may be constructed and arranged to receive another part of a fastener. For example, referring again to FIG. 78, the lower U-shaped channel may be configured to receive a shaft 1275 of the bolt, a transition region 1274, or a washer 1279 located around the shaft 1275. The width of the lower U-shaped channel 1566 may be less than the width of the head receiving U-shaped channel 1565 so that the head is prevented from passing below the lower U-shaped channel.

Locking nubs 1569 may be provided to restrain the part of the bolt or other fastener that is held within lower U-shaped channel 1566 between the nubs 1569 and an end wall 1566c. Accordingly, when a user pulls on the strap or the slide clip to remove slide clip 1562 from its associated fastener, at least a threshold force is applied to overcome the resistance of the nubs 1569 before the slide clip disengages from the fastener.

In various embodiments disclosed herein, strap guides are described as having channels or other fastener engaging portions which engage with fasteners that are attached to a helmet. In some embodiments, these features may be reversed such that structures having fastener engaging portions (such as channels) may be affixed to a helmet, and the associated strap guides may include fasteners such as bolts or shafts.

Grip protrusions 1580 may be provided on one or both sides of slide clip 1562 to facilitate gripping of the slide clip when directly engaging or disengaging the slide clip with its associated fastener. The protrusions 1580 may be especially helpful when the user is wearing gloves. Other grip features such as a textured material or a textured material finish on the slide grip may be provided.

In other embodiments, strap guides may be moved in a diagonal direction to engage with bolts, posts or other fasteners. Movement in an engagement direction also may include a first movement in a first direction and a second movement in a second direction. For example, a strap guide may be moved horizontally to initially engage with a bolt that is fixed to the helmet, and then moved vertically to complete the engagement.

In still further embodiments, a strap attachment system may be arranged such that straps are oriented vertically or diagonally on a helmet, and tension on the strap in a lengthwise direction of the strap disengages the strap guide(s) from the helmet.

While embodiments disclosed herein illustrate the securement of a mandible to a helmet through the use of a strap attachment system, the systems and methods described herein may be used with accessories other than mandibles.

Exemplary materials of construction for the various embodiments of the helmet assembly include:

Helmet: Aramid fiber textile with either thermoplastic matrix or thermoset matrix

Front mount: Glass reinforced nylon for the plastic part and Aluminum for the insert (where the visor attaches/anchors) Side rails: Glass reinforced nylon

Back Rail: Glass reinforced nylon

Top rail: Glass reinforced nylon

Attachment bases for mandible: Glass reinforced nylon over Aluminum, Steel, Stainless Steel or Titanium

Rigid mandible: It can be a combination of various materials such as: 1) aramid fiber textile and thermoplastic or thermoset matrix 2) aramid fiber textile and thermoplastic or thermoset matrix wrapped in carbon fiber textile 3) High Density Polyethylene wrapped in carbon fiber textile Soft mandible: Semi-Flexible Frame made of Nylon while the curtain (hanging from the frame) is made out of aramid fiber textile (many layers).

The presently described embodiments provides flexibility in outfitting a military helmet. The back rail can be used without the side rails. A top rail is optional. The mandible or frame is optional, and when used, can be used without the side rails. Other permutations are possible with some minor modifications.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred.

Claims

1. An accessory attachment assembly for a helmet, comprising:

at least one strap guide configured to connect a strap with a helmet;

the strap guide having a fastener engaging portion for releasably receiving a fastener secured to a rear portion of a helmet, and a strap holding portion configured to hold a strap relative to the guide.

2. The accessory attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein the fastener engaging portion comprises a first channel having an open end opposite a closed end.

3. The accessory attachment assembly of claim 2, wherein the first channel has at least one locking nub located along a length of the channel between the open end and the closed end to secure a portion of the fastener between the locking nub and the closed end.

4. The accessory attachment assembly of claim 2, wherein the fastener engaging portion has an upper second channel located adjacent to the first channel, the second channel having a width that is greater than the first channel.

5. The accessory attachment assembly of claim 4, wherein the second channel is a fastener head receiving channel.

6. The accessory attachment assembly of claim 2, wherein the strap holding portion comprises at least one strap slot configured to receive a strap through the strap slot, the strap slot adjacent to the first channel.

7. The accessory attachment assembly of claim 2, wherein the strap holding portion comprises at least two strap slots configured to receive a strap through the strap slots, the strap slots located on opposite sides of the first channel.

8. The accessory attachment assembly of claim 4, wherein the strap holding portion comprises at least two strap slots configured to receive a strap, the strap slots located on opposite sides of the second channel.

9. The accessory attachment assembly of claim 7, wherein the first channel is configured to be located under a head of a fastener, the second channel is configured to engage at least a portion of the head of a fastener, and wherein the first and second channels are slide channels configured to slidably receive a fastener.

10. An accessory attachment assembly for a helmet, comprising:

at least one mandible bracket configured to connect a mandible to a helmet;

at least one strap connected to the mandible bracket and configured to extend from the mandible bracket to a rear portion of a helmet;

at least one strap guide having a strap engaging portion connected to the strap along a length of the strap, and a fastener engaging portion configured to connect to a fastener attached to a helmet.

11. The accessory attachment assembly of claim 10, comprising first and second strap connectors configured to connect at a rear of a helmet;

the at least one mandible bracket comprises first and second mandible brackets configured to connect a mandible to a helmet, and wherein

the at least one strap comprises first and second straps, the first strap connected to the first mandible bracket at a first end of the first strap and the first strap connector at an opposite second end of the first strap, the second strap connected to the second mandible bracket at a first end of the second strap and to the second strap connector at an opposite second end of the second strap; and wherein

the at least one strap guide comprises first and second strap guides, the first strap guide connected to the first strap between the first mandible bracket and the first strap connector and configured to be secured by a fastener to a rear portion of a helmet, the second strap guide connected to the second strap between the second mandible bracket and the second strap connector and configured to be secured by a fastener to a rear portion of a helmet.

12. The accessory attachment assembly of claim 10, comprising a mandible configured to be positioned about a user's mandibular region, the mandible attached to the mandible bracket.

13. The accessory attachment assembly of claim 10, comprising a mandible mount configured to be attached about a front opening of a helmet, the mandible bracket connected to the front mount.

14. The accessory attachment assembly of claim 13, wherein the front mount comprises a mandible mounting channel, the mandible bracket has a pin configured to be received in the mounting channel to provide a pivotable connection of the mandible to the helmet.

15. The accessory attachment assembly of claim 13, wherein the mandible bracket is pivotably connected to the mandible mount.

16. The accessory attachment assembly of claim 11, comprising a mandible configured to be positioned about a user's mandibular region, the first and second mandible brackets attached to opposite sides of the mandible;

the mandible has a deployed position and a raised position, the straps having a connected position where the first strap connector is attached to the second strap connector, and a released position; the straps when in the connected position secure the mandible in the deployed position.

17. The accessory attachment assembly of claim 10, wherein the fastener engaging portion comprises a first channel having an open end opposite a closed end; and the strap holding portion comprises at least two strap slots configured to receive a strap, the strap slots located on opposite sides of the first channel.

18. A method of securing a face protector to a helmet, comprising:

connecting a face protector about a front portion of the helmet by face protector brackets;

bringing straps connected to the face protector from opposite sides of the face protector to the rear of the helmet;

sliding each of one or more strap guides onto a fastener attached to the helmet, each of the one or more strap guides being attached to one of the straps; and

connecting the straps together at a rear of the helmet.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the act of connecting is performed before the step of sliding.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the act of sliding comprises the step of sliding a channel of the strap guide between the head of the fastener and the surface of the helmet until the fastener is placed between at least one locking nub of the channel and the end of the channel.

21. The method of claim 18 wherein the act of sliding comprises sliding each of the one or more strap guides horizontally onto a fastener attached to the helmet.

22. An accessory attachment assembly for a helmet, comprising:

at least one strap guide configured to connect a strap with a helmet;

the strap guide having one of a fastener and a fastener engaging portion for releasably receiving the other of a fastener and a fastener engaging portion secured to a portion of a helmet, the strap guide further having a strap holding portion configured to hold a strap relative to the guide.

23. An accessory attachment assembly for a helmet, comprising:

at least one mandible bracket configured to connect a mandible to a helmet;

at least one strap connected to the mandible bracket and configured to extend from the mandible bracket to a rear portion of a helmet;

at least one strap guide having a strap engaging portion connected to the strap along a length of the strap, and a fastener or a fastener engaging portion configured to connect to the other of a fastener or a fastener engaging portion that is attached to a helmet.

24. A method of securing a face protector to a helmet, comprising:

connecting a face protector about a front portion of the helmet by face protector brackets;

bringing straps connected to the face protector from opposite sides of the face protector to the rear of the helmet;

sliding each of one or more strap guides onto a fastener or fastener engaging portion attached to the helmet,

each of the one or more strap guides being attached to one of the straps; and

connecting the straps together.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein connecting the strap together comprises connecting the straps together at a rear of the helmet.

26. A method comprising:

disconnecting a connector which is connecting two strap portions of an accessory-securing strap that is arranged to be mounted to a helmet;

exerting a force on an accessory that is being secured by the strap arrangement; and

through the exertion of force on the accessory, disengaging at least one strap guide from the helmet, the strap guide holding a strap portion of the two strap portions.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein exerting a force on the accessory pulls on each of the two strap portions, which each in turn pull a respective strap guide off of an associated engaging portion that is attached to the helmet.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the two strap portions are arranged horizontally on the helmet when the strap guides are engaged with the helmet.

29. An accessory attachment assembly for a helmet, comprising:

a strap to secure an accessory to a helmet;

a first strap guide holding the strap relative to the first strap guide, the first strap guide including a first engaging portion to engage with a second engaging portion which is connected to the helmet, wherein when the first strap guide is attached to the helmet through the engagement of the first and second engaging portions, the assembly is constructed and arranged such that a force on the strap along a lengthwise direction of the strap and more than a threshold force disengages the first engaging portion from the second engaging portion.

30. The accessory attachment assembly as in claim 29, wherein the strap includes a first strap portion and a second strap portion, and the assembly further comprises a connector to connect the first and second strap portions together.

31. The accessory attachment assembly as in claim 30, wherein the first strap guide holds the first strap portion relative to the first strap guide, and further comprising a second strap guide which holds the second strap portion relative to the first strap guide, the second strap guide including a third engaging portion to engage with a fourth engaging portion which is connected to the helmet, wherein when the second strap guide is attached to the helmet through the engagement of the third and fourth engaging portions; wherein

the assembly is constructed and arranged such that a force on the strap along a lengthwise direction of the strap and more than a threshold force disengages the third engaging portion from the fourth engaging portion.

32. The accessory attachment assembly as in claim 31, wherein the first engaging portion includes a channel having an open end, and the second engaging portion includes a fastening element attached to the helmet.