Mounting system for accessories on a safety helmet
View Patent ↗Embodiments of a fixture secured, securable to, or integral with the outer shell of a helmet of the type that has a bulge or protrusion on a side thereof to facilitate convenient positional adjustment, attachment and removal of multiple accessories include a fixture for securely receiving an accessory, wherein the fixture comprises a rail for slidably and adjustably receiving a plurality of accessories thereon.
1. For use with a safety helmet of the type that has a bulge or protrusion on a side thereof and at least two existing through-holes for securing to the helmet at least one helmet-retention strap, a mounting facility comprising a fixture for securely receiving an accessory and configured for attachment to the helmet above the bulge when worn, wherein (i) the fixture comprises a rail for slidably and adjustably receiving a plurality of accessories thereon, and (ii) the fixture has a plurality of apertures aligning with at least two of the existing through-holes in the helmet shell for facilitating common affixation of the fixture and at least one helmet-retention strap thereto.
2. The mounting facility of claim 1 wherein the rail comprises a recessed retaining groove.
3. The mounting facility of claim 2 wherein the retaining groove comprises a flat inner surface and a pair of angled side walls opposed to the inner surface.
4. The mounting facility of claim 2 wherein the retaining groove has an L or T shape.
5. The mounting facility of claim 2 wherein the retaining groove has a constant-radius curvature.
6. The mounting facility of claim 1 wherein the fixture further comprises at least one threaded hole for threadably accepting an accessory.
7. The mounting facility of claim 1 further comprising means for accepting a hinged connecting element on the front of the helmet.
8. An accessory kit for a safety helmet of the type that has a bulge or protrusion on the side of the helmet and at least two existing through-holes for securing to the helmet at least one helmet-retention strap, the kit comprising:
a. at least one fixture configured for attachment to the helmet above the bulge when worn, the fixture having (i) a plurality of apertures aligning with existing through-holes in the helmet shell for facilitating common affixation of the fixture and at least one helmet-retention strap thereto and (ii) a rail for slidably and adjustably receiving a plurality of accessory engagement members;
b. fasteners for securing the at least one fixture to the helmet; and
c. at least one accessory engagement member positionable within the rail and securable thereto.
9. The accessory kit of claim 8 wherein the rail comprises a recessed retaining groove.
10. The accessory kit of claim 9 wherein the retaining groove comprises a flat inner surface and a pair of angled side walls opposed to the inner surface.
11. The accessory kit of claim 9 wherein the retaining groove has an L or T shape.
12. The accessory kit of claim 9 wherein the retaining groove has a constant-radius curvature.
13. The accessory kit of claim 8 wherein the fixture further comprises at least one threaded hole for threadably accepting an accessory.
14. The accessory kit of claim 8 further comprising means for accepting a hinged connecting element on the front of the helmet.
15. A safety helmet of the type that has a bulge or protrusion on a side thereof, the helmet comprising at least two existing through-holes for securing to the helmet at least one helmet-retention strap and a fixture, located above the bulge when worn, for securely receiving an accessory, wherein (i) the fixture comprises a rail for slidably and adjustably receiving a plurality of accessories, and (ii) the fixture has a plurality of apertures aligning with at least two of the existing through-holes in the helmet for facilitating common affixation of the fixture and at least one helmet-retention strap thereto.
16. The helmet of claim 15 wherein the rail comprises a recessed retaining groove.
17. The helmet of claim 16 wherein the retaining groove comprises a flat inner surface and a pair of angled side walls opposed to the inner surface.
18. The helmet of claim 16 wherein the retaining groove has an L or T shape.
19. The helmet of claim 16 wherein the retaining groove has a constant-radius curvature.
20. The helmet of claim 15 wherein the fixture further comprises at least one threaded hole for threadably accepting an accessory.
21. The mounting facility of claim 1 further comprising means for accepting a hinged connecting element on the front of the helmet.
22. The mounting facility of claim 1 , further comprising at least one fastener extending through at least one of the plurality of apertures and one of the through-holes to attach both the fixture and at least one helmet-retention strap to the safety helmet.
23. The safety helmet of claim 15 , further comprising at least one fastener extending through at least one of the plurality of apertures and at least one of the through-holes to attach both the fixture and at least one helmet-retention strap to the safety helmet.