Light-intensifying night vision goggles device

Abstract

Night Vision Goggles Device with Light Intensification The night vision goggles device (10) is intended to be attached to a helmet (14). It comprises a housing (11) and a single imaging lens (19) arranged on the front face (11b) of the housing (11) and offset laterally from a center of the goggles device (10). The goggles device (10) comprises a first attachment member (16) for attachment to the helmet (14), arranged on a first support face (11d) of the housing, and a second attachment member (22) similar to the first attachment member (16), arranged on the second support face (11e) opposite the first support face (11d). Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Light-intensifying night vision goggle device

[0001] The present invention relates to a light-intensifying night vision goggle device, and an attachment interface for an goggle device.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to the use of bi-ocular light-intensifying night vision goggles used in conjunction with clear sight type weapon sights which allow a sighting reticle to be superimposed on a direct view of the scene.

[0003] An asymmetrical night vision goggle device is already known in the prior art, comprising a shooting lens located on only one side of the device. Usually, the shooting lens is located on the right of the goggle device.

[0004] Such a right-handed shooting objective is suitable for a right-handed shooter using a sight in conjunction with it, since the sight of the weapon, carried on the right shoulder, can be aligned with the shooting objective.

[0005] However, the position of the shooting lens poses a problem for a left-handed shooter, who cannot align the sight with the shooting lens while carrying his weapon on his left shoulder, since this shooting lens is arranged opposite the sight window of the sight positioned on the weapon. The left-handed shooter is then forced to shoulder his rifle to the right in order to be able to aim through the weapon's sight, which degrades his dexterity and the quality of his shot (in particular his speed and accuracy).

[0006] The invention aims in particular to remedy this drawback, by allowing a left-handed shooter to use a night vision goggle device and a weapon sight together, without reducing the quality of his shooting or requiring structural modification of the goggle device.

[0007] For this purpose, the invention relates to a night vision goggle device intended to be fixed on a helmet, comprising a housing comprising a rear face, a front face, side faces, a first support face and a second support face opposite in a vertical direction, the goggle device comprising a single shooting lens arranged on the front face and offset laterally relative to a center of the goggle device, the goggle device comprising a first fixing member intended to be fixed on the helmet, arranged on the first support face, characterized in that it comprises a second fixing member similar to the first fixing member, arranged on the second support face.

[0008] The goggle device according to the invention can be attached to the shooter's helmet in the two directions, by turning it over, so as to place the shooting lens on the left or right depending on the laterality of the shooter.

[0009] A spectacle device according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following optional characteristics taken alone or in any technically conceivable combination.

[0010] - The first fixing member and the second fixing member are arranged, trans versally, approximately in the center of the case.

[0011] - The first fixing member and the second fixing member are fixings in dovetail, for example females.

[0012] - The eyeglass device comprises a fixing interface, comprising a part attachment intended to be attached to the eyeglass device, and carrying the second attachment member.

[0013] - The attachment interface comprises an arm extending between the attachment portion and the second fixing member, the arm being curved to form a concavity, such that the fixing portion and the second fixing member extend substantially parallel to each other.

[0014] - The fixing part is oriented towards the inside of the concavity, so that the eyewear device is located partially within the concavity when assembled with the attachment portion, and the second attachment member is oriented outwardly from the concavity, such that the helmet is located above the attachment interface when assembled with this second attachment member.

[0015] - The fixing part is complementary with the first fixing member and intended to be fixed with this first fixing member.

[0016] - The first fixing member is removable from the housing, the fixing part being shaped to replace the first fixing member on the housing.

[0017] - The second fixing member is made in one piece with the housing, or added separately facing the first fixing member on the housing.

[0018] The invention also relates to a fixing interface, for fixing a spectacle device to a helmet, comprising a fixing part intended to be fixed to the spectacle device, having a shape complementary to a first fixing member of the spectacle device and carrying a second fixing member having a shape similar to that of the first fixing member.

[0019] Advantageously, the fixing interface comprises an arm extending between the fixing portion and the second fixing member, the arm being curved to form a concavity, so that the fixing portion and the second fixing member extend substantially parallel to each other.

[0020] The invention will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0021] [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is a perspective view of an eyeglass device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, seen from the rear;

[0022] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of a fixing interface, equipping the eyeglass device of [Fig.l];

[0023] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic front view from the front of the goggle device attached to a helmet without the interface of [Fig.2];

[0024] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a view similar to [Fig.3] of the goggle device attached to the helmet with the interface of [Fig.2].

[0025] [Fig. 1] shows a night vision goggle device 10, intended to be fixed to a helmet 14 (shown in Figures 3 and 4).

[0026] The eyewear device 10 is intended to be used in conjunction with a rifle sight, for example a clear sight, a reflex sight or a red dot sight.

[0027] The eyeglass device 10 comprises a housing 11 housing a conventional optical device (not shown). The housing 11 has a rear face 11a shown in [Fig.2], and a front face 11b shown in Figures 3 and 4, side faces 11e. A first support face 11d and a second support face 11e opposite in a vertical direction Z will also be defined. In [Fig.l], the first support face 11d is the one on the bottom and the second support face 11e is the one on the top.

[0028] In the present description, the side of the eyeglass device 10 which is on the side of the user who wears them will be called "rear", and the side opposite the rear side, facing the front of the user who wears them will be called "front".

[0029] The terms "above" and "below" are considered in a vertical direction, during normal use. The eyewear device 10 is thus fixed below the helmet 14.

[0030] The eyeglass device 10 conventionally comprises two viewing eyepieces 13, i.e. one for each eye. The viewing eyepieces 13 are arranged on the rear face of the eyeglass device 10, shown in [Fig.2].

[0031] The eyeglass device 10 comprises a single shooting lens 19, arranged on the front face 11b of the housing 11. This shooting lens 19 captures an image which it transmits to the viewing eyepieces, by means of the conventional optical device housed in the eyeglass device 10.

[0032] In the context of the invention, the eyeglass device 10 is asymmetrical, that is to say that the shooting lens 19 is offset laterally relative to the center of the eyeglass device 10. In other words, the shooting lens 19 is closer to one lateral face 11c than to the other.

[0033] In the present description, the terms “right” and “left” are considered from the point of view of the user of the eyeglass device 10, therefore in view from the rear of the eyeglass device 10. It should be noted that Figures 3 and 4 are views from the front of the eyeglass device 10 in order to be able to show the shooting lens 19. Thus, left and right are reversed in these figures compared to a view from the rear.

[0034] The helmet 14 comprises a member 18 for receiving the glasses device 10.

[0035] Conventionally, the eyeglass device 10 comprises a first fixing member 16, complementary to the receiving member 18, for the removable fixing of the eyeglass device 10 on the helmet 14, as shown in [Fig. 3]. The first fixing member 16 is arranged on the first support face 11d of the housing 11.

[0036] In the example described, the first fixing member 16 is integral with the housing 11. Alternatively, the first fixing member 16 is removably mounted on the housing 11.

[0037] The first fixing member 16 is preferably arranged, transversely, substantially in the center of the housing 11.

[0038] According to the invention, the eyeglass device 10 comprises a second fixing member 22, arranged on the second support face 11c of the case 11. The second fixing member 22 is also preferably arranged, transversely, substantially in the center of the case 11.

[0039] According to the embodiment described, the second fixing member 22 is carried by a fixing interface 12.

[0040] The fixing interface 12 comprises a fixing portion 20 intended to be fixed, preferably removably, to the eyeglass device 10, and the second fixing member 22 intended to be fixed to the helmet 14, preferably removably.

[0041] The fixing interface 12 also comprises an arm 24 extending between the fixing portion 20 and the second fixing member 22.

[0042] The fixing interface 12 is for example made of plastic or metal, or any other conceivable material. Preferably, the fixing interface 12 is made of aluminum.

[0043] The arm 24 is curved to form a concavity, in particular in the general shape of a C, so that the fixing portion 20 and the second fixing member 22 extend substantially parallel to each other. Preferably, the shape of the arm 24 substantially matches the shape of the housing 11, as shown in [Fig. 1].

[0044] The fixing interface 12 is shaped to run around the housing 11 of the eyeglass device 10, avoiding interference with the functional elements of this eyeglass device 10 such as optics (shooting lens 19, image restitution eyepieces 13, photodiodes and phototransistors) and control adjustment buttons. Thus, preferably, the fixing interface 12 is shaped to bypass the eyeglass device 10, for example from the rear, as shown in the figures, so as not to interfere with the adjustment and control buttons which are usually arranged on the front face of the eyeglass device 10. Preferably, the fixing interface extends vertically, passing between the two eyepieces 13.

[0045] However, in a variant not shown, the fixing interface 12 is shaped to bypass the eyeglass device 10 from the front, or, in another variant, from one of the lateral sides of the case 11.

[0046] The attachment portion 20 is oriented toward the inside of the concavity, such that the eyewear device 10 is located partly in the concavity when assembled with the attachment portion 20.

[0047] The second fastening member 22 is oriented towards the outside of the concavity, so that the helmet 14 is located above the fastening interface 12 when it is assembled with this second fastening member 22.

[0048] According to the embodiment described, the fixing part 20 is complementary to the first fixing member 16. The fixing part 20 is therefore similar to the receiving member 18, so that the first fixing member 16 can cooperate with the fixing part 20 (when the fixing interface 12 is used), or with the receiving member 18 (when the glasses device 10 is directly fixed to the helmet 14).

[0049] For example, the fasteners comprise dovetails. In the example described, the fastening portion 20 comprises a male dovetail fastening portion, and the first fastening member 16 comprises a female portion complementary to the dovetail fastening. The receiving member 18 also comprises a male dovetail fastening portion identical to that of the fastening portion 20.

[0050] According to the embodiment described, the second fixing member 22 is complementary to the receiving member 18. Thus, the first fixing member 16 is similar to the second fixing member 22, so that the receiving member 18 can receive the second fixing member 22 (when the fixing interface 12 is used), or the first fixing member 16 (when the eyewear device 10 is directly fixed to the helmet 14).

[0051] For example, the fasteners comprise dovetails. In the example described, the second fastener 22 comprises a female dovetail fastener portion, and the receiving member 18 comprises a complementary male dovetail fastener portion. The female dovetail fastener portion of the first fastener 16 is also identical to that of the second fastener 22.

[0052] According to a variant not shown, where the first fixing member 16 is removable, then the fixing part 20 is adapted to replace the first fixing member 16 on the eyeglass device 10.

[0053] In all cases, any type of fixing means is conceivable for fixing the fixing interface 12 to the glasses device 10 on the one hand and to the helmet 14 on the other hand.

[0054] The attachment interface 12 makes it possible to reverse the direction of the glasses device 10 when it is attached to the helmet 14.

[0055] When the first fixing member 16 is fixed to the receiving member 18 (in the example described, when the fixing interface 12 is absent), the first fixing member 16 is then located above the eyeglass device 10, and the shooting lens 19 is located to the right of the eyeglass device 10 (that is to say to the right when considering the user, therefore to the right when viewed from the rear of the eyeglass device 10, and therefore to the left in the view from the front of the eyeglass device 10 of [Fig. 3]).

[0056] On the other hand, it is therefore the second fixing member 22 which is located above the eyeglass device 10, the first fixing member 16 is located below the eyeglass device 10. The eyeglass device 10 is therefore turned over compared to the case of the absent fixing interface 12, so that the shooting lens 19 is found to the left of the eyeglass device 10 (that is to say to the left when considering the user, therefore to the left when viewed from the rear of the eyeglass device 10, and therefore to the right in the view from the front of the eyeglass device 10 of [Fig. 4]). In the example described, this is the case when the fixing interface 12 is used. The first fixing member 16 is then fixed to the fixing part 20, and it is the second fixing member 22 which is fixed to the receiving member 18.

[0057] It thus appears clearly that the glasses device 10 according to the invention can be adapted to a right-handed or left-handed shooter, by using the fixing member adapted to arrange the shooting objective 19 on the right or on the left.

[0058] It will be noted that the invention is not limited to the embodiment previously described, and could have other variants.

[0059] For example, instead of dovetail fasteners, the fasteners could be formed by complementary holes and screws.

[0060] It should also be noted that the fixing interface 12 according to the invention is adaptable to pre-existing eyewear devices 10 in the state of the art.

[0061] However, according to an embodiment not shown, the fixing interface 12 could be directly integrated into the housing 11 of the eyeglass device 10.

[0062] In this case, the housing 11 directly carries, at the top and bottom, fixings identical to each other and complementary to the receiving member 18. More particularly, the housing 11 could directly carry the first 16 and the second 22 fixing members, one above and the other below. In this case, the first 16 and the second 22 fixing members are integral with the housing 11, or added removable separately from each other.

[0063] According to another embodiment not shown, the fixing interface 12 could comprise, in its fixing part 20, a third fixing member facing towards the outside of the concavity, identical to the first fixing member 16. In this case, the fixing interface 12 can be assembled with the receiving member 18 in both directions. The glasses device 10 can thus be assembled with the helmet 14 in both directions without it being necessary to disassemble the fixing interface 12.

Claims

Claims

1. Night vision goggle device (10) intended to be fixed on a helmet (14), comprising a housing (11) comprising a rear face (11a), a front face (11b), side faces (11c), a first support face (11d) and a second support face (11e) opposite in a vertical direction (Z), the goggle device (10) comprising a single shooting lens (19) arranged on the front face (11b) and laterally offset relative to a center of the goggle device (10), the goggle device (10) comprising a first fixing member (16) intended to be fixed on the helmet (14), arranged on the first support face (11d), characterized in that it comprises a second fixing member (22) similar to the first fixing member (16), arranged on the second support face (11e).

2. An eyeglass device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the first fixing member (16) and the second fixing member (22) are arranged, transversely, substantially in the center of the housing (11).

3. An eyewear device (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the first fastening member (16) and the second fastening member (22) are dovetail fasteners, for example female.

4. An eyewear device (10) according to any preceding claim, comprising a fixing interface (12), comprising a fixing portion (20) for fixing to the eyewear device (10), and carrying the second fixing member (22).

5. The eyewear device (10) of claim 4, wherein the attachment interface (12) includes an arm (24) extending between the attachment portion (20) and the second attachment member (22), the arm (24) being curved to form a concavity, such that the attachment portion (20) and the second attachment member (22) extend substantially parallel to each other.

6. The eyewear device (10) of claim 5, wherein the attachment portion (20) is oriented toward the inside of the concavity, such that the eyewear device (10) is located partly in the concavity when assembled with the attachment portion (20), and the second attachment member (22) is oriented toward the outside of the concavity, such that the helmet (14) is located above the attachment interface (12) when assembled with this second attachment member (22).

7. An eyeglass device (10) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the fixing portion (20) is complementary to the first fixing member (16), and intended to be fixed with this first fixing member (16).

8. An eyewear device (10) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the first attachment member (16) is removable from the housing (11), the attachment portion (20) being shaped to replace the first attachment member (16) on the housing (11).

9. Eyeglass device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the second fixing member (22) is integral with the housing (11), or attached separately from the first fixing member (16) to the housing (11).

10. Attachment interface (12), for attaching an eyeglass device (10) to a helmet (14), comprising an attachment portion (20) intended to be attached to the eyeglass device (10), having a shape complementary to a first attachment member (16) of the eyeglass device (10), and carrying a second attachment member (22) having a shape similar to that of the first attachment member (16).

11. The attachment interface (12) of claim 10, comprising an arm (24) extending between the attachment portion (20) and the second attachment member (22), the arm (24) being curved to form a concavity, such that the attachment portion (20) and the second attachment member (22) extend substantially parallel to each other.

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