Helmet mount for powered device
An apparatus for mounting an electrically powered device to a helmet has a mounting body configured to be removably secured to an existing mounting fixture on the helmet and depending generally downwardly therefrom. A device-mounting rail is carried by the mounting body and has a length extending generally transversely to each side of the mounting body. At least one longitudinal slot is formed in the device-mounting rail and an electrically conductive rail is carried on the device rail and at least partially coextensive with the longitudinal slot, the electrically conductive rail configured to mate with a receptacle on the device. A fastener extends through the longitudinal slot to engage and secure the device to the device-mounting rail. A source of electrical power is in communication with the device through the electrically conductive rail and receptacle.
1 . An apparatus for mounting an electrically powered device to a helmet, the apparatus comprising:
a mounting body configured to be removably secured to an existing mounting fixture on the helmet and depending generally downwardly therefrom;
a device-mounting rail carried by the mounting body, the device-mounting rail having upper and lower surfaces and having a length extending generally transversely to each side of the mounting body;
at least one longitudinal slot formed in and extending through the device-mounting rail from the upper to the lower surface and having a length extending at least partially the length of the device mounting rail;
an electrically conductive rail carried on the lower surface of the device-mounting rail and at least partially coextensive with the length of the longitudinal slot, the electrically conductive rail configured to mate with a receptacle on the device;
a fastener extending through the longitudinal slot to engage and secure the device to the device-mounting rail;
a source of electrical power in communication with the device through the electrically conductive rail and receptacle.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one longitudinal slot further comprises:
a pair of longitudinal slots, each longitudinal slot having a length and formed in the device-mounting rail on each side of the mounting body, and the electrically conductive rail is generally coextensive with the length of both longitudinal slots.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the source of electrical power is remote from the mounting body and electrically connected to it by a cable.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the mounting body further comprises:
a mounting-fixture portion that is configured to be removably secured to the existing mounting fixture on the helmet, the mounting fixture portion being removably secured to the mounting body.
5 . An apparatus for mounting an electrically powered device to an existing mounting fixture on a helmet, the apparatus comprising:
a mounting body configured to be removably secured to the existing mounting fixture on the helmet and depending generally downwardly therefrom;
a device-mounting rail carried by the mounting body and having upper and lower surfaces, and a first side extending generally transversely from one side of the mounting body, and a second side extending generally transversely from an opposing side of the mounting body;
a longitudinal slot formed in each of the first and second sides of the device-mounting rail and extending through the device-mounting rail from the upper to the lower surface, each slot having a length;
an electrically conductive rail carried on the lower surface of the device-mounting rail and at least partially coextensive with the length of each of the longitudinal slots, the electrically conductive rail configured to mate with a receptacle on the device;
a fastener extending through one of the longitudinal slots to engage and secure the device to the device-mounting rail;
a source of electrical power in communication with the device through the mounting body, electrically conductive rail, and receptacle.
6 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the electrically conductive rail is generally coextensive with the length of both longitudinal slots.
7 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the source of electrical power is remote from the mounting body and electrically connected to it by a cable.
8 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the mounting body further comprises:
a mounting-fixture portion that is configured to be removably secured to the existing mounting fixture on the helmet, the mounting fixture portion being removably secured to the mounting body.
9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the fastener is a threaded thumbscrew.
10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the fastener is a threaded thumbscrew.
11 . An apparatus for mounting an electrically powered device to an existing mounting fixture on a helmet, the apparatus comprising:
a mounting body configured to be removably secured to the existing mounting fixture on the helmet and depending generally downwardly therefrom, the mounting body having a pair of generally opposed sides;
a device-mounting rail carried by the mounting body, the device mounting rail having upper and lower surfaces, and the device-mounting rail extending generally transversely on either side of the mounting body;
a pair of longitudinal slots, each slot formed in the device-mounting rail on each side of the mounting body, each slot extending through the device-mounting rail from the upper surface to the lower surface;
a pair of generally parallel and spaced apart electrically conductive rails carried on the lower surface of the device-mounting rail and adjacent the longitudinal slots, the electrically conductive rails configured to mate with a receptacle on the device;
a threaded thumbscrew extending through one of the longitudinal slots to engage and secure the device to the device-mounting rail;
a source of electrical power in communication with the device through the mounting body, electrically conductive rail, and receptacle.
12 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the electrically conductive rail is generally coextensive with the length of both longitudinal slots.
13 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the source of electrical power is remote from the mounting body and electrically connected to it by a cable.
14 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the mounting body further comprises:
a mounting-fixture portion that is configured to be removably secured to the existing mounting fixture on the helmet, the mounting fixture portion being removably secured to the mounting body.