IP Library Granted Patent US 8,127,374
Granted Patent B2
US 8,127,374 · App. 12/355,198 · Granted Mar 6, 2012

Side positioned vision enhancement device mount

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,127,374
App. No.
12/355,198
Granted
Mar 6, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A device mount for mounting a vision enhancement device to an article worn on a user's head includes a first adjustment member operable to move a mounted vision enhancement device in a cranial-caudal direction with respect to the user. A second adjustment member which extends from the first adjustment member is operable to move a mounted vision enhancement device along a medial-lateral adjustment axis with respect to the user. A third adjustment member includes an extension arm extending from the second adjustment member that rotates with respect to the medial-lateral adjustment axis of the second adjustment member. A helmet apparatus includes a device mount and power supply that are offset from an anterior-posterior axis of the helmet in a counterbalancing arrangement.

Claims (27)

1. A device mount for mounting a vision enhancement device to an article worn on a user's head, the device mount comprising:

a first adjustment member operable to move a mounted vision enhancement device in a cranial-caudal direction, the first adjustment member comprising a vertical rail having a rack, and a slide member that releasably engages the rack;

a second adjustment member extending from the first adjustment member and operable to move a mounted vision enhancement device along a medial-lateral adjustment axis; and

a third adjustment member comprising an extension arm extending from the second adjustment member, the extension arm being rotatable with respect to the medial-lateral adjustment axis of the second adjustment member.

2. The device mount of claim 1 , wherein the second adjustment member comprises a collet and a collet nut that is rotationally displaceable around the collet between an unlocked position and a locked position.

3. The device mount of claim 2 , wherein the third adjustment member comprises a shaft that is axially displaceable through the collet along the medial-lateral adjustment axis.

4. The device mount of claim 3 , wherein the shaft is displaceable through the collet along the medial-lateral adjustment axis when the collet nut is in the unlocked position, and fixed with respect to the medial-lateral adjustment axis when the collet nut is in the locked position.

5. The device mount of claim 1 , wherein the extension arm comprises a first end pivotally coupled to the second adjustment member, and a second end coupled to a connector for connecting to a vision enhancement device, the extension arm being rotatable about the medial-lateral adjustment axis.

6. The device mount of claim 5 , wherein the extension arm releasably engages the second adjustment assembly in a number of different locked positions, the extension arm being lockable in a normal position in which the second end is rotated posteriorly with respect to the first end, and a stowed position in which the second end is rotated anteriorly with respect to the first end.

7. The device mount of claim 6 , wherein the extension arm releasably engages the second adjustment member in an intermediate position in which the second end is rotated to a position between the normal position and the stowed position.

8. The device mount of claim 5 comprising a fourth adjustment member pivotably coupled with the second end of the extension arm, the fourth adjustment member operable to tilt the connector about a pivot axis that is parallel to the medial-lateral adjustment axis.

9. The device mount of claim 8 , wherein the fourth adjustment member includes a pivot lock operable in a locked condition to fix the orientation of the connector, and a released condition to permit the connector to pivot with respect to the pivot axis, the pivot lock being biased in the locked condition.

10. A helmet apparatus comprising:

a helmet body having an anterior end, a posterior end and an anterior-posterior axis;

a vision enhancement device extending from the helmet body;

a device mount supporting the vision enhancement device, the device mount being attached to the anterior end of the helmet body in a position offset from the anterior-posterior axis of the helmet body, the device mount comprising:

a first adjustment member operable to move a mounted vision enhancement device in a cranial-caudal direction with respect to the user, the first adjustment member comprising a vertical rail having a rack, and a slide member that releasably engages the rack;

a second adjustment member extending from the first adjustment member and operable to move a mounted vision enhancement device along a medial-lateral adjustment axis with respect to the user; and

a third adjustment member comprising an extension arm extending from the second adjustment member, the extension arm being rotatable with respect to the medial-lateral adjustment axis of the second adjustment member; and

a power supply attached to the posterior end of the helmet body in a position offset from the anterior-posterior axis of the helmet body in a position generally opposite the device mount.

11. The helmet apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the second adjustment member comprises a collet and a collet nut that is rotationally displaceable around the collet between an unlocked position and a locked position.

12. The helmet apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the third adjustment member comprises a shaft that is axially displaceable through the collet along the medial-lateral adjustment axis.

13. The helmet apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the shaft is displaceable through the collet along the medial-lateral adjustment axis when the collet nut is in the unlocked position, and fixed with respect to the medial-lateral adjustment axis when the collet nut is in the locked position.

14. The helmet apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the extension arm comprises a first end pivotally coupled to the second adjustment member, and a second end coupled to a connector for connecting to a vision enhancement device, the extension arm being rotatable about the medial-lateral adjustment axis.

15. The device mount of claim 14 , wherein the extension arm releasably engages the second adjustment assembly in a number of different locked positions, the extension arm being lockable in a normal position in which the second end is rotated posteriorly with respect to the first end, and a stowed position in which the second end is rotated anteriorly with respect to the first end.

16. The device mount of claim 15 , wherein the extension arm releasably engages the second adjustment member in an intermediate position in which the second end is rotated to a position between the normal position and the stowed position.

17. The helmet apparatus of claim 14 comprising a fourth adjustment member pivotably coupled with the second end of the extension arm, the fourth adjustment member operable to tilt the connector about a pivot axis that is parallel to the medial-lateral adjustment axis.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 27, 2012
From: ITT MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES, LLC (FORMERLY KNOWN AS ITT MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES, INC.)
To: EXELIS, INC.
Reel/Frame 027604/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 18, 2009
From: WILLEY, CHARLES D.; BANDY, GREGORY S.; SCHLIRF, KEVIN C.
To: ITT MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES, INC.
Reel/Frame 022414/0447 →