FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for helmet used in tactical operation, and more particularly, to a metal-free outer covering for the helmet that serves as a means for mounting accessories used in tactical operations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Soldiers in combat operations wear helmets to protect their head from injuries from blows and projectiles. Bullets, shrapnel and explosions are a constant threat to combat personnel. A major location of lethal battlefield injuries remains the head. For maximizing protection of the soldiers, helmets are used to protect them from head injuries that may happen in battlefields. These Protective helmets have been developed to suit a wide range of human endeavors which present risks of head injury. A number of protective and military helmets are known, such as the helmet known as Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH), which was successor to the Personnel Armor System Ground Troops (PASGT).

With the advancement of technology, various improvements in combat helmets have been introduced which make them adapted for modern warfare requirements. Nowadays, the helmets serves not only a mean to protect soldiers for sustaining head injuries, but also be used as a platform for mounting different accessories that helps military personnel in combat operations. Various helmet mounted displays have been developed for diverse applications, such as simulation systems used for training, and for use in vehicular or aircraft operation as displays for sensor data and/or instrument readings, or as an aid to the operator of the vehicle or aircraft performing other tasks. Modern combat operations require the use of advanced equipments that help military personnel to perform task more efficiently. For instance, use of cameras, video recorders, Night Vision Goggles (NVG) and monocular Night Vision Devices (NVD) are quite common in modern warfare.

Nowadays, modern combat helmets are modified and means for mounting these accessories are inserted into the helmets. For instance, combat helmets are modified to fit VAS shroud that can be used for mounting Night vision goggles or night vision devices. Similarly, SATANG rails are fitted on to helmets that act as a platform for mounting cameras, video cameras and other accessories, such as boom microphone and headsets.

However, the modification of combat helmets for modern warfare requirements suffers from various drawbacks. Firstly, the helmets need to be individually tailored for fitting shroud and rails on to them. This makes the whole process costly. Secondly, the Shroud and rails that are fitted into the combat helmets are generally made of metals are fitted into the helmets using metallic bolt. During combat operations, this may be dangerous to soldiers in situations when a bullet strikes to the metal part, the metallic parts get disintegrated and projectiles into the body of soldier wearing the helmet or to nearby standing soldiers. The holes meant for fixing the bolts increases the possibility of penetration of bullets across the safety helmet. Furthermore, the use of metallic means increases the weight of helmet which cause discomfort to the soldiers wearing them.

There is therefore, a need of an apparatus that is light weight, non-metallic, boltfree and that provide means for mounting NVD, NVG, camera and other accessories on a single platform and that can be easily used with universal helmets without modifying the helmet or interfering with the existing helmet design.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an aspect of present invention, an apparatus for mounting on a helmet used in tactical operations is provided. The apparatus comprising: a first elongated member having a central core structure corresponding to the center of top portion of the helmet, and a plurality of spaced apart, downward radiating strands attached to the central core structure at the first end; a second elongated member that extends laterally along the perimeter of the helmets from front to back, wherein the first distal end and the second distal end of the second elongated member at the back of the helmet comprises means for inserting locking mechanism; the second end of each of the plurality of outward radiating strands diverge downward to attach to the top rim of the second elongated member at positions spaced apart; wherein the second elongated member comprises: a plurality of extended longitudinal arms with a clamping means at distal ends; said clamping means clamp against the boundary of the helmet to lock the apparatus with the helmet; a shroud mold at the front for attaching an adaptor; means for attaching a rail at lateral sides; a locking means provided at the distal end of the second elongated member; wherein the outer framework when placed on the helmet conforms to the shape of the helmet. The apparatus is a uniquely designed single molded unit which is made of non-metallic material. The material used for preparing the apparatus is preferably a polymer material or a long fiber carbon material. The shroud mold in the second elongated member can be used to attach a NVD adaptor or a mandible. The distal open end of the second elongated member comprises hooks to get interlocked into a third elongated member that comprises grooves to hold a plastic weight to counter balance the weight of accessories fitted into the shroud. The apparatus auto snaps and conforms to the shape of the helmet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiment of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention, wherein like designation denote like element and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an apparatus for mounting on a combat helmet in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view showing locking mechanism at distal ends, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates placement mechanism of adaptor in shroud platform in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates integration of rails on the apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows back view of the apparatus illustrating locking mechanism of apparatus along the perimeter of the combat helmet in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 represents the components for locking the apparatus on a combat helmet in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 represents the mounting of the apparatus over the combat helmet in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAIFED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

In the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of invention. However, it will be obvious to a person skilled in art that the embodiments of invention may be practiced with or without these specific details. In other instances methods, procedures and components known to persons of ordinary skill in the art have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments of the invention.

Furthermore, it will be clear that the invention is not limited to these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without parting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

In order to overcome the disadvantages associated with prior art, the present invention provides an apparatus that gets fit over the combat helmets and is made of non-metallic material. The apparatus in uniquely molded to provide shroud and SATNAG rail on a single platform, thus eliminating the need for fitting these platforms individually. The apparatus is in shape of cob web which aids in proper fitting of the apparatus over the combat helmets. The apparatus can be fitted over universal helmet, thus eliminating the need of any special modification to the existing helmet shapes and sizes. Being made of non-metallic material, the apparatus serves major advantages in being economical and preventing any sharp metallic projectiles to be formed when hit by a bullet. The cobweb structure comprises a plurality of arms extending from center region radiating inwards, a shroud plate encloses adapter for attaching night vision goggles, or any other accessories to headgear, such as a helmet to provide a user with a hands-free, adjustable light to be used instead of or simultaneously with night vision goggles, a pair of rails adjusted to sideways by means of locking mechanism preferably plastic vaults, a counterweight mechanism is attached at back of structure to counter balance weight of adapter. As described in more detail below, the shroud plate with adapter for the lighting system has a relatively low profile that generally matches a contour of a user's headgear so that the shroud plate does not have any edges on which another object, such as a shroud line of a parachute or a tree branch, can easily snag and force the headgear in a direction that may injure the wearer.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an apparatus for mounting on a combat helmet in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 100 comprises an outer framework in shape of cobweb that comprises: a central core structure 102 that corresponds to the center of top of the helmet. The central core structure 102 may have a Velcro pasted on its inside portion which helps in attaching of the central core structure 102 over the top portion of the helmet. A plurality of strands 104 that are spaced apart radiates from the central core structure 102 and diverge downwards such that the plurality of strands conforms to the circular shape of the helmet. The plurality of strands 104 are attached to the central core structure 102 at their first end. The downward radiating strands get attached to a second elongated member 106 which expands laterally corresponding to the perimeter of helmet from front to back. The second elongated member 106 is in form of band having a varying height across its length. The second elongated member 106 has a top rim surface 108 and a bottom rim surface. The downward radiating plurality of strands 104 attaches to the top rim surface 108 of the second elongated member 106. The distal ends of the second elongated member 106 are open ends which are tightened through a locking mechanism once the apparatus has been placed over the helmet.

The second elongated member 106 at its front end which corresponds to the front portion of the combat helmet is molded to form a depression that serves as a shroud that encloses adaptor 112 for mounting of different accessories used in modern warfare. These accessories may include NVG or NVG or mandible glass mounts. The lateral sides 114 of the second elongated member 106 contain provisions 116 for fixing SATNAG rails. The second elongated member 106 at its bottom rim surface extends longitudinally in form of radiating arms. These radiating arms at its bottom end forms a U-shaped hooks that fits along the perimeter edges of the helmet. The front hook 120 starts from the bottom rim surface under the shroud. The lateral hook 122 starts from the bottom rim surface at the front lateral side. At the lateral back side of the second elongated member 106, a set of arms 118 extend downwardly to converge at their base. Form the base the arms form U shaped hook 124 which fits to the back side of Helmet. Similar to hook 124, U- shaped hook 126 is present at other side of the apparatus 100. The apparatus 100 is a single unit with all components attached to each other in form of mold assembly. When placed on the helmets, the U-shaped hooks clamp the edges of helmet and locking means at the distal end locks the apparatus on the helmet.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view showing locking mechanism at distal ends, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The top view shows the central core structure 102 and plurality of downward radiating strands 104 attached to the second elongated member 105. As can be seen from the figure the second elongated member 106 extends horizontally from front to back with molds for shroud 110 and provision 114 for rails at lateral sides. The second elongated member 106 across its length has different heights and grooves are present across the length for providing better grasping on the surface of the helmet. For instance, the front portion has grooves 208 that provide strength and greater adaptability to helmet surface. The distal ends 202 and 204 of the second elongated member 106 converge at the back portion. The distal ends 202 and 204 are inter-locked with each other through locking structure 206. Shroud platform 110 of the apparatus utilizes the shroud plate which is contoured to generally conform to a contour of adaptor so as to fit the night vision devices or glass mounting devices in the headgear. The shroud platform 110 has a minimal profile and a smooth surface for avoiding interference with equipment, such as a parachute line, or objects, such as foliage, that may be encountered by the headgear wearer. As defined herein, the term smooth means that the entire external surface has no projections on which an object, such as a shroud line or foliage, can catch and interfere with the headgear or helmet. Due to the low profile and the smooth surface of the shroud platform 110 with or without the lighting system coupled thereto, objects can slide over the shroud plate without snagging and forcing or jerking the shroud plate and the attached headgear in an undesirable direction that may injure the user.

FIG. 3 illustrates placement mechanism of adaptor in shroud platform in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The shroud platform 110 comprises a flexible structure which may be manufactured to fit the contour of a structure to be mounted on helmet or headgear. In one exemplary embodiment, the cobweb structure 100 may be machined from a block of polymer or a long fiber of carbon material. However, the structure 100 may be manufactured from any suitable material sufficient to sustain and resist the forces subjected to it during operation. The structure 100 may alternatively be injection molded from nylon 6/6 or a suitable polymer or a long fiber of carbon material and comprises indented sections separated by support ridges, grooves. The indented sections providing a suitably sturdy base for the shroud platform 110. In addition to fitting the shroud platform, structure 100 to the contour of the helmet, the top surface may be smooth with rounded edges and corners. Fitting the structure to the shape of the helmet and having a smooth surface with rounded edges and corners ensures that there are no unnecessary edges on which another object, such as a shroud line of a parachute or a dangling tree branch in heavy foliage, may catch. An exemplary embodiment of a shroud plate further comprises an insert or receiving plate 112. The insert 112 could also be non- metallic or made of polymer or a long fiber of carbon material or other suitable materials. The insert 112 is designed as a bay for a lock plate or adapter plate 302 and functions as the interface between a helmet mount structure and night vision device or glass mount device.

FIG. 4 illustrates integration of rails on the apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring now to FIG. 4 the rail 402 and 404 is secured to the base 114 on lateral sides of the apparatus 100 cobweb structure through provision of locking mechanism. The side frames 114 of the platform 100 extend over the ear sections of the helmet and rails are so designed that it can quickly attach or detach from the structure depending upon the contour of structure designed for headgear.

A preferred embodiment of the mounting rail comprises a molded component conforming to the shape of the outer shell of the cobweb structure 100. In some versions, the bottom edge of the rail fixture conforms to the bottom edge of the structure, while in other embodiments the entire fixture is raised or adjusted on the side of the helmet. The rail fixture desirably spans a sufficient circumference of the helmet shell to overlap at least two existing through-holes provided for securing retention components thereto. The mounting rail may then be secured to the shell of structure by sharing fasteners with the retention components using these through-holes. The rail fixture can easily be detached and attached quickly with great ease. If necessary, modified fasteners, which may be longer than the standard fasteners, can be provided to secure both the mounting rail and the existing retention components using the existing through-holes. Preferably, plastic bolts may be used. Avoiding the need for additional through-holes to secure the mounting rail means that the safety features of the shell are not altered. It should be stressed, however, that the use of existing through-holes is by no means necessary.

Here in FIG. 4 as used herein, the term“rail” refers to a mounting facility 402 and 404 with parallel boundaries, and rigidly accepts a complementary engagement member 114 by means of fasteners or plastic bolts. The preferred embodiment of the mounting rail includes a recessed groove open on at least one end and preferably on both ends. Accessories having an engagement member complementary to the recessed groove may be attached to the mounting rail by sliding the engagement member into the mounting-rail groove and securing it in place. This embodiment may comprise additional attaching features, it being understood that any particular version may have some, but not necessarily all of the attaching features illustrated.

FIG. 5 shows back view of the apparatus illustrating locking mechanism of apparatus along the perimeter of the combat helmet in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The second elongated member 106 has two distal ends 202 and 204 which converge at the back of structure, and interlocked with each other using locking mean 202. Advantageous feature of this invention is that structure can be easily mounted on helmet or headgear with quick fixation mechanism with no discomfort to wearer of helmet. This improved technique can be very useful for militaries or fire fighters like during tactical operations. The cobweb structure can be dismantled by unlocking the locking mechanism 502. This lock mechanism at rear end comprise of pin which when pulled can dismantle the structure. Person skilled in the art would find that other locking mechanism can be used. FIG. 5 also shows the other structure such as longitudinal arms 118 and 504 which moves inward to form u-shaped hooks 124 and 126 which serve as a clamping means to clamp the edges of helmet.

FIG. 6 represents the components for locking the apparatus on a combat helmet in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The distal ends of the second elongated member 106 contain hooks 602 and 604 respectively. These hooks are entangled in the grooves of an adaptor bracket 206. The adaptor bracket 206 when pressed engulfs the hooks 602 and 604 into the groves meant for locking the hooks together. The adaptor bracket 206 also comprises spacing for inserting plastic weights in between. The counter weight fixture is inserted in rear adaptor bracket 602 of the rear of the structure 100 to advantageously counterbalance the weight of the actuator devices mounted to shroud platform and especially that of the face protecting equipment or vision equipment mounted to the front thereof. Indeed, NVG, or glass mount device which typically uses actuator that hooks into the shroud platform 110 of the structure 100, tend to force the brow of the helmet forwardly and downwardly and the strain of countering this weight can cause significant neck strain and headaches for the wearer over time. By attaching the counter balance to the bracket located at rear end of structure, the load of the NVG adaptor on the wearer's head can be counterbalanced, thus eliminating the strain caused by the NVG and providing increased comfort for the wearer. Also, a counterweight, made of a heavy material, may be used as the ballast and attached to the rear bracket to counterbalance the weight of the equipment mounted at the front of the structure.

The fixing mechanism comprising hooks 602 and 604 located at rear end of cobweb structure 100 so as to allow the structure to be mounted on helmet and get locked with helmet easily.

In other aspects of some embodiments, the larger surface area of the adaptor bracket 206 is leveraged by shaping the adaptor bracket, thus allowing the adaptor bracket to function in two different capacities (as a actuator counterweight and as part of locking mechanism located at rear end of the structure.) In some embodiments, the counterweight is shaped with a broad end for digging and a narrower end with a handle can be attached. The broad end can have a sharp edge to easily fixed help dig/cut into bracket 602. This allows for greater counterbalance customization for different sizes of user's and for different helmet attachments having different weights and/or attachment positions. For example, a heavier helmet attachment may require the counterweight to be placed farther back on the helmet than for a lighter helmet attachment. As another example, the size and strength of the user's cervical-spine and linking muscles depends on anatomy and body type, and will vary from user to user.

FIG. 7 represents the mounting of the apparatus over a combat helmet 702 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG.7, the central core structure 102 and radiating strands enclose the upper circular surface of helmet and the plurality of hooks clamps against the edges of perimeter of helmet thus fixing the apparatus against helmet at different positions (two hooks 120 and 126 are visible in the figure). The apparatus 100 is tightened using adaptor bracket 206, thus locking the apparatus 100 against the surface of the helmet 702. The front portion hold shroud platform 100 by means of grooves. The shroud platform provides bracket slot for NVG adaptor or glass mounting adaptor. Side shells allows for adjustment of rail fixture 404 by means of fasteners preferably by plastic bolts. The whole structure is detachable by means of locking and unlocking mechanism located at rear end. Counter weight fixture is installed to balance weight of adaptor. More advantageous feature of the invention is that the apparatus auto snaps and conforms to the shape of the helmet 702.

The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the present invention. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word“comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps and the indefinite article“a” or“an” does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used advantageously. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims. Various modifications and alterations to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous techniques which, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the present invention and are thus within the spirit and scope of the present invention. All references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.