IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,381,318
Granted Patent B2
US 8,381,318 · App. 12/820,520 · Granted Feb 26, 2013

Adapter for protective helmets

Inventors: Ulf Junker (Hanau, DE); Stefan Roemer (Gundelfingen, DE)
Assignee: E.D. Bullard Company
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,381,318
App. No.
12/820,520
Granted
Feb 26, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

An adapter for mounting equipment ( 4 ) such as lamps and headsets onto protective helmets includes a base ( 1 ) fastened detachably onto the protective helmet, and a holder ( 2 ) with variable securing parts ( 3 ) that snaps detachably into the base ( 1 ). The base ( 1 ) features a snap-and-detent mechanism ( 1.1 ), has an external shape adapted to the type of protective helmet and is fastened detachably onto the protective helmet. The holder ( 2 ) features a snap-and-detent element ( 2.5 ) designed as corresponding counter piece to the snap-and-detent mechanism ( 1.1 ) of the base ( 1 ). The variable securing parts ( 3 ) are flat silicone straps where at least two securing parts ( 3 ) can be threaded into the holder ( 2 ), an insertable piece of equipment ( 4 ) can be fastened separately, flexibly and detachably by wrapping the two securing parts ( 3 ) around the equipment ( 4 ) and anchoring them onto the holder ( 2 ), and the snap-and-detent element ( 2.5 ) of the equipped holder ( 2 ) snaps into the snap-and-detent mechanism ( 1.1 ) of the base ( 1 ) and, when in the base ( 1 ), is incrementally rotatable and detainable around the axis of the snap-and-detent element ( 2.5 ).

Claims (10)

1. An adapter for mounting equipment ( 4 ) onto a protective helmet, comprising a base ( 1 ) fastened detachably onto the protective helmet, and a holder ( 2 ) with straps ( 3 ) that snap detachably into the base ( 1 );

wherein the base ( 1 ) includes a snap-and-detent mechanism ( 1 . 1 ) that is fastened detachably onto the protective helmet;

wherein the holder ( 2 ) includes a snap-and-detent element ( 2 . 5 ) designed as a corresponding counter piece to the snap-and-detent mechanism ( 1 . 1 ) of the base ( 1 ); and

wherein (i) at least two straps ( 3 ) are threaded into the holder ( 2 ), (ii) an insertable piece of equipment ( 4 ) can be fastened separately, flexibly and detachably by wrapping the at least two straps ( 3 ) around the equipment ( 4 ) and anchoring them onto the holder ( 2 ), and (iii) the snap-and-detent element ( 2 . 5 ) of the holder ( 2 ) snaps into the snap-and-detent mechanism ( 1 . 1 ) of the base ( 1 ) and, when in the base ( 1 ), is incrementally rotatable and detainable around an axis of the snap-and-detent element ( 2 . 5 ).

2. The adapter according to claim 1 , wherein the snap-and-detent mechanism ( 1 . 1 ) of the base ( 1 ) includes a central, round hole ( 1 . 1 . 1 ) with two guide openings ( 1 . 1 . 2 ) arranged around the central, round hole ( 1 . 1 . 1 ) and multiple round indentations ( 1 . 1 . 3 ) arranged around the guide openings ( 1 . 1 . 2 ), wherein the guide openings ( 1 . 1 . 2 ) of the base ( 1 ) are shaped as arcs of a circle and are positioned diametrically opposite each other in an axial direction at a defined distance from the central, round hole ( 1 . 1 . 1 ), and wherein the round indentations ( 1 . 1 . 3 ) are arranged into arcs of a circle and positioned diametrically opposite each other in an axial direction at a defined distance from the guide openings ( 1 . 1 . 2 ), and at least one opening ( 1 . 1 . 4 ) is provided on the base ( 1 ) for detachably fastening the base ( 1 ) onto the protective helmet.

3. The adapter according to claim 2 , wherein the holder ( 2 ) is essentially a rectangular part with two outer longitudinal sections ( 2 . 1 ) molded at a defined angle to a central longitudinal section ( 2 . 2 ) to form an overall concave shape, wherein a fastening lug ( 2 . 3 ) is molded onto each end of the outer edge of one longitudinal section ( 2 . 1 ), and a keyhole-shaped opening ( 2 . 4 ) is molded into each end of the central longitudinal section ( 2 . 2 ), at the centre of which the snap-and-detent element ( 2 . 5 ) is molded into the outer surface.

4. The adapter according to claim 1 , wherein the straps ( 3 ) are equipped with a concave holder element ( 3 . 1 ) molded onto a face side, at least one slot hole ( 3 . 2 ), and multiple elevations ( 3 . 3 ).

5. The adapter according to claim 3 , wherein the snap-and-detent element ( 2 . 5 ) of the holder ( 2 ) is molded radially to the central longitudinal section ( 2 . 2 ) between the keyhole-shaped openings ( 2 . 4 ) and includes a central snap piece ( 2 . 5 . 1 ) consisting of multiple circular, relatively moveable snap-lugs ( 2 . 5 . 1 . 1 ), with two relatively moveable guide pins ( 2 . 5 . 2 ) molded diametrically opposite each other in an axial direction and two spherical bumps ( 2 . 5 . 3 ) molded diametrically opposite each other in an axial direction, and with two parabolic openings ( 2 . 5 . 4 ) molded diametrically opposite each other in an axial direction.

6. The adapter according to claim 5 , wherein, upon snapping the central snap piece ( 2 . 5 . 1 ) into the central, round hole ( 1 . 1 . 1 ) of the base ( 1 ), the guide pins ( 2 . 5 . 2 ) insert into the guide openings ( 1 . 1 . 2 ) where they remain movable, and the two spherical bumps ( 2 . 5 . 3 ) rest firmly in two respective, diametrically opposite round indentations ( 1 . 1 . 3 ) according to a desired adjustment angle of the equipment ( 4 ).

7. The adapter according to claim 1 , wherein the straps ( 3 ) are substantially flat silicone straps.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 22, 2010
From: JUNKER, ULF; ROEMER, STEFAN
To: BULLARD GMBH
Reel/Frame 024574/0093 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 22, 2010
From: BULLARD GMBH
To: E. D. BULLARD COMPANY
Reel/Frame 024574/0145 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2010 015 581 · Apr 19, 2010 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20110252546A1 · Oct 20, 2011