Helmet shield assembly

Abstract

A shroud assembly is configured for attachment to a front portion of a helmet or other headgear. The shroud assembly includes an interface for removably attaching a accessory mount for coupling an electronic or electro-optical imaging device to the headgear. An example shroud assembly includes a polymer frame and an insert formed of a metal or metal alloy. The polymer frame is overmolded onto the insert such that the polymer frame and the insert cooperate to form the interface for removably attaching the accessory mount. The interface includes an upper recess and a lower recess. The upper recess is configured to act as a bearing surface for an engagement latch member of the accessory mount, and the lower recess is configured to act as a bearing surface for another engagement latch member of the accessory mount.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 429,107, filed November 30, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to a protective assembly configured for attachment to a helmet or other headgear. Background Technology

[0003] Helmets are worn in various environments, including recreational activities such as rock climbing and professional settings such as military or police applications, to protect the head from injury. It is often desirable to mount accessory devices on helmets, such as night vision equipment, cameras, or other electronic or optoelectronic imaging devices. The visor typically attaches to the front of the helmet and engages with accessory mounts to facilitate the attachment of these devices, which can be moved between a stowed and in-use position. Generally, the visor is positioned to allow attached accessory devices to be placed in front of the user's eyes.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for the helmet visor assemblies disclosed herein. This invention primarily relates to providing a helmet visor assembly configured to address these and other needs. Summary of the Invention

[0005] It should be understood that this summary is not an exhaustive overview of this disclosure. This summary is exemplary and not restrictive, and is not intended to identify key or essential elements of this disclosure, nor to define the scope of this disclosure. The sole purpose of this summary is to explain and illustrate certain concepts of this disclosure as an introduction to the following complete and detailed specific embodiments.

[0006] A shroud assembly configured for attachment to the front of a helmet or other headgear is disclosed. The shroud assembly includes an interface for removably attaching an accessory mount for connecting electronic or optoelectronic imaging equipment to the headgear.

[0007] The example shield assembly includes a polymer frame and an insert formed of metal or a metal alloy. The polymer frame is overmolded onto the insert such that the polymer frame and the insert cooperate to form an interface for removably attaching an accessory mount. This interface includes an upper recess and a lower recess. The upper recess is configured to act as a support surface for an engagement latch member of the accessory mount, and the lower recess is configured to act as a support surface for another engagement latch member of the accessory mount.

[0008] Another example shield assembly includes a polymer frame and an insert formed of metal or a metal alloy. The polymer frame is overmolded onto the insert. The polymer frame and the insert cooperate to form an interface for removably attaching an accessory mount. This interface includes an upper recess and a lower recess. Each of the upper and lower recesses includes an inward-facing sidewall, which is an exposed portion of the insert not covered by the polymer frame.

[0009] Another example shield assembly includes a metal alloy insert and a polymer frame overmolded onto the insert. An accessory mounting interface, formed by the metal alloy insert and the polymer frame, is used for removably attaching an accessory mounting base. The accessory mounting interface includes an upper recess and a lower recess, the upper recess including a first inward-facing sidewall of the metal alloy insert, the first inward-facing sidewall not covered by the polymer frame, and the lower recess including a second inward-facing sidewall of the metal alloy insert, the second inward-facing sidewall not covered by the polymer frame. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 It is an isometric view of the shield assembly based on the principles of this disclosure.

[0011] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An isometric view of the shield assembly shown, with the inserts of the shield assembly shown in dashed lines.

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

[0013] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 The front elevation view of the protective shield assembly shown.

[0014] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 The rear elevation view of the protective shield assembly shown.

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

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

[0017] Figure 8 yes Figure 6 The front elevation view of the insert shown.

[0018] Figure 9 yes Figure 6 The back elevation view of the insert shown.

[0019] Figure 10 It is fixed to the front of the helmet. Figure 1 The isometric view of the shield assembly shown, in which the accessory mounting bracket is attached to the shield assembly.

[0020] Figure 11 yes Figure 10 Isometric view of the shield assembly and attached accessory mounting bracket shown, with the helmet omitted.

[0021] Figure 12 yes Figure 11 Another isometric view of the shield assembly and the attached accessory mounting base shown.

[0022] Figure 13 yes Figure 11 Rear elevation view of the protective cover assembly and the attached accessory mounting base shown.

[0023] Figure 14 The protective cover assembly and the attached accessory mounting base are along Figure 13 The side sectional view shown is taken by line 14-14.

[0024] In all the several accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals refer to the corresponding parts. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Figure 1-5 The illustration shows an example shield assembly 100 based on the principles of this disclosure. (As shown) Figure 10 As shown, the visor assembly 100 is configured for attachment to the front of a helmet 102 and includes an interface 108 for removably attaching an accessory mount 104 for connecting night vision equipment to the helmet 102. While the visor assembly 100 is described primarily by reference to its use with night vision equipment, this visor assembly 100 can also be used to connect monocular and binocular devices (including optical observation devices, thermal imagers, or other electronic or optoelectronic imaging devices) to the helmet 102.

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

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

[0028] Frame 110 is formed of nylon material and is molded around insert 112, leaving some portions of insert 112 uncovered. Frame 110 has a generally triangular construction and includes an opening 128 at each of its three corners. The three openings 128 in frame 110 are arranged such that visor assembly 100 can be attached to a helmet with a three-hole pattern (such as the standard MARSOC / WARCOM three-hole pattern). Each opening 128 is configured to receive a slot for fasteners (e.g., bolts or other suitable anchors) for securing visor assembly 100 to the selected helmet.

[0029] While the visor assembly 110 is configured for attachment to a helmet with a standard three-hole pattern, the visor assembly 100 can also be secured to the helmet 102 using an adhesive (e.g., epoxy adhesive, double-sided acrylic foam tape, or other suitable adhesive). Therefore, the visor assembly 100 may also include a plug 130 for filling each of the openings 128 in the frame 110. Each plug 130 is configured to snap into the corresponding opening 128, thereby sealing the opening 128. When the visor assembly 100 is secured to a selected helmet 102 using adhesive, a cavity 134 in the back surface 114 of the frame 110 is filled with adhesive. The visor 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, which can be used for adhesive filling to secure the visor assembly 100 to the helmet 102 (e.g., see...). Figure 5 ).

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

[0031] like Figure 6-9 As best shown, insert 112 includes a top transverse member 112a, a bottom transverse member 112b, and two side posts (112c, 112d) interconnecting the transverse members (112a, 112b). The top transverse member 112a and the bottom transverse member 112b are horizontally oriented and structurally connected by vertically aligned side posts (112c, 112d), thereby collectively defining the boundary of the central opening 113. In some embodiments, each side post (112c, 112d) may have an arcuate length. Figure 2 and Figure 6 As seen, the top transverse member 112a and the bottom transverse member 112b are positioned offset in front of the side columns (112c, 112d).

[0032] The interface 108 of the shield assembly 100 includes retaining features, such as an upper recess 116 and a lower recess 118, for removably engaging latching members (106a, 106b) on a suitably configured accessory mount 104 (e.g., a G24 mount). Each recess 116, 118 is formed by overhangs 120, 122. Each overhang 120, 122 is part of an insert 112 partially covered by the frame 110. More specifically, each overhang 120, 122 includes inwardly facing sidewalls 124, 126, which are exposed portions (i.e., not covered by the polymer frame 110) of the upper transverse member 112a or the bottom transverse member 112b of the metal insert 112 (see, for example, see...). Figure 5 In this manner, interface 108 serves as a rigid attachment point for the selected accessory mounting base 104. In a preferred embodiment, the inward-facing sidewalls 124, 126 of each overhang 120, 122 are configured to serve as support surfaces for the engagement latching members (106a, 106b) of the selected accessory mounting base 104 (see, for example, see...). Figure 12 and Figure 13 ).

[0033] The interface 108 of the shield assembly 100 also includes a pair of lateral sidewalls 132 on its opposite lateral sides. The lateral sidewalls 132 are integral parts of the frame 110 and are spaced apart by a distance that provides a tight interference fit between the lateral sidewalls 132 and the sides of the attached fitting mount 104. In this way, axial rotation of the attached fitting 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 art will understand that many modifications and variations can be made based on the foregoing description and the associated drawings.

[0035] Throughout this specification, references to "embodiment" or "implementation" or similar terms indicate that at least one embodiment of the invention includes a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic. Therefore, the phrase "in some embodiments" or similar phrases appearing in various places throughout this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

[0036] In one or more embodiments, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner. Numerous specific details have been provided in the foregoing description to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without one or more of these specific details or by means of other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations may not have been shown or described in detail.

Claims

1. A protective shield assembly, the protective shield assembly comprising: Polymer framework; as well as Inserts made of metal or metal alloys; in: The polymer frame is overmolded onto the insert, such that the polymer frame and the insert cooperate to form an interface for removably attaching an accessory mount. The interface includes an upper concave part and a lower concave part; The upper recess is configured to serve as a support surface for the engagement latch member of the accessory mounting seat; and The recess is configured to serve as a support surface for another engaging latch member for the accessory mounting seat.

2. The shield assembly of claim 1, wherein the interface includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall defining opposite sides of the interface, the first sidewall and the second sidewall being spaced apart by a sufficient distance to provide an interference fit between the accessory mounting base and the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

3. The protective cover 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.

4. The shield assembly of claim 1, wherein the insert comprises a top transverse member and a bottom transverse member.

5. The shield assembly of claim 4, wherein the top transverse member and the bottom transverse member are horizontally oriented and structurally connected by a pair of vertically aligned side posts, thereby jointly defining the boundary of the central opening.

6. A protective shield assembly, the protective shield assembly comprising: Polymer framework; as well as Inserts made of metal or metal alloys; in: The polymer framework is overmolded onto the insert; The polymer frame and the insert cooperate to form an interface for removably attaching the accessory mount; The interface includes an upper recess and a lower recess; and The upper recess and the lower recess each include an inward-facing sidewall, which is the exposed portion of the insert not covered by the polymer frame.

7. The shield assembly of claim 6, wherein the inward-facing sidewall of the upper recess is configured to serve as a support surface for an engagement latch member of the accessory mount, and the inward-facing sidewall of the lower recess is configured to serve as a support surface for another engagement latch member of the accessory mount.

8. The shield assembly of claim 7, wherein the interface includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall defining opposite sides of the interface, the first sidewall and the second sidewall being spaced apart by a sufficient distance to provide an interference fit between the accessory mounting base and the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

9. The shield assembly of claim 8, wherein the first sidewall and the second sidewall extend vertically and are positioned between the upper recess and the lower recess.

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

11. The shield assembly of claim 10, wherein the inward-facing sidewall of the upper recess is part of the top transverse member, and the inward-facing sidewall of the lower recess is part of the bottom transverse member.

12. The shield assembly of claim 11, wherein the top transverse member and the bottom transverse member are horizontally oriented and structurally connected by a pair of vertically aligned side posts, thereby jointly defining the boundary of the central opening.

13. A protective shield assembly, the protective shield assembly comprising: Metal alloy inserts; as well as A polymer frame overmolded onto the insert; An accessory mounting interface for removably attaching an accessory mounting base, formed by the metal alloy insert and the polymer frame, the accessory mounting interface comprising: The upper recess includes a first inward-facing sidewall of the metal alloy insert, which is not covered by the polymer frame. and The recess includes a second inward-facing sidewall of the metal alloy insert, which is not covered by the polymer frame.

14. The shield assembly of claim 13, wherein the metal alloy insert comprises a top transverse member and a bottom transverse member, the top transverse member and the bottom transverse member being connected to each other by a first side post and a second side post, and further wherein, The top transverse member and the bottom transverse member are offset from the first side post and the second side post.

15. The shield assembly of claim 14, wherein the first inward-facing sidewall is part of the top transverse member, and the second inward-facing sidewall is part of the bottom transverse member.

16. The shield assembly of claim 14, wherein the top transverse member, the bottom transverse member, the first side post, and the second side post substantially define the boundary of the central opening.

17. The shield assembly of claim 16, wherein the polymer frame includes a bridge extending from the first side post across the central opening to the second side post.

18. The shield assembly of claim 13, wherein the metal alloy insert hardens the polymer frame surrounding the accessory mounting interface.

19. The shield assembly of claim 13, wherein the polymer frame includes a generally concave back surface.

20. The shield assembly of claim 13, wherein the polymer frame further includes a back surface comprising a plurality of cavities.

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