Counterweight system for head

Abstract

In an aspect, a counterweight system for a head of a user is provided and includes a base, a traveller, a traveller biasing member and a damping member. The base is mountable to a rear of the head of the user. The traveller is movably mounted to the base and is movable relative to the base laterally away from a home position. The traveller biasing member urges the traveller towards the home position. The damping member is positioned to dissipate kinetic energy of the traveller during movement of the traveller.

Description

Millman Ref: TSI-008COUNTERWEIGHT SYSTEM FOR HEADCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The application claims the benefit of US Provisional application 63 / 745,162, filed on January 14, 2025, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.FIELD

[0002] The specification relates generally to counterweight systems for a wearer’s head, and more particularly to a counterweight system with a movable weight.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] It is generally known that when a person wears items such as night vision goggles, a welding helmet, or a camera on their head, a weight is present on the front of their head that applies a torque to their head. The person would have to overcome this torque using their muscles (e.g. neck muscles) if no other external assistance is provided. It is known to use counterweights on the back of the wearer’s head to apply a countertorque to the torque applied by the weight at the front of the head. However, these counterweights increase the total weight that is carried by the user, which can create problems of their own in terms of the strain on the wearer. Solutions to mitigate this strain are desirable.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0004] In an aspect, a counterweight system for a head of a user is provided and includes a base, a traveller, a traveller biasing member and a damping member. The base is mountable to a rear of the head of the user. The traveller is movably mounted to the base and is movable relative to the base laterally away from a home position. TheMillman Ref: TSI-008traveller biasing member urges the traveller towards the home position. The damping member is positioned to dissipate kinetic energy of the traveller during movement of the traveller.

[0005] In another aspect, a counterweight system for a head of a user is provided and includes a base, a traveller, a traveller biasing member and a damping member. The base is mountable to a rear of the head of the user. The traveller is movably mounted to the base and is movable relative to the base vertically away from a home position. The traveller biasing member urges the traveller towards the home position. The damping member is positioned to dissipate kinetic energy of the traveller during movement of the traveller.

[0006] In the aspects described above, it will be noted that the movement of the traveller need not be strictly lateral or strictly vertical. The movement of the traveller may be partially lateral, or partially vertical, as the case may be.

[0007] Optionally, in either of the aspects described above, the counterweight system may include a locking member to lock the traveller in place, preventing movement of the traveller.

[0008] In some embodiments of the aspects described above, it will be noted that the damping member may be omitted. Thus, the counterweight system could include a base as described above, a traveller as described above, and a traveller biasing member as described above, but without a damping member.BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] For a better understanding of the various embodiments described herein and to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] Figure 1 is a side view of a head of a person in a neutral position.

[0011] Figure 2 is a side view of the head of the person during head flexion.

[0012] Figure 3 is a side view of the head of the person during head extension.Millman Ref: TSI-008

[0013] Figure 4 is a graph illustrating torque incurred by the person during head flexion and extension.

[0014] Figure 5 is a graph illustrating torque incurred by the person during head flexion and extension while wearing different types of headgear.

[0015] Figure 6 is a front view of the head of the person during rotation.

[0016] Figure 7 is a graph illustrating torque incurred by the person during head rotation.

[0017] Figure 8 is a graph illustrating torque incurred by the person during head rotation while wearing different types of headgear.

[0018] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a counterweight system that can be used to mitigate strain on the person during head rotation.

[0019] Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of the counterweight system shown in Figure 9.

[0020] Figure 11 is another exploded perspective view of the counterweight system shown in Figure 9.

[0021] Figure 12 is an elevation view of a portion of the counterweight system shown in Figure 9, with a traveller in a home position relative to a base.

[0022] Figure 13 is an elevation view of a portion of the counterweight system shown in Figure 9, with the traveller having moved laterally relative to the base.

[0023] Figure 14A is a sectional side view of the counterweight system shown in Figure 9 with a locking member in an unlocking position.

[0024] Figure 14B is a sectional side view of the counterweight system shown in Figure 9 with the locking member in a locking position.

[0025] Figure 15 is a perspective view of a counterweight system in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, in which the base is adjustably mountable over a range of vertical positions to a helmet that is wearable by the user.Millman Ref: TSI-008

[0026] Figure 16 is a perspective view of a counterweight system in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure in which the traveller is movable vertically relative to the base.

[0027] Figure 17 is a perspective view of a counterweight system in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure in which the traveller is movable laterally relative to the base.

[0028] Figure 18 is an exploded perspective view of the counterweight system shown in Figure 17.

[0029] Figure 18A is a perspective view of a portion of a traveller from the counterweight system shown in Figure 17.

[0030] Figure 19A is a top plan view of a head of a user in a first rotational position.

[0031] Figure 19B is a top plan view of a head of a user in a second rotational position.

[0032] Figure 19C is a top plan view of a head of a user in a third rotational position.

[0033] Figure 19D is a top plan view of a head of a user in a fourth rotational position.

[0034] Figure 20 is a graph illustrating the acceleration of the head of the user and the acceleration of a traveller that is part of the counterweight system shown in Figure 9, during rotation of the head of the user between the positions shown in Figures 19A and 19D.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Definitions

[0036] For simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the Figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiment or embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-Millman Ref: TSI-008known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. It should be understood at the outset that, although exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the figures and described below, the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the exemplary implementations and techniques illustrated in the drawings and described below.

[0037] The terms ‘comprising’ and ‘including’ and their various conjugations (e.g. ‘comprises’) will be understood to be inclusive and open-ended, and not exclusive. This means that if an element A includes or comprises an element B, it will be understood that element A could include or comprise other elements in addition to including or comprising element B. The term ‘having’ and its various conjugations are also to be understood as being open-ended in the same way as ‘comprising’ and ‘including’. These terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

[0038] As used herein, the terms “about” and “approximately” are meant to cover variations that may exist in the upper and lower limits of the ranges of values, such as variations in properties, parameters, and dimensions.

[0039] Various terms used throughout the present description may be read and understood as follows, unless the context indicates otherwise: "or" as used throughout is inclusive, as though written "and / or"; singular articles and pronouns as used throughout include their plural forms, and vice versa; similarly, gendered pronouns include their counterpart pronouns such that pronouns should not be understood as limiting anything described herein to use, implementation, performance, etc. by a single gender; "exemplary" should be understood as "illustrative" or "exemplifying" and not necessarily as "preferred" over other embodiments. Further definitions for terms may be set out herein; these may apply to prior and subsequent instances of those terms, as will be understood from a reading of the present description. It will also be noted that the use of the term "a" or "an" will be understood to denote "at least one" in all instances unless explicitly stated otherwise or unless it would be understood to be obvious that it must mean "one".Millman Ref: TSI-008

[0040] Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems, apparatuses, and methods described herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the components of the systems and apparatuses may be integrated or separated. Moreover, the operations of the systems and apparatuses disclosed herein may be performed by more, fewer, or other components and the methods described may include more, fewer, or other steps. Additionally, steps may be performed in any suitable order. As used in this document, "each" refers to each member of a set or each member of a subset of a set.

[0041] As used in this document, "attached" in describing the relationship between two connected parts includes the case in which the two connected parts are "directly attached" with the two connected parts being in contact with each other, and the case in which the connected parts are "indirectly attached" and not in contact with each other, but connected by one or more intervening other part(s) between.

[0042] As used in this document, terms describing relative positions of elements such as ‘top’, ‘upper’, ‘bottom’, ‘lower’, or other analogous terms will be understood to refer to the placement of the described element during use of the apparatus of which it is a part unless the context would make it clear that it is otherwise. It will be understood that the aforementioned placement of an element, for example, can still be considered its placement even when the object that it is a part of is lying in some position other than the position in which it will be used. As an example, if reference is made to a device having an upper member, it will be understood that the upper member is being described as having an upper position when the device that it is a part of is in use or is in position for use, unless the context would make it clear that it is otherwise. Further to this example, it will be understood that the aforementioned upper member of the object can still be considered its upper member even when the object is lying on its side, for storage, or for transport, or for some other reason.

[0043] The embodiments of the disclosures described herein are exemplary (e.g., in terms of materials, shapes, dimensions, and constructional details) and do not limit by the claims appended hereto and any amendments made thereto. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that there are yet more alternative implementations and modificationsMillman Ref: TSI-008possible, and that the following examples are only illustrations of one or more implementations. The scope of the disclosure, therefore, is only to be limited by the claims appended hereto and any amendments made thereto.

[0044] Description of problem

[0045] Reference is made to Figures 1-3, which show a head 10 of a person. As shown in Figure 1 , the head 10 is generally shaped such that the centre of gravity, shown at 12, is positioned in general alignment with the spinal column, represented by a simple rectangle at 14. The central axis of the spinal column 14 is shown at 16, and can be seen to be in alignment with the centre of gravity 12. With reference to Figure 2, when a person tilts their head forward (referred to as flexion), the centre of gravity 12 moves forward of the central axis 16 of the spinal column 14. Similarly, with reference to Figure 3, when a person tilts their head rearwardly (referred to as extension), the centre of gravity 12 moves rearward of the central axis 16 of the spinal column 14.

[0046] Figure 4 is a graph of torque vs. time, with a torque curve shown at 20. The torque curve 20 illustrates the moments that are present at the T 1 -C7 region of the spinal column 14 during flexion and extension of the head 10. The moment Atop is the static moment (about a lateral axis) when the head 10 is at full extension. The moment Abottom is the static moment about the lateral axis when the head 10 is at full flexion. B1 , B2, B3 and B4 represent short torque impulses that are required to initiate, and subsequently stop the head 10 when carrying out flexion and extension.

[0047] Figure 5 is a graph of torque vs. time, showing three torque curves 22a, 22b and 22c. The curve 22a is the torque curve representing the head 10 alone during flexion and extension. The curve 22b is the torque curve representing the head 10 during flexion and extension, while wearing a helmet. The curve 22c is the torque curve representing the head 10 during flexion and extension, while wearing a helmet and night vision goggles. As can be seen, the torque increases for each of the three cases during flexion in particular.Millman Ref: TSI-008

[0048] Figure 6 illustrates the head 10 during rotation (i.e. about a vertical axis). The head 10 is shown in a neutral position at 10a, in full rotation to one side at 10b, and in full rotation to the other side at 10c.

[0049] Figure 7 is a graph illustrating torque vs. time during rotation of the head 10. The torque curve is shown at 24. The torque curve 24 shows that the static torque at T1 -C7 is low (approximately zero) when the head 10 is static (in regions C1 and C2 of the curve 24) in any given rotational position. However, as can be seen at D1, D2, D3 and D4, the relative changes in torque (about the vertical axis) can be higher during rotation than the relative changes in torque (about the lateral axis) during flexion / extension.

[0050] Figure 8 is a graph of torque vs. time, showing three torque curves 26a, 26b and 26c. The curve 26a is the torque curve representing the head 10 alone during rotation. The curve 26b is the torque curve representing the head 10 during rotation, while wearing a helmet. The curve 26c is the torque curve representing the head 10 during rotation, while wearing a helmet and night vision goggles. As can be seen, the increase in torque for each of the three cases is significant.

[0051] Description of Counterweight System

[0052] A counterweight system for reducing these changes in torque is shown in at 30 in Figure 9, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0053] The counterweight system 30 includes a base 32, a traveller 34, a traveller biasing member 36 and a damping member 38. The base 32 may have any suitable structure. In the embodiment shown, the base 32 is made from relatively lightweight materials and may include a mounting surface 40 that is intended to receive an adhesive for adhering the base 32 to a helmet (shown in part at 42 in Figure 9). The base 32 may further include a strap 44 with connectors 46 thereon which connect to attachment points 48 on the helmet 42. In Figure 9, only one connector 46 is shown connected to one attachment point 48 on the helmet 42, however it will be understood that the helmet 42 may include a second attachment point 48 on the opposite side of the helmet 42. The attachment points 48 may be lugs, or any other suitable attachment member, as is known in the art.Millman Ref: TSI-008

[0054] The traveller 34 is movably mounted to the base 32 and is movable relative to the base 32 laterally away from a home position (shown in Figures 9 and 12). Figure 13 shows the traveller having moved laterally away from the home position. The traveller 34 itself has some weight to it, and may also optionally include a weight holder 50. The counterweight system 30 may further include a plurality of weights 52 that are positionable in the weight holder to control a total weight of the traveller 34. This permits the user of the counterweight system 30 to select a total weight of the traveller 34 based on a total weight of whatever gear is mounted at the front of the head 10 of the user. In the embodiment shown, there are spaces for five weights 52 to be inserted into the weight holder 50 of the traveller 34.

[0055] The weights 52 may be made from any suitable material. For example, the weights 52 may be simple masses of metal. In some embodiments, one or more of the weights may be a functional item. For example, one of the weights could be a battery pack in embodiments in which the user is powering something that is head-mounted, such as a night-vision system.

[0056] The traveller 34 may be movably mounted to the base 32 in any suitable way. For example, the base 32 may include at least one rail 54 as shown in Figures 10-13, and the traveller 34 may include at least one rail slot 56 for engagement with the at least one rail 54. In the embodiment shown, the base 32 includes two rails 54, and the traveller 34 includes two rail slots 56 however any suitable number of rails 54 and rail slots 56 may be used. Furthermore, while the base 32 is shown as including the at least one rail 54 and the traveller 34 is shown as including the at least one rail slot 56, it will be noted that it is alternatively possible for the traveller 34 to include the at least one rail and for the base 32 to include the at least one rail slot. To facilitate travel of the traveller 34 on the base 32, a relatively low friction surface may be provided on the at least one rail slot 56 and / or the at least one rail 54. The relatively low friction surface may be provided by including a PTFE coating on the at least one rail slot 56, by providing an Igus™ bearing on the at least one rail slot 56, or by forming some portion of the traveller, for example, out of the material of an Igus™ bearing.Millman Ref: TSI-008

[0057] The at least one rail 54 shown in Figures 10-13 are shown as being straight, however, it will be noted that the at least one rail 54 could be arcuate, and could, for example, follow the contour of the outer surface of the helmet 42.

[0058] The base 32 optionally further includes a cover member 57 that inhibits contaminants from migrating onto the at least one rail 54 to interfere with the movement of the traveller 34.

[0059] The traveller biasing member 36 may be any suitable structure. In the embodiment shown, the traveller biasing member 36 is a spring, and specifically is a helical compression spring, however any other suitable type of spring may be used, such as a helical tension spring or a gas spring. The traveller biasing member 36 may alternatively be any other suitable type of elastic member aside from a spring, such as for example, an elastic band. The traveller biasing member 36 may be a first traveller biasing member 36a (e.g. a first spring which urges the traveller biasing member 36 in a first direction), and the counterweight system 30 may further include a second traveller biasing member 36, such as a second spring which urges the traveller biasing member 36 in a second direction.

[0060] In an alternative embodiment, the traveller biasing member 36 may be provided by forming the at least one rail 54 with a sagging arcuate shape. For example, the shape of the at least one rail 54 may be a segment of a circle and which has a center that is the lowest point on the at least one rail 54. As a result, when the user turns their head 10, the traveller 34 slides back to the lowest point on the at least one rail 54 simply under the force of gravity. Thus the at least one rail 54 may be both a structure that permits the movement of the traveller 34 relative to the base 32, and may also act as the traveller biasing member, so that one or more springs or other elastic members are not needed.

[0061] The damping member 38 is positioned to dissipate kinetic energy of the traveller during movement of the traveller 34. The damping member 38 may have any suitable structure. For example, the damping member 38 may have a pass-through damping aperture 58 (Figure 12) that frictional ly engages a rod 60. The damping member 38 may be mounted to the base 32 and the rod 60 may be mounted to the traveller 34,Millman Ref: TSI-008as shown, or alternatively, the damping member 38 may be mounted to the traveller 34 and the rod 60 may be mounted to the base 32. In the embodiment shown the damping member 38 is captured in a receptacle 61 in the base 32. The damping member 38 may alternatively have any other suitable structure. For example, the damping member 38 cooperate with the rod 60 to provide magnetic resistance instead of frictional resistance.

[0062] The counterweight system 30 may further include a locking member 62 on one of the traveller 34 and the base 32. The locking member 62 is movable between an unlocking position (Figure 14A) to permit movement of the traveller 34 relative to the base 32 and a locking position (Figure 14B) to prevent movement of the traveller 34 relative to the base 32. In the embodiment shown, the locking member 62 is a handscrew that is mounted in a threaded aperture 64 in the traveller 34 and is drivable in a first direction to engage the base 32 (Figure 14B) and is drivable in a second direction to separate from the base 32 (Figure 14A).

[0063] Reference is made to Figures 19A-19D and 20. Figure 20 has a first curve 90 that represents the acceleration of the head 10 of the user, over time, while undergoing head rotation (from the position shown in Figure 19Ato the position shown in Figure 19D). Figure 20 further shows a second curve 92 that represents the acceleration of the traveller 34 over time during the head rotation represented by the curve 90. Points A, B, C and D are shown in Figure 20. Figure 19A shows the position of the head 10 at point A. At point A, the user is stationary and facing forward. The acceleration of the traveller 34 is therefore zero. Figure 19B shows the position of the head 10 at point B. At point B, the user is rotating their head 10 in a particular direction (e.g. to look to their right). The inertia of the traveller 34 results in slower acceleration thereof and therefore relative movement of the traveller 34 to the right relative to the back of the head 10. Since the acceleration of the traveller 34 is slower than that of the head 10, the amount of torque that needs to be applied by the user in order to rotate their head 10 is correspondingly lower as compared to a prior art system in which a counterweight was fixed to the helmet of the user, since the counterweight would have to be accelerated at the same rate as the head in such an instance. Figure 19C shows the position of the head 10 at point C. At point C, the user is still rotating their head 10 in the same direction (e.g. to look to their right) butMillman Ref: TSI-008they are decelerating as their approach their target head position. As they decelerate there is again relative movement of the traveller 34 relative to the back of the head 10, but now it is towards the left relative to the back of the head 10. Here again, the deceleration of the traveller 34 is slower than the deceleration of the head 10. Since the acceleration of the traveller 34 is slower than that of the head 10, the amount of torque that needs to be applied by the user in order to rotate their head 10 is correspondingly lower as compared to a prior art system in which a counterweight was fixed to the helmet of the user. Once the user reaches their target head position, they no longer move their head. The traveller 34 lags behind however, and so it eventually moves itself (e.g. under the biasing force of the traveller biasing member 36) to its home position, as shown at point D and Figure 19D.

[0064] Figures 19A-19D show a front-mounted weight 99 that is compensated for by any one of the counterweight systems shown and described herein.

[0065] As can be seen, the peak acceleration of the traveller 34 is lower than the peak acceleration of the head 10. Accordingly, the peak torque that needs to be applied by the user to rotate their head 10 is lower than would be needed if the counterweight were fixedly attached to the helmet 42. By providing this reduction in peak torque, the user is less prone to fatigue during use of the counterweight system to compensate for a front mounted weight (such as night vision goggles or any of the other types of front-mounted weight), than they would be if using a fixed counterweight. This can permit them to perform their task for longer, and / or can result in less risk of injury to the user, in addition to other benefits.

[0066] Description of Alternative Embodiments

[0067] Reference is made to Figure 15 which shows a counterweight system 70 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. The counterweight system 70 may be similar to the counterweight system 30, except for the following differences. The base of the counterweight system 70 is shown at 72 and may be similar to the base 32, but is adjustably mountable over a range of vertical positions to a helmet 74 that is wearable by the user. The adjustable mounting may be provided in the form of pins 76 that mount to the helmet 74 and may be pivoted through a plurality of rotationalMillman Ref: TSI-008positions, thereby swinging the base 72 upwards or downwards based on the user’s needs for a given situation. The pins 76 may be lockable to the base by any suitable means, such as by being threadedly engaged with threaded apertures in the base 72. The pins 76 may extend through pass-through apertures in the base 72 prior to being threadedly engaged with the threaded apertures in the helmet 74. Tightening the pins 76 would then fictionally lock the base 72 in any given position relative to the helmet 74. The pins 76 can then be loosened and the base 72 can be moved to a different position based on the needs of the user.

[0068] In Figure 15, the base 72 also shows another alternative features, which is a single rail 78 instead of two rails as shown in Figure 10. The single rail 78 may be captured in a single rail slot (not shown) in the traveller shown at 79. The representation of the traveller 79 is simplified in Figure 15, however, the traveller 79 may be similar to (i.e. may have the features of) the traveller 34 such as including a weight holder similar to the weight holder 50 and a locking member similar to the locking member 62.

[0069] The counterweight system 70 may include a traveller biasing member (not shown) that is similar to the traveller biasing member 36, and a damping member. In an embodiment, the counterweight system 70 may include a damping member that is a surface on the rail slot on the traveller 74 that has a selected friction coefficient that provides a selected amount of frictional resistance as the traveller 74 moves along the rail 78. In an alternative embodiment, the damping member may be similar to the damping member 38.

[0070] It will be noted that the movement of the traveller 79 when the base 72 is positioned as shown in Figure 15 will be in part lateral and in part vertical. Thus the traveller 79 may be said to be movable laterally relative to the base 72, but may also be said to be movable vertically relative to the base 72.

[0071] Figure 16 shows a counterweight system 80 that may be similar to the counterweight system 30 in Figure 9, and which includes a base 82 and a traveller 84 that may be similar to the base 32 and the traveller 34 but with some differences as described below. The traveller 84 may be movable relative to the base 82 vertically away from a home position. The traveller 84 is shown as a simple cylinder that has a rail slotMillman Ref: TSI-00886 (a pass-through aperture in this instance), which travels on a single rail 88 on the base 82, however the traveller 84 may be similar in terms of features to the traveller 34. The counterweight system 80 may further include a traveller biasing member (not shown) that is similar to the traveller biasing member 36, and a damping member. In an embodiment, the counterweight system 80 may include a damping member that is a surface on the rail slot 86 on the traveller 84 that has a selected friction coefficient that provides a selected amount of frictional resistance as the traveller 84 moves along the rail 88. In an alternative embodiment, the damping member may be similar to the damping member 38.

[0072] Providing vertical movement for the traveller 84 permits the peak torques incurred by the user to be reduced in situations where their head 10 undergoes flexion and extension repeatedly.

[0073] Reference is made to Figures 17 and 18, which show another counterweight system at 100, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. The counterweight system 100 provides a base 102, a traveller 104, a traveller biasing member 106 and a damping member 108, which may all be similar to the base 32, a traveller 32, a traveller biasing member 36 and a damping member 38, respectively. Similar to the traveller 34, the traveller 104 is movably mounted to the base 102 and is movable relative to the base laterally away from a home position.

[0074] The traveller 104 may have a weight holder formed by two receiving members 110, which permit a mounting of one or more plates 112 to the traveller 204. The plates 112 constitute weights. Two locking members 114 are inserted through the plates 112 and provide turn-lock functionality through apertures 116 in the traveller 104.

[0075] The base 102 is mountable to a rear of the head 10 of the user (e.g. by being adhered to the rear of a helmet (not shown). The base 102 includes, in this embodiment, first and second rails shown at 118, and the traveller 104 includes rail slots shown in Figure 18A at 120.

[0076] The traveller biasing member 106 may be a first spring (e.g. a helical coil spring) and the counterweight system 100 may further include a second traveller biasingMillman Ref: TSI-008member 106 that may be a second spring similar to the first spring. The traveller biasing member 106 may alternatively be any other suitable elastic member.

[0077] The damping member 108 may be provided a resilient slider member 122 that is mounted on one of the base 102 and the traveller 104 (in this embodiment, the traveller 104) and frictional ly engages the other of the base 102 and the traveller 104.

[0078] The counterweight system 100 may further include a locking member 124 that may operate similarly to the locking member 62.

[0079] In the specification, a helmet (e.g. the helmet 42) has been described as being worn by the user, and the counterweight systems (e.g. the counterweight system 30) described and shown have been mounted to the rear of the helmet. It will be noted that a helmet is merely one example of a headgear that may have the counterweight system mounted to it. Any other suitable type of headgear could alternatively be used, such as, for example, one or more straps that wrap around the head 10 of the user, whereby the counterweight system mounts to the one or more straps.

[0080] While the damping member has been described as being part of each embodiment, it is possible that the damping member can be omitted in some embodiments. Providing the counterweight system (e.g. the counterweight system 30) without the damping member still provides a benefit in that a peak torque exerted by the user is reduced as compared to a system that has a fixed counterweight.

[0081] All publications, patents and patent applications cited above are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0082] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that there are yet more alternative implementations and modifications possible, and that the above examples are only illustrations of one or more implementations. The scope, therefore, is only to be limited by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

Millman Ref: TSI-008WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A counterweight system for a head of a user, comprising:a base that is mountable to a rear of the head of the user;a traveller that is movably mounted to the base and is movable relative to the base laterally away from a home position;a traveller biasing member that urges the traveller towards the home position; and a damping member that is positioned to dissipate kinetic energy of the traveller during movement of the traveller.

2. The counterweight system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the traveller includes a weight holder, and wherein the counterweight system further includes a plurality of weights that are positionable in the weight holder to control a total weight of the traveller.

3. The counterweight system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the traveller biasing member is a first traveller biasing member that is a first spring that urges the traveller in a first direction and wherein the counterweight system further includes a second traveller biasing member that is a second spring that urges the traveller in a second direction.

4. The counterweight system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a locking member on one of the traveller and the base that is movable between an unlocking position to permit movement of the traveller relative to the base and a locking position to prevent movement of the traveller relative to the base.

5. The counterweight system as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a connector for connecting the base to an attachment point on a headgear that is wearable by the user.

6. The counterweight system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the base is adjustably mountable over a range of vertical positions to a headgear that is wearable by the user.

7. A counterweight system for a head of a user, comprising:Millman Ref: TSI-008a base that is mountable to a rear of the head of the user;a traveller that is movable relative to the base vertically away from a home position; a traveller biasing member that urges the traveller towards the home position; and a damping member that is positioned to dissipate kinetic energy of the traveller during movement of the traveller.

8. The counterweight system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the traveller includes a weight holder, and wherein the counterweight system further includes a plurality of weights that are positionable in the weight holder to control a total weight of the traveller.

9. The counterweight system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the traveller biasing member is a first traveller biasing member that is a first spring that urges the traveller in a first direction and wherein the counterweight system further includes a second traveller biasing member that is a second spring that urges the traveller in a second direction.

10. The counterweight system as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a locking member on one of the traveller and the base that is movable between an unlocking position to permit movement of the traveller relative to the base and a locking position to prevent movement of the traveller relative to the base.

11. The counterweight system as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a connector for connecting the base to an attachment point on a headgear that is wearable by the user.

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