An accessary mounting assembly for a helmet

Abstract

The present invention discloses an accessory mounting assembly 100 for a helmet 102. The accessory mounting assembly 100 comprises a helmet 102, a mounting band 104 for mounting a plurality of accessories around the helmet 102. The mounting band 104 include a first side rail 106 and a second side rail 108 on sides of the helmet 102, to provide fixture for mounting sides attachments. Further, mounting band 104 include a shroud 110 on a front of the helmet 102, to provide fixture for mounting front attachments. Further, the mounting band 104 include a mounting hook 112 for coupling the mounting band 104 to the helmet 102.

Description

AN ACCESSARY MOUNTING ASSEMBLY FOR A HELMETFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention generally relates to a field of protective headgear used in military, emergency services, and law enforcement. More specifically, it relates to an accessary mounting assembly for mounting various equipment’s to helmets.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The subject matter discussed in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background section or associated with the subject matter of the background section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also correspond to implementations of the claimed technology.

[0003] Protective helmets are essential equipment for individuals working in high-risk environments such as military operations law enforcement and emergency services. These helmets not only provide ballistic protection but also serve as platforms for mounting various auxiliary assemblies that are critical for operational effectiveness. These assemblies include night vision assemblies (NVD), communication systems, cameras and illumination tools. Traditionally, these assemblies are mounted on helmets using accessory rails and shroud which are bolted or otherwise attached to the helmet.

[0004] The Personal Armour System for Ground Troops (PASGT) helmet, introduced in the 1980s was among the first to see widespread use of such mounting systems. As helmet designs evolved to include High-Cut and Mid-Cut variants, along with the Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH), the need for versatile, robust and lightweight accounting systems became more pronounced. Each type of helmet presents uniquechallenges in the terms of where and how accessories can be mounted, influenced by the helmet shape, material, and intended use.

[0005] Existing solutions generally involve the use of multiple components for mounting accessories. These components include side rails, and front shroud each requiring separate attachments to the helmet. For instance, side rails, are commonly used for mounting communication assemblies and tactical lights, while front shroud are used for attaching vision enhancement systems like night vision goggles. The integration of these components onto helmets typically requires drilling or applying other permanent modifications to the helmet, which can compromise its structural integrity and ballistic performance.

[0006] One of the significant drawback of the current system is their weight and complexity. The added weight from the mounting hardware can exceed 350 grams, which adds substantial load to the wearer and can lead to fatigue and reduced mobility. Moreover, the complexity of having multiple separate mounting components also complicates the process of equipping and maintaining the helmet, especially under field conditions where time and ease of use are critical. Furthermore, the method of attachment of these mounts often involves the use of bolts for side rails and a minimum of three bolts for the front shroud. Such methods not only increase the overall weight but also create potential weak points in the helmet’s structure where the bolts penetrate, thereby potentially reducing the helmet’s overall ballistic protection capabilities.

[0007] Therefore, the existing mounting systems lack integration and modularity. Each accessory requires a specific type of mount and not all mounts are compatible with every helmet design. This lack of standardization can lead to operational insufficiencies and increased costs, as different units may require different helmets and mounting systems depending on their specific equipment needs.

[0008] The limitations discussed here clearly disclose a need for an inventive solution that addresses the shortcomings of the existing systems. An ideal solution would provide a unified, lightweight, and easily adaptable mounting system that can accommodate a wide range of accessories without compromising the helmet’s structuralintegrity or ballistic performance. Such an assembly would not only enhance the operational effectiveness of the helmet wearers but also improve comfort and ease of use, which are crucial in high-stress environments.OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is an objective of the present invention to provide an accessory mounting assembly for protective helmets that is universally compatible with various types of protective helmets including PASGT, High-Cut, Mid-Cut and ACH models, facilitating a standardised solution.

[0010] It is an objective of the present invention is to enable easy attachment and detachment of a wide range of accessories such as night vision assemblies, cameras, communication systems, and illumination assemblies through a modular design that supports quick customization according to mission requirements.

[0011] It is an objective of the present invention to provide mounting assembly that does not require the use of bolts for preserving the structural integrity of the helmet and simplifying the installation and removal process.

[0012] It is an objective of the present invention to utilize advanced materials such as polymers, elastomers, metallic alloys, and hybrid compounds to achieve a balance between strength, flexibility, and lightweight.

[0013] It is an objective of the present invention to assist professionals in military, emergency services, and law enforcement to perform their duties more effectively by providing a more functional and less cumbersome helmet system.

[0014] It is an objective of the present invention is to provide an integrated accessory mounting assembly that does not compromise the ballistic performance of the helmet by avoiding bolt penetration that could be weaken the helmet structure.

[0015] It is an objective of the present invention to distribute the weight of the attached accessories evenly, minimising discomfort and strain on the wearer during extended use.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The present invention discloses an accessory mounting assembly for a helmet. The accessory mounting assembly comprises a helmet, a mounting band for mounting a plurality of accessories around the helmet. The mounting band include a first side rail and a second side rail on sides of the helmet, to provide fixture for mounting sides attachments. Further, mounting band includes a shroud on a front of the helmet, to provide fixture for mounting front attachments. Further, the mounting band include a mounting hook for coupling the mounting band to the helmet.

[0017] In an embodiment, the helmet is a military grade helmet. Further, the mounting band is made from polymers, elastomers, metallic alloys, carbon or hybrid compounds. The first side rail and a second side rail include a plurality of mounting grooves for mounting sides attachments. The shroud includes a plurality of mounting grooves for mounting front attachments. The mounting hook is bent to hold the mounting band to the helmet. The mounting hook is configured to allow positioning of the mounting band to the helmet. The mounting band is made using a monolithic material.

[0018] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of systems, methods, and embodiments of various other aspects of the disclosure. Any person with ordinary skills in the art will appreciate that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g., boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of the boundaries. It may be that in some examples one element may be designed as multiple elements or that multiple elements may be designed as one element. In some examples, an element shown as an internal component of one element may be implemented as an external component in another, and vice versa. Furthermore, elements may not be drawn to scale. Non-limiting and non-exhaustive descriptions are described with reference to the following drawings. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating principles.

[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of an accessory mounting assembly mounted on a helmet, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein.

[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an accessory mounting assembly mounted on a helmet, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein.

[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of an accessory mounting assembly, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein.

[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of an accessory mounting assembly, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein.

[0024] Reference numerals of the components of the present invention are discussed herein:DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Some embodiments of the disclosure, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” and “including,” and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Although any systems and methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present disclosure, the preferred systems and methods are now described. Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which numerals represent like elements throughout the several figures, and in which example embodiments are shown. Embodiments of the claims may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The examples set forth herein are non-limiting examples and are merely examples among other possible examples.

[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of an accessory mounting assembly 100 mounted on a helmet 102, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an accessory mounting assembly mounted on a helmet, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of an accessory mounting assembly, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of an accessory mounting assembly, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. FIG. 1 is explained in conjunction with FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. The accessory mounting assembly 100 include a mounting band 104. The mounting band 104 is configured to allow mounting of the plurality of accessories around the helmet 102. The mounting band 104 for protective helmets 102, is designed to enhance operational efficiency and user comfort by providing a unified platform for accessory attachment. Thus ,the mounting band 104 is configured to address a lightweight, and robust structure that can be universally applied to various helmet designs including PASGT, High-Cut, Mid-Cut, and Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH) types. Further, the mounting band 104 includes a first side rail 106 and a second side rail 108 and a shroud 110 formed into a single unit. The first side rail 106 and the second side rail 108 on sides of the helmet 102, is configured to provide fixture for mounting sides attachments. Further, the first side rail 106 and a second side rail 108 include a plurality of mounting grooves for mounting sides attachments. The shroud 110 on a front of the helmet 102, to provide fixture for mounting front attachments. The shroud 110 include a plurality of mounting grooves for mounting front attachments. The invention simplifies the process of equipping helmets 102 by the mounting band 104 with essential accessories such as night vision assembly, cameras, communication systems, and lighting assembly, thereby improving the adaptability and functionality of protective headgear used in military, law enforcement and emergency services.

[0027] In an embodiment, the mounting band 104 may be made of a monolithic material such as a combination of advanced materials including polymers, elastomers, metallic alloys, carbon or hybrid compounds. The materials are selected from theirexceptional properties such as high strength, lightweight and resistance to environmental impacts, ensuring the system remains durable and reliable under various operational conditions. The total weight of the mounting band 104 is maintained below 90 grams, a significant reduction compared to traditional systems which can be more than 350 grams. The reduction in weight is crucial as it minimises the physical burden on a user, leading to increased comfort and reduced fatigue during extended periods of use.

[0028] Further, the mounting band 104 attachment of the present invention eliminates the need for invasive installation techniques such as drilling, which may compromise the structural integrity and ballistic protection of the helmet. Instead, the mounting band 104 utilises the mounting hooks 112. The mounting hooks 112 may be adjustable metallic clamps and robust webbing that enable a secure and stable connection to the helmet 102 without the need for permanent alterations. The mounting hooks 112 are designed to accommodate different helmet sizes and shapes providing a versatile fit and easy adjustability. The mounting hook 112 is bent to hold the mounting band 104 to the helmet 102. The mounting hooks 112 may be J-hooks, ensures that once the mounting band 104 is aligned to the helmet 102. The mounting band 104 can be quickly tightened to hold the integrated trails and shroud firmly in place, allowing for a stable and reliable mounting platform. Further, the mounting hook 112 is configured to allow positioning of the mounting band 104 to the helmet 102. The mounting band 104 can slide along the mounting hooks 112 for better positioning or weight distribution of the helmet 102.

[0029] Furthermore, the design of the accessary mounting assembly 100 emphasises ease of maintenance and replacement. Components of the accessary mounting assembly 100 can be individually replaced if damaged, or the entire system can be quickly unmounted for upgrades or repairs, ensuring minimal downtime and enhanced field operability. This feature is essential for maintaining high readiness and operational efficiency in military and emergency settings.

[0030] Various modifications to these embodiments are apparent to those skilled in the art from the description. The principles associated with the various embodiments described herein may be applied to other embodiments. Therefore, the description is not intended to be limited to the embodiments but is to be providing broadest scope of consistent with the principles and the novel and inventive features disclosed or suggested herein. Accordingly, the invention is anticipated to hold on to all other such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the present invention and appended claims.

Claims

We Claim:

1. An accessory mounting assembly 100 for a helmet 102, the accessary mounting assembly 100 comprises: a helmet 102; a mounting band 104 for mounting a plurality of accessories around the helmet 102, wherein the mounting band 104 include: a first side rail 106 and a second side rail 108 on sides of the helmet 102, to provide fixture for mounting sides attachments; a shroud 110 on a front of the helmet 102, to provide fixture for mounting front attachments, and a mounting hook 112 for coupling the mounting band 104 to the helmet 102.

2. The accessory mounting assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the helmet 102 is a military grade helmet.

3. The accessory mounting assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting band 104 is made from polymers, elastomers, metallic alloys, carbon or hybrid composite material.

4. The accessory mounting assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first side rail 106 and a second side rail 108 include a plurality of mounting grooves for mounting sides attachments.

5. The accessory mounting assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shroud 110 include a plurality of mounting grooves for mounting front attachments.

6. The accessory mounting assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting hook 112 is bent to hold the mounting band 104 to the helmet 102.

7. The accessory mounting assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting hook 112 is configured to allow positioning of the mounting band 104 to the helmet 102.

8. The accessory mounting assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting band 104 is made up of a light weight monolithic material.

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