Reclining helmet mount apparatus
Inventors
Teetzel, James W. • Lemire, Gary M. • Graham, Patrick K.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12389972-B2
Publication Date
2025-08-19
Expiration Date
Abstract
A helmet mount apparatus includes a track assembly and a sliding carriage assembly slidable coupled to the track assembly. A combined vertical adjustment and pivot assembly pivotally is coupled to the sliding carriage assembly, wherein the combined vertical adjustment and pivot assembly includes a bracket for attaching a viewing device.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a helmet mount apparatus for adjusting a position of a viewing device on a helmet. A track subassembly is removably attachable to the helmet, and a carriage subassembly is slidably attached to and movable along the track subassembly between a deployed position, in which the viewing device is generally aligned with a user's line of sight when worn by the user, and a stowed position, in which the viewing device is positioned above the user's line of sight when worn by the user.
The helmet mount apparatus further includes a vertical adjustment subassembly configured for detachably coupling the viewing device. A first pivot assembly is disposed between the carriage subassembly and the vertical adjustment subassembly so that the vertical adjustment subassembly and the viewing device removably attached thereto are pivotable with respect to the carriage subassembly and the helmet.
The disclosed positioning and retention between deployed and stowed positions is supported by locking and engagement structures between the carriage subassembly and the track subassembly. The carriage includes a locking tongue and locking tabs that engage corresponding groove and shoulders of the track subassembly, and biasing and locking features including springs are used for secure engagement and selective disengagement.
Claims Coverage
Two independent claims are explicitly identified: clm-00001 and clm-00013. Across these independent claims, the inventive subject matter comprises 4 main inventive features.
Removably attachable track and slidably movable carriage
A track subassembly removably attachable to the helmet; and a carriage subassembly slidably attached to and movable along said track subassembly between a deployed position, wherein the viewing device is generally aligned with a user's line of sight when worn by the user, and a stowed position, wherein the viewing device is positioned above the user's line of sight when worn by the user.
Detachably coupled vertical adjustment subassembly
A vertical adjustment subassembly configured for detachably coupling the viewing device.
First pivot assembly for pivotable viewing device relative to carriage and helmet
A first pivot assembly disposed between said carriage subassembly and said vertical adjustment subassembly such that said vertical adjustment subassembly and the viewing device removably attached thereto are pivotable with respect to said carriage subassembly and the helmet.
Operating method for deployed-to-stowed and stowed-to-deployed transitions using pivoting and track translation
A method for operating a helmet mount apparatus comprising the same track subassembly, carriage subassembly, vertical adjustment subassembly, and first pivot assembly, the method comprising pivoting and sliding the viewing device to disengage and re-engage locking tongue and locking tabs with the track groove and shoulders.
Independent claim clm-00001 defines a helmet mount apparatus combining a removably attachable track, a slidably movable carriage that translates the viewing device between deployed and stowed line-of-sight positions, a detachably coupled vertical adjustment subassembly, and a first pivot assembly that provides pivotability of the vertical adjustment subassembly and viewing device relative to the carriage and helmet. Independent claim clm-00013 defines an operating method that uses pivoting and track translation to disengage and re-engage locking tongue and tab features with the track groove and shoulders.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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