Helmet shield assembly

Abstract

The shield assembly is configured for attachment to a front portion of a helmet or other headgear. The shield assembly includes an interface for removably attaching an accessory mount for coupling an electronic or optoelectronic imaging device to a headgear. An example shroud assembly includes a polymeric frame having a shape that matches a headgear profile and an insert formed from a metal or metal alloy. A polymer frame is molded around the insert. The polymeric frame and the insert collectively form an interface for removably attaching an accessory mount. The interface includes an upper recess configured to act as a bearing surface for an engagement latch member of the accessory mount, and a lower recess configured to act as a bearing surface for another engagement latch member of the accessory mount.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 429,107, filed on November 30, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a shield assembly configured to be attached to a helmet. The shield assembly incorporates an accessory mount for coupling a night vision device to the helmet. Background Art

[0004] Helmets are worn to protect the head from injury in a variety of settings, including recreational activities such as rock climbing and professional settings such as military or police use. It is often desirable to mount accessory equipment on the helmet, such as night vision equipment, cameras, or other electronic / photoelectric imaging devices. A shield is typically attached to the front of the helmet and cooperates with an accessory mount to facilitate attachment of the accessory equipment, which can be moved between a stowed position and an in-use position. Typically, the shield is positioned to allow the attached accessory equipment to be placed in front of the user's eyes.

[0005] Therefore, there exists a need for a helmet shield assembly as disclosed herein. The present invention is generally directed to providing a helmet shield assembly configured to address these needs and other needs. Summary of the Invention

[0006] It should be understood that this summary is not an exhaustive overview of the present disclosure. This summary is illustrative, not restrictive, and is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the present disclosure, nor to define the scope of the present disclosure. The sole purpose of this summary is to explain and illustrate certain concepts of the present disclosure, serving as an introduction to the complete and detailed detailed embodiments that follow.

[0007] A shield assembly configured for attachment to the front of a helmet or other headgear is disclosed. The shield assembly includes an interface for removably attaching an accessory mount for coupling an electronic or optoelectronic imaging device to the headgear.

[0008] An example shield assembly includes a polymer frame having a shape that matches the contour of the headgear and an insert formed from a metal or metal alloy. The polymer frame is molded around the insert. The polymer frame and insert together form an interface for removably attaching an accessory mount. The interface includes an upper recess and a lower recess. The upper recess is configured to serve as a bearing surface for an engaging latch member of the accessory mount, and the lower recess is configured to serve as a bearing surface for another engaging latch member of the accessory mount.

[0009] Another example shield assembly includes a polymer frame having a shape that matches the contour of the headgear and an insert formed of metal or a metal alloy. The polymer frame is molded around the insert. The polymer frame and the insert together form an interface for removably attaching an accessory mount. The interface includes an upper recess and a lower recess. The upper and lower recesses each include an inward-facing sidewall, which is an exposed portion of the insert not covered by the polymer frame. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 is an isometric view of a shroud assembly according to the principles of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An isometric view of the shroud assembly is shown in FIG, with the insert of the shroud assembly shown in phantom.

[0012] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Another isometric view of the shroud assembly shown in .

[0013] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A front elevation view of the shroud assembly is shown in FIG.

[0014] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 A rear elevation view of the shroud assembly is shown in FIG.

[0015] Figure 6 yes Figure 2 Isometric view of the insert shown in .

[0016] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 Another isometric view of the insert shown in .

[0017] Figure 8 yes Figure 6 Front elevation of the insert shown in .

[0018] Figure 9 yes Figure 6 Rear elevation of the insert shown in .

[0019] Figure 10 It is fixed to the front of the helmet Figure 1 An isometric view of the shroud assembly shown in FIG. 1 with the accessory mount attached to the shroud assembly.

[0020] Figure 11 yes Figure 10 An isometric view of the shield assembly and attached accessory mounts shown in , with the helmet omitted.

[0021] Figure 12 yes Figure 11Another isometric view of the shroud assembly and attached accessory mount shown in .

[0022] Figure 13 yes Figure 11 Rear elevation view of the shroud assembly and attached accessory mount shown in .

[0023] Figure 14 The shroud assembly and the attached accessory mounts along with Figure 13 A side cross-sectional view taken along line 14-14 is shown in FIG.

[0024] Like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Figure 1-5 An example shroud assembly 100 is shown in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. Figure 10 , the shield assembly 100 is configured for attachment to a front portion of a helmet 102 and includes an interface 108 for removably attaching an accessory mount 104 for coupling a night vision device to the helmet 102. Although the shield assembly 100 is primarily described with reference to use with night vision devices, the shield assembly 100 can be used to couple monocular and binocular devices, including optical viewing devices, thermal imagers, or other electronic or electro-optical imaging devices, to the helmet 102.

[0026] Example accessory mounts that can be attached to the interface 108 of the shroud assembly 100 are the G11 and G24 mounts from Wilcox Industries, Inc., which are well known to those skilled in the art. However, the shroud assembly 100 can be adapted for use with other accessory mounts by providing the interface 108 with retention features complementary to the desired accessory mount.

[0027] like Figure 2-5As shown in FIG, the shield assembly 100 includes a polymer frame 110 and a metal or metal alloy insert 112 (shown in dashed lines). The shield assembly 100 is formed by overmolding the frame 110 onto the insert 112, thereby making the shield assembly 100 a unitary piece. This results in a shield assembly 100 having a superior strength-to-weight ratio compared to prior art shields. More specifically, in some embodiments, the shield assembly 100 can achieve a weight reduction of more than 25% compared to prior art shields. The frame 110 has a generally concave back surface 114 that is shaped to generally conform to the shape of a selected helmet or other headgear. The frame 110 is also flexible, allowing the shield assembly 100 to conform to the outer surface of a selected helmet to which the shield assembly 100 is coupled. While the frame 110 of the shield assembly 100 is flexible, the insert 112 is a rigid stiffening element that provides additional strength and rigidity to the interface 108.

[0028] The frame 110 is formed of a nylon material that is overmolded around the insert 112, leaving some portions of the insert 112 uncovered. The frame 110 has a generally triangular configuration and includes an opening 128 in each of the three corners. The three openings 128 in the frame 110 are arranged so that the shield assembly 100 can be attached to a helmet having a three-hole pattern (such as the standard MARSOC / WARCOM three-hole pattern). Each opening 128 is a slot configured to receive a fastener (e.g., a bolt or other suitable anchor) for securing the shield assembly 100 to the selected helmet.

[0029] Although the shield assembly 110 is configured for attachment to a helmet having a standard three-hole pattern, the shield assembly 100 can also be secured to the helmet 102 using an adhesive (e.g., an epoxy adhesive, double-sided acrylic foam tape, or other suitable adhesive). Therefore, the shield assembly 100 can also include a plug 130 for filling each of the openings 128 in the frame 110. Each plug 130 is configured to snap fit within a corresponding opening 128, thereby sealing the opening 128. When the shield assembly 100 is secured to the selected helmet 102 using the adhesive, the cavity 134 in the back surface 114 of the frame 110 is filled with the adhesive. The shield assembly 100 is then clamped to the helmet 102 until the adhesive cures. It should be noted that each plug 130 also includes a cavity 136 that can be filled with the adhesive used to secure the shield assembly 100 to the helmet 102 (e.g., see Figure 5 ).

[0030] The insert 112 is preferably formed by stamping, although metal injection molding and additive manufacturing (i.e., 3D printing) are also contemplated. The insert 112 is preferably formed from stainless steel. The preferred embodiment of the insert 112 is a single piece. However, in other embodiments, the insert 112 can be two or more pieces.

[0031] like Figure 6-9 As best shown in FIG, the insert 112 includes a top cross member 112a, a bottom cross member 112b, and two side posts (112c, 112d) interconnecting the cross members (112a, 112b). The top cross member 112a and the bottom cross member 112b are horizontally oriented and structurally connected by vertically aligned side posts (112c, 112d) that together define the boundaries of the central opening 113. In some embodiments, each side post (112c, 112d) can have an arcuate length. Figure 2 and Figure 6 As seen in FIG, the top cross member 112a and the bottom cross member 112b are positioned in an offset manner, forward of the side posts (112c, 112d).

[0032] The interface 108 of the shroud assembly 100 includes retention features, such as an upper recess 116 and a lower recess 118, for removably engaging a latch member (106a, 106b) on a suitably configured accessory mount 104 (e.g., a G24 mount). Each recess 116, 118 is formed by an overhang 120, 122. Each overhang 120, 122 is a portion of the insert 112 that is partially overmolded by the frame 110. More specifically, each overhang 120, 122 includes an inwardly facing sidewall 124, 126 that is an exposed portion (i.e., not covered by the polymer frame 110) of the upper cross member 112a or the bottom cross member 112b of the metal insert 112 (e.g., see FIG. 1 ). Figure 5 ). In this manner, the interface 108 acts as a ridged attachment point for the selected accessory mount 104. In a preferred embodiment, the inwardly facing sidewalls 124, 126 of each overhang 120, 122 are configured to act as a bearing surface for engaging the latching members (106a, 106b) of the selected accessory mount 104 (e.g., see Figure 12 and Figure 13 ).

[0033] The interface 108 of the shroud assembly 100 also includes a pair of lateral sidewalls 132 on opposite lateral sides thereof. The lateral sidewalls 132 are integral to the frame 110 and are spaced apart a distance that provides a tight interference fit between the lateral sidewalls 132 and the sides of the attached accessory mount 104. In this manner, axial rotation of the attached accessory mount 104 is minimized or prevented.

[0034] The foregoing description of the present invention is intended to be illustrative; it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the claims to the precise forms disclosed. Those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that many modifications and variations may be made based on the foregoing description and the associated drawings.

[0035] Reference throughout this specification to "an embodiment" or "an implementation" or words of similar import means that the particular described feature, structure, or characteristic is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrase "in some embodiments" or phrases of similar import in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment.

[0036] In one or more embodiments, the described features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner. In the above description, many specific details are provided to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present invention. However, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without one or more of these specific details or with the aid of other methods, components, materials, etc. In other cases, well-known structures, materials or operations may not be shown or described in detail.

Claims

1. A shield assembly comprising: a polymer frame shaped to match the contours of the headgear; Inserts formed of metal or metal alloy; in: The polymer frame is molded around the insert, the polymer frame and the insert together forming an interface for removably attaching an accessory mount, the interface including an upper recess and a lower recess, the upper recess being configured to serve as a bearing surface for an engaging latch member of the accessory mount, and the lower recess being configured to serve as a bearing surface for another engaging latch member of the accessory mount.

2. The shroud assembly of claim 1 , wherein the interface includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall defining opposing sides of the interface, the first sidewall and the second sidewall being spaced apart a sufficient distance to provide an interference fit between the accessory mount and the first sidewall and the second sidewall. 3 . The shroud assembly of claim 2 , wherein the first sidewall and the second sidewall extend vertically and are positioned between the upper recess and the lower recess. The shroud assembly of claim 1 , wherein the insert comprises a top cross member and a bottom cross member.

5. The shroud assembly of claim 4, wherein the top cross member and the bottom cross member are horizontally oriented and structurally connected by a pair of vertically aligned side posts to collectively define a central opening.

6. A shield assembly comprising: a polymer frame shaped to match the contours of the headgear; Inserts formed of metal or metal alloy; in: The polymer frame is molded around the insert, the polymer frame and the insert together forming an interface for removably attaching an accessory mount, the interface including an upper recess and a lower recess, the upper recess and the lower recess each including an inwardly facing side wall, the inwardly facing side wall being an exposed portion of the insert not covered by the polymer frame.

7. The shroud assembly of claim 6 , wherein the interior-facing sidewall of the upper recess is configured to serve as a bearing surface for an engaging latch member of the accessory mount, and the interior-facing sidewall of the lower recess is configured to serve as a bearing surface for another engaging latch member of the accessory mount.

8. The shroud assembly of claim 7, wherein the interface includes first and second side walls defining opposing sides of the interface, the first and second side walls being spaced apart a sufficient distance to provide an interference fit between the accessory mount and the first and second side walls. 9 . The shroud assembly of claim 8 , wherein the first and second side walls extend vertically and are positioned between the upper and lower recesses.

10. The shroud assembly of claim 6, wherein the insert comprises a top cross member and a bottom cross member.

11. The shroud assembly of claim 10, wherein the interior-facing sidewall of the upper recess is part of the top cross member and the interior-facing sidewall of the lower recess is part of the bottom cross member.

12. The shroud assembly of claim 11, wherein the top cross member and the bottom cross member are horizontally oriented and structurally connected by a pair of vertically aligned side posts to collectively define a central opening.

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