Helmet mounting rail

Abstract

There is a mounting rail configured to couple to an exterior of a helmet that includes a body, having a front end and a rear end opposite the front end, an exterior surface facing away from the helmet, a single fastener aperture extending therethrough for receiving a fastener, and one or more anti-rotation features configured to prevent rotation of the mounting rail relative to the helmet. The exterior surface includes a plurality of mounting locations for mounting one or more accessories to the exterior of the helmet.

Description

Docket No. 063758-02-5175-WOTITLE

[0001] Helmet Mounting RailCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.63 / 742,029, filed January 6, 2025, entitled “Helmet Mounting Rail”, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to a helmet mounting rail, more particularly, to a helmet mounting rail that may receive and selectively couple one or more accessories to a helmet.SUMMARY

[0004] In one embodiment, there is a mounting rail configured to couple to an exterior of a helmet. In some embodiments, the mounting rail includes a body, having a front end and a rear end opposite the front end, an exterior surface facing away from the helmet, a single fastener aperture extending therethrough for receiving a fastener, and one or more anti-rotation features configured to prevent rotation of the mounting rail relative to the helmet. In some embodiments, the exterior surface includes a plurality of mounting locations for mounting one or more accessories to the exterior of the helmet.

[0005] In some embodiments, the one or more anti-rotation features include a back ledge that engages with a bottom edge of the helmet thereby preventing rotation of the mounting rail relative to the helmet. In some embodiments, the fastener extends through the fastener aperture and the helmet thereby coupling the mounting rail to the exterior of the helmet. In some embodiments, the fastener aperture is proximate the front end of the body of the mounting rail.

[0006] In some embodiments, a recessed retaining groove extending horizontally along the exterior surface of the body and having a dovetail cross-sectional shape. In some embodiments, the recessed retaining groove is configured to slidably receive at least one of the one or more accessories thereon at different positions along a length of the recessed retaining groove. In some embodiments, the recessed retaining groove comprises an inner surface extending flatly along the length of the recessed retaining groove and one or more angled side walls. In some embodiments, the recessed retaining groove includes a plurality of depressions extending therethrough and evenlyDocket No. 063758-02-5175-WOpositioned along the inner surface of the recessed retaining groove, and the plurality of depressions receives at least one of the one or more accessories.

[0007] In some embodiments, the back ledge is proximate the rear end of the body of the mounting rail. In some embodiments, the one or more anti-rotation features include a front ledge, the and front ledge engages with the bottom edge of the helmet to prevent rotation of the mounting rail in an opposite direction. In some embodiments, the front ledge is proximate the front end of the body of the mounting rail.

[0008] In some embodiments, an accessory arm includes an attachment feature configured to receive an engagement member of at least one of the one or more accessories. In some embodiments, the attachment feature is a hook. In some embodiments, the attachment feature includes a groove that is configured to receive at least a portion of the engagement member. In some embodiments, the mounting rail has a length less than 7 inches.

[0009] In some embodiments, the mounting rail includes an interior surface configured to releasably couple to the exterior of the helmet and has a curvature corresponding to a curvature of the exterior of the helmet. In some embodiments, the exterior surface includes a plurality of holes evenly positioned along the body of the mounting rail for receiving at least one of the one or more accessories. In some embodiments, the plurality of holes extends entirely through the exterior surface of the mounting rail. In some embodiments, the plurality of holes extends partially through the exterior surface of the mounting rail.

[0010] In another embodiment, there is a mounting rail configured to couple to an exterior of a helmet. In some embodiments, the mounting rail includes a body, having a front end and a rear end opposite the front end, an exterior surface facing away from the helmet, a recessed retaining groove extending horizontally along the exterior surface of the body and having a dovetail cross-sectional shape, an accessory arm including an attachment feature configured to receive an engagement member of at least one of the one or more accessories, a single fastener aperture extending therethrough for receiving a fastener, and a back ledge protruding therefrom, and the back ledge engages with a bottom edge of the helmet to prevent rotation of the mounting rail relative to the helmet. In some embodiments, the exterior surface includes a plurality of mounting locations for mounting one or more accessories to the exterior of the helmet. In some embodiments, the recessed retaining groove is configured to slidably receive at least one of the one or more accessories thereon at different positions along a length of the recessed retaining groove.Docket No. 063758-02-5175-WOBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The foregoing summary and the following detailed description of embodiments of the helmet mounting rail will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings of an exemplary embodiment. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

[0012] In the drawings:

[0013] Fig. l is a perspective view of a mounting rail coupled to a helmet and a visor and retention system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a pair of mounting rails and helmet of Fig. 1 ;

[0015] Fig. 3 is an exterior side view of the mounting rail of Fig. 1;

[0016] Fig. 4 is an interior side view of the mounting rail of Fig. 1;

[0017] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional front view of the mounting rail of Fig. 1; and

[0018] Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the mounting rail and helmet of Fig. 1.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Helmets for head protection are worn in a variety of environments and for various purposes. Different accessories may be added to the helmet according to the needs of the wearer and the demands of the environment. Such accessories may, for example, include communication headsets, visors, mandible shields, lights, and cameras.

[0020] Mounting rails may be secured to helmets for releasably coupling the different accessories thereto. Existing helmet systems rely on apertures used to anchor straps and inner padding to fix the mounting rail to the helmet. In these existing helmet systems, there are multiple through-holes made in the helmet to receive fasteners and secure the mounting rail to the helmet. Through-holes made in the shell of the helmet may reduce the overall strength of the helmet and its ability to withstand stress. Mounting rail systems that are secured, securable to, or integral with the outer shell of a helmet to facilitate convenient positional adjustment, attachment, and removal of multiple accessories are described in depth, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 7,849,517, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0021] Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in Figs. 1-6 a mounting rail, generally designated 100, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The mounting rail 100 may be secured to the helmet with a single fastener and relies on a single aperture thereby reducing theDocket No. 063758-02-5175-WOnumber of through-holes made in the helmet shell to create a more robust helmet. The mounting rail 100 is also quicker and easier to mount to and remove from the helmet than conventional mounting rails that require multiple fasteners. By providing a mounting rail 100 that only requires a single fastener, the mounting rail 100 of the present disclosure takes up less space on the helmet if a full-size mounting rail that extends around the ear of the user is not needed.

[0022] With reference to Fig. 1, a mounting rail 100 that is couplable with an outer side surface of a helmet 102 is shown. The helmet 102 may be any type of head protection helmet known in the art, for example, those used for sporting, industrial safety, police, or military purposes. In one embodiment, the helmet 102 is a standard infantry ballistic helmet. In one embodiment, the helmet 102 is an advanced combat helmet (ACH), an enhanced combat helmet (ECH), a modular integrated communications helmet (MICH), atactical ballistic helmet (TBH), a lightweight marine helmet, a police general duty helmet, a personnel armor system for ground troops (PASGT), a high cut tactical helmet such as the FAST SF helmet, or an aircrew helmet, such as an HGU-56 / P rotary wing helmet or an HGU-55 / P fixed wing helmet. In one embodiment, helmet 102 is a type I, II, and class E, G, or C hard hat.

[0023] The mounting rail 100 may be comprised of nylon, polypropylene, or other synthetic plastic using injection molding processes. A body 104 of the mounting rail 100, when coupled to the helmet 102, may be positioned above an ear of a user wearing the helmet 102. The body 104 may include a front end 106 and a rear end 108 opposite the front end. The body 104 may be shaped and sized such that a bottom edge of the mounting rail 100 may follow and be spaced just about a bottom of the helmet 102. A bottom edge of the body 104 may conform to a bottom edge of the helmet 102. The body 104 may have a length, defined as L, of about 3 inches to about 4 inches. In some embodiments, length L is about 2 inches to about 7 inches. In some embodiments, length L is about or less than 2 inches, about or less than 2.25 inches, about or less than 2.5 inches, about or less than 2.75 inches, about or less than 3 inches, about or less than 3.25 inches, about or less than 3.5 inches, about or less than 3.75 inches, about or less than 4 inches, about or less than 4.25 inches, about or less than 4.5 inches, about or less than 4.75 inches, about or less than 5 inches, about or less than 5.25 inches, about or less than 5.5 inches, about or less than 5.75 inches, about or less than 6 inches, about or less than 6.25 inches, about or less than 6.5 inches, about or less than 6.75 inches, or about or less than 7 inches.

[0024] The mounting rail 100 may be releasably coupled to the outer surface of the helmet 102 using a single fastener 114 sized to extend through the helmet 102. As shown in Fig. 4, the mounting rail 100 may include a fastener aperture 116. The fastener aperture 116 may be sized and shaped toDocket No. 063758-02-5175-WOallow the fastener 114 to pass therethrough. In some embodiments, the fastener aperture 116 is proximate the front end 106 of the body 104. In one embodiment, the mounting rail 100 is secured to the helmet 102 by a snap fit fastener, a hook-and-loop fastener, a magnet, or another releasable fastener.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 4, the mounting rail 100 may comprise an interior surface 110 configured to releasably mount to the outer surface of the helmet 102. The interior surface 110 may have a predetermined curvature corresponding to a curvature of the outer surface of the helmet 102. The interior surface 110 of the mounting rail 100 may be flush with the outer surface of the helmet 102 when coupled to the helmet 102. In one embodiment, the interior surface 110 is flat prior to installation. In some embodiments, the mounting rail 100 flexes such that the inner surface of the 110 of the mounting rail 100 conforms to match the precise curvature of the helmet 102.

[0026] Referring to Figs. 5-6, the mounting rail 100 may include one or more anti-rotation features to prevent rotation of the mounting rail 100 relative to the helmet 102. The one or more anti -rotation features may include one or more inwardly extending projections that engage with the edge of the helmet shell. The one or more projections may help prevent the mounting rail 100 from pivoting relative to the helmet 102 about the fastener 114. In some embodiments, the one or more anti-rotation features include a front ledge 118 and a back ledge 120 protruding therefrom. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the front ledge 118 may engage with the bottom edge of the helmet 102 to prevent rotation of the mounting rail 100 in one direction, and the back ledge 120 may engage with the bottom edge of the helmet 102 to prevent rotation of the mounting rail 100 in the opposite direction. The front ledge 118 and back ledge 120 may be fabricated from the same material as the mounting rail 100 and may be formed during the injection molding process. In one embodiment, the front ledge 118 and / or the back ledge 120 may be manufactured separately and fixed to the mounting rail 100 with an adhesive. The front ledge 118 may be positioned on the mounting rail such that it is proximate the front end 106 of the body 104. The back ledge 120 may be positioned on the mounting rail 100 such that it is opposite the fastener 114. In some embodiments, the back ledge 120 is proximate the rear end 108 of the body 104 to secure the rear end 108 to the helmet 102. The back ledge 120 is shown as flat, but in some embodiments, the back ledge 120 may be U-shaped to engage more of the bottom edge of the helmet 102. In some embodiments, the back ledge 120 may clip onto the edge of the helmet 102. In some embodiments, the back ledge 120 may be friction fit to the edge of the helmet 102. In other embodiments, the back ledge 120 may include a fastener such as a spring biased clip. In some embodiments, the one or more anti-rotation features include hook-and-loop fasteners, snaps, or any other suitable engagement mechanism.Docket No. 063758-02-5175-WO

[0027] In some embodiments, the interior surface 110 includes a cable management groove 122. The cable management groove 122 may be an indent sized and shaped to receive a line 123 (not shown). As shown in Fig. 4, the cable management groove 122 may be generally circular shaped. In some embodiments, the cable management groove 122 may have a non-circular shape (e.g., oval, rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, octagonal, etc.) to accommodate the line 123. The line 123 may be friction fit within the cable management groove 122 until and unless a sufficient force acts upon the line to pull it out of the cable management groove 122.

[0028] Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, the mounting rail 100 may comprise an exterior surface 112 facing away from the safety helmet. The exterior surface 112 may further comprise a recessed retaining groove 124 that slidably accepts a complementary engagement member of a potential accessory, which may be secured by tightening a securing member (e.g., a standard screw or a thumbscrew, tab-and-slot system, or other suitable engagement mechanism). The potential accessory may include, for example, but is not limited to, a mandible shield, a ballistic panel or applique, a visor, a goggle, a communication system, a retention system including a chin strap, a light, a camera, a helmet cover, a battery, and / or a gas supply mask.

[0029] Referring to Figs. 2-4, the recessed retaining groove 124 may extend horizontally along the exterior surface 112. As shown in Fig. 4, the cross-sectional profile of the recessed retaining groove 124 is a dovetail configuration complementary in cross-section to that of the engagement member. The dovetail shape retains the engagement member by means of one or more angled side walls 126 but allows the engagement member to slide within the recessed retaining groove 124 and along an inner surface 128 of the recessed retaining groove 124 to reach a desired position. In one embodiment, the inner surface 128 extends flatly along the length of the recessed retaining groove 124. In some embodiments, the inner surface 128 includes a plurality of depressions 130. In one embodiment, one or more depressions 130 extend from the exterior surface 112 toward the interior surface 110 but not through the body 104 of the mounting rail 100. In some embodiments, one or more depressions 130 extend entirely through the body 104 of the mounting rail 100. In some embodiments, the plurality of depressions 130 are evenly positioned along the inner surface 128. The plurality of depressions 130 may be configured to receive a portion of a potential accessory to fix the position of the accessory relative to the mounting rail 100.

[0030] Referring to Fig. 3, the exterior surface 112 may include a plurality of holes 132 extending therethrough depending on the intended function. For example, holes 132 may extend through the body 104 of the mounting rail 100. The holes 132 may be configured to receive a cable tie or other fastener to attach a potential accessory to the mounting rail 100. In one embodiment,Docket No. 063758-02-5175-WOevery second hole 132 may extend through the body 104 of the mounting rail 100. In one embodiment, every hole 132 extends through the body 104. In one embodiment, a user selects which holes 132 extend through the body 104 of the mounting rail 100.

[0031] Further, the mounting rail 100 may include an accessory arm 134. The accessory arm 134 may be located proximate the bottom edge of the body 104 and extend therefrom. In some embodiments, the accessory arm 134 is proximate the front end of the body 104. The accessory arm 134 may be fabricated from the same material as the mounting rail 100 and may be integrally formed together during the injection molding process. In other embodiments, the accessory arm 134 is manufactured separately and attached to the mounting rail 100 with a fastener and / or an adhesive. In one embodiment, the accessory arm 134 is attached to the mounting rail 100 by the fastener 114. In some embodiments, the accessory arm 134 comprises an interior surface 136 and an exterior surface 138. The interior surface 136 may include the front ledge 118. In some embodiments, the exterior surface 138 includes an attachment feature 140 protruding therefrom.

[0032] In some embodiments, the attachment feature 140 may be configured to receive an engagement member 144 of a potential accessory and secure the potential accessory to the helmet 102. For example, and as illustrated in Fig. 1, the potential accessory may be a visor 146. In some embodiments, the attachment feature 140 is a hook that is sized and configured to hook onto the engagement member 144 of the visor 146. In some embodiments, the attachment feature 140 defines a groove that is sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the engagement member 144 of the visor 146. The attachment feature 140, by extending downwardly from the mounting rail 100, may be configured to allow an attachment bungee or cable 148 of the visor 146 to be more horizontal than if the attachment feature 140 was coupled to the recessed retaining groove 124. In some embodiments, the attachment feature 140 includes a rib 142 to reinforce and strengthen the attachment feature 140. By providing the attachment feature 140 on the mounting rail 100, the attachment feature 140 may increase available space on the recessed retaining groove 124 for coupling additional accessories to the helmet 102.

[0033] The term “about” or “approximately” is used herein to provide literal support for the exact number that it precedes, as well as a number that is near to or approximately the number that the term precedes. In determining whether a number is near to or approximately a specifically recited number, the near or approximating unrecited number may be a number that, in the context in which it is presented, provides the substantial equivalent of the specifically recited number. It should be appreciated that all numerical values and ranges disclosed herein are approximate values and ranges, whether “about” is used in conjunction therewith. It should also be appreciated that the termDocket No. 063758-02-5175-WO“about,” as used herein, in conjunction with a numeral, refers to a value that may be ±0.01% (inclusive) of that numeral, ±0.1% (inclusive) of that numeral, ±0.5% (inclusive) of that numeral, ±1% (inclusive) of that numeral, ±2% (inclusive) of that numeral, ±3% (inclusive) of that numeral, ±5% (inclusive) of that numeral, ±10% (inclusive) of that numeral, or ±15% (inclusive) of that numeral. It should further be appreciated that when a numerical range is disclosed herein, any numerical value falling within the range is also specifically disclosed.

[0034] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the exemplary embodiments shown and described above without departing from the broad inventive concepts thereof. It is to be understood that the embodiments and claims disclosed herein are not limited in their application to the details of construction and arrangement of the components set forth in the description and illustrated in the drawings. Rather, the description and the drawings provide examples of the embodiments envisioned. The embodiments and claims disclosed herein are further capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.

[0035] Specific features of the exemplary embodiments may or may not be part of the claimed invention, and various features of the disclosed embodiments may be combined. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a”, “an” and “the” are not limited to one element but instead should be read as meaning “at least one”. Finally, unless specifically set forth herein, a disclosed or claimed method should not be limited to the performance of its steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the steps may be performed in any practical order.

Claims

Docket No. 063758-02-5175-WOCLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A mounting rail configured to couple to an exterior of a helmet, the mounting rail comprising:a body, having a front end and a rear end opposite the front end;an exterior surface facing away from the helmet;a single fastener aperture extending therethrough for receiving a fastener; andone or more anti-rotation features configured to prevent rotation of the mounting rail relative to the helmet,wherein the exterior surface includes a plurality of mounting locations for mounting one or more accessories to the exterior of the helmet.

2. The mounting rail of claim 1, wherein the one or more anti-rotation features include a back ledge that engages with a bottom edge of the helmet thereby preventing rotation of the mounting rail relative to the helmet.

3. The mounting rail of claim 1, wherein the fastener extends through the fastener aperture and the helmet thereby coupling the mounting rail to the exterior of the helmet.

4. The mounting rail of claim 3, wherein the fastener aperture is proximate the front end of the body of the mounting rail.

5. The mounting rail of claim 1 further comprising:a recessed retaining groove extending horizontally along the exterior surface of the body and having a dovetail cross-sectional shape.Docket No. 063758-02-5175-WO6. The mounting rail of claim 5, wherein the recessed retaining groove is configured to slidably receive at least one of the one or more accessories thereon at different positions along a length of the recessed retaining groove.

7. The mounting rail of claim 6, wherein the recessed retaining groove comprises an inner surface extending flatly along the length of the recessed retaining groove and one or more angled side walls.

8. The mounting rail of claim 7, wherein the recessed retaining groove includes a plurality of depressions extending therethrough, and evenly positioned along the inner surface of the recessed retaining groove, the plurality of depressions receives at least one of the one or more accessories.

9. The mounting rail of claim 2, wherein the back ledge is proximate the rear end of the body of the mounting rail.

10. The mounting rail of claim 9, wherein the one or more anti -rotation features include a front ledge, the front ledge engages with the bottom edge of the helmet to prevent rotation of the mounting rail in an opposite direction.

11. The mounting rail of claim 10, wherein the front ledge is proximate the front end of the body of the mounting rail.

12. The mounting rail of claim 1 further comprising:an accessory arm including an attachment feature configured to receive an engagement member of at least one of the one or more accessories.

13. The mounting rail of claim 12, wherein the attachment feature is a hook.Docket No. 063758-02-5175-WO14. The mounting rail of claim 13, wherein the attachment feature includes a groove that is configured to receive at least a portion of the engagement member.

15. The mounting rail of claim 1, wherein the mounting rail has a length less than 7 inches.

16. The mounting rail of claim 1 further comprising:an interior surface configured to releasably couple to the exterior of the helmet and having a curvature corresponding to a curvature of the exterior of the helmet.

17. The mounting rail of claim 8, wherein the exterior surface includes a plurality of holes evenly positioned along the body of the mounting rail for receiving at least one of the one or more accessories.

18. The mounting rail of claim 17, wherein the plurality of holes extends entirely through the exterior surface of the mounting rail.

19. The mounting rail of claim 18, wherein the plurality of holes extends partially through the exterior surface of the mounting rail.

20. A mounting rail configured to couple to an exterior of a helmet, the mounting rail comprising:a body, having a front end and a rear end opposite the front end;an exterior surface facing away from the helmet;a recessed retaining groove extending horizontally along the exterior surface of the body and having a dovetail cross-sectional shape;an accessory arm including an attachment feature configured to receive an engagement member of at least one of the one or more accessories;Docket No. 063758-02-5175-WOa single fastener aperture extending therethrough for receiving a fastener; anda back ledge protruding therefrom, the back ledge engages with a bottom edge of the helmet to prevent rotation of the mounting rail relative to the helmet,wherein the exterior surface includes a plurality of mounting locations for mounting one or more accessories to the exterior of the helmet,wherein the recessed retaining groove is configured to slidably receive at least one of the one or more accessories thereon at different positions along a length of the recessed retaining groove.

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